How long until we have no rights at all?

[Freakakanus]

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.

 

[Sammyv1]

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???

 

[robwhufc]

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).

 

[wsorbust]

Once again we are being "saved" by the morality police from the dangers of spending our hard earned cash however we choose.

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.

 

[Stick66]

Might be a while. Here's the story:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060711/ap_on_go_co/internet_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.

 

[Freakakanus]

#1. The U.S. surely won't be able to enforce these regulations.
#2. To think you can spend your hard earned money wherever you want is slightly obtuse.
#3. I see no problem with banning online poker in the U.S..

#4. 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 grim. I'm thinking Canada because my German isn't that good.

#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!

 

[gord962]

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

 

[robwhufc]

AND GAMBLING ONLINE IS STILL LEGAL

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

 

[gord962]

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.

 

[wsorbust]

#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!

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!

 

[Marklar]

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

 

[nateofdeath]

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

 

[bubbasbestbabe]

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"

 

[wsorbust]

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!?

 

[Freakakanus]

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.

 

[medeiros13]

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.

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....

 

[ChuckTs]

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

Quick guys! Hide the precious beer!

 

[nateofdeath]

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.

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

 

[Dorkus Malorkus]

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).

 

[wsorbust]

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

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.

 

[nateofdeath]

(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).

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

 

[ChuckTs]

https://www.cardschat.com/showthread.php?p=402683&highlight=canadian#post402683

 

[~~Shelynn~~]

Have to agree with you "BBB" on this one, you've hit the nail right on the head with this.

 

[Stick66]

lol @ America.

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

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?

 

[Marklar]

Take a look at this propaganda

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

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.