Chris Moneymaker forced to close poker room

Facing possible illegal gambling charges, Moneymaker Social can no longer offer poker, six months after getting approval to do so.

2003 Main Event champion Chris Moneymaker has been forced to close his new social-poker room in Kentucky, under threat of prosecution. 

Moneymaker Social was forced to stop a $50,000 guaranteed tournament midway on Tuesday after a legal notice from the McCracken County office. It will remain open for other games like pool and darts but is unable to serve alcohol. 

The poker room had only opened six months ago and had originally received approval from Attorney Sam Clymer, but his replacement Cade Foster has reneged on the approval. 

Gambling is illegal in Kentucky and Moneymaker would have faced felony charges related to illegal gambling, had the poker room remained open. 

Social-poker clubs in Kentucky are similar to the ones in Texas, like the Lodge owned by Doug Polk. They don't take a rake but charge the players a membership fee. 

Moneymaker told PokerNews he plans for the club to stay open but admitted it will be difficult to stay afloat for long being unable to other poker or sell alcohol. 

Have you played in a poker-social club? Let us know in the comments: