This comes from the Poker Players Alliance -

As a poker enthusiast, I urge you to support legislation that was recently introduced by State Representative Paul Harris.

The bill entitled HB 1824 will remove criminal penalties for playing poker on the Internet for recreational purposes in the Evergreen State. Current law makes it a Class-3 felony to play online poker! This stiff penalty is particularly concerning since it is legal to play poker in nearly every other setting across the state. Simply playing this game on the Internet should not make it a crime. Please support this common sense bill and let's stop making criminals out of Washingtonians who enjoy Internet poker.


*****

Look for an initiative to come out this Spring. Hopefully Washington can join many parts of the Free World (like New Jersey) where online Poker is Taxed and regulated as the game of skill it is.

I used to play on line but didn't most of the "real money" sites get shut down?

The most popular sites got in big trouble for violating a law called the UIGEA. They had to find ways around it to accept deposits from US players. Its a bad law that was snuck onto a national defense bill by Bill Frist. The ways around were deemed money laundering and other bad things. They also got in trouble for serving Washington Players, who were the only ones in the World who are deemed criminals for playing.

The Justice Department is working through all of that. When Black Friday occured (the day the Justice Department seized the domains) only Poker Stars was able to pay back player deposits. Full Tilt, the other big player at the time, was unable to pay back deposits as they were not segregated as they were supposed to be. (can you say Ponzi scheme). Poker Stars bought Full Tilt. The Justice Department now holds the deposits of US Full Tilt players (part of the settlement with Poker Stars)

Most players would like to see the game regulated and taxed. There is a lot of money being left on the table by States. Some States are beginning to relize that. Soon more and more will. Washington should get on track with the rest of the States (and World).

And let Margarita Prentice pump her own F'n gas.

All in!

Chuck
You are right. Online poker should not be illegal for many, many reasons. I could find you a long list of people greived by this law. Here are just a couple. There are many who can not travel to poker card rooms, be they tribal or other. (Handicapped, distance, time). It is also a lot of fun. Want more?

The Tribes should have nothing to do with it. Although it is widely believed that they influenced Margarita Prentice (pump you own gas bitch). You are right that the tribes should be taxed as they are in almost every other State. Governor Gregoire chose not to persue that. No one believes that she was influenced by tribal dollars flowing into her campaigns. (and the moon is made of cream cheese)

2 wrongs? What are you referring to?

Parker - I call.

Sad part is many would have several internet connections running with several computers, running on the same table.... Allows too many cheats!

Keith

There always will be those who cheat. Many were caught by technology, some by accident, some are just stupid. Make the penalties severe. ie 10 - 20 years, castration - things like that.

Look at how things are running in the rest of the World. Not many problems. Lots of watchdogs.

I don't think that it should ever be illegal for people to make the decision to throw their money away...especially if it can be taxed and reduces the load for everyone!

Same as with the "war on drugs".

Fish on...

Todd

Personally, I much prefer the online model of gaming to casinos, although I never patronize either (gambling is not the sort of thing I'm lucky at). Much less of an eyesore/social disgrace.

Hit me!

I don't know didly about poker, in person or online, but I tend to be of a "legalize everything" philosophy and prefer less state regulation to more, so if Gutz supports this bill, it must be the right thing to do.

She played Video Poker in casino's. More or less just slot machines. Not a game of Skill , as is Poker. Quite a bit different than playing Online Poker in your home.

There is an initiative brewing ...

http://www.facebook.com/#!/WashingtonOnlinePokerInitiative