How long until we have no rights at all?

Just heard on the news that the U.S. House has passed the law banning online gambling in the states. Once again we are being "saved" by the morality police from the dangers of spending our hard earned cash however we choose. I'm sure no one in the Senate will stand up for our rights so a total ban in the U.S. is soon to come.
My question is how long until this shit takes affect? I want to withdraw all my cash before it gets stolen from me but still want to play in the meantime.
Anyone know the time table when the banks and ISP companies will start operation "big brother"?
God I hate America. I'm sorry for saying that my fellow American's but I really do. There is no hope left in this shithole of a country unless you are a Ultra-Elite millionaire or a god damn Jesus freak.

Oh shitski, I haven't heard it passed! Well, I guess we are all done then right! Us in the U.S. anyway! We really need to figure out when this goes into effect. I have about $1,100 out there on 3 different sites. Wouldn't want to lose all that dough.

Land of the Free???

They're doing it to protect the American family, so there you go Jesse, stop playing Poker and start being a good parent (you could start by taking Ripley to the shooting range i suppose).

America is honestly going to shambles as it is....for numerous reasons. The U.S. surely won't be able to enforce these regulations. It's basically the same problem of stopping file sharing piracy or drug trafficing. It's too widespread, the country's too big, no one really cares, and there's not enough funding. Poker in the U.S. has always been illegal. To think you can spend your hard earned money wherever you want is slightly obtuse. It's also illegal to hire a killer or slave etc....certain principles, rules and regulations must be applied. I see no problem with banning online poker in the U.S.. I think the bigger question is: Why start implementing regulations now? and why online poker? Answers: Billions of $ in tax revenue... that should stay in the country and "help" in different areas (such as invading every other country developing a nuclear bomb etc...and.... Iraq :rollseyes: ) is/was leaving. It's not over yet. I predict a legalization of online poker in the U.S. sooner or later. . . It might take a prohibition...who knows when Congress will come to their senses and realize a ban can't be regulated and isn't going to actually work as well as they hoped.

Don't take this as a insult, but if you honestly hate America you should probably try to get used to it....try to reform it, or maybe leave. . . or possibly get extremely lucky that things turn around in a heart beat, because things are looking real grim. I'm thinking Canada because my German isn't that good.

Might be a while. Here's the story:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060711/...et_gambling_18

I think the Senate will come to its senses. Too hard to control a ban. It's a bigger cash cow for them to regulate it.

Let's all try to think positively. Let's hope this industry has enough dough to afford a good lobby. Where's the big boys like Party, Stars, & Full Tilt? They should show up soon to fight this thing.

#1.If they can somehow get ISP companies to block sites then how can we get to them? (poker sites)
#2.Are you calling me a triangle?
#3.Why not?
#4.No insult taken, I would love to move but with gas prices at $3+/gallon, I'd barely get out of my state let alone to another country.
So if you see a guy with 2 dogs, 2 birds, a wife, and a kid hitchhiking towards Mexico.......lend em' a hand, it will probably be the Freaks!

Head North to Canada - the economy in Alberta is booming right now, health care is cheap AND GAMBLING ONLINE IS STILL LEGAL

So what? No Americans = No easy money = No point playing any more

If all the online gamblers in the USA move some place where it is legal to gamble online I can still take their money no matter where they live, they just won't be as easy to spot.

1. Banning online poker is 1 thing, but asking ISP companies to ban a site or block them is another. It's some sort of freedom of choice that the government can't or won't go against. Possibly, blocking sites such as China? does, makes people believe the gov't has resorted to some sort of communism, and politicians don't want to risk their cushy jobs? An extension of Roe vs Wade...? I guess we'll see.

2.

3. Ok. I do have a problem with it. . .but it's a miniscule one compared to other problems. . .I'll get over it quickly....you can still go to Vegas or AC. . . or another country. Online poker's still legal in Canada . . they also have one hell of a National Anthem!

3. Just think, $100 in gas will bring you your Mexican dream...better yet CANADA!!! (My home is about 25 mins from the border) or....I'll learn Spanish and give you a ride!

I was expecting this to pass because gambling online was already illegal, it just wasnt "banned". Also since it was a republican backed bill I figured it would get through pretty easily. Keep your poker skills handy for the casinos. Dont let play money games mess up your game

hmmmmm....

i saw the article this morning too. first time i've read anything other then my horoscope in years. In reality it shouldn't be that surprising, as gambling in generally illegal in this country anyway. What's funny about it is it is so selective, alowing such things as online lotteries and betting on horse racing, the former because of all the money it makes for so many states, and the later because... well... i don't know. the sport of kings must have a good lobby. In terms of why the major online poker sites have not set up a lobby against it, assuming they haven't, they are all non-american companies, and this probably snuck up on them as much as it did us, even though we have had pleanty of warning. I for one doubt that anyone will lose their money on this deal. Most of the bigs sites at least will probably pay out should online poker in america go under at risk of damaging their reputation in the rest of the world. I also think that the implications of this will probably be far less severe then many of us fear, and that this is probably more likely to lead to regulation (which would be a good thing) and taxation (which might increase the rake a little, but otherwise not effect us at all). Or maybe i'm wrong, maybe a multi billion dollar industry in this country will be shut down, at the cost of billions of dollars to the tax payers, rather then embrasing it, and making billions of dollars in the process. Either way, that's just america. If you want to hate this country, go ahead, but don't hate it for doing the same things it's been doing for the last century or so, in protecting it's citizens from victomless crimes. there are far better reasons. And like i said, it really shouldn't surprise anyone. I've never been able to figure out why this wasn't illegal in the first place. I sure as hell don't support it, and i think the law is clearly too selective, but come on folks, we've been living on borrowed time as it is, and it was sure sweet while it lasted.

oh, and at least this way we won't have to listen to anymore OMG rigged rants....

-n

My own personal effort on the way things are today. You wouldn't believe how many thumbs up I get. You could say that this is the shape of things to come next election. People are waiting.
And if you can't make out what it says, it says " REPUBLICANS ARE DESTROYING USA"

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OMG Rigged...!

The major poker companies actually did lobby congress....they sent Duke, Lederer, Hellmuth etc.

http://www.pokerplayersalliance.org

I agree...and just think . . . Now we won't have ANY threads from USA'ers. . . except for live play.
p.s. you can't put full blame on Republicans. . . they don't hold every seat. You should blame old, rich, white Congressman who don't know how to use a computer!

cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/07/11/internet.gambling.ap/index.html
Democrats can be blamed for it too. Take a look at the vote. 317-93 ... Not that it really matters.

Lets get to the topic EVERYONE is talking about: Did Tom and Katie REALLY have a baby!?

As soon as my funds clear to neteller, I'm joining the pokerplayersalliance. I figure it's all I can really do and at least it's something. I hope I'm not the only one.

I think this is the point to focus on if you're really concerned about this bill. I'm looking at this the same way as hedge funds if you are familiar with the investment world. These hedge funds weren't complying with SEC (read government rules and regs) so they set up funds based in the Cayman Islands etc. I'm sure these gambling sites can set up sites that are based outside the US so US citizens can play there..... I just can't see the government putting in the time or effort blocking all these sites. If they cared, these jesus freaks probably would've blocked all the pornographic sites by now....

Ohhhhhh great...here comes the migration of hundreds of thousands of American gamblers through Canada...

Quick guys! Hide the precious beer!

don't freak out yet... no pun intended. It's entirelly possible this is, like online file sharing, little more then a scare tactic. If it does shut down, i'm personally going to use it as an excuse to blow my bankroll on a few million dollar guarentees on stars.

again i say that it shouldn't surprise anyone that a right we never had is being taken away. forighn companies are making money off americans and uncle sam isn't getting a cut. What do you expect? While I'd hope, like pokerplayersalliance is quick to point out, that all the possible money that could be made taxing it will cause a reconsideration, that argument hasn't worked for drugs and prostitution. I still think we'll be playing for years to come, but if not, we'd be better off moving to Canada rather then railing against a system that is notorious for doing whatever they want, regardless of how their citizens might feel about it.

-n

lol @ America.

- At war in Iraq & Afghanistan
- North Korea nuke crisis
- Dwindling domestic economy
- Huge problems with illegal immigration
- Obesity sweeping the nation
- More that I can't think of 'cos it's 1am.

HAY GUYZ WAT WE REALLY NEED TO DO IS BAN THAT ONLINE POKER ZOMG

Really, I'd find it pretty hilarious if it wasn't so tragic.

(this post wasn't an attack on America in general before I get jumped on for it - I'm merely pointing out some of the more pressing issues that really should be prioritised somewhat - pretty much every country I'd imagine has more pressing issues then banning intarweb gambling).

lol. No no . That's def. an attack on America in general. I for one, also find it hilarious. Although I wouldn't say the N. Koreans testing Nukes is entirely a American problem.

hard to take offense when you're right, but you have to realize that's just the way america, and specificly american politics, works. Most of the big debatable "issues" in this country are all diversionary, meant to turn people's attention away from all the real problems we have. I know it probably doesn't make sense to you, living in a more politically responsible country (or at least that's the way it looks from our side of the pond), heck it doesn't make much sense to me, but that's just the way it is here

-n

http://www.cardschat.com/showthread....n#post402 683

Exactly right. I was just going to say that this place is going to hell in a handbasket. And to top it off: The beer at the Brewfest wasn't as good as prior years. LOL!

Just wondering, DM: How do you know so much about the problems in the US? Do you get mega-CNN over there or something?

Take a look at this propaganda

tcpalm.com/tcp/opinion_columnists/article/0,,TCP_24463_4802690,00.html

Couldn't agree with you more. There are more important things that we should
be dealing with instead of wasting time on this.

Thanks for putting this back up front Chuck, all americans here should join.

Sorry guys, but I'll take the USA over any other country any day, warts (especially politicians) and all. No use bringing up the "issues" of other countries.

As for gambling ... I am surprised the idiots in Congress don't look at this online gambling as a big bonanza for cash.

I have been going to Las Vegas for over twenty years. Used to seem almost like I was doing something "dirty" when I went there.

During the 1980's and beyond, states found out that they could make good money by running lotteries. Then, riverboat casinos and casinos run by American Indians started popping up everywhere.

As poker became more popular, suddenly gambling became more and more a part of everyday life.

NOW ... suddenly Congress decides that gambling is bad???

Oh Chuck, I can drive to Canada in less then an hour. What is your address? (I mean my new address) Oh, and yes I would love to drink all your beer. Start cookin up that bacon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

These people are such hypocrites it's sickening. They claim that "Internet betting can be addictive and can lead people to lose their savings."

Yet online lotteries and BETTING ON HORSE RACING is exempt.


Rep. Shelley Berkley D-Nev., pushed for removal of the exemptions. She said it was unfair to allow online lotteries and Internet betting on horse racing to flourish while cracking down on other kinds of sports betting, casino games and card games like poker.

but.. since the senate majority whip is from KENTUCKY, they had to leave the exemptions in there or it surely wouldn't pass in the senate.

It's so ironic that with poker at its peak of popularity and just becoming widely acceptable due to its (over)exposure on TV, our lawmakers are inches away from banning it online.

My state already made it illegal to place a bet online so I've been playing freerolls since then, aside from the last few days I've spent in Vegas, where I've felt free to log on and play a few games. The adjustment was less traumatic than I imagined it might be, and I haven't missed playing real money games too terribly. Then again, it's not a significant source of income for me as it is for some others.

I appreciate the US but not our government. I wouldn't leave on the sole basis of online poker being illegal, but I live so close to Canada it wouldn't be much of a change for me anyway if things were to get worse here in more ways.

These quotes are from Republican Dave Weldon (from Marklar's link).

The FBI and the Department of Justice say Internet gambling serves as a medium for money laundering activities, and can be exploited by terrorists to that end. Congress has a chance to address this issue when it considers legislation I have co-sponsored, H.R. 4777, the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act.

Probably is true, but then surely the thing to do would be to regulate and check sites, not attempt to ban them. Money Launderers would move money at high volume, not at the low limit tables, so surely with the assistance of the gaming sites it would be easier to spot potential launderers (and hence terrorists). He doesn't seem to realise that the USA does not equal the World. Banning Americans form access to the site wouldn't stop Money Laundering if that is going on.

This act will preserve states' ability to regulate gambling within their borders, but with better controls so that it does not extend beyond their borders or to minors. It gives law enforcement clear authority to investigate, prosecute and terminate offshore Internet gambling sites that violate U.S. law.

Prosecute and terminate offshore Internet gambling sites that violate US Law? Does America really does consider itself to be above the rest of the world like this, with the ability to shut down companies operating overseas because they do not adhere to the same moral code as them?

Given the social consequences, Congress should not neglect its duty in providing safeguards and firewalls from those who would callously entrap new gamblers for the sake of a quick profit. We have successfully regulated gambling for the past 70 years. Now is not the time to give that all back because some offshore, shadowy gambling sites have misused the Internet as a loophole.

Shadowy gaming groups including Party Gaming (floated on London Stock exchange with a bigger value than Sainsburys?), 888 Gaming, Pokerstars, Ladbrokes / William Hill (legitimate regulated companies). They are offshore because they cant be onshore, and they are much more opaque than the majority of big US businesses I bet.

The fact remains: Internet gambling — in its current unrestricted, unregulated state — preys on those who are easy targets for gambling operators. And longer Congress delays action, the more harm offshore gambling operations will cause.

Restrict and regulate it then! It's not preying on easy targets - you need to make a sustained, concious effort to purchase a computer, download software, register details - it's not like taking casual puff of a spliff and descending into a life of drug abuse. If you play Poker / Casino games, it's because you WANT to - by all means cut down on thhe junk / spam emails, but legislate the companies to do so.

Consider recent studies indicating that Internet gambling operations are particularly adept at targeting young college students who enjoy 24-hour Internet access and easy credit. An estimated 1.6 million college students gambled online last year. Of those, as many as one in four may already be pathological gamblers.

1.6 million college students gambled online because they WANTED to - they weren't forced too. If there is a genuine run off social problem with internet gambling, then possibly it should be banned, but this needs to be investigated, dont just pick out figures at random and say what MAY be happening. And how exactly does Horse race betting and online lotteries betting stop the same people becoming pathological gamblers?

The run off from this will affect the whole world, but there's nothing much we can do over here, but you can. You are voters, you have elected officials, and you can put forward your point of view. It's always the Antis that seem to shout louder - if your congressman voted for the bill, ask him why he doesn't feel you should be allowed to play a $5 SnG for an hours enjoyment in the evening, and why he feels you should be allowed to buy a $5 lottery ticket or bet $5 on a horse race.

An interesting article I found earlier today. It lends support to Mr. Stickers post to think positively on this matter

http://www.businessweek.com/technolo...gn_id=rss_null

While I would commend Duke, Lederer, and Hellmuth for their part in trying to make these people see sense, I find myself wondering whether the main reasons/excuses for banning it, addictiveness, debt, poverty etc are justifiable to poker itself.
On the most part, online poker players improve over time thus limiting their losses etc, and in a lot of cases improve their financial situation.
It is usually the newbies ( fish ) that afford others to make a buck or two, until they themselves improve to a degree that allows them to profit or float along at an affordable level.

Would it be fair to say that online casinos albeit that many operate both poker sites and casino games, hold the most responsibility for addiction and debt.
Were any of their high brow promoters alongside Duke and the likes?
Slot machines for example are very addictive and are dependant on the click of a button while having no skill factor involved, and no scope to improve your game play, thus always relying on luck and prayer.

Surely these are the types of games that should be targeted if indeed the powers that be are genuinely concerned about the well being of the average American family.
If horse race betting is allowed then surely online poker should be too, they both require a certain amount of knowledge, thought, skill, and preparation and don't depend on pure 100% luck.

If they are so adamant on taking the moral high ground then let them target games of chance and not games of experience and skill such as horse racing and poker, well poker, as horse racing appears to be above reproach.
I suppose that old argument still arises whether or not poker is a game of chance or not, we all know it isn't, but until the powers that be admit it is a lot more than that, this type of thing will continue to damage the game.
The Lotto is a game of pure chance but is allowed to continue, and I suppose the reasons for that is the fact that money goes back into the community for good causes etc, maybe if poker went the same way things might be different.
A lot of the big name players are renowned for their charitable work within the poker community often gathering large sums of money from fellow players through various events, so to some degree they are already like a lottery.

It just seems very strange to me the way things are moving with regards to online gambling in the USA, and if this is a federal thing then its time to close down Vegas, Reno, and Atlantic City etc to show they mean business ( as if ).

Keep your chins up across the pond, something good will come of it all and like the rest of us, you can go back to starving your children on a daily basis with your evil $2 S & G event.

My $0.02...money talks and lobbyists can easily sway politicians to vote one way or another, the fact the US has a conservative gov't right now really doesn't matter because the big money making online sites have enough to sway the decision makers. They tried to do this with prohibition numerous times since the '20s and that never happened. Gambling is not nearly as big a problem as alcoholism and we have treatment facilities for both problems. There are much bigger domestic issues currently that online gambling, which effects mainly the demographic who doesn't contribute to them...so back off man! Hope I didn't step on any toes there. I kinda like having a second income right guys? I'll claim them on my taxes

This bill will never get past the Senate in its current form...although nothing would surprise me.