Police and prosecutors in Salt Lake County agree that most Texas Hold'em poker tournaments violate state law - just don't expect a mass effort to bring down the perpetrators.
Instead, law enforcement agencies announced at a news conference Thursday they hope to head off poker's rising popularity by informing the public about Utah's gambling statute.
A game is illegal in the Beehive State if someone pays to play in hopes of winning something of value in a game that includes an element of chance. Violating the law is a misdemeanor punishable by six months in jail and a $1,000 fine Poker tables and chips also could be confiscated. Utah and Hawaii are the only states that ban all types of gambling.
"This is more of an education thing," Salt Lake County Sheriff Aaron Kennard said. "If they think we are going to put a lot of resources behind this, they're nuts."
But Kennard promised to follow up on all leads provided by the public. Police regularly use the "three C's - conspicuous, commercial or complained about" when examining a potential gambling case, according to Salt Lake City Police Chief Rick Dinse.
The county's district attorney, David Yocom, is a little more gung-ho. He is ready to take on poker organizers who say the game is not gambling because it involves more skill than chance.
"We would welcome a test case," he said.
The Statewide Association of Prosecutors, which Yocom leads, voted Wednesday to back him in his efforts to "diligently" pursue gambling cases.
One obvious possibility is the Big SLC Poker Club, located in Sandy. Big SLC charges customers $20 to play in a preliminary table.
If the customers win, they can play in a final table for free.
The winners of the final table get prizes such as digital music players and trips to Las Vegas.
Sandy has cited Big SLC three times for zoning violations, one of which is still in court.
Sandy Police Chief Steve Chapman said the club is violating the gambling law and he plans to have his officers talk to the club's owners.
He said a few bars are in violation as well.
Matt Nadeau, who founded Big SLC Poker, said he welcomes the dialogue.
"We will work with them," he said. "If they come to us and say we can't do this, we are not going to break the law and keep doing it."
Nadeau believes he is within his rights, saying his club offers an experience no different than a bowling or pool tournament.
"We are just offering entertainment for a minimum fee," he said.
Coincidentally, the actions of Salt Lake County public safety comes on the heels of LDS President Gordon B. Hinckley's criticism of poker during the biannual General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints last weekend.
"If you have never been involved in poker games or other forms of gambling, don't start. If you are involved, then quit now while you can do so," Hinckley said.