Ohio poker players pumped for legal room

TOLEDO, Ohio -- As reported by the Toldeo Free Press: "Legalized gambling has come to Toledo — sort of.

"Players in the Toledo area seeking legal, potentially high-stakes poker games, previously had to travel to poker rooms in casinos in Detroit or Windsor, or find a charity game sponsored by a local non-profit organization. Now all they have to do is take a short drive over the Michigan state line to find live, legal poker action four days a week.

"The CSI Poker Room opened in the former Dollar King store located in a retail strip center at 6644 Lewis Avenue, just north of Smith Road in Temperance. Featuring 10 poker tables, one blackjack table, ceiling-mounted televisions and the familiar sound of chips being riffled by nervous players, the poker room has attracted near capacity crowds since opening Feb. 4.

"CSI Poker Room is the first such establishment to open in a permanent location in the greater Toledo area. There are more than 120 such establishments in Michigan.

"Owned and operated by Grand Rapids, Michigan resident Russ Van Dam, 52, and his wife Christine, the business operates as a charitable gaming enterprise under the jurisdiction of the Michigan Lottery's charitable gaming division. They also operate three other poker rooms in Michigan — two in Grand Rapids and one in Warren..."