Standing up for poker rights

Author: Simon Dexter

He may appear a little eccentric but Harold Lee is currently my poker hero as he looks set to take the right to play poker to the US courts.

The 60-year-old former judge has been holding poker tournaments at various premises since 2001 in disregard of state law and now he may face his day in court.

But Judge Lee is not afraid of how things may turn out in the courtroom.

“If that’s what it takes, let’s get this thing in the courthouse,” Lee declared. “They’ll lose because poker isn’t (illegal) gambling. . . . I don’t think they can get a jury to convict.”

His websites sets out his stall and challenges the state to basically come and get him.

“We need the light of day shined on this disastrous public policy,” he added. “We have had our true heritage stolen from us. We have had powers and authorities illegally usurped from our charter.”

Claiming poker is part of “our inherent and inalienable right to liberty in the pursuit of happiness.” He finally contends that a by giving the native Indian community the right to hold poker tournaments the state is stealing from taxpayers pockets.

He extols the virtues of social gambling and cites his charity poker nights in support of local causes.

It’s not the first time Lee has been controversial. As a judge he would sometimes punish offenders by forcing them to donate blood and was known for being soft on ‘victimless’ crimes such as smoking drugs, prostitution and, of course, gambling.

His poker nights regularly attract some of the town’s top brass including lawyers, servicemen and even policemen, and he takes a small rake off each pot to cover expenses including paying the dealers.

The ex-policeman believes he has studied the state gambling laws well enough to understand that what he is doing is not illegal.

“I have a little experience with the law,” he continued. “If they decide to book me, I’ll just plead not guilty and demand a trial.”

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