Poker sites shut down for real money play in US

[Comeds]

You should definitely look into the history of cheating in online gambling. There's been some major scams.

LOL, I was being sarcastic. I remember 60 Minutes did a story on one major gambling site that was cheating players. I do not trust online gambling sites at all.

 

[Dacks]

LOL, I was being sarcastic. I remember 60 Minutes did a story on one major gambling site that was cheating players. I do not trust online gambling sites at all.

My bad. Sarcasm detector is at the shop this weekend.

 

[NullDefault]

could this be a move to clear the largest incumbents from the US's biggest markets prior to legalisation.

After reading all of the posts this one intrigues me the most. It seems like the official response from Poker Stars implies possible litigation given that they feel they were within their rights, which if they are correct and able to prove it, seems to imply that legalization in the future, while not even close to guaranteed, is at least a possible outcome. I'm not saying that's going to happen but it is an interesting point.

 

[beantownmaniac]

Honestly, after reading this tread, it just looks like a lot of people bitching because they can't engage in their favourite illegal activity anymore. Kind of similar to when the gov't shut down illegal downloading sites.

If you want to argue that the laws on gambling should be relaxed, I complete agree with you. But they aren't yet. I sympathize with you if you've lost some money because of this, but was law enforcement just supposed to ignore this? Gambling in the USA is regulated, and these companies were obviously trying to get around that. Of course they're going to get busted eventually.

I don't know why you're comparing those 2 because it's really a separate issue. Illegally downloading was basically stealing money from the artists because you were getting something you're supposed to pay for through what was basically pirating. It playing poker online illegal in the U.S.? Yes, but my complaint is that it never should have been made illegal in the first place. The U.S. government could regulate online gambling just like the countries that allow it. they have those models in place, as well as regulations for casino gambling, to use as models for regulation here, and the tax benefits would be huge (millions, possibly billions per year). It's not the sites that are illegal, it's the methods they use to receive and refund money to and from the players in the U.S. The sites are based in other countries. It's not the arrests of those charged I'm mad about, it's the fact that this is just another example of the government telling me what I can and can't do with my hard earned money for pleasure. They could have legalized it years ago instead of making it illegal and allowed U.S. casino's start their own online sites that they could regulate and oversee very easily, which is what the casino's really wanted. They just complained that these foreign sites were getting all the action. They thought when they complained it would be legalized here, but instead shot themselves in the foot temporarily. Some casino's were even in the process of getting involved in a partnership with these sites before Friday's actions. Just like everything else involving our government, this is all about money and them being too stupid art first to see what a cash cow this could be for them. There's legislation on capitol hill now to legalize it. It's probably why they went after these guys now. They'll get millions off them in fines, then get it after they legalize it from taxes and maybe fees.

 

[Dacks]

I don't know why you're comparing those 2 because it's really a separate issue. Illegally downloading was basically stealing money from the artists because you were getting something you're supposed to pay for through what was basically pirating. It playing poker online illegal in the U.S.? Yes, but my complaint is that it never should have been made illegal in the first place. The U.S. government could regulate online gambling just like the countries that allow it. they have those models in place, as well as regulations for casino gambling, to use as models for regulation here, and the tax benefits would be huge (millions, possibly billions per year). It's not the sites that are illegal, it's the methods they use to receive and refund money to and from the players in the U.S. The sites are based in other countries. It's not the arrests of those charged I'm mad about, it's the fact that this is just another example of the government telling me what I can and can't do with my hard earned money for pleasure. They could have legalized it years ago instead of making it illegal and allowed U.S. casino's start their own online sites that they could regulate and oversee very easily, which is what the casino's really wanted. They just complained that these foreign sites were getting all the action. They thought when they complained it would be legalized here, but instead shot themselves in the foot temporarily. Some casino's were even in the process of getting involved in a partnership with these sites before Friday's actions. Just like everything else involving our government, this is all about money and them being too stupid art first to see what a cash cow this could be for them. There's legislation on capitol hill now to legalize it. It's probably why they went after these guys now. They'll get millions off them in fines, then get it after they legalize it from taxes and maybe fees.

Good points. If you're anger is at the US gov't for not legalizing and regulating online gambling sooner, that's fair.

 

[h X c Chris]

Dipshit.:caked:

 

[beantownmaniac]

Good points. If you're anger is at the US gov't for not legalizing and regulating online gambling sooner, that's fair.

You know what the real kick in the ass is? If they had just made it legal and regulated it they could have made millions at the very least (it's estimated that once it's legalized, the government will make up to 40 billion in 10 years). The law was actually made to protect our ports and such from terrorism, and making internet gambling was added on before it passed (UIGEA was attached to the SAFE port act of 2006. I provided a link below). I guess they figure Osama Bin Laden if funding terrorists with his poker winnings online. HEY UNCLE SAM!!!!!

http://pokerterms.com/uigea.html

 

[elocomotive]

Negatives:
I can't punch the stupid donk who flopped nothing yet called every bet to the river and hit runner runner to win the hand (not that I punch people at live games, but I wish I could sometimes)
When you win, it's not cash in hand, you have to withdraw and wait for the check

That's a positive! No assault and battery charges!

I actually agree that you can regulate gambling, set limits, etc. more effectively online.

 

[beantownmaniac]

That's a positive! No assault and battery charges!

I actually agree that you can regulate gambling, set limits, etc. more effectively online.

Of course they can. It's being done in other countries now, and we already have a model to go by with our regulations for gambling at casino's. Read the link in my post above, and maybe do some research on other reports if you want. It's interesting reading.

 

[dare2be]

I guess they figure Osama Bin Laden if funding terrorists with his poker winnings online.

Not quite the same, but I remember a bunch of scare emails floating about back then that people's online poker playing WAS funding terrorists. I didn't believe it then, nor do I believe it now, but apparently enough people did believe it, which may have been a factor.

 

[beantownmaniac]

Not quite the same, but I remember a bunch of scare emails floating about back then that people's online poker playing WAS funding terrorists. I didn't believe it then, nor do I believe it now, but apparently enough people did believe it, which may have been a factor.

I see what you're saying, but if they had just legalized it so American casino's could start there own sites, which they want to do, it could have solved this mess. The government has the right, and the power, to who get's licensing for these internet sites to operate in the US. I attached a blog that talks about this a little bit. And I was just joking about Osama playing poker.

Black Friday for Online Poker

 

[dare2be]

I do understand your frustration though. The Conservative/libertarian side of me is not a huge fan of the government telling people what they can and can not do with their time and money.

The irony is that Bill Frist and John Kyl were the ones to push it through.

 

[beantownmaniac]

The irony is that Bill Frist and John Kyl were the ones to push it through.

Actually, Barney Frank was the first to introduce legislation and it didn't make it to the floor before the end of the legislative session I believe, so it had to be reintroduced and was by those you mentioned I think. I read earlier the whole story of who introduced it but can't remember all the details

 

[Ties5o11]

The irony is that Bill Frist and John Kyl were the ones to push it through.

Its not really irony. The right wing is a big tent- there are social conservatives, rule of law conservatives, libertarian conservatives... etc. Being more on the libertarian minded Conservative I don't agree with all the Republican party does, just most of it.

 

[h X c Chris]

So intead of taxing online gambling, they're now going after online sales.

This Country is going straight to shit, the Government is getting their hand in on EVERYTHING.