My Thoughts:Come on Congress. Can’t you deal with actual real issues instead od these items that most of your constituents would not care about. People are still going to find a way to play online or offline poker. As you stated, likely in less secure and trusted venues than the current major players.
Work on Important Issues:
Get with it Congress or get out. See you at the Polls.
Most forms of Internet gambling would be banned under a tentative agreement reached on Friday by U.S. congressional negotiators.
The measure would be attached to an unrelated measure to bolster port security. Democrats had accused Republicans of pushing the bill to placate its conservative base, particularly the religious right, in advance of the November 7 elections.
“It’s been over 10 years in the making. The enforcement provisions provided by this bill will go a long way to stop these illegal online operations,” one of the bill’s key backers, Sen. Jon Kyl, a Republican of Arizona, said in a statement.
The agreement, a blend of earlier measures passed by the House and Senate, would make it illegal for banks and credit card companies to make payments to online gambling sites.
Investors in British-based gaming companies such as BETonSPORTS Plc, Partygaming Plc and 888 Holdings Plc are closely watching the U.S. legislation.
Democrats have criticized the Republican-backed measure as an election-year appeal to the party’s conservative base, particularly the religious right.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, a potential 2008 presidential candidate, recently appeared at a hearing in Iowa — the state that holds the first presidential nominating contest in 2008 — to listen to concerns about Internet gambling.
October 21st, 2006 at 12:54 am
Your thoughts are exactly right. The major impact of the gambling bill, and the resulting exodus by some of the most responsible, licensed operators, is the effect on players - as the industry goes underground, it leaves us more unprotected than ever.
We have formed a coalition to fight the gambling ban - Poker Patriots. Poker Patriots will strive to create a community of players and advocates with a purpose - to reverse the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act and demand the US government license and regulate the industry.
It is inherent in all American poker players to defend their rights against the special interests that created the bill and become Poker Patriots. We call on them to join the fight for the right to play at http://www.pokerpatriots.com.
Thanks,
Doug Savoy
Poker Patriot
October 21st, 2006 at 6:36 am
Thank you for the comments Doug and for sharing information on your group.
October 21st, 2006 at 2:30 pm
No problem Rob.
We’re on the same page in regards to agreeing that Congress should be dealing with important issues, rather then exercising “morality” in an attempt to stem the bad after-taste of the Jack Abramoff scandal. Bill Frist accepted $12K in contributions from Abramoff through his PAC, returned only $2K, but still wanted to make a statement that he, and those in close races, could go back to their districts with.
BIg issue, side-dealing, small victory.
Doug