Because, as we all know, there is no crime and no social ills left to for the government to fight in Canada, law enforcement in Alberta has declared the game of cribbage illegal.
Authorities in Alberta say monthly cribbage tournaments for seniors at three veterans clubs amount to illegal gambling because they offer a cash prize.
The warning from the province’s gaming and liquor commissioner comes as a result of a complaint from a person in Edmonton about cribbage tournaments at the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans Clubs. There are three of the clubs in Alberta, one in Edmonton, another in Lethbridge and the third in Grande Prairie.
As a result of an investigation, the commissioner ruled that even though the stakes are small, it still amounts to illegal gambling. The club in Edmonton contacted its other two branches and passed along the warning.
If this happened in America, the AARP folks would probably create a national campaign to fight it.
(PS – for those not versed in Cribbage slang, hit this link to find out what the term ‘Dead Hole’ means as well as a synonym that kind of matches my thoughts on Canada at the moment)