Man Loses $1,000 In Poker Game Arrest

A Spokane man was fined $1,000 Friday for his role in illegal late-night poker games.

Douglas Roche pleaded guilty Friday in Spokane County Superior Court to third-degree professional gambling, a misdemeanor.

The charge was reduced from first-degree professional gambling, a felony, under a plea agreement, said John Grasso, a deputy prosecutor.

The gambling charges stem from eight games held between November 1992 and February 1993. The gamblers were playing Texas Hold ‘em, a variety of seven-card stud.

A raid Feb. 20, 1993, at an East Eighth Avenue home resulted in several arrests.

Private gambling is legal in Washington - regardless of the amount bet - as long as no one profits from being host to or dealing the games. Roche was involved in the games as a relief dealer and player, Grasso said. , DataTimes