Again, don't forget to buy those Illinois Lotto tickets.

The stupidity is neverending.

Reason Magazine - Hit & Run > Now Illegal: The Appearance of Gambling:

"The Illinois Liquor Control Commission is cracking down on bars that host poker tournaments, even if no one is actually gambling.

...In an effort to stay within the bounds of Illinois' gambling laws, organizers of the poker league charge no fee to play in their tournaments, ban wagering and offer only nominal prizes to the winners such as gift certificates from the host establishment.

This apparently was too close to the real thing for state authorities, who promptly shut the tournaments down.

...Listen, appearances count," Penesis says. "The appearance is that gambling is occurring, even if it's not. That's the problem."

I guess Illinois bars should be prohibited from showing televised horse racing, or holding darts or billiards tournaments, too."