State ends cribbage game at Legion post

State ends cribbage game at Legion post
The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Nov 6, 2007 13:01:15 EST

GARDINER, Maine — A weekly cribbage tournament at an American Legion post has been shut down after a state inspector said the games were illegal because the post didn’t have a license to host games of chance.

Bill Meserve, an 87-year-old World War II veteran, said paying the $5 entry fee on Sundays was an inexpensive way to have fun on a fixed income. He can’t understand why anyone would tell a bunch of old veterans they can’t play a simple game of cribbage.

“We’re just having fun. Where else can you go and spend three hours having fun for five dollars,” he said. “You can’t go to the movies for five dollars.”

Maine State Police Sgt. William Gomane said a number of inspectors regularly visit establishments to check for unlicensed games such as games of chance, card games or money wheels.

The American Legion needs a license to hold cribbage tournaments because it sells things to players, such as food and alcohol, he said. A license for games of chance costs $15 a week or $60 or month, while a yearly license goes for $700, he added.

The American Legion post in Gardner was told it could purchase a special license for just $7.50 a year, provided it charged no more than $1 per person and players did not gamble even a penny.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/11/ap_legion_cribbage_071104w/



uhc comment: Typical American Legion behavior.

Just costin' the tax payers money as they are waiting to die. They don't need no fun and games. :sarcasm:

What is with government anyway? Most of these guys put their life on the line and did their duty. What is so wrong with letting them enjoy themselves without a bunch of made up rules interfering with their fun.
World War II Vets? Leave them alone to enjoy what time they have left. We owe them. They paid their dues and then some. Just leave them be.