After admitting to running an illegal poker room in Marquette, Michigan, a professional poker player was sentenced to 12 years of probation.
Joshua Thatcher, 42 years old, was sentenced after pleading guilty for one count of gambling operations.
Thatcher also agreed to forfeit all items that were seized from the site, including six poker tables and $13,050 cash.
The poker room, known as 906 Social Poker, was located in a commercial structure just off Route 41. This is the main road that runs through the heart of the city’s south.
Local media covered the opening of 906 Poker social in April 2021. Reports claimed that the new venue would not need approval from the Michigan Gaming Control Board because it was a private member’s club.
Members were charged a fee for weekly, monthly, or yearly memberships. There was also a $10 per-hour chair rental fee.
After a joint investigation of the Michigan Department of Attorney General Criminal Investigation Section and the Michigan Gaming Control Board Criminal Investigation Section, the facility was closed on July 8, 2021.
Henry Williams, executive director, Michigan Gaming Control Board, stated that “unregulated gambling operations don’t offer Michigan residents the exact same protections as legal, regulated gambling.”
“The Michigan Gaming Control Board is committed to fair and honest gaming in Michigan. We partner with the Michigan Department of the Attorney General to investigate illegal gaming activity across the state.”
Dana Nessel, Michigan Attorney General, stated that her office is committed to upholding all business rules and regulations. This includes the state’s gambling laws. I am grateful for the hard work done by the Michigan Gaming Control Board to protect Michigan residents as well as businesses.
