IMPORTANT! Please read and act quickly - Internet Gambling Prohibition Act
roundcat
Creature of leisure
Silver Level
What scares me is that I don't think it's about money. It's about a conservative idea of morality (the school of "gambling is bad") and legislating values. These conservative southern lawmakers want to see a society in which each home is filled with a nuclear family of churchgoers, none of whom drink, curse, think impure thoughts... or God forbid, log on to party poker and play a few hands.
If it was all about money, pot would have been legalized long ago too.
If it was all about money, pot would have been legalized long ago too.
wsorbust
Cardschat Elite
Silver Level
...
There's already numerous casinos in almost every state in the U.S. because of the Native Americans. Gambling isn't the issue, because these casinos were built within the past 10 years and make tax dollars for local governments. It's a matter of people spending their money and giving their tax dollars to foreign nations, and the fact that there isn't a system currently in use to stop minors from playing.
There's already numerous casinos in almost every state in the U.S. because of the Native Americans. Gambling isn't the issue, because these casinos were built within the past 10 years and make tax dollars for local governments. It's a matter of people spending their money and giving their tax dollars to foreign nations, and the fact that there isn't a system currently in use to stop minors from playing.
starfall
Visionary
Silver Level
Pot shouldn't have been criminalised either, because it was long registered as an effective medicine from Victorian times and earlier. From what I've read its prohibition was a means of repression of certain 'undesirable' groups (particularly racial groups) in which social use was popular. That said, the effects of its prohibition are nothing compared to the creation of hugely rich and powerful criminal groups from the prohibition of Cocaine and Alcohol.
Prohibition of gambling wouldn't have the same effect as alcohol and cocaine prohibition, because the sites will remain available, but access to them will be restricted. The odd thing is that this approach is anti-protectionist - instead of protecting US businesses, it further reduces the opportunities for US businesses to compete in an established global marketplace.
When will the US (and the UK, which thankfully is just stopping companies offering incentives to gamble with them rather than banning online poker) recognise that prohibition is a blunt and flawed instrument, capable of great harm? Rather than offering counselling and education programs, the decision is made to criminalise and prosecute, putting more people in over-crowded prisons, reducing the workforce, reducing tax revenues, and giving more power to criminal (or in this case at least non-US and non-tax-paying) groups. Almost none of the sites will disappear if US players cannot play there since they have players worldwide, so blocking access to such sites would require a censorship effort on a scale of Chinas much-criticised efforts.
I'm sure all of the poster in CardsChat support groups trying to reduce the incidence of problem gambling and gambling addiction, so long as they take a measured 'harm reduction' approach, rather than an ignorant and short-sighted 'we can eliminate harm' stance. Part of the solution is perhaps to support those initiatives, in support of sites adopting standards of conduct to minimise problem gambling, and in assisting compulsive gamblers in getting help, so that alternatives to such crude and mis-guided efforts are highlighted.
For myself, I hope that similar legislation doesn't crop up in the UK, or that it doesn't get anywhere.
Prohibition of gambling wouldn't have the same effect as alcohol and cocaine prohibition, because the sites will remain available, but access to them will be restricted. The odd thing is that this approach is anti-protectionist - instead of protecting US businesses, it further reduces the opportunities for US businesses to compete in an established global marketplace.
When will the US (and the UK, which thankfully is just stopping companies offering incentives to gamble with them rather than banning online poker) recognise that prohibition is a blunt and flawed instrument, capable of great harm? Rather than offering counselling and education programs, the decision is made to criminalise and prosecute, putting more people in over-crowded prisons, reducing the workforce, reducing tax revenues, and giving more power to criminal (or in this case at least non-US and non-tax-paying) groups. Almost none of the sites will disappear if US players cannot play there since they have players worldwide, so blocking access to such sites would require a censorship effort on a scale of Chinas much-criticised efforts.
I'm sure all of the poster in CardsChat support groups trying to reduce the incidence of problem gambling and gambling addiction, so long as they take a measured 'harm reduction' approach, rather than an ignorant and short-sighted 'we can eliminate harm' stance. Part of the solution is perhaps to support those initiatives, in support of sites adopting standards of conduct to minimise problem gambling, and in assisting compulsive gamblers in getting help, so that alternatives to such crude and mis-guided efforts are highlighted.
For myself, I hope that similar legislation doesn't crop up in the UK, or that it doesn't get anywhere.
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starfall
Visionary
Silver Level
Oh, I also hope that one of the Maple Leaf brigade sends me an igloo of my own so I can keep my beer cold, but I don't hold out much hope on that score... they're too busy cramming for the team events so they can try to catch up... 
wsorbust
Cardschat Elite
Silver Level
Honestly, I don't know how you bringing up that pot should be legalized has anything to do with this except that you apparently love it. Pot is a gateway drug that can lead people to kill themselves.... No one cares that you like the Doobie Brothers... sorry. lol
Poker is Illegal in the U.S.. Because of the advent of the internet,there is a fine line between what some believe is illegal gambling. The new law would justify and cover the glitch in the current law which enables interstate or "internation" gambling. I wouldn't be surprised which way this vote goes...but I of course favor the gaming industry's persuasion and their billions of $.
Poker is Illegal in the U.S.. Because of the advent of the internet,there is a fine line between what some believe is illegal gambling. The new law would justify and cover the glitch in the current law which enables interstate or "internation" gambling. I wouldn't be surprised which way this vote goes...but I of course favor the gaming industry's persuasion and their billions of $.
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roundcat
Creature of leisure
Silver Level
Oh, BS. Have you ever tried it? I'm guessing not. I'm not a pot smoker but was in college, and I started getting straight A's *after* I started smoking pot. I never moved on to addictive or detrimental drugs.wsorbust said:
You know what kills people? Alcohol. My brother drank himself to death about a month ago. Now tell me what drug is a killer -- not to mention legal.
Really? I guess you'd better let the casinos in Vegas know that, then, because they do a thriving business in it.wsorbust said:
blankoblanco
plays poker on hard mode
Silver Level
I don't smoke pot (or know how this got into a "pot should be legalized" debate), and never have, but I have many friends who do and I agree with roundcat. Alcohol is far worse, almost without a doubt destroys more lives.
Yes, for people with no self-control pot can potentially lead to more harmful drugs and eventual death. But for people with no self-control, chocolate can lead to obesity and eventual death. That doesn't mean chocolate should be illegal. There are always going to be people who take things too far, no matter what it is. Plain fact is, I don't see how one can argue that marijuana is any worse than alcohol, which, last I checked, is not illegal.
Yes, for people with no self-control pot can potentially lead to more harmful drugs and eventual death. But for people with no self-control, chocolate can lead to obesity and eventual death. That doesn't mean chocolate should be illegal. There are always going to be people who take things too far, no matter what it is. Plain fact is, I don't see how one can argue that marijuana is any worse than alcohol, which, last I checked, is not illegal.
P
Peter North
Enthusiast
Silver Level
Anything can kill someone, it's the person who can't control themselves. I have been smoking cigerettes for 20 years and I know whats going to happen down the road, but thats my choice and don't need anybody telling me what I can and can't do in order for me to live longer. We all are going to die anyways, might as well enjoy the things that make you happy.
Anyways, the whole gambling thing comes down to money. No, the government can give two sh1ts if you lose your money, as long as they get a share of it. If you believe they are looking out for anybody's best interest then you are only fooling yourselves, they are looking for there best interest.
Anyways, the whole gambling thing comes down to money. No, the government can give two sh1ts if you lose your money, as long as they get a share of it. If you believe they are looking out for anybody's best interest then you are only fooling yourselves, they are looking for there best interest.
wsorbust
Cardschat Elite
Silver Level
right. the wholepoint was that pot has nothing to do with this conversation because... Gambling won't Kill people!
ou know what kills people? Alcohol. My brother drank himself to death about a month ago. Now tell me what drug is a killer -- not to mention legal.
Quote:
Originally Posted by wsorbust
Poker is Illegal in the U.S.
Really? I guess you'd better let the casinos in Vegas know that, then, because they do a thriving business in it.
Don't be foolish...there are always exceptions to the rule like Vegas. . . . Poker is illegal in most states or we wouldn't be concerned about the bill.
p.s. I dont care about technicalities or people trying to defend their love of pot by saying alcohol is worse. lol Don't go off topic, then try to defend your illegal habits...! I'm done with this thread ... If you want to try to convince your congressman to legalize pot I would suggest not doing it in the same call or email as your poker one!
ou know what kills people? Alcohol. My brother drank himself to death about a month ago. Now tell me what drug is a killer -- not to mention legal.
Quote:
Originally Posted by wsorbust
Poker is Illegal in the U.S.
Really? I guess you'd better let the casinos in Vegas know that, then, because they do a thriving business in it.
Don't be foolish...there are always exceptions to the rule like Vegas. . . . Poker is illegal in most states or we wouldn't be concerned about the bill.
p.s. I dont care about technicalities or people trying to defend their love of pot by saying alcohol is worse. lol Don't go off topic, then try to defend your illegal habits...! I'm done with this thread ... If you want to try to convince your congressman to legalize pot I would suggest not doing it in the same call or email as your poker one!
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Stick66
Legend
Silver Level
In California, live poker is considered a "game of skill" and was legalized in 1987, but yet it is still illegal to deliver beer to a retail establishment in California on Sundays. Someone needs to update all the laws everywhere.
roundcat
Creature of leisure
Silver Level
Holy crap.
I was doing some Googling about the legality of poker in various states, and I ran across the following article:
http://www.gambling911.com/050806Bnews.html
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Washington State Passes Online Poker Ban
In recent months it's been Washington D.C. that has taken most of the spotlight when it comes to governments trying to put a ban on online gaming including online poker, but now the spotlight shifts to Washington state which is now one of the first states in the country to actually pass a law banning the play of online poker. The law will go into effect June 7, 2006.
The bill which was initially introduced in the Senate by State Senator Margarita Prentice, SB 6613 sailed through on to the House of Representatives for further consideration. Before being passed on to the House, however, the bill was amended to make the proposed punishment for playing online poker and other forms of online gaming even more severe. This amendment provided that placing bets online would be considered a Class C Felony, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and is on the same legal level as being convicted as a sexual predator.
One question constantly asked is how does the state of Washington plans on enforcing this law. No word yet from Washington, but some thoughts were credit card, bank statements and possibly ISP's being subpoenaed which will obviously raise opposition from privacy groups and probably the ACLU.
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Bold italics are mine. Class C felony? WTF, legistators???? Being in Washington State, I guess after the 7th I'll need to play live or not at all (because brick & mortar poker *is* legal in Washington).
I was doing some Googling about the legality of poker in various states, and I ran across the following article:
http://www.gambling911.com/050806Bnews.html
----------------------------------
Washington State Passes Online Poker Ban
In recent months it's been Washington D.C. that has taken most of the spotlight when it comes to governments trying to put a ban on online gaming including online poker, but now the spotlight shifts to Washington state which is now one of the first states in the country to actually pass a law banning the play of online poker. The law will go into effect June 7, 2006.
The bill which was initially introduced in the Senate by State Senator Margarita Prentice, SB 6613 sailed through on to the House of Representatives for further consideration. Before being passed on to the House, however, the bill was amended to make the proposed punishment for playing online poker and other forms of online gaming even more severe. This amendment provided that placing bets online would be considered a Class C Felony, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and is on the same legal level as being convicted as a sexual predator.
One question constantly asked is how does the state of Washington plans on enforcing this law. No word yet from Washington, but some thoughts were credit card, bank statements and possibly ISP's being subpoenaed which will obviously raise opposition from privacy groups and probably the ACLU.
----------------------------------
Bold italics are mine. Class C felony? WTF, legistators???? Being in Washington State, I guess after the 7th I'll need to play live or not at all (because brick & mortar poker *is* legal in Washington).