Rake-Free Report #07: Kentucky Is (Quietly) Opening the Door to Social Poker Clubs

After years of staying quiet on the poker front, Kentucky is back in the conversation—and this time, it’s not just about Derby horses and bourbon.

Social poker clubs are starting to pop up in the state, with Chris Moneymaker leading the charge. Yes, that Chris Moneymaker—the 2003 WSOP champ and poster boy for the poker boom—whose club was shut down just two years ago in a messy legal dispute.

Now? He’s reopened in Paducah, and the climate looks surprisingly more welcoming.

Moneymaker’s Poker Room: Second Time’s the Charm?

Back in 2022, Moneymaker Social Club got shut down by local authorities, with the usual accusations of illegal gambling despite the room charging no rake and operating on a membership model.

It was a familiar story—a state unsure of how to classify these types of operations, leaning on outdated gambling laws and vague language to shut it down “just in case.”

Fast forward to 2025, and Moneymaker’s Poker Room is officially open again in Paducah—still rake-free, still running cash games and tournaments, and still pushing the line of what’s possible under Kentucky law.

It’s not just him either. A handful of clubs have opened or are prepping to open across the state, quietly testing the waters for a new type of gaming venue that looks a lot like what we’ve seen grow in Texas, California, and parts of Ohio.

So, Is It Legal in Kentucky?

Short answer: It’s gray. Just like Texas.

There’s no formal law explicitly allowing private, rake-free poker clubs in Kentucky—but there’s also no clear ban on them if they aren’t taking a cut of the pot and are structured as private membership clubs.

This creates a lane where clubs like Moneymaker’s can operate as long as they don’t bank games, rake pots, or profit directly from the gambling itself. Instead, they charge seat fees, membership dues, or hourly rates—keeping everything “player vs player.”

It’s a tightrope walk, but with enough legal structure and local goodwill, it’s working—for now.

Why This Matters

Kentucky is a borderline Bible Belt state with a long history of opposing expanded gambling. But now, with Moneymaker’s club open and other venues testing the same model, it looks like a quiet shift is happening.

This matters because:

• If Kentucky doesn’t shut this down fast, it sets precedent.

• It offers another state for poker entrepreneurs to expand into without the full weight of gaming commissions or tribal opposition.

• And it shows that even conservative states are seeing the upside of regulated, non-predatory poker options.

Let’s be real—Kentucky isn’t becoming Nevada overnight, but the fact that Moneymaker’s name is back on a front door in Paducah is a pretty clear signal:

The social poker model is expanding.

The Bottom Line

Chris Moneymaker’s reopening isn’t just a one-off comeback story—it’s a sign that the social club poker model has legs outside of Texas.

Kentucky may be cautious, but they aren’t slamming the door shut this time. That’s progress.

If you’re thinking about launching a room or expanding your footprint, keep an eye on the Bluegrass State. The rules aren’t clear—but the opportunity is.

Do you own a social club? are you looking for some additional marketing reach, and want to talk to our team about writing a post? We love visiting clubs and sharing information with our community all it takes is shooting us a note or leaving a comment on our post about who we should check out next!

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