Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament

To learn if your organization is eligible to apply for a licence, review the LGCA's eligibility guide. Organizations that have never been licensed or have not had a licence in three years or more must submit background information to show its eligibility for a licence.

Texas hold’em is a form of poker. All players are dealt two pocket cards face-down and five community cards are dealt face-up on the table. Each player builds their best five-card poker hand based on these seven cards.

There are four rounds of betting:

• First round - after the two pocket cards are dealt face down to each player;
• Second round - after the first three community cards (called the flop) are dealt face-up; 
• Third round - after the fourth community card (called the turn) is dealt face-up; and 
• Fourth round - after the fifth community card (called the river) is dealt face-up. 

Each player pays a set entry fee for the same amount of tournament chips and playing continues until all but one or a few players have lost all of their chips. The winner(s) are awarded the prize pool according to each tournament’s rules which are based on LGCA’s standard rules of play. 

The LGCA licenses only Texas hold’em poker tournaments where chips are non-negotiable and have no cash value. Other poker forms such as Omaha, seven-card stud and five-card draw are not allowed as charitable gaming in Manitoba. 

All Texas hold'em poker tournaments must be licensed regardless of the expected revenue and how the profits will be used. Conducting a Texas hold'em poker tournament without a licence is a criminal offence. 

Organizations holding Texas hold’em poker tournaments must comply with the terms and conditions set by the LGCA. Licensees must also set their own individual tournament rules to be used with the LGCA’s standard rules of play. 

• TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Texas hold’em poker tournament
• GUIDE: Texas hold’em poker tournament standard rules of play

• Texas hold’em poker tournaments with anticipated gross revenue over $10,000:1.0% of the actual gross revenue of the tournament.
• Due at the same time as the financial reports. The LGCA will provide the reporting requirements when the licence is issued. 

You can apply for a Texas hold'em poker tournament licence at MyLGCA.ca. 

Once licensed, organizations must notify the LGCA of any changes they want to make to their event, such as dates, use of profits or expenses. The LGCA must approve the changes before the organization can advertise or implement them. You can submit an amendment at MyLGCA.ca.

A MyLGCA account is necessary for an organization to submit an amendment. Organizations that do not have a MyLGCA account can contact the LGCA, either:

• By email through our website (Select Gaming Licence and indicate that your organization needs to set up a MyLGCA account.)
• By calling 204-927-5300 or Manitoba only toll-free 1-800-782-0363 and asking for Charitable Services. 

To ask for an accessibility accommodation when making an application or requesting an amendment, call the LGCA's Charitable Services department at either number above.

You cannot advertise your Texas hold'em poker tournament until your licence is approved.