White House Responds to Online Poker PetitionSays States Can Decide on the Issue of Authorizing Games |
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After an online petition with the message of legalizing and regulating web poker was created by the Poker Players Alliance in Sept. 2011, and after it garnered nearly 10,000 electronic signatures, the White House responded.
Brian Deese, Deputy Director of the National Economic Council, said in the press release:
Thank you for taking the time to participate in the “We the People” petition process. We launched this online tool as a way of hearing directly from you, and are pleased to see that it has been effective in soliciting your feedback. We understand your interest in the petition to support the legalization of online poker, and appreciate the opportunity to share President Obama’s concerns about this issue.
The Administration understands that many Americans engage in paid online poker games for entertainment purposes. Online gambling on sporting events or contests violates federal law. The legality of other forms of online gambling is dependent upon the law of the states where the bettor or gambling business is located. It is left to each state to determine whether it wishes to permit such activity between its residents and an online poker business authorized by that state to accept such wagers, but online gambling that is not authorized by state law may also violate federal statutes.
The rapid and anonymous nature of the internet distinguishes online games from onsite games, such as those in casinos, and creates distinct challenges. For example, there are many means of technologically circumventing restrictions on online gambling that can allow individuals from countries where gambling is illegal — or even minors — to play using real currency. Online games also have greater potential for fraud because gambling websites are much cheaper and easier to establish than on-site locations, and like telemarketing scams, can appear and disappear overnight. Finally, online gambling can be used in money laundering schemes because of the volume, speed, anonymity, and international reach made possible by internet transactions. The Administration will continue to examine this issue and is open to solutions that would help guard against the use of online gambling sites as tools for conducting illegal activities or preying on unsuspecting individuals to the extent that online gambling is permitted.
Thank you once again for signing the online petition. We appreciate hearing your opinions and look forward to hearing from you again soon.
Follow Brian Pempus on Twitter — @brianpempus
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Comments
bmpek
1 year ago
in other words that poker players can understand. you all can kiss poker off as far as i am concerned.
cinque
1 year ago
You can't even rationalize that is what the Administration said here. I read it as California can start its online poker business yesterday. The rest of you in the other states with those crazy neo con moralistic governments? Well, good luck with that.
What I read here is they need to know what safeguards are in the legislation created (and so far yet to pass on a federal level). The POTUS doesn't make the laws. The crazy right wing has control of the congressional agenda. Good luck with that.
I'll be the first to admit I don't know all the details of what is before Congress now, but there's nothing wrong with incorporating ANY of those safeguards in current legislation. It would be interesting to hear what Nevada is doing about these safeguards as they march towards an online (paid) poker industry.
cspnboy14
12 months ago
Know the facts. One of those crazy, neo-con, right wing governors is fighting for sports betting in NJ despite the federal government's efforts (the left) to stop him. One day this country will wake up but only after they realize what the last 4 years have cost our once great country. If we get another 4 you can find me at the casinos and on-line in Canada!
Andrew6
12 months ago
Gotta love the donk who espouses the left while listening to the left's BS.. One thing struck me was "Online games also have greater potential for fraud because gambling websites are much cheaper and easier to establish than on-site locations, and like telemarketing scams, can appear and disappear overnight. Finally, online gambling can be used in money laundering schemes because of the volume, speed, anonymity, and international reach made possible by internet transactions." Shit only time i "lost" money because of a site was... well when the Government confiscated it.. They try to scare ya and blame the other side at the same time..I can drive 10 miles and play live but im not ALLOWED to play in my own house.. I can see where a knigrow would get Fedup wit da BS an go crazy... Ya hear me!
bparmalee
1 year ago
There won't be any movement with online poker nation wide until all of the DOJ cases are settled. Gambling in the past has been left to a states right issue but the casino giants will have a hard time making the kind of money they are looking for that way. Look for a few states to get online poker passed and in a a few years national online poker should be back. The casino lobby wants this really badly so they will make sure it gets done. My guess is they will set it up as an opt out system and let states that oppose online gambling block their residents from playing. That way they they can have a national systems and the states still get their say. In the meantime any type of cheating or underage gambling problems could destroy any chance of this getting done..... so lets hope the states set up their systems up properly.
Andrew6
12 months ago
Will never happen. Not together anyway.
I_P_Freely
1 year ago
Hilarious article. The funniest part is that some fools still believe Obama is a friend of poker! LOL!!!!!!