President Signs Unlawful Internet Gambling Act

Doesn't our President have a few other pressing problems to deal with?

ANYBODY THAT VOTES REPUBLICAN NEEDS THEIR HEAD EXAMINED, HE IS A FREAK, SLOWLY BUT SURELY OUR RIGHTS WILL BE TAKEN AWAY F BUSH AND THE GOP , THE RELIGOUS CREEPS

THIS IS HOW POLITICS WORKS KIDDIES. DONT BLAME BUSH, BUT DO BLAME THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT THAT WANTS TO REGULATE MORALITY. THE WAY THE ACT WAS ADDED AS A "RIDER" ON SUCH A HOT TOPIC (ANYTHING TO DO WITH NATIONAL SECURITY) SHOWS THAT CONGRESS CANNOT PASS THE BILL ON ITS OWN. THEIR ARE TOO MANY POKER PLAYERS IN THE US TO ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN. VIVA EL ONLINEPOKER!!!

Piece of **** politicians, ENOUGH SAID

Weve been Frist F@3Ked for sure. Im thinking retirement to Belize or Costa Rica or Cabo San Lucas might be a nice respite from the USA. Great place for an ole Dead Head like myself.

Between outsourcing of American Jobs and the online gambling ban Ive been screwed by my own country

Bush... an idiot? Yes... Online poker becoming more difficult? Good thing. I am probably the only person that thinks online poker is a joke. You want poker? Go to a casino. No access? Just look up Indian Reservations online... Screw online poker.... nuff said.

Another thing... Now we don/t have to worry about another WhiskeyBadger/Orangeman issue. Don't any of you see the good in this? Now good players will be playing in the WSOP and WPT. If you wanna be a good player, play for real...not staring at some screen for 6 hours.

Interesting that the major proponents of this legislation cite 'money laundering' by Drug Dealers(?) and Terrorists(?) as the major reason for the need for this kind of prohibition?? Such 'generalization' is evidence of the lack of an actual reason, because it plays on peoples 'fears'.... I, for one, would like an explanation of exactly how either Drug Dealers or Terrorists can manage to launder money thru an online poker website?? Are they calling the owners of these websites Drug Dealers and Terrorists?? There should be a 'One Bill' law that prohibits placing 'riders' on other legislation.. Both Rep's and Dem's are guilty of this kind of abuse of process...

Frist F@cked, nice...
Yeah, the GOV. is gone-whacked. Especially with Republicans in the Captain's Seat. For the love of Hey-zeus, doja is still illegal. Now... online gambling is under fire, but that's just the way Congress rolls. Anything they can't get a significant "cut" off of takes a dive. The American Dream has turned into American Delirium.

To Greg Wright: Whether you like online poker or not isn't the issue here. The issue is 'personal freedoms'. To make something illegal under the excuse that a small percentage of people might abuse it is tyranical, not the way of a country that pretends to cherish individual liberties. At some point, the continuing restrictions and bans on individual freedoms under the guise of the "War on Drugs" or the "War on Terrorism" will be recognized as the "Orwellian" beast it really is...

WOW ANOTHER PART OF OUR FREEDOM GONE. I LOVE TO PLAY POKER (ONLINE OR BRICK MOTAR) AND THAT IS NONE OF THE WHITE HOUSE/CONGRESS BUSINESS. IN ONE WAY IM GLAD THEY DID THIS REASON BEING POKER PLAYER ARE WORLDWIDE AND ARE STRONG FIGHTING PEOPLE AND WE ARE REPUBLICAN, DEMOCRATE & INDEPENDENTS WE DEVERSE ALL RACE'S AND GENDERS SO THEY CAN PUT US IN A BOX. LETS KEEPING FIGHTING TO KEEP OUR RIGHTS TO PLAY POKER AND ENJOY LIFE. PLEASE HELP OTHERS TO UNDERSTAND THAT THEY ARE CHANGING LAWS TO MAKE LIVING FREE OF THERE VIEWS A CRIME

A few comments,
First off, I don't blame bush, but do blame congress...as josephine petty stated...i'm sure poker is not the first thing on his mind, he'll sign almost anything they put in front of him. The issue is that all the old folks (or pedophiles such as Foley's case) in congress are to dumbfounded as to how they can tax & regulate it, so until they know how, they try to ban it...
I'm more disappointed at how the online sites turned tail and ran without a fight.. their exec's too worried about getting arrested the next time they are in the states... they sure were quick to accept our money though, weren't they... no worries however, I just look at all their time & money & marketing to build up a brand that will no longer be valid for US players... so Bodog/FullTilt/Paradise/etc.. should actually thank PartyPoker for their soon to be influx of players.... THANKS PARTY POKER!! because online poker is obviously not going away, regardless of what the govt. does, there will always be ways around it and to many offshore companies to filter the monies....so as Mr. Sexton puts it, "May all your cards be live, and your pots be monsters.....hehehe "

It was great watching bush this morning signing the document for online poker. He never mentioned gambleing once. I was all about our ports. What BS they should have done somting about the ports 5 years ago. Read more about this law I posted it on http://www.voiceofarizona.com/online_gambling_legislation-5031-2-2891.htm Wow is this country jacked up

your rights are being taken away? what constitutional right do you have to play online poker?

James B...surely you jest!!!!!! How about the constitutional right not to have the Federal Government regulate my morals.....or make decisions that I am capable of making. It is people like you that need a Government to do EVERYTHING for them....suggestion...move to China or North Korea....Im certain you'd love their Governement. But hey...Only because they'd TELL you to. Please...constitutional rights....they keep falling through the cracks....and people just like you are okay with that.....this whole thing is DISGUSTING!!!!!

Okay, now bodies like the IGC and other gaming lobbying interests have a platform to get off their A$$es and actually reinstate, tax and regulate online gaming. They have two years to formulate a plan for the next(deomocrat) president to put in place. In a way this is probably a good thing in the long run because now the talking heads can design, implement and enforce and online gaming environment that does not fund terrorism(sarcasm intended) and that does not cause folks to "click the mouse and lose the house."

I am looking forward to the taking of an offensive posture when it comes to getting this pastime the we love back, legal and taxed. Let's all pray Hilary makes it to office. She is the best hope we've got.

chris, it says in the constitution the government has the right to regulate morality, you should really read that document sometime its a pretty big deal in this country

James: Pardon my ignorance, I am only a lawyer. Where in the Constitution is it stated that the government has the right to regulate morality? I must have missed that clause.

The government can now regulate morality? Just someone saying that makes me want to puke. What ignorant people we have in this country. The worst part of it is they vote(republican). Not saying there aren't stupid Democrats but c'mon James. You want Bush to tell you what time you need to go to bed at night too? Or how about not allowing you to watch R rated movies? When will it stop? It's all about money of course. The Government sees someone making money and they have to find a way to get a piece. I'll just play live, it's more fun anyway.

thanks usa politicans. I'm a vet four years service to this country, retired at 55 and having a little cheap fun at home online. Can't afford those high by ins and rakes at casinos anymore on my fixed income for instance a forty dollar tournament costs me 40 plus 4 online, casino price 40 plus 15. great treat to have to drive 650 miles round trip to the nearest casino to get ripped off at that rate. U think the mop were crooks in vegas, they got nothing on the good old us goverment. best thing to do is outlaw tobacco,whiskey and just have war and death for our national passtime.

art, apparently you dont pay attention to the supreme court, they decided on a case that the government does in face have the right to regulate morality, now just so you know i do believe that online poker should be legal and the government should not deal with morality, but it is my understanding that the government has that power

James. The US does not have the right to regulate morality, and the supreme court has not voted so. If it had, then it wouldn't make sense for them to strike down an old ruling that state laws against sodomy violated your constitutional rights? Why would the Supreme court rule that the attorney general did not have the authority to attempt to punish doctors who help terminally ill patients die under Oregon's physician-assisted suicide law?

It's just absurd that they could attach an internet gaming bill to a port security bill. I believe this is a direct violation of our constitution and it should be reversed. Hopefully, the Supreme Court will have the balls to strike down this legislation.

Ok so what is going to happen. will USA players not be able to use Neteller, Paypal, Etc.

i'm sorry folks ' but has anyone besides me read the act that was singed. nowhere in the act did it refer to poker it tells of games of chance. this is the same as in california law. however look at how many card rooms there are here in a non-gambling state (other than indian land). the states them selves show that poker is not gambling.the problem is that the credit card companies don't know the difference and will just decline not wanting to take a chance on the out come. if you read the act in question you'd see why poker stars and the others are not changeing there ways.

James, obviously the government BELIEVES that they have the right to regulate morality, but that is not the issue. The main issue here is SHOULD they have that right. Unfortunately for us, their argument is justified by the fact that gambling is considered an addictive and potentially destructive habit. Just as legislations have been passed on the increase of cigarette taxes and even the attempt at the prohibition of alcohol (albeit, a failed attempt), it seems that the US government is taking a very parental role at looking out for the well-being of Amercian citizens. With that said, not everyone is losing their mortgage to online gambling. Moreover, things that have been outlawed in the US are generally prohibiting because of the potential harm to one's health - I don't know of anyone who has been physically harmed by poker (aside from collusion in rounding). Still, the fact remains that there is a psychological factor in gambling that leads many lives in shambles. But the fact remains, prohibiting online gambling will only lead to more 'illegal' home games and casino gambling, which will surely leave congress scratching their heads about what went wrong. The bottom line - the online gambling restriction may be issued with best intentions, but when it comes down to it, people will continue to gamble, and the inconvenience of not having that luxury in your home will only leave people pissed off at the US government.

yes i agree with you completely, besides just because it is a law now does not mean it will always remain one, theres always a chance there will be some case which reaches the supreme court concerning this bill

laws mean nothing to me ....never have...i will continue to play poker smoke weed and do whatever the hell else i want....this administration is creating more terrorists overseas and creating more lawbreakers with their fascist stances on governing morality ...up yours Mr. Frist and your loony right wing jackbooted thugs....catch me if you can....

2 WORDS
BULL CRAP

CAN YOU GUESS WHO LOST MY VOTE

How ironic that Frist is supporting all the Republicans who are backpedalling on the page scandal in Washington. Apparently, he and his band of bible thumpers can condone inappropriate actions towards minors but not online gaming. Frist has been described as a presidential hopeful - I don't trust him already. Follow the money, it's always the true indicator of why shady deals like attaching the UIGE to the port safety act.
I have a question for all the lawyers out there- if someone does take this to the Supreme Court to contest the UIGE, does this compromise the port security act if overturned? If so, this is very short-sighted of Congress.

Poker is a game of skill, which means it should be allowed. Other countries can play, but the most powerful country in the world can't! Are we free?

If gambling is not a tradition in America how come Kenny Rogers played poker against a president?

Our lawmakers have apparently forgotten all about history. Prohibition didn't work. It's impossible to legislate morality. My guess is they don't think any of us vote or that there are enough of us to matter. Let's show them and VOTE these fools out of office. This will just open up online poker to organized crime. It's bad for our country! VOTE!

Poker is a game of skills ,we invented it.other countries learn and play very good.Now you ignorant politicians ban us to compete,that show our weakness not just in the game,but the whole system.

Why not let the people vote on this issue ,as we did for many case.this is the country where all the people make decision,not just a few men

so much for land of the free i guess. this is crap!

Canada will let you play poker, we wont even tax your winnings

come over and come play at my house forget them...its a big joke

The simple fact is that the government wants us to believe that they signed this bill to "protect" us from gambling sites. When in reality the government is just pissed off that internet gambling is a billion dollar business that they get NO money from. If the government made any kind of money from these sites then they would not only allow online gambling but promote it. It's funny how pokerstars said that poker is a "game of skill" so it's not gambling .... way to go pokerstars. Theres always a loophole and they found it

According to Calvin Ayre, if the American Government was not the largest reciever of funds from the gambling industry in the world, Bush would not have signed the legislation into law.
It is purely an act to protect it's own interest's.
It's the same as Iraq, if there was no oil, would americans be spilling thier blood for a huge sandpile
I am so glad that I am Canadian and not subjected to my freedoms being protected by Bush!

I say these thoughts collected and forwarded to those who signed the bill. At least let them know how we feel about a bill they passed for us. As you can see, everyone is pleased (sarcasm)! But I agree with everyone else, no need to be redundant.

is it just me or does it seem weird that the us government is trying to govern A:) how people spend the money that they earned...and B:) the internet which is something that, last time I checked, the us DOES NOT OWN. what is the US Government going to do next....outlaw salt because it is bad for us if we eat too much of it like 'demolition man.' Who ever brought up the point that the real reason behind this being that the reason they are going after it is because they can't make any money off it was right. But that is Congress for you.....ever trying to constantly greese their pockets.

Bush should be worried more about the schools, social security and stuff like that...instead he signs this thinking this is an important issue. IT'S NOT. He made a HUGE mistake in signing this bill!

poker is a part of american history, its a game just like chess and basketball, the better players usually prevail while the rest enjoy trying to be number one, what i dont get is thousands of troops and familys everywhere have been torn apart to defend freedom "as you say", but the way it stands now is i can use my creditcard and watch a woman play with herself, switch web pages bet on a longshot horse and buy as many lotto tickets with my sons lucky numbers that he picks, are you kidding me?? lol and in the future your gonna once again ask for americans to stand up and fight.. your a joke nothing more...just a joke.

OK allot of good comments on here about how one feels.
But does anyone know what will happen with sites like neteller, paypal Etc. will we in good old USA still be able to use them, for poker.

Bush should worry about Iraq and N. Korea. We earn are money the hard way and we should be able to spend it any way we want. Bush can take my tax dollars and spend them on a silly war that his daddy started and I have no say so about it.
PittsburghPixels.com

They sure are making it easy to elect a Democratic President! Remember to VOTE people!!!

This is such a joke. Yet another example of how the government controls every aspect of our lives. The only reason the bill was passed, in my opinion, is so the government can create an agency to control internet gambling and make more money. In a few months the government will probably allow poker sites to continue in the U.S. but with some major taxing on them. It’s about time for congress to realize that just because they do not like something; it does not make it wrong and dangerous for society. If they don’t like it, there is a simple solution. Don’t play it, it’s that easy. Don’t mess it up for other people who enjoy this form of entertainment.