Real money poker is a popular and fun diversion currently available to most Canadians in four main venues: online; in casinos; in underground (illegal) clubs; and in private homes. 

Many people love playing poker and would also love the opportunity to play "in-person" in a safe, local and regulated environment.  Unfortunately, Canadian federal legislation makes it a criminal offence to establish and operate a poker room.  To do so is a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment for a term of up to two years.  Being caught in a poker room is also punishable as a criminal offence.

So if you are a straight shooter and want to play poker, other than online (which is arguably an entirely different game than live poker), in a depressing casino poker room (assuming you wouldn't have to drive for at least 2 hours just to get to one, like most of us), in an illegal establishment (where you could get a criminal record) or in your basement or garage, then you're pooched.  

These options are not satisfactory.  The Canadian federal government needs to amend the Criminal Code to provide for licensing and regulation of privately owned and operated poker rooms offering just poker.  No slots.  No blackjack.  No roulette, or any other casino game.  No bingo or betting on the horses.  Venues that just offer poker.  Dealers, tables, chips and cards.  Venues that are legal, safe, local and fun.  Venues where you can sit face to face with other like-minded people and just play poker.  

As with other similar arrangements between federal and provincial governments (e.g. casinos, lotteries, horse betting), the federal government could explicitly address the activity under the Criminal Code and allow provincial governments to be accountable for licensing and regulating the activity within the provinces.  In Ontario, for example, regulation of poker rooms could be within the authority of the Alcohol and Gaming Commision of Ontario (AGCO) or the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG).

Not only does it make sense from a consumer demand perspective, it would also foster entrepreneurship, create jobs, contribute to government coffers and bring our legislation up to date by acknowleding that "live" (and not just "online") poker is totally mainstream and not an underground criminal activity.