Online Poker Players Scramble to Regain Basic Rights

It may be hard for some to believe, but even a guy like me needs to escape from politics from time to time.  And there is typically only one place in this world where I can achieve a complete escape -- the poker table.

Poker players, bless their hearts, are some of the most apolitical human beings on the planet.  I’m sure I’m not the only exception to this rule, but I can tell you this -- I have logged a lot of hours in public cardrooms around the country, and I’ve almost never heard a comment that had anything to do with politics.  

Unfortunately, there’s an obvious and huge downside to being apolitical.  I’m talking about the fundamental lesson that you can’t always count on somebody else to protect your basic rights when busybody politicians decide to attack them.  I pretty much quit playing online poker last year, and it wasn’t by choice.  It was because the U.S. government forced private businesses to stop providing millions of Americans with a recreational service enjoyed freely around the world.

The online poker community was shocked last year when Congress passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.  A lot of us heard it was coming, but then one day it just happened.  Immediately, online poker sites around the world began refusing to do business with U.S. customers.  Some of the most prominent sites buckled under the pressure and shut down.  For those of us who play, the world changed in an altogether bad way, and yes, we have every right to be angry about it.  

Like so many pieces of legislation we see, the bill wasn’t even voted on by itself.  It was simply attached to a “must pass” port security bill that had nothing whatsoever to do with online gambling.  The sponsor, Bill Frist (R-TN), showed that he is pretty shrewd when it comes to legislative processes, but he ought to know it is never good politics to wage a war on poker, not in these United States. 

There are always a handful of busybody moralists lurking around any state house, and there are plenty in D.C. as well, but they are nothing, absolutely nothing in comparison to the millions of online poker players whose liberty has been stripped by this legislation.

So Joe or Jane Pokerplayer, if you’ve never done anything political in your entire life, now would be a great time to begin exercising your rights as a U.S. citizen and frequent payer of taxes.  Call your Congressperson's office (Paul Hodes 202-225-5206, Carol Shea-Porter 202-225-5456, neither of whom were in Congress last year to vote against poker) and politely tell the person who answers that America’s national pastime ought to be legal on the internet.  Specifically, say you would like Congress to pass Robert Wexler’s Skill Game Protection Act and other pieces of legislation that would repair the damage and (can’t believe I’m saying these next words) legalize poker.

Here’s what Wexler (D-FL) had to say about the Frist bill:

In essence, it's the newest form of prohibition. The prohibition is consenting adults cannot play poker over the Internet. Ironically, the Congress, the last Congress, said you can gamble on horses over the Internet, you can play State lotteries over the Internet but you can't play games of skill over the Internet. I thought as really a matter of personal freedom more than anything else, Congress should not be telling consenting adults in America what games they can play on the Internet.

Like many Americans, the longer I think about this one, the madder I’m going to get.  People in other countries are allowed to play poker online, so why the hell aren’t we?!?!

For more information, visit the Poker Players Alliance.

Comments

[Mark Hounsell]

Matt,

Playing poker is permitted. Gambling money while playing poker is not. Buying & selling shares on the stock market is permitted. Gambling money on the the stock market is as well. Go figure.

I'll wager 5 will get you 10 at Leavenworth -or is it, I can either shop at the 5 and 10 or at Woolworths?

Either way, if people want to gamble at a poker table what does it matter? Its a gamble just going accross the bridges in America.

[Matt Simon]

"Playing poker is permitted. Gambling money while playing poker is not."

Heh, that's like saying you can eat ice cream, but you're not allowed to swallow.

Thanks for the comment.

Matt

[David]

Playing poker online was never illegal and the new law did not make playing poker for money online illegal. The only thing the new law did was to try and make new regulations to prohibit banks and other sources from sending money to online gambling sites. There are still plenty of online sites to play poker. You people act like its the end of the world when just a few sites closed down to usa customers. These companies were publicly traded on the stock market and all the private owned sites stayed in business and will continue to stay in busniess for usa customers. These private owned poker sites are even advertising their .net sites on usa television. Another tidbit for you poker players out there, you should also support the IMEGA organization because this non profit company is taking the usa attorney general to court on the basis that the new law conflicts with the first amendment and every other personal freedoms we have in this country. This country is called the United States of America, NOT the United States of China!

[Matt Simon]

David,

Of course you're right, and I still play occasionally on the sites that are still open. But they've made it such a pain in the ass to transfer money that it almost isn't worth it sometimes. The poker marketplace has been badly tainted by these regulations, and it affects any player's bottom line when competition between competing sites is limited or discouraged. Where have all the good bonuses gone?

Matt

[Matt Simon]

Yet another example of how government may not be able to ban a certain commercial activity, but it can regulate such an activity to the point where it becomes unprofitable...

Matt

[David]

Matt, I am very opposed to regulating and taxing the online poker industry. I have never had any problems with any of the poker sites that I have played and I have played at several small and big companies. The security on these sites are at a high level and they can spot cheating and any other illegal actions more often than not. About the competition, I think its a healthy one as it stands right now. I actually prefer only a few big name sites. It consolodates the players therefore making larger tournaments and less time to wait for a sit n go to fill up. Bonuses are overrated. It takes forever to get the necessary points in order to complete the sign up bonus. If your a bonus junkie, there are a couple of sites that will give you a 100% bonus up to $600. I dont remember any bonuses higher than that pre october 13. Along with that binus, most sites give away rakeback, which is usually between 25% and 33% of your total rake and tourney fees. Not bad in my opinion. You also get your regular vip points in which can be used for some nice merchandise. Heck, all you gotta do is break even and you'll end up with an aston martin or porsche in a few years. In regards with your comment about depositing money into poker accounts. I havent had any problems at all. Epassporte is a very easy method and all sites accept it. Yes there are fees, along with any other payment provider that used to exist such as neteller and firepay. Epassporte allows you to deposit via credit card or by your bank acocunt. If you use credit card, the fee is like 5 bucks for every $100 deposited. However if you deposit using your bank account, they only charge $2 for any amount, but it take about 4 business days to be in ur account. Its a little tougher to make depsoits, but its not that bad. Pokerstars even came out with their own debit card that you can deposit with and withdraw directly to it. I believe these big poker sites will have more options for usa customers in the future. They are probably waiting for the regulations to be set and once those are in, then they will determine which new methods they will stick with for the long term. However if the IMEGA wins their court battle in september, then you will see a lot more deposit methods because that new law will be considered unconstitutional and wont take effect. There is also a new bill out there by robert wexler that will make all skill games including poker to be exempt from the law passed on october 13. Thats the bill I support, not the regulation and taxing bill by barney frank. Poker has been around for over 100 years and will continue to be around.

[Matt Simon]

David,

Thanks, that's an excellent comment.

I was doing most of my damage at William Hill and other European sites in the Cryptologic network, so I was totally miffed when they had to stop serving U.S. customers. Paradise Poker, Party Poker... they turned my world upside down.

Should have been clear when I was writing this, but the topic had me all lathered up -- I don't like the Barney Frank bill. I did specifically mention Wexler's Skill Game Protection bill, which should be passed immediately.

Also, make no mistake -- there are plenty of politicians in this world who would like to shut down online poker entirely. This blog entry was my attempt to, in a small way, inspire a few poker players to activism.

Matt

[David]

Matt, I hope all players will be inspired enough to at least join the PPA for free or donate to the IMEGA. I am one of those inspired poker players! I used to play mainly on paradise poker and was very upset when they shut down, but I am glad they shut down because I never even realized there were other good sites out there. I like pokerstars about 1000 times better than paradise. Anyways, the best sites (even though I dont like to play at these sites) for big and regular bonuses are fulltilt,ultimatebet and absolute. All of these sites have rakeback programs if u are a new member and signup with a bonus code from an affiliate rakeback site. The best vip program would have to be at pokerstars, however they dont give any rakeback or big bonuses. Keep blogging and inspiring others to stand up for what America stands for, FREEDOM!!!!