Poker lobbyists campaigning to legalize Internet gambling

[alp227]

Internet gambling again in play
by Dan Eggen
The Washington Post
February 6, 2010

Poker lobbyists are ramping up an aggressive push backed by millions of dollars to legalize Internet gambling in the United States this year, hoping to overcome passionate objections from social conservatives, sports leagues and other longtime opponents.

Partly bankrolled by offshore gambling companies, the campaign has already persuaded the Obama administration to delay enforcement of a 2006 law cracking down on Internet wagers.

Rep. Barney Frank (Mass.) and other Democrats are using the six-month reprieve to push ahead with legislation that would legalize and regulate poker, mah-jongg and other online betting games -- pastimes that have exploded in popularity in a country that accounts for more than half of the $16 billion global Internet gambling market. The federal government, which rarely prosecutes online gambling, would net billions of dollars in tax and licensing revenue if it were legalized, proponents say.

The legalization push has alarmed the National Football League, Focus on the Family and other Internet gambling opponents, who say that online betting would encourage criminal activity, threaten children and dramatically increase gambling addiction. Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) has placed a hold on six Treasury Department nominees to retaliate for the delay in the anti-gambling law, legislative aides said.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/06/AR2010020602190.html

[paulsby]

1. i 100% support this and am a member of the Poker Players Alliance

WA in all its nannystate glory made internet gambling a C FELONY.

they also said they do not intend to ENFORCE the law against individuals.

then , why did they pass it?

they said to "protect' the individual...

riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight

the reason these nannystate pieces of shit passed the law was because their beloved non-indian CASINOs and the powerful indian gaming lobby don't want people playing poker online. the indian casinos lose money, and the state loses tax money

and why pass a law if you don't intend to ENFORCE IT?

give me a fucking break.

before the law, you could play a nice sit n go or tournament for as little as ONE DOLLAR. try getting 2-4 (or more) hours of poker enjoyment out of a casino for one dollar.

oh, but they need to "protect the consumer"

what a load of crap.

[Hawkeye-X]

2. I support legalization of online poker

in the U.S., - it's a revenue boon. Something that the U.S. has sorely needed due to recession issues.

I spend $10 here a there on Pokerstars which owned by an Israeli (a very rich one, and plays on tour)

Focus on your own damn family!