Poker Pro Thatcher Sentenced To Probation For Role In Operating 906 Poker Social

Written By Paul Costanzo on January 26, 2023
Michigan pro poker player sentenced for running illegal gambling operation at 906 Poker Social.

Michigan professional poker player Joshua T. Thatcher was sentenced Jan. 19 to 12 months of probation for his role in operating an illegal poker room.

Thatcher pleaded guilty on Dec. 2 to one felony county of gambling operations connected to 906 Poker Social in Marquette.

As part of his plea agreement, Thatcher agreed to forfeit all items seized from the location, including six poker tables, $13,050 in cash and other money held in bank accounts connected to the investigation.

Michigan pro poker player sentenced for role in running 906 Poker Social

Thatcher, 42, of Gwinn, was charged in May 2022 with five other felony counts and a high misdemeanor count, which were later dismissed.

The charges followed a joint investigation into 906 Poker Social by the Michigan Gaming Control Board and the Michigan Dept. of Attorney General. The poker club was open for just three month, from April 1, 2021, to July 8, 2021.

“Unregulated gambling operations do not offer Michigan residents the same protections provided through legal, regulated gambling,” Henry Williams, executive director of the MGCB, said in a release. “The Michigan Gaming Control Board’s mission is to ensure fair and honest gaming in Michigan, and we partner with the Michigan Department of Attorney General to investigate and eliminate illegal gaming activities across the state.”

906 Poker Social was investigated for illegal gambling

In published reports, Thatcher described 906 Poker Social as a private membership club where members gambled against one another. Members were charged a weekly, month or yearly membership fee, plus a $10 per hour chair rental fee. Live poker and other games were offered at 906 Poker Social.

“My office remains committed to upholding business rules and regulations, and that includes our state’s gambling laws,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a release. “I appreciate the work the Michigan Gaming Control Board has done to protect Michigan residents and businesses.”

Nessel’s office prosecuted the case. Judge Jennifer A. Mazzuchi of the 25th Circuit Court in Marquette presided over the sentencing.

Photo by Shutterstock.com
Paul Costanzo Avatar
Written by
Paul Costanzo

Paul Costanzo is the managing editor of PlayMichigan, the No. 1 source for online gambling news in Michigan. He has covered news and sports throughout the state at various media outlets over the past 20 years. Paul works with a talented team at PlayMichigan to provide the latest news and information on Michigan’s booming sports betting, online casino and online poker industries.

View all posts by Paul Costanzo
Privacy Policy
Newsletter Sign Up
Fill in the data to get the latest news from PlayMichigan
You are already subscribed to our newsletter. Want to update your preferences data?
Your data was sent and sign up for PlayMichigan newsletter confirmed
View Offers