Fighting H.R. 4777, the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act

[Simmo!]

miners were helped by a heavyweight circular from ABN Amro

That's a relief. I was sweatin'....


Actually the Government, if they really want to pass legislation that helps people, should concentrate their agenda on stopping people "borrowing" money to gamble. Not stopping them using their own money. That's where the problems lie in reality. Oh wait, I was forgetting ...it's not about society issues, its about money leaving the state. D'oh.

[paul02085]

From what i am reading on 2+2, they were able to tack it onto another bill and the bill has been approved for vote or whatever they do next. Basically, its a done deal from what they are saying.

A black day for online gambling 9/29/06.

[Cynthia777]

I don't know about that, Paul...which bill are you referring to?

Congress is in session Saturday (will absolutely confirm once I go to work tonight) but from what we hear they are not passing anything else (at least for this year), so I'm thinking this thread will probably come to a close soon!

[paul02085]

I don't know about that, Paul...which bill are you referring to?

Congress is in session Saturday (will absolutely confirm once I go to work tonight) but from what we hear they are not passing anything else (at least for this year), so I'm thinking this thread will probably come to a close soon!

Cynthia, i am reading they tacked it onto some Port Security bill. The guys at 2+2 are saying it is VERY RESTRICTIVE.

[SlotsWizard]

HR 4954, they're talking about it now and it should be up for a vote shortly.







http://www.rules.house.gov/109_2nd/t...43_portscr.pdf -- page 213

[Rollo]

Looks like Frist was sucessful. He got the compromise legislation included with the port security bill and it's passed and it will be signed into law almost immediately. If there is any good news here, it's that the portion updating the Wire Act it seems wasn't included. I'm not sure what to make of that as that was the harshest part of the bill but this is no cause for celebration.

[paul02085]

I have read a zillion posts on 2+2 forum about this bill and what it does or does not do. The consensus of some people who have followed this process from early on is that what has been approved is very restrictive and also very open to interpretation.

I guess there is language that can be interpreted as to mean that if a person cashes out from an online casino/pokerroom etc, they are subject to a 5 year prison sentence. Not all agree with this but it can be read that way.

Also, it sounds as if banks will be forced to reject transfers to and from e wallet institutions such as Neteller.

Thirdly is wording which seems to imply that basically the government can tell IPS's what sites they must block and IPS's are then required to do so. I.E. ban access to online casinos/pokerrooms/and even message boards, etc.

The overall consensus of the people so far seems to be that internet poker and gaming is going to be shut off for US citizens and there is very little optimism that anything more hopeful will take place.

Call this BLACK FRIDAY 9/29/06

[SlotsWizard]

Looks like Frist was sucessful. He got the compromise legislation included with the port security bill and it's passed and it will be signed into law almost immediately. If there is any good news here, it's that the portion updating the Wire Act it seems wasn't included. I'm not sure what to make of that as that was the harshest part of the bill but this is no cause for celebration.

I'll be sure to set Thunderstruck on autoplay while they take me away in cuffs. When I get out 3 to 5 years later I'll see if I hit the scatters.

But seriously... I don't think there will be much change from our perspective any time soon.

[jetset]

From what we're seeing so far it looks as if Rollo is right and this attachment not only made it onto the Port Security bill, but that the bill was passed in the voting last night.

I think there is a possible further conference stage and the President's signature (or not if he doesn't feel it is acceptable) but it could be the law of the land quite soon.

That said, I just can't see the US government prosecuting large numbers of citizens, or being so insenstive to freedom of access to the Internet as to use ISPs to ban sites or players. That would really be playing with high explosives and would spur opposition from all sorts of Americans jealously guarding their personal rights and freedoms imo.

The authorities will more likely than not follow their usual course of threats and relatively small but highh profile tactical moves to intimidate companies and scare the bejasus out of players.

It will make financial issues more complicated until workarounds are found, but there, too the banks have said this places an impractical and costly burden on them.

Stopping Americans from exercising their right to choice when it comes to online gambling is a dangerous and slippery path.

[Rollo]

That sounds terrible. Do you have a link to the text of the legislation? Things like this make me thankful I live in Mexico.

ISPs banning gambling sites would be inconvinient, but if Network Solutions or Godaddy get spooked, things could get downright ugly. I hope jetset is right, but from what I know of ISPs they will self-sensor the moment they get a wiff that they could get into hot water (real or imagined) for hosting gambling sites. This mainly becuase the loss of gambling sites won't make much of a dent in their business. I doubt the government will need to do much prospecting at all as any business with anything to loose is going to run for the hills...

I guess it depends on the language, but the gravy train it seems is pulling into the station.

Tomorrow the fallout begins...