Monday, Aug. 1, 2005 | 9:40 a.m.
SPRINGFIELD, Ore. -- The city is considering whether to lift a ban against social gambling that would let bars and taverns host Texas hold 'em tournaments.
Owners of such establishments are concerned that the ban is preventing them from cashing in on the poker game that has become a national craze. Poker is allowed nearby cities, including Eugene, Junction City, Creswell, Oakridge and Veneta.
The variation of seven-card stud is so popular in those cities that games can be found at taverns, clubs and nightspots just about any night of the week.
Springfield has forbidden social gambling since 1994, following raids at a number of establishments that uncovered several rule violations and some outright cheating.
"I think it's unfair Springfield doesn't have the option to run social games," said Christine Lundberg, a city councilwoman and the owner of the Snappy Service Cafe. She said the inability to host the poker tournaments puts businesses in the city of 55,000 at a disadvantage.
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