Chris Moneymaker has decided to close his poker room in Kentucky to avoid a potential clash with authorities regarding the legality of its operations. The 2003 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event champion opened the Moneymaker Social Club in September 2022 after obtaining approval from the former McCracken County Attorney Sam Clymer.
Ex-County Attorney Said Moneymaker’s Poker Room Was Legal
Moneymaker had no qualms about running the poker room, with Clymer himself declaring that it was legal. It operated similarly to the poker clubs in Texas whereby instead of paying rake, customers are only charged membership/seat fees to be able to play. But things took a turn for the worse a few months ago when Moneymaker tried to apply for a liquor license.
The license application, which was ultimately declined by the Kentucky Department for Alcohol Control (ABC), paved the way for Moneymaker’s poker room to be declared illegal by the new County Attorney, Cade Foster.
Moneymaker Social Club Will Stay Open
To avoid legal action, the Moneymaker Social Club eventually stopped spreading poker games, but its other services will continue so that workers retain their jobs, according to Moneymaker. The Poker Hall of Famer said Foster had approved of the club’s business model before starting his current role back in November 2022. The American poker pro said he isn’t sure why the county attorney suddenly changed his mind.
