Beer license yanked due to poker tournaments

Thursday, June 30, 2005 | 9:11 a.m.

HARRISBURG, S.D. -- The Lincoln County Commission has pulled the beer license of a Harrisburg bar owner after the owner admitted sponsoring illegal poker tournaments at the bar.

Todd Erks "has been running an illegal card game in his business since its inception," according to State's Attorney Tom Wollman. "There's no difference between his operation and Deadwood, Flandreau or other Indian casinos. The difference is those operations are legal."

Commission member Dennis Weeldreyer said the board had little choice.

"You put this commission in a position where our state's attorney says you're breaking the law," Weeldreyer told Erks. "When that's true, we can't renew the license," which expires today.

Poker, unlike pool or darts, is classified as a game of chance and is illegal outside of Deadwood or casinos, Wollman said.

Erks doesn't agree with the law's description of poker. "Ask any poker player, and they will tell you it's a game of skill," he said.

Erks said his lawyer told him the description is a "gray area" in the law and that he will talk with state legislators about possible changes.