Online poker players in Germany have one fewer reason to celebrate the coming of the New Year. Jan. 1, 2008, will mark the beginning of a state-ratified online gambling ban in Germany, a move meant to safeguard the country's state monopolies on lotteries and other forms of online wagering.
The new online-wagering laws - which have been ratified 13 of the 16 German states, so far, which means the majority requirement has been met - ban any form of Internet gambling or the brokering of games online. The new rules allow the German states to order banks and financial institutions from transacting with Web sites offering online wagering (similar to what the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act does in the U.S.) and to order Internet service providers to completely block those sites.
Advertisements for Internet gambling are also severely restricted as a result of the new rules. The regulations imposed on such advertising states that the ads may not "directly invite, incite, or prompt," people to gamble online, but they can still let potential customers know that Internet gambling is possible.
The Brussels-based European Commission, a regulator for the European Union, still has the opportunity to challenge Germany's new regulations. The Commission told Germany earlier this year that it thought a total ban on Internet gambling was excessive and asked the country to reconsider. Germany refused and set in place the ban that will become official tomorrow. The Commission can sue EU member states for failing to adhere to EU law and to force them to comply.
POSTED ON: Jan 02, 2008
sorry-- here is the sans typo version.... didn't say i was a genius either.... With such geniuses as this, making these kinds of erratic and, frankly, not very well thought out arguments, the future of online poker in the US does not look bright. DonkDown- you would rather place your trust in casino corporations than a private poker site such as Full Tilt, run by and for poker players, with an inherent interest in ensuring fair play? really? You trust the casinos more? See you at the slots, then. I do agree, Germany is protecting its own wagering systems, under the cover of shrill political correctness. However, it was a rabid Republican, trying to appeal to his far right base, that snuck the antigaming piece into the port security bill. What we need is more reason, and less extremsim on either side, right or left. Adults should be able to gamble online, instead of being forced to support the aatate through such low EV activities as lotteries, horse races or slots.
POSTED ON: Jan 02, 2008
With such geniuses as this, making htese kinds of erraic and, frankly, not very well thought out arguments, the future of online poker in the US does not look bright. DonkDown- you would rather place your trust in casino corporations than a provate poker site such as Full Tilt, run by and for poker players, with an inherent interest in ensuring fair play? really? You trust the casinos more? See you at the slots, then. I do agree, Germaany is protecting its own wagering systems, under the cover of shrill political correctness. Howwever, it was a rabid Republican, trying to appeaal to his far right baase, that snuck the antigaming piece into the port security bill. What we need is more reason, and less extremssim on either side, right or left. Adults should be able to gamble online, instead of being forced to support the aatate through such low EV activities as lotteries, horse races or slots.
POSTED ON: Jan 01, 2008
I agree with Donk Down, there is just way too much too worry about these days playing online. Especially in a cash game. It could be a 6 handed game and all 5 other people playing are working as a team and telling each other their pocket cards for all you know. The A.P. scandal left a bad taste in my mouth too. I'm sure there are many other cheaters out there that just haven't been stupid and greedy enough like those guys to get caught yet.
POSTED ON: Jan 01, 2008
It should be banned.. As well it should be banned in the U.S. and hopefully that days coming.. I made a great living off online poker the past 3 years, took me from rags to riches, but ever since the A.P scandal i have totally quit it. It just goes to show its not beyond cheating, and its not safe.. We need it regulated in the U.S. and then poker stars, full tilt, etc. will all be gone, and are money will be in well know legitimate corporations like harrahs, mirage,mgm, etc. I would rather know where my money is and know i can get it at any times with know worries.
POSTED ON: Jan 01, 2008
Huh? Wouldn't that be like OHIO banning online poker? You just connect to an ISP from Indiana or Kentucky to get online. WTF?
POSTED ON: Dec 31, 2007
Well, actually bmpek, the german government is full of far-leftists imposing there will on the people. They cant compete with the private sector so they get to pass a law to ban it. We need the true republicans of teh early 90's to come back in here take over the world, and to restore a truly free market that was intended by our founding fathers.
POSTED ON: Dec 31, 2007
wtf this isnt good
POSTED ON: Dec 31, 2007
what the hell??
POSTED ON: Dec 31, 2007
damn republicans now they run germany. all bushes fault