Two restaurants in Oldham County have been told that they can no longer hold poker tournaments, because the expected increased sales in alcohol would mean their main revenue would no longer be generated by food orders.
Ray's Corner has been banned from hosting the Bluegrass Texas Hold 'Em Tour and Fast Break Pizza has been told it can no longer continue holding events from the Louisville Poker Tour on the premises, which it had done on a weekly basis.
Local law enforcement officials issued the crackdown after saying that Oldham County legislation requires that restaurants earn at least 70 per cent of income from food sales and were obliged to retain 100 seats for the sole use of diners.
Restaurant owners said they were disappointed because the poker tournaments were fun events with no buy-in, no side-betting and players only earned points to compete for prizes.
Jim Walling, owner of the Bluegrass Texas Hold 'Em Tour, said his games had previously been approved for the restaurants and due to the fact that he had to cancel tournaments, he is considering suing La Grange officials for loss of revenue.
Ellie Irwin, co-owner of Ray's Corner said she did not plan on appealing against the decision but expressed major disappointment as Monday night poker games had increased trade at the restaurant by about 20 per cent.
Two restaurants in Oldham County have been told that they can no longer hold poker tournaments, because the expected increased sales in alcohol would mean their main revenue would no longer be generated by food orders.