Anti-Gambling Groups Come Out Against Education In Virginia

Poker has become one of the most popular games in the US, but a decision to allow a poker club at a Virginia high school is causing controversy.

A new poker club has been formed at George Mason High School in Virginia, and anti-gambling groups are ripping the new form of education. The groups are contending that the club promotes gambling, but the principal of the school insists they are wrong.

Principal Tyrone Byrd approved the poker club back in September of 2010, and he insists that there were some strict guidelines that would have to be followed. First and foremost, there would be no gambling with real money at the club meetings.

Any promotions for the club would have be done with education in mind, and already Byrd has shown that he will hold the club to these high standards. When the club put up posters of dogs playing poker and smoking, Byrd ordered the posters be taken down.

The educational value that a poker club could have for students has been debated since the club was formed. Poker enthusiasts will argue that the game teaches not only discipline, but extraordinary math skills.

Those who are against the club claim that students are being taught to take part in an activity that could lead to addiction. Byrd has stood by his decision to allow the poker club through all of the controversy.

High school education is often a bridge to higher education, and poker clubs and classes have become popular in the past decade at major US universities. Harvard, considered by many to be the top college in the country, offers classes on poker.

The National Council on Problem Gambling and Focus on the Family have both criticized the George Mason poker club. Focus on the Family has developed a reputation of opposing any activity that may be progressive and goes against the teaching of Conservative Christians.