Facing Potential Criminal Charges, Chris Moneymaker Closes Kentucky Poker Room
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Chris Moneymaker has been forced to cease poker operations at his Kentucky card room, Moneymaker Social Club, following threats of criminal action from local authorities.
The poker room, located in Paducah, had just opened in September and had originally received approval from the then McCracken County Attorney Sam Clymer. But Clymer's replacement, Cade Foster, has reversed course on the decision to allow Moneymaker Social Club to continue spreading poker games.
Moneymaker, who potentially would have faced misdemeanor and felony charges related to illegal gambling — gambling is illegal in Kentucky — told PokerNews in an exclusive interview that will be available on this week's upcoming episode of the PokerNews Podcast what happened and what his plans are now with the business he invested hundreds of thousands to open less than a year ago.
"We've decided to pull out the poker tables and shut down the poker part of the business," Moneymaker said. "Actually, that's the biggest part of the business right now."