Reaction To Online Gaming Bill Vehement And Outraged

Poker News ^ | October 02, 2006 | Earl Burton

[baystaterebel]

Reaction to the online gaming legislation passed in a late night pre-recess session in Congress has been one of outrage as poker lobbying organizations and support groups prepare for the future.

Late Friday evening, Congress was able to link a bill regarding online gaming to the latest bill regarding American port security. This bill, which was enacted to prevent another situation such as the Dubai scenario earlier this year (which would have awarded security rights for several coastal cities to a Muslim country), was virtually guaranteed to pass through the Senate. It was with this bill that Senator Bill Frist, Senator Jon Kyl and others were able to stake their online gaming bandwagon on.

[baystaterebel]

An absolute joke. What I find amazing is that the casino industry is not fighting this harder. The explosion of poker of late is directly related to internet poker.

A staunch Republican I am but it seems the party is taking a cue from the democrats here. Other then appeasing a few fanatic Bible Thumpers I have no idea what they hope to accomplish.

[frogjerk]

Poker Ping!

Freepmail me if you want on the Poker Ping list.

[OldFriend]

They want you to look over here and ignore the fact that they pulled the part tht would have mandated security checks for ALL port workers.

The union thugs would have none of it! Workers with serious criminal records, mob connections, etc. Nope, can't check them out! Just make sure a company like Dubai Ports World who WOULD have demanded port worker background checks doesn't get anywhere near our mob infested longshoreman union workers.

[Wolfie]

What I find amazing is that the casino industry is not fighting this harder.

The casino industry probably lobbied for it.

[frogjerk]

The Republicans squashed a move to require every cargo container to be inspected as well as removed funding for rail and transit security for American citizens.

Democrat talking points right there....

[Stallone]

Spend and Tax Congress vs. Gambling on the Internet

Which one do you think destroys more families?

[frogjerk]

The online gaming legislation added to the port security bill is very difficult to enforce. While it doesn't outright state that online gaming is illegal, it does outlaw the payment of gaming implements through banks and credit card companies in the United States. It does not address, however, the multitude of online payment systems (such as NeTeller) that exist or what can occur through them.

Isn't this basically the Status Quo?

[BallyBill]

poker lobbying organizations..

A card game needs lobbyists? There is a connection to Port Security? I'm going back to bed, this makes no sense.

[frogjerk]

Spend and Tax Congress vs. Gambling on the Internet Which one do you think destroys more families?

Although I am not a huge fan of Internet Gambling...I would have to think that the government can do a lot more damage to many more people than Online Gambling.

[DaGman]

This is so blantantly special interest legislation it's disgusting. There is no shame when it comes to pandering.

[NonValueAdded]

Look to the World Trade Organization for the reason behind this. The US was allowing domestic Internet gambling but locking out foreign-based games. Many countries cried foul and won their case before the WTO. What was up in the air was sanctions against the US and the leading penalty under consideration was suspending Intellectual Property rights. The choice was open up gambling completely or shut it down completely. Congress chose the latter course of action.

[383rr]

More nanny non-sense.

I wish these a$$holes would do something that made sense, for a change. What a bunch of theiving crooks.

[baystaterebel]

In some states with some banks it is. Here in Maine I have a Bank of America account that will not allow me to transfer funds directly to Poker Stars, Full Tilt, yadda yadda yadda. I have a Netteller account which the government cannot stop me from depositing or withdrawing. The concern is to what length the government may go to pursue an individual to enforce this legislation, if at all.

The way it was done is underhanded. What Frist and the G.O.P. hope to gain from this is lost on me. All it has done is pissed off a big swath of potential voters. Nanny State Republicans on Parade.

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

What a bunch of theiving crooks.

They've certainly robbed many of us of an education.

[Iowa Granny]

I agree with your assessment.

Plus, I'm thinking they mught not have been able to tax off shore winnings. I would appreciate someone who KNOWS for SURE whether the U.S. has/had the ability to tax off shore winnings to comment on this.

[jocon307]

"What I find amazing is that the casino industry is not fighting this harder."

Are you kidding? It is the casinos who, short-sightedly I'll admit, want this. They think you won't come to the casino if you can play poker at home in your underwear.

There has been no outcry from the actual on-line gamblers, not that I've seen. And hey, I've been one! I'm wondering if this will change now. Of course, I hate calling my reps, since they are all stinking dems. But I must say, it's not the dems driving this legislation, not so far as I am aware.

[baystaterebel]

""Are you kidding? It is the casinos who, short-sightedly I'll admit, want this. They think you won't come to the casino if you can play poker at home in your underwear.""

As a matter of fact thats what I am doing right now lol!

[frogjerk]

I have a Netteller account which the government cannot stop me from depositing or withdrawing. The concern is to what length the government may go to pursue an individual to enforce this legislation, if at all.

I don't think anything will change. This was all just fluff.

[TomGuy]

Subtle ways of reigning in the Internet.

Look for more stern measures to quell some of the rancor before the 08 election cycle. Hillary Clinton needs it. John McCain needs it. John Kerry needs it. Some others need it. They saw what happened to Kerry in 04.

Watch for amendments being sneaked into various bills in 07.

The Foley IM/Email fiasco presents a perfect opportunity for the Legislators to add more legislation to 'restrict' Internet actions.

McCain already tried [and failed] to slip some restrictions in during this Congressional session.

[redgolum]

Haven't heard that. Got any links? I think that you have the real reason right there.