The Dispatch-"Charity Gambling May Fold

The Dispatch: "Charity Gambling May Fold

Friday, November 11, 2005

By Kristen Munson

Gilroy - A recent crackdown on charity poker events by the Department of Justice has led to the possible cancellation of at least one of the city’s fundraising activities and may prevent thousands of dollars from ever reaching local charities. The real losers in the possible cancellation of charity poker tournaments are the children, the poor and the seniors who benefit from the events, organizers said.

Last month, the Almaden Business Association was forced to cancel its charity poker tournament benefiting the Almaden Library, in south San Jose.

Now, the status of Super Showdown - the fourth of the Gilroy Community Services Department’s recreation poker series that benefits youth and senior programs - is up in the air as staff revisit legislation to see how to proceed.

“Every hour was donated - including mine - every product was donated, every pizza and sandwich were donated so that every dollar in entry fees went to the three programs,” said event organizer and Adult Sports Coordinator Bob Burch. So far, “several thousand dollars” has been raised in the three tournaments."