Kamloops man fined $3,000 for unsafe poker game

Nov 20, 2020 | 12:33 PM Pete McIntyre

A Kamloops homeowner may have been winning his card game – but lost his shirt when RCMP arrived.

At about 1:00 a.m.Friday (Nov. 20), RCMP were tipped off to an illegal poker game taking place at a home in the 1800-block of Hugh Allan Drive.

When officers arrived, they found nine other people around the card table who did not live in the home. They participants were not distanced or wearing masks, and there were sanitation stations available.

RCMP say the proprietor did not cooperate with Mounties and was arrested for obstructing a peace officer. After the party broke up and the guests dispersed, he was released.

The 37-year-old was, however, hit with more than $3,000 in fines:

Section 2(2) – Schedule 2, Item 23.4 – Contravention of Gatherings and Events Order ($2300)
Section 5 – Schedule 2, Item 23.4 – Fail to comply with direction from enforcement officer ($230)
Section 4 – Schedule 2, Item 23.4 – Promote or encourage attendance at non-compliant gathering or event ($230)
Section 6(1) – Schedule 2, Item 23.4 – Abusive or belligerent behaviour ($230)

“It is disheartening when our police officers have to attend such gatherings putting themselves at risk of catching COVID-19 and bringing it home to their families when it can be avoided,” Supt. Syd Lecky said in a news release. “The uncooperative nature of the homeowner just makes this even more troublesome.”