23-5-317. Tournaments. (1) Subject to the department's approval, a licensed operator who has a permit for placing at least 1 live card game table on the operator's premises may conduct up to 12 live card game tournaments a year on the operator's premises. Each tournament may be conducted for no more than 5 consecutive days. If an operator conducts more than one tournament a year, at least 7 days must lapse between the conclusion of one tournament and the beginning of the next tournament.
     (2) (a) Before the start of a tournament, the operator shall submit to the department an application for a tournament permit. The permit application must be accompanied by a $10 fee. The department shall retain the fee for administrative purposes.
     (b) If a tournament is to be conducted on the premises of more than one licensed operator, each operator shall submit a permit application and processing fee. The permit is applied toward each operator's annual 12-tournament limit.
     (c) A licensed operator may participate in a progressive card game tournament in which the ultimate prize is not awarded until the final round of the tournament is completed.
     (d) At least 50% of the total of all entrance fees for any tournament that is represented as a charitable tournament must be paid to a charitable, educational, or recreational nonprofit organization.
     (3) Permits for placement of additional live card game tables, as provided in 23-5-306, are not required for additional tables authorized under a tournament permit.
     (4) Tournament participants must be provided with a copy of the tournament rules before the start of the tournament. A copy of the rules must be posted in a conspicuous location in each area where the tournament is conducted.
     (5) A person must be present on the premises during the tournament to oversee the conduct of the card games and to settle disputes among players. This person may be a dealer licensed under 23-5-308.
     (6) Only a dealer licensed under 23-5-308 may deal cards at a poker or panguingue tournament.
     (7) A licensed operator may charge a tournament participant an entry fee, which may include a fee to cover expenses incurred in conducting the tournament. A participant who has been eliminated from competition during the tournament may reenter the tournament by paying an additional fee if permitted to do so under tournament rules. A rake-off may not be taken during a tournament card game.
     (8) The face value of the chips used does not govern the value of the pot awarded at the end of the tournament.
     (9) The prize for a tournament may be the right to participate in another tournament if the value of a seat in the higher-level tournament is equivalent to the value of the expected top prize for the tournament.
     (10) The total amount paid by an individual to enter a tournament, including any additional purchase of chips or other payment during the tournament, may not exceed $2,500.
     (11) The provisions of this part and the department rules governing live card games apply to live card games conducted as part of a tournament unless otherwise provided.

     History: En. Sec. 37, Ch. 647, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 11, Ch. 626, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 101, L. 2007.