Online poker and live poker both face a lot of challenges today:
Item 1: Texas looks at making Texas Hold ‘Em Legal:
From the desk of Texas based poker reporter Michele Lewis comes and update on the fight for live poker in the Lone Star State. The Texas legislature is holding a vote today on a bill to get live poker legal inside of Texas borders. To quote a bit from Ms. Lewis’ blog:
Will Doyle Brunson and other top pros from Texas see poker legalized in their home state soon? Tomorrow the attempt will be made as Texas HB 222will be heard at the capital. Once again, I will be testifying in hopes of making Texas Holdem legal in Texas. In the past, most Texans have felt legalizing poker was a pipe dream; however, the bill from two years ago actually made it to the House Floor which was a milestone for Texas poker. Although the bill died, everyone agreed we would have a great shot in two years. Which brings us to… tomorrow.
I wish I had more notice to rally up a poker posse of media, pros, players and fans to show up for support tomorrow. That being said, show up at the Capital tomorrow to show your support in legalizing poker in Texas! HB 222 is scheduled sometime shortly after lunch, however, things can change rather quickly (but usually slowly) so follow me on twitter for any changes.
Item 2: Washington State deals the PPA lobby another blow:
Getting blown by a prostitute is still less of an infraction than playing online poker in your own home for the $2 you won in a 2500 man freeroll. Washington State has decided that it can regulate interstate law despite the PPA lobby attempting to show the unconstitutional nature of such and action. Lee Rousso, PPA representative for the State of Washington, was handed another setback in his quest to keep online poker from being a felony insde the borders of his state. Mark Anderson posted the following story with far more accureate information and details than I can muster at this hour, enjoy:
Lee Rousso, the Washington State Director for the Poker Players Alliance, recently weathered another major setback in his ongoing battle to curb the state’s extreme anti-online poker laws when a state appeals court rejected his argument that a 2006 law (which makes playing online poker in Washington a felony) is unconstitutional.
According to a recent article from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (www.seattlepi.com), a three judge panel from division 1 of the appeals court disagreed with Rousso that the Washington law oversteps it’s jurisdiction and violates the U.S. Constitution, which puts the regulation of interstate commerce in the hands of the federal government.
With this setback, Rousso’s next step would be to appeal again, this time to the state Supreme Court, which according to the article he is currently considering.
For more information on this and other ongoing fights concerning the legality of poker visit the Poker Players Alliance - poker’s largest grassroots advocacy group.
(We like to call them a LOBBY, but hey, you go boys.)
Item 3: Poker is illegal!?! Wanna bet?
On a similar note, online training site BlueFire Poker (who’s instructors included online poker luminary ‘OGMClay Aiken’ Phil Galfond) has put up a $1,000,000 to $1 challenge to the President or any member of Congress that wishes to test the ‘Game of Skill vs. Game of Luck’ theory face to face. Despite amazing odds, no one has piped up to take this shot at winning the case for their side and making a quick million bucks. Maybe they should attach it to a pork barrel amendment on a bill introduced right before midnight at the end of a session of congress. That should get some action. Worked for the UIEGA.
Item 4: Online poker for Aussies, Aussies, Aussies? No! No! No!
Australia seeking to ban online poker?? Toothless scare tatics or a serious threat to one of the fastest growing poker paradises? Say it ain’t so, mate!! Well, things are in the works and you can find the full measure (Australia’s Interactive Gaming Act of 2001) here and discuss the issue with our friends at Poker Road on their forums. Basically, the Internet Gambling Act 2001 has been in place for years, but only recently has the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) become more adamant about restricting “offensive and illegal” material. The Internet Gambling Act 2001 has been updated over the past few years to include the promotion of interactive gambling services to customers in Australia. Apparently enforcement is reaching a boiling point as a “blacklist” was leaked according to online source, Wikileaks.
On that blacklist of 1,370 sites are a myriad of online poker sites, including PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker. But it also includes several actions seeking out anyone who includes hyperlinks to banned sites — i.e. PokerWire, Poker Road and PokerNews. Hey, I guess were could be illegal in Austrailia now. As the government proceeds with its plan to censor such sites, the blacklist gives an ugly look at how comprehensive the censorship may be, assuming it gets introduced and enforced.
Possibly Related Posts:
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- Sleep in, Make Millions: Press Release WPT LONDON POKER CLASSIC
- 2010 WSOP: Turn out the lights, the Party’s Over. For now.
- 2010 WSOP: The Daily ‘Lack of Sweat’ or Ode to Gavin Smith
- 2010 WSOP The Daily Sweat mobile blackout edition 22/23 June
March 27th, 2009 at 8:43 am
Item #3: F’ing brilliant. I wish I would have thought of that. Except Obama would probably end up schooling me and I would end up owing $1,000,000.