ONLINE POKER REVIEWS

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Joanne Berger DuMound, Sun News

March 21, 2010, 10:09AM

View full sizeJOANNE BERGER DuMOUND/SUN NEWS The Gemini Players Club is inside a plain storefront on Bagley Road next to Powerhouse Gym. The private club offers tables of pool, ping pong and Texas Hold ‘em. Gemini Players Club closed Saturday after receiving a letter from the city of Berea.

The city delivered a letter to the Gemini Players Club Friday saying gambling activities would be considered “criminal acts by any player, dealer, operator” at the club after 12:01 a.m. Saturday. The club offers several activities, including Texas Hold ‘em poker.

The city is taking a legal stand that the club was violating Ohio’s gambling laws by charging an entrance fee.  The club requires membership dues and a entry fee.  

Mayor Cyril M. Kleem told the News Sun Wednesday the city has been reviewing the club’s operations and state’s gambling laws and would have an answer about whether the club was operating legally or illegally “by the end of the week.” 

“The action could be to close them down,” Kleem said.

That is exactly what occurred.

The city’s Planning Commission approved the club’s conditional use permit request but added provisions. One was that the club conforms with the state’s and city’s gambling laws. 

The club opened its first facility in Columbus in 2007. It is still in operation.

It’s unclear whether the owners will challenge the city’s interpretation of the gambling laws and how they pertain to the club. 

See the News Sun March 25 issue for more details.