Politically Active 100th post

I'm not really too political but I'd like Online Poker to be legal. So here goes. I think Poker Forums should use their "Voice" to help create change in the current laws. Legal Internet Poker in the US would be great news for most of us.

How many PPA members out there? I'm sure you all got the Email. For those of you who aren't in PPA here it is.

Dear Cardschat Members,
On October 22-24, more than one hundred of your fellow Poker Players Alliance members will converge on Capitol Hill to meet with key Members of Congress in support of legal online Poker. Even if you can’t join us, we need you at the “virtual table” to help reinforce the message.
The Issue
Last year, Congress passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) as part of a much larger Appropriations bill, directing new regulations on all online gaming including Poker. But the game is not lost – through the efforts of poker players like you, four bills are in Congress now to move towards regulated Internet poker in the United States. You can read more about these bills (H.R. 2046, H.R. 2610, H.R. 2140 and H.R. 2607) here.
Why YOUR Voice Matters
Right now, these bills are before the House Financial Services and House Judiciary Committees. Your Member of Congress Rep. Howard McKeon is on one of these committees or is in a key leadership position to influence the legislation.
You Can Make a Difference Today, Sitting Right Where You Are

• “Testify” about Poker and You: In personal meetings on Capitol Hill October 23-24, PPA members will present Rep. Howard McKeon with “testimonials” from constituents and voters such as yourself about the positive influence of online poker in our lives and the impact a ban would have. It only takes 5 minutes to send us your personal thoughts about the value of online poker to you.
• Spread the Word: The more poker supporters submitting testimonials to Rep. Howard McKeon, the better. You can help spread the word by forwarding this request for testimonials to three friends and colleagues in your own Congressional district or local area. (You can use the Tell-A-Friend link after you send your own comments.)
• Tell Them “Live” on Video: Have a video camera? Tell Rep. Howard McKeon and the rest of Congress “live” on video how you feel about online poker and why the government should keep it legal. Just create your video and post it on YouTube, and include “Poker-Players-Alliance” as one of your tags. We’ll take it from there to make sure your video link gets to Congress.

… and Get Ready for October 22, When We’ll Flood the Phones
On October 22, we’ll send you another message asking you to call the office of Rep. Howard McKeon and ask for support of online poker. The message will have all the information you need including phone number, who to ask for, and our draft talking points which you can adapt with your own thoughts. We hope you’ll consider making the call for poker!
Thanks in Advance!
Proud to Play Poker,
Senator Alfonse D'Amato
PPA Chairman

So all I ask is that we each do something to register our view that poker is not a crime. Go ahead click a link or make a call. My 100th post will have made a difference.

BTW, Great Forum! I haven't started many threads but I hope I have contributed something of value along with some humor.

goldog

A few things:

1. I prefer the current situation to a situation where poker is regulated and taxed by the government.

2. I don't see why age regulation is so important. If 13-year olds can buy candy from the store with THEIR cash, they should be able to wager THEIR cash in poker. If minors are unable to own money, I'm wondering why the government allows minors to waste their money on stupid toys they'll stop playing with in a week anyway. Why do we need government to protect kids from gambling THEIR money but not to protect them from wasting THEIR money?

3. This site emphasizes that poker is a game of skill. That is irrelevant in terms of the law. Casinos want to offer the game, customers want to play it, why stop consenting individuals from gambling their entire net worth on a coin flip? It's their choice. How about some personal responsibility lessons (which poker can teach as well btw)? We don't need government to "protect" us from using our own money badly.

As it stands right now anyone with any significant stake has to worry. Neteller money was tied up for how long? What if the poker sites get in the same position?

Besides,

Legal poker=Many more fish

What 13 year old do you know that has their own credit card? It's one thing for them to buy candy and soda pop with their baby-sitting/lawn mowing/paper route money, but who's credit card do you think they will be using to play poker online? Mom and Dad's.

But don't get me wrong. I think that is a parenting issue and not a governmental one. I don't like the idea of Uncle Sam getting his fingers into any of my personal business. As it is now, the government has it's nose in our business far too much.

I just wanted to point out the flaw in that one argument. But I totally agree with you at the same time on the other points.

I think we agree here, I'm just taking it a step further. I'm saying what you say here is right, but EVEN IF IT WEREN'T, it shouldn't matter. I guess 13's a bit far, but I played online before 18. The transfer funds and having friends who play and are over 18 is a great thing (and I think the statute of limitations is up on that, and I always lost it all, so no jail for me ). The point is though, if at any age, 13 or 16, I can go to the store and get a ton of candy no questions asked (which I totally support), why can that same kid, who obviously has ownership of the money if he can spend it on other things, can't spend his or her own money on poker, in a casino or online?

Every purchase is a gamble. I pay a dollar for a candy bar gambling on the fact that the pleasure of eating it will be worth a dollar. I just think it's wrong to tell someone how to spend their own money. If they can't be responsible with their money, they're going to lose it somehow, and it's the parents job to teach their kid money management. So even if credit cards were widespread among 13 year olds, I would still support online gambling being totally legal and unregulated, and I would support the 13 year-olds being allowed by the government to play. If their parents say no, it's a no. They know best. But if a parent wants to teach the kid some lessons about money with poker? That's illegal. I think that's wrong.

Ive been using my parents credit cards since I was 15... but maybe im just a good kid ;D

5 years later and I still dont have my own

Dont they have those 1-shot credit cards now? Do you have to be 18 to "load" those cards? Could a 14 year old put $50 on a card and play? What would stop a 14 year old from playing FTP or pokerstars anyway??

Leagalize it!! i havent heard this before so im hoping it's legal and they keep it 18 and up, cuz i dont get y u cant gamble if u r under 21, pretty lame ass law if u ask me, u can go to war and buy porn and cigs but cant have a friendly game involving money?!!? psssshhh laaaaaaaame!

most of us dont give a rats @$$ anywho 18 or 21...

You can, but I believe the reason is that most casinos want to be able to serve alcohol without worrying about carding people so they do the carding before you get on the casino floor. And online it's "legal" at 18 (legal in quotes because it depends on your interpretation of the wire act).