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Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act

by Tom on October 3rd, 2006

I just got back from a vacation in Las Vegas. As a card player, it’s natural enough that I played a little poker while I was there. Bridge is a more satisfying game to me, but I still enjoy the occasional poker game as well.

It was very distressing to me to come back to hear about the new internet gambling bill which got tied to a port security bill. I can understand why the government might want to become involved in taxing the lucrative online poker industry, but banning it all together is simply misguided protectionism.

Most casino games pit the player against the house. Because of this, unscrupulous casinos could try to “fix” the game in their favor even beyond the percentages and cheat the customers of their money. I can understand and appreciate why regulation could be in the best interest of the customers.

Poker is different. The casinos (both Brick & Mortar as well as online) are merely providing the opportunity for like minded people to come together to play. They take a percentage of the prize pool for the house, but have no interest in the outcome. In fact, a “crooked” game would be devestating to the house if news ever leaked, since competition among poker rooms is so prevelant right now. Poker is a game of skill played against other players, just like bridge. There is no need for the government to try to “protect” the players from the casinos. By doing so, they are creating unneeded hostility in the poker community.

Within the community, a grass roots group has been started to try to lobby for better treatment for poker. This group is the Poker Players Alliance (http://pokerplayersalliance.org), and I encourage everyone to join. Let your voices be heard.

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POSTED IN: unclassified