First State To Ban Internet Poker

[iggymcfly 0]

You can be sure other states will do the same. Online gaming is just too much untaxed money changing hands for the government to ignore it.

I don't care as long as it doesn't make it through the state legislature in MT by September 12. Then, I'll be 21 and I can just move to Vegas. Playing live is more fun anyway.

[doublemeup 0]

I'm getting the pitchforks.Whos comin with me??!!

[eYank 0]

Yes, the law sucks but it's likely illegal and impossible to enforce.The law is only applicable if the entire action takes place within the state (the online poker room originating from the state and all the money remaining in the state, presumably even Neteller would be a problem). Otherwise they are trying to legislate interstate commerce which is out of their jurisdiction. Basically, there shouldn't be much to worry about. However, I am not a lawyer.

Not only interstate commerce, international trade, with the sites operating in Costa rica or wherever they operate. Therefore the act would need to be passed by Congress bc (i learned this in government class lol) according to the Constitution only Congress can regulate interstate and international trade

[mr_english 0]

The article was created on the 24th of May...you also must be the only one who can travel back in time or something crazy like that.

The law was passed on March 28th but has only really got any news time in the last week or so

[timwakefield 68]

Dude fuck Congress.

[nutzbuster 7]

This blows. I can only hope this still fails somehow.

[HurricaneKyle 0]

It's pretty ridiculous that such an intrusive bill could pass. Online poker players need to start some kind of political PAC, anything. I'm guessing 90% of the politicians can't even spell poker.As a Republican, I'm VERY dissapointed that the party of 'economic freedom and personal responsibility' is telling people what they can't do with their money and free time. I guess its never too late to become a Libertarian.

[profxavier9 0]

im gonna slash lee jones' tires.

[PA32R 0]

It's pretty ridiculous that such an intrusive bill could pass. Online poker players need to start some kind of political PAC, anything. I'm guessing 90% of the politicians can't even spell poker.As a Republican, I'm VERY dissapointed that the party of 'economic freedom and personal responsibility' is telling people what they can't do with their money and free time. I guess its never too late to become a Libertarian.

Yeah, I'm a Libertarian.. I'm such a committed Libertarian that I got a big "L" tattooed on my forehead. For some reason people seem to misinterpret it though.I tell them it means what it says.

[aadams_22 3]

They don't hate poker.They hate anything that makes scads of money that they don't get a piece of.

QFT, we have a winnerBesides you can fight this if they do catch you since no state in the USA has the right to regulate international commerce and since Full Tilt is not based in the USA they have no right to regulate it. This is asking for lawsuits aplenty against the state of Washington.

[ROGUE06 0]

Dude fuck Congress.

x2

[Jordan 1]

It's pretty ridiculous that such an intrusive bill could pass. Online poker players need to start some kind of political PAC, anything. I'm guessing 90% of the politicians can't even spell poker.As a Republican, I'm VERY dissapointed that the party of 'economic freedom and personal responsibility' is telling people what they can't do with their money and free time. I guess its never too late to become a Libertarian.

And vice versa?Seriously though. This sucks. I'd like to do something, but it seems without unification nothing can be done.Bleh.- Jordan

[HurricaneKyle 0]

And vice versa?Seriously though. This sucks. I'd like to do something, but it seems without unification nothing can be done.Bleh.- Jordan

Sad, but true. Considering how many people play poker online, our voices have definitely not been heard in this debate.If I heard correctly this bill will legalize online lotteries and other games where the gambler can't win but it bans online poker where any with average talent can win if they pick the right games to play in. Its like a gun control bill that bans paintball but legalizes grenade launchers.

[greatwhite 0]

I cant be the only one who heard about this a month ago, can I ?

I heard this about a month ago. I feel bad for you Washingtinians. Hopefully this doesn't become nation wide.

[DunkinDonuts 0]

Yes, the law sucks but it's likely illegal and impossible to enforce.The law is only applicable if the entire action takes place within the state (the online poker room originating from the state and all the money remaining in the state, presumably even Neteller would be a problem). Otherwise they are trying to legislate interstate commerce which is out of their jurisdiction. Basically, there shouldn't be much to worry about. However, I am not a lawyer.

My understanding is that states can act on an issue that would otherwise fall under the commerce clause if Congress is silent on the matter. Sort of like filling the vacuum of nonlegislation with independent judgment until the federal government speaks on the issue. There are circumstances where the courts will act affirmatively under the "dormant commerce clause" to hold state laws unconstitutional, but this generally only applies when the state law discriminates against out-of-staters in favor of its own citizens. This doesn't seem to be the case here, since the brunt of the legislation falls directly on Washington's own citizens.Until the federal government acts on Internet poker as a matter of interstate commerce, I think the state law can constitutionally stand. Once Congress legislates, then that law, if constitutional, will preempt the state law.

[aadams_22 3]

My understanding is that states can act on an issue that would otherwise fall under the commerce clause if Congress is silent on the matter. Sort of like filling the vacuum of nonlegislation with independent judgment until the federal government speaks on the issue. There are circumstances where the courts will act affirmatively under the "dormant commerce clause" to hold state laws unconstitutional, but this generally only applies when the state law discriminates against out-of-staters in favor of its own citizens. This doesn't seem to be the case here, since the brunt of the legislation falls directly on Washington's own citizens.Until the federal government acts on Internet poker as a matter of interstate commerce, I think the state law can constitutionally stand. Once Congress legislates, then that law, if constitutional, will preempt the state law.

The law cannot stand and the first person they try to fine for playing online poker can sue the state since no state has the right to regulate international commerce. There isn't a damn thing that the lawmakers in Olympia can do.

[DunkinDonuts 0]

The law cannot stand and the first person they try to fine for playing online poker can sue the state since no state has the right to regulate international commerce. There isn't a damn thing that the lawmakers in Olympia can do.

Agreed on the international commerce issue. In fact, it's fuzzy as to whether even Congress can regulate international affairs, since the executive gets a lot of latitude in that department for diplomatic reasons. However, Washington has the right to regulate the activities of its own citizens provided that it does not create an impermissible burden on interstate commerce (hence the dormant commerce clause). The state may not have the right, per se, to regulate international commerce, but if it cloaks its legislation as a limitation on the activities of its residents, and not as an attempt to tax or regulate foreigners, then it's not so cut and dry. I'm sure there will be a challenge from the first guinea pigs that they try to fine, but I don't think it's a slam dunk.

[brvheart 1,752]

I cant be the only one who heard about this a month ago, can I ?

The article was created on the 24th of May...you also must be the only one who can travel back in time or something crazy like that.

Don't be an azz Kuge.... the other guy is correct... Click Here

[llou 0]

1. What about all the women who play online? Do our Senators want us to have to go out at night alone to the card rooms? That would put a lot of women at physical risk. We should get women's groups to campaign and lobby.2. What about people who like to have a drink while they play? Not allowing them to play from home will result in an increase in the number of people drinking and driving. Do our Senators want to be responsible for the deaths they cause? We should get the MADD group involved.I like to envision a great poker protest ... millions of Americans simultaneously playing online in public, too many to arrest without overwhelming the judicial system... making a mockery of the legislation ... a great populist uprising.llou

[Prof_Mike 0]

2. What about people who like to have a drink while they play? Not allowing them to play from home will result in an increase in the number of people drinking and driving. Do our Senators want to be responsible for the deaths they cause? We should get the MADD group involved.Did anyone else think of FoxwoodsPro when reading this?

[rog 0]

I heard this about a month ago. I feel bad for you Washingtinians. Hopefully this doesn't become nation wide.

I dont feel bad for them. Bunch of ****ing felons from what I hear. I reserve my pity for good law abiding citizens.

[Drum Infected 0]

I hope you citizens of WA can play hold'em in casinos at least because what else do you have left now? Play money cash games? BULLS#IT!I just tipped my 40 for my peeps in WA looks like i'm going to half to x20 my playing online before this happens to all of us. I hope this really isn't a trend to start up now, starting with WA I'm gettin paranoid now.

[MikeR 0]

I hope you citizens of WA can play hold'em in casinos at least because what else do you have left now?

Of course they can, wouldn't want the casino indian tribe lobbyists losing money now would we?

[Woodbelly 0]

This is where the internet is going to, total regulation. Take a look at China and their internet policies. Time for people to wake up and start looking at the big picture.http://infowars.net/articles/may2006/020506ISPs.htm

[Scanner313 0]

As a Republican, I'm VERY dissapointed that the party of 'economic freedom and personal responsibility' is telling people what they can't do with their money and free time. I guess its never too late to become a Libertarian.

Come on over to the side of Freedom buddy! I became a Libertarian before the last election and will remain a Libertarian for the rest of my life. It's the only party out there that actually treats adults like adults. I don't need some asswipe government jackass telling me what I can and can't do with my money, time, life. Unfortunately, it seems that many American's do want and need this "guidance", which is really sad.