A local state legislator said he will introduce a law during the next legislative session to make poker tournaments legal, like golf or pool tournaments.

The announcement by Sen. Dave Kleis, R-St. Cloud, came Wednesday, days after state gambling enforcement agents raided a local bowling alley that had held Texas Hold'em tournaments every Monday night for about eight months.

``If you're going to ban Texas Hold'em, you might as well ban everything,'' Kleis said. ``It's a game of skill. It's ridiculous that you can't have those types of tournaments.''

Kleis has thought about such legislation for a while. He said the raid of Granite Bowl during a Texas Hold'em tournament prompted him to make it a priority.

Authorities have said the promoters and organizers of the tournament could face criminal charges, although none have yet been filed.

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The owner of the bowling alley has said that no money changed hands in the tournament and the winners only received nominal prizes, including hats and T-shirts that cost less than $25.

Generally, tournaments that involve games of chance in which the organizers profit - even through increased food and drink sales - are illegal.

Tournaments involving games of skill, including pool, darts and golf, are permitted by Minnesota law.

Source: Associated Press