Mega Poker Loss in California

California, Casino History, Crimes / Violence / Punishments: Cheating / Fleecing, Gambling History, Gambling Laws / Regulations: CA Anti-Gambling Act, Gambling: Debt, Games / Races: Poker, Gaming History, It Really Happened, Long Beach--California, United StatesLeave a comment

1938 Esquire* Harry T. Clifton was a wealthy Englishman who owned racing stables and often visited Southern California. During his visit there in April 1938, he gambled with Lew Brice and Tommy Guinan in a Long Beach hotel. Brice was the brother of comedienne Fanny Brice, and a former stage dancer and comedian in his…

Webb’s Wacky War On Poker

California, Embassy Club (Gardena, CA), Ernest "Ernie" J. Primm, Gambling, Gambling Laws / Regulations: CA Anti-Gambling Act, Games / Races: Poker, Gardena--California, It Really Happened, Law Enforcement / Judicial System: Lawsuit, Monterey Club (Gardena, CA), Politicians / Politics: CA California Attorney General Ulysses Webb, United States1 Comment

1936-Present If it weren’t for gambler Ernest J. Primm’s nerve and fortitude, California’s nearly 90 card clubs wouldn’t exist today. With a gambling license from the city of Gardena (in Los Angeles County), he opened a poker room there in 1936 — the Embassy Club. It was the first above-ground establishment of its kind since…