'We received a lot of complaints and decided we needed to refocus some attention and started doing more compliance checks, both overt and covert,' spokeswoman Susan Hofer said. But Illinois Department of Revenue officials say they are increasing enforcement this year, having raided roughly a dozen poker games, in some cases closing them down. Regulators acknowledge most games go on without direct oversight. By keeping professional dealers out of the equation, the state law was intended to ensure that charities get the most benefit from the games, rather than for-profit companies or professional dealers.

The law aims to draw a firm line between charities and hired gambling consultants, who are limited to providing advice on setting up the games and equipment. Dealers may not be paid or tipped, and side bets are forbidden. Money is to be handled only at the bank, not at the tables. Charity poker itself is perfectly legal, but Illinois law prohibits consultants from running charitable games and providing dealers - duties expressly limited to the charity. The events at this recent charity fundraiser in Arlington Heights were typical, some poker insiders say - but against the law.

The dealer - provided by a gambling consultant - cashed out another player's chips. Winners negotiated the pot, splitting $500, and tipped the dealer $45. At the tables, players bought in for $50 in cash and threw in $5 side bets. On a weekday afternoon, the sounds of poker filled a banquet hall: clattering chips, groans over bad hands and the occasional victory holler punctuated by an empty beer bottle bouncing on the floor.

Chicago with wheels poker