that is a load of shit! i know for a fact that playing poker in local homegames is only "illegal" is if the house makes money from it, for example charges rake, etc. my saturday home games are $50 8-10 player sitngos, and then $50+ side table cash games and not a dime goes to the host. every bit of the money is paid back to its top finishing players, which is totally fine. just thought you should all be aware, i do know this for a guaranteed fact %100, but im not at liberty to mention my source. Peace