Harry Reid Trying To Get Federal Poker Bill Passed

[FCP Bob 1,312]

It's looks like Harry Reid is trying to pass Federal Legislation for Internet Poker. In order for it to pass it would have to be attatched to some other legislation that has to be passed since it wouldn't pass as a stand alone Bill. That's how the UIGEA was passed when it was attatched to the Safe Ports Act.http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405...eTabs%3Darticle

According to the draft of the bill reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, Mr. Reid's office is considering language that would allow only existing casinos, horse tracks and slot-machine makers to operate online poker websites for the first two years after the bill passes, which could limit the ability of other companies to enter the market.The bill would also outsource oversight to state regulators, another move supported by existing casinos that don't want to see the federal government become overly involved in regulating their industry.The bill as drafted would send taxes on wagers to both federal and state governments.

This appears to be a bill designed to keep casino companies like Harrahs who are large supporters of Reid happy. Here's a letter from some Republican Leaders who don't want this to pass.http://www.egrmagazine.com/article_assets/...l%20re%20IG.pdfhttp://www.egrmagazine.com/news/608552/lam...esistance.thtml

[KingJames 11]

This might be time to use our 'one time'!Write your legislators! http://capwiz.com/pokerplayersalliance/home/

[TrueAce13 18]

ONE TIMEEEEEE

[BellaireDrew 2]

This might be time to use our 'one time'!Write your legislators! http://capwiz.com/pokerplayersalliance/home/

i sent both letter i encourage everyone to do the same

[dapokerbum 0]

So this bill would give monopoly like influence to the already big players in the gambling world?Would party poker be able to make it's grand entrance back to the US?Would pokerstars be legal again in WA?If it doesn't grant anything like that, then it's probably just a lame bill meant to line the pockets of a few key people and for that I would vote against it.

[tbrick412 0]

So this bill would give monopoly like influence to the already big players in the gambling world?Would party poker be able to make it's grand entrance back to the US?Would pokerstars be legal again in WA?If it doesn't grant anything like that, then it's probably just a lame bill meant to line the pockets of a few key people and for that I would vote against it.

1. They are giving casinos the first shot to give them a chance against the massive share of the market tilt/stars already own.(but yes, he is lining the pockets of the casinos who are his biggest donors) nothing is stopping harrah's or wsop or whatever to use stars software as their own though.2. Not for 2 years I don't believe.3. Don't think anyone will be playing in WA if this federal bill passes.4. The bill probably isnt perfect but it's really the best shot we have because with the GOP taking over congress nothing will happen for 2-3 years if this doesnt go through. Hence everyone collectively using up their "one time" here.

[nutzbuster 7]

recent Yahoo article about it all (about an hour ago)http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_online_poker

[tbrick412 0]

Pretty sad this only has 7 replies. email your congressman/representatives people!

[isap 0]

probably just a lame bill meant to line the pockets of a few key people and for that I would vote against it.

If you don't get this you'll get a turd like NJ's working on where it'll still be the casnios running the gig but you'll only be able to play against other people in your state.Both options are dogshit, just pick the smell you dislike least.

[FARGOpokerND 22]

If you don't get this you'll get a turd like NJ's working on where it'll still be the casnios running the gig but you'll only be able to play against other people in your state.Both options are dogshit, just pick the smell you dislike least.

This is sota how I feel.Think long term...regulating now paves the road for the future.

[custom36 4]

Pretty sad this only has 7 replies. email your congressman/representatives people!

Mine are already voting for it as long as this gets through before that fuck Ron Johnson takes over. I really hope they can get this done.

[ajs510 122]

Pretty sad this only has 7 replies. email your congressman/representatives people!

There are like 7 people on this forum that still play online. <grin>

[tbrick412 0]

The thing that scares me about this bill is there is a 15 month "blackout" where there is supposed to be no online poker. tons and tons of people play to make money, some as their main source of income, and others for beer money or rent money. I dont understand what they would expect us to do for 15 months? Deliver pizza? It's absurd. TheEngineer posted that the PPA is fighting this hard, but there hasn't been any really updates really since it's behind the scenes.

[dapokerbum 0]

If you don't get this you'll get a turd like NJ's working on where it'll still be the casnios running the gig but you'll only be able to play against other people in your state.Both options are dogshit, just pick the smell you dislike least.

Or kill this bill and wait for someone who has some common sense to get a good bill done. That is the problem with voting in america today. It feels like you have to choose dog shit or cow shit, but IMO it's shit either way, so I won't support it.

[isap 0]

Or kill this bill and wait for someone who has some common sense to get a good bill done.

Common sense? Have you seen the list of elected representatives? Do you seriously think any of them will ever give a shit about anyone that isn't paying them under the table to rig the market?If, tomorrow, California said "you can now only play against other Californians on www.FriendsOfArniePoker.com" would you choose that or a national option? Either way, the government - both state and national - is intent on excluding the existing big name poker sites from the short term future of online poker in the US so you'll be left with one of the other two options.

[tbrick412 0]

Or kill this bill and wait for someone who has some common sense to get a good bill done. That is the problem with voting in america today. It feels like you have to choose dog shit or cow shit, but IMO it's shit either way, so I won't support it.

nothing new will be passed on a federal level because unfortunately the GOP holds more seats now. the status quo we have now is quickly fading, this is really our only choice

[dapokerbum 0]

nothing new will be passed on a federal level because unfortunately the GOP holds more seats now. the status quo we have now is quickly fading, this is really our only choice

That's just what Harry Reid and Co is counting on. So I'm supposed to be all happy because we are going to get shit for a bill but because it's "the only thing" ever I should vote for it. Sorry, but I'm not gonna do it. Just wait and see when this bill passes if you will truly be happy or if the online poker player will be better off for having this bill. My guess is it won't.

[tbrick412 0]

That's just what Harry Reid and Co is counting on. So I'm supposed to be all happy because we are going to get shit for a bill but because it's "the only thing" ever I should vote for it. Sorry, but I'm not gonna do it. Just wait and see when this bill passes if you will truly be happy or if the online poker player will be better off for having this bill. My guess is it won't.

I can only find one thing really wrong with the bill, and that's the blackout period. The PPA are fighting it hard and my best guess is it will be reduced to 3-6 months, and there might be a carveout to allow stars/tilt to serve americans till then. The taxes imposed on the sites are lower than any other bill proposed, and I think we'll see lower rake as a result. The only other thing I've really seen is people complaining about state opt-outs, which is kinda silly. If we oppose state opt outs and choose to have each state create their own personal poker legislation, the opt out states won't do it anyway. You're right, the bill isn't perfect, but I just don't see much justification for not supporting it.

[Balloon guy 158]

nothing new will be passed on a federal level because unfortunately the GOP holds more seats now. the status quo we have now is quickly fading, this is really our only choice

?This is issue is not republican / democrat at all.This entire issue is strictly bribed based.Currently Harry Reid is the most bribed.Last time this was a paragraph in the Washington Times:

Senate Minority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.), whose home-state casinos are split over the Internet gambling measure, briefly weighed scuttling the bill over the provision before agreeing to go along, aides said.House and Senate Republican leaders pushed hard to secure the Internet gambling measure, which some Republicans viewed as a chance to clear their names after they allowed disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff to scuttle a similar measure six years ago.

This issue will always be 100% bribe related, and never party related.This is how politics in Washington is done.Last time Harrahs bought Bill Frist, a republican, and now they bought Harry Reid, a democrat.The fact that Party Poker. Full Tilt, etc havn't bought anyone yet tells you two things.1. Once it becomes 'legal' it will not necessarily be better.2. They don't feel they need to worry about it being regulated, giving up control to US regulators will cut deep into their pockets.

[tbrick412 0]

?This is issue is not republican / democrat at all.This entire issue is strictly bribed based.Currently Harry Reid is the most bribed.Last time this was a paragraph in the Washington Times:This issue will always be 100% bribe related, and never party related.This is how politics in Washington is done.Last time Harrahs bought Bill Frist, a republican, and now they bought Harry Reid, a democrat.The fact that Party Poker. Full Tilt, etc havn't bought anyone yet tells you two things.1. Once it becomes 'legal' it will not necessarily be better.2. They don't feel they need to worry about it being regulated, giving up control to US regulators will cut deep into their pockets.

Tons of reputable sources on the 2p2 legislation forum (TheEngineer, Skallagrim, etc.) have stated there is almost zero chance of any legislation moving anywhere now after this lame duck session. It's just not going to happen. We know that both bills introduced prior to this were by democrats, and now it's going to be impossible with us losing the house, and multiple seats in the senate. There's really no debate in my opinion that alot of republicans(not all) play the moral police role, and have many groups funding them such as FOF(Focus on the Family). Party poker hasn't done much lobbying as far as I know, but both FTP and Stars have representatives lobbying in DC daily, which also has been confirmed by the PPA members there working on the bill now. Clearly they have on good knowledge that advancing this bill or another one like it is in their best interest long term.

[Balloon guy 158]

Tons of reputable sources on the 2p2 legislation forum (TheEngineer, Skallagrim, etc.) have stated there is almost zero chance of any legislation moving anywhere now after this lame duck session. It's just not going to happen. We know that both bills introduced prior to this were by democrats, and now it's going to be impossible with us losing the house, and multiple seats in the senate. There's really no debate in my opinion that alot of republicans(not all) play the moral police role, and have many groups funding them such as FOF(Focus on the Family).

Understand that anything that ever happens in Washington can ALWAYS be figured out if you follow the money trail.Harrahs wanted to stop online sports betting, they bought Frist. Harrahs wants to capture the money PS and FT are making, they bought Reid.Pretending that FoF or any religious right group are anything but remote players to this is just the bought and paid for congressmen trying to add a few political points to their already bought and paid for actions. Since they are already going to do X, might as well try to blame the other side for trying to stop them.Harrahs has 100Xs more to do with this whole issue than Focus on the Family ever will

Party poker hasn't done much lobbying as far as I know, but both FTP and Stars have representatives lobbying in DC daily, which also has been confirmed by the PPA members there working on the bill now. Clearly they have on good knowledge that advancing this bill or another one like it is in their best interest long term.

I am a pessimist with regards to this issue.Once this becomes 'legal' and taxed...I do not think it will be as good as some people think it will. In fact I think it will be brutally different when the IRS has full access to all poker players records and takes their cut before you get your winnings.And remember, once its 'legal' the PPA will have no reason to exists, so don't think they are as motivated as you guys are.

[JubilantLankyLad 1,957]

I completely agree with my cigar smoking friend on all points, except one: FOF (and the like) are more than superficially involved because they in effect set the price for Republican support - Harrah's (Caesar's) has to outbid them to get Rs to vote for them.

[tbrick412 0]

Understand that anything that ever happens in Washington can ALWAYS be figured out if you follow the money trail.Harrahs wanted to stop online sports betting, they bought Frist. Harrahs wants to capture the money PS and FT are making, they bought Reid.Pretending that FoF or any religious right group are anything but remote players to this is just the bought and paid for congressmen trying to add a few political points to their already bought and paid for actions. Since they are already going to do X, might as well try to blame the other side for trying to stop them.Harrahs has 100Xs more to do with this whole issue than Focus on the Family ever willI am a pessimist with regards to this issue.Once this becomes 'legal' and taxed...I do not think it will be as good as some people think it will. In fact I think it will be brutally different when the IRS has full access to all poker players records and takes their cut before you get your winnings.And remember, once its 'legal' the PPA will have no reason to exists, so don't think they are as motivated as you guys are.

Harrah's wanted to stop poker as well because they thought they were losing money to it, but you're right that they are following the money. Legalizing poker is also a case of poker players following the money as well. Remember most people that are in the PPA lobbying in DC are players who make alot of money playing poker, and by opening up the floodgates to more fish(though it won't be near as good as the party era) is a pretty big financial incentive for them, and I don't fear that they lack motivation in order for the PPA to stay afloat. It's pretty obvious how much tougher the games have become with most recreational players not bothering with the hassles of depositing after the UIGEA was implemented. They will be around for a ton of inevitable battles at the state level to get the governers to opt in and to promote poker in states that are still ignorant to the fact poker is a skill game, and not gambling in the traditional sense.(See: Washington State, or players being sued in Illinois) The PPA will have plenty of incentive to stay afloat, I'll give you that it wont be as prominent as it is now though. Having the IRS with full access to tax records SHOULDN'T change much, everyone should be paying their taxes anyway. Again, I see rake going down which might offset some extra costs(such as people paying more tax on winnings)

[tbrick412 0]

I'm reading now that foreign sites won't have to give the US casinos 2 years now. We still have to worry about that initial 15 month ban, but stars/tilt will have access at the same time as harrah's, mgm etc. now

[Balloon guy 158]

I completely agree with my cigar smoking friend on all points, except one: FOF (and the like) are more than superficially involved because they in effect set the price for Republican support - Harrah's (Caesar's) has to outbid them to get Rs to vote for them.

You might be right, but generally I believe that many of these right wing and left wing organizations are not really setting policy as much as supporting it.In other words, Algore couldn't be bought by big oil to support allowing oil spills to go unchecked etc.The NRA isn't likely to change a vote, since the people for or against guns are always for or against.They are more a con to siphon money off the faithful by telling them they must give in order to stop the other guys from winning.Kind of a mirror of all politicians without the actual ability to do anything.Big oil, corporations, maybe even big tobacco, they might benefit from buying the souls of a few congressmen etc, but most political groups are just cons, justifying their huge paychecks by playing the 'sky is falling' music real loud.