Texas hold 'em fans will be playing for a trip to Las Vegas at Snowshoe Mountain resort this weekend after state Lottery Commission officials noted they did not wager anything, or pay an entry fee, to play.

The tournament is sponsored by West Virginia Broadcasting. Participants qualified for the tournament by calling in to radio stations. They will play with plastic chips.

The winner, however, will receive $10,000 for entry into the national tournament in Las Vegas and airfare from West Virginia to Nevada. There are other prizes for contestants who don't take first place.

John Melton, the commission's attorney, said many charity events held around roulette wheels and poker tables are illegal because they charge people an entry fee and give them prizes, despite participants playing without money.

Melton pointed to a state Supreme Court decision saying gambling needs three components: chance, which this event has; a prize, which this event has; and consideration, or betting, which the event does not have.

Texas hold 'em fans will be playing for a trip to Las Vegas at Snowshoe Mountain resort this weekend after state Lottery Commission officials noted they did not wager anything, or pay an entry fee, to play.

The tournament is sponsored by West Virginia Broadcasting. Participants qualified for the tournament by calling in to radio stations. They will play with plastic chips.

The winner, however, will receive $10,000 for entry into the national tournament in Las Vegas and airfare from West Virginia to Nevada. There are other prizes for contestants who don't take first place.

John Melton, the commission's attorney, said many charity events held around roulette wheels and poker tables are illegal because they charge people an entry fee and give them prizes, despite participants playing without money.

Melton pointed to a state Supreme Court decision saying gambling needs three components: chance, which this event has; a prize, which this event has; and consideration, or betting, which the event does not have.