[PSA] Daniel Negreanu on UIGEA

Important message from Negreanu and the Poker Players Alliance (and again, I urge each and everyone of you to join), also a nice tip on how not execute a bad bluff:

Bad News for US Online Poker Players

Online Poker very much in jeopardy in the states...

As you may have heard, our idiot president bush has rushed his midnight deals, starting January 19th, the day before Obama takes office, the UIGEA (unlawful internet gaming enforcement act) will go into effect.. From the AP:

The rule from the Treasury Department and Federal Reserve requires those companies to establish procedures to prevent payments in connection with unlawful Internet gambling. They would be expected to comply by Dec. 1, 2009.

The law sought to curb online gambling by prohibiting financial institutions from accepting payments from credit cards, checks or electronic fund transfers to settle online wagers. But the law did not offer a clear definition of Internet gambling, instead referring to existing federal and state laws, which themselves provoke differing interpretations.

From PPA's (Pokers Players Alliance) Chairman Alfonse D’Amato:

Yesterday, in a move reminiscent of 2006 when the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act [UIGEA] legislation passed in the dead of night, the Bush Administration finalized the UIGEA regulations. These so called “midnight rules” are set to go into effect on January 19th, 2009, the day before President-Elect Obama takes office. Even though the President stated many times he was against midnight rulemaking, his actions undermine those words.

Right now, the Poker Players Alliance (PPA) is preparing for a potential lawsuit against the UIGEA because its vagueness will likely force banks and other payment processors to over-block lawful Internet poker transactions. Thusly, the PPA is looking for a few good men and women to stand with us in a potential lawsuit. As a paid PPA member, your support has been crucial to our successes. The PPA is prepared to underwrite the complete cost of potential litigation we just need members like you to be part of our action.

We are looking for certain characteristics from our members who would be in this potential lawsuit. Firstly, you would incur no legal costs of your own, and would not be in danger of any kind of prosecution for your actions. If you fit the follow characteristics and would be interested in helping, please let me know as soon as possible,

1. Engage regularly and currently in internet poker;

2. Earn money through internet poker–the greater the percentage of one’s total income the better;

3. Report net internet gaming income on one’s federal and state tax returns; and

4. Reside in or game from a state where such activity is not illegal.

Plaintiffs who are required either by circumstance (e.g., care for children) or health (e.g., disabled) to remain at home and who therefore, earn their income solely from internet gaming would be highly desirable. Members of the military stationed in a war zone who engage in internet gaming would also be desirable.

If you are interested in being interviewed by PPA’s legal counsel to serve as a plaintiff in this potential case send us an email at uigealitigation@pokerplayersalliance.org. You must include the following information in your email, and a member of our legal team will contact you.

Name

Contact Phone Number

State of Residence

Date of Birth

Thanks so much, and I look forward to standing up to this injustice with you.

Proud to Play,
Alfonse D’Amato, Chairman
Poker Players Alliance

Once again, this is bullshit and I encourage anyone out their to head over to the Poker Players Alliance and join and help support the battle for our RIGHTS!

Banning Internet Gambling on Republican Party Platform

With the election just a day away, I want to stress one more time to my fellow poker players just what may be at stake if Republicans win tomorrow....

from PokerWorks

The Republican Party platforms of 2000 and 2004 included the following statement:

“Millions of Americans suffer from problem or pathological gambling that can destroy families. We support legislation prohibiting gambling over the Internet or in student athletics by student athletes who are participating in competitive sports.”

When the 2008 platform was released last week, the above passage was originally omitted, and the media was made aware of it. As word began to spread throughout the poker media in particular and it was taken as a positive sign that the Republicans had possibly returned to their roots of protecting individuals’ privacy, things changed. Suddenly, a new look at the platform indicated that it had been added at a later time. Whether it was an attempt at deception or a mere oversight on the first released draft of the platform, the Republican Party has again made its intentions clear.

The inclusion of such language caught the eye of more than just the poker media; many mainstream political outlets picked up on the story and expressed frustration with such a moralistic-based political stance. CQ Politics was one of those outlets, and in an article by CQ staff writer Bart Jansen, poker pro and 2004 WSOP champion Greg Raymer was quoted as saying, “My point is simple. Is the Republican Party no longer the party of personal freedom and individual responsibility? Why has this party, that used to protect my rights, now become the party that wants to create a nanny-state?”

The Republican Party platform that includes the goal of prohibiting internet gambling – and that does include poker, as it has not been designated a game of skill – is the platform that Senator John McCain has adopted as the Republican candidate for the office of U.S. President.

It is becoming clearer that the work of the Poker Players Alliance is not only important but urgent. The lobbying organization with over a million members has been making progress over the past year but must have the active support of those members to truly make a difference. Not only is it vital that poker players and fans of the game let their Congressional representatives know their views, but Senator McCain should be made aware of our powerful constituency as well.

Vote!

From the Poker Players Alliance!

The upcoming elections are fast approaching and your poker rights are on the line, now more than ever. The next U.S. Congress will make key decisions about the future of Internet poker, so you can’t sit this hand out. You need to go to the polls on November 4th and support candidates who support your rights.

Before you head to the polls, please take a few minutes to visit: www.congressionalpoker.org . There at our new Congressional ratings site, you can see how your US Senators and Congressman in Pennsylvania are rated in regards to their stance on Internet poker.

Making proactive changes in our Nation’s capitol starts with your participation on Election Day in Pennsylvania. With your help, we can ensure that poker will be treated fairly by our elected officials.

Palin and Gambling

Just read on Eagle Forum Alaska the following questionnaire, it was sent to all gubernatorial candidates for the 2006 election for Governor of Alaska with their responses.

One question of significance to poker players is the following:

6a. Do you support the expansion of gambling in Alaska?

Sarah Palin: No, in so many cases, gambling has shown ill effects on families and as Governor I would not propose expansion legislation.

This woman is one heart attack away from being President if McCain is elected!!!!

If you care about poker, especially online poker, this is a HUGE reason to vote Democratic on Tuesday....

The Election and the Pros

I keep it no secret who I am voting for, but for what its worth, here is a short video of some interviews of some pros and their thoughts on Tuesdays election:

Watch Poker Stars Presidential Picks on RawVegas.tv

U.S. Senator Introduces Internet Poker Bill, S. 3616

The PPA is pleased to inform its more than 1 million members that U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (NJ-D) has introduced S. 3616, the Internet Skill Game Licensing and Control Act of 2008.

This exceptional piece of legislation will establish licensed Internet poker in the U.S. and provide American consumers with the vast benefits of a clear regulatory system. The bill is the first of its kind to focus primarily on your favorite pastime. S. 3616, is landmark legislation for the poker community and sets the stage for the next Congress and new Administration to enact sound public policy in the area of Internet poker.

Today, the PPA issued a press release in support of the bill. And we are encouraging everyone to send an note to Senator Menendez to thank him for introducing this bill. You can do this by going to the Senator’s "Contact Me" page on his official Senate Website.

Tell the Senator:

•Thank you for introducing S. 3616, the Internet Skill Game Licensing and Control Act
•As a poker player and a voter, it is important to me that our government takes steps to regulate Internet poker in the U.S.
•Regulation will provide necessary safeguards to protect adult consumers, children and problem gamblers. Moreover, significant federal and state revenue can be gained through a U.S. regulated industry.
•S. 3616 is a positive development and the poker community applauds you for introducing it.

Barney Frank’s HR 6870 passes Committee vote

Article via We Do It All Vegas:

Since the implementation of the UIGEA in 2006, Congressman Barney Frank has done what ever is possible to stop the progress of the enforcement bill and to clarify its specific purpose by arguing that U.S government should not have the right to determine how the American citizens invest their time and money.

Yesterday, Congressman Frank introduced a proposed bill (HR 6870 or Payments System Protection Act) in its effort to amend the problems and confusion caused by the UIGEA and its and to give financial institutions a detailed definition of what is and is not considered an illegal online gambling activity.

When the bill was introduced to the committee yesterday, Representative William Lacy Clay criticized the arguments of several professional sports leagues, saying: “I’m alarmed that major league sports would come forward to announce their opposition to the Bill. I’m puzzled by their stance especially when you have legal sports books in Las Vegas. I can’t figure out what the difference is between Internet gambling and Las Vegas sports books.”

The good news is that Frank’s bill has been approved today by the House Committee on Financial Services and would push the Department of the Treasury and Federal Reserve System, in consultation with the Attorney General and a special Administrative Law Judge to classify and determine what really constitutes “unlawful online gambling” and initiate an economic a deep research and study on the fulfillment costs of the prohibition.

The enactment of the bill would delay the execution of the UIGEA through a process calculated to guarantee that the UIGEA regulations do not harm the operations of the U.S. payments system or wrongly prevent transactions considered legal.

The Committee also voted an amendment to a bill in where federal regulators are obligated to issue regulations to financial institutions to block transfers and transactions related to online sportsbetting and other gambling activities including online poker and casinos, with the exception of horse racing, dog racing and jai-alai. According to the new amendment, unlawful gambling operators would be specified by the U.S. Treasury on a list that would be check and revised by financial institutions to execute the prohibition.

Support Online Poker

The federal elections in the United States are less than 45 days away. This is the time, once every four years, when elected officials actually listen to voters. If you are a poker player and you want the right to play poker online, then you need to take two minutes to go to the Poker Player Alliance website and fill out this form, which will be sent to your Congress person and both of your Senators. This is a new legislative notice, if you have written in the past, please do it again today. Might I suggest that you add a line or two at the beginning of the pre-packaged message. Here is what I (Cranky Olde Coot from Pokerblog.com)wrote:

"This year, I am a single issue voter. You either fully support my right to play poker online or you are against me. No half-ass political double-speak. If you fully support the right of all Americans to do with their money and time whatever they see fit, then you have my vote. If you don't, then your opponent gets my vote. I wanted to keep it simple, so you understand. You are for us or against us and my vote will reflect your position. If I do not hear from you before the election or if you send some non-committal bullshit about further studies, I am voting for the other guy. I hope we are clear on this issue."

More US of A Poker Communism!

Ky. governor seeking to block online gambling

Wow, is this the United States or commmunist China? And this by a Democratic "pro-poker" Gov! Unreal!

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) _ Kentucky's pro-gambling governor is looking to make sure all bets are off for more than 140 online gambling Web sites that operate in the state known for the world's biggest horse race.

Gov. Steve Beshear said his administration has asked a Franklin County Circuit Court judge to give the state control of 141 gambling Web site domain names. Beshear said he's looking to restrict Kentuckians' access to Web sites with names that include some of the most popular gambling sites for U.S. players: bodoglife.com, doylesroom.com and fulltiltpoker.com.

A hearing is scheduled for Thursday before Judge Thomas Wingate.

Beshear believes Kentucky is the first in the country to attempt to block online gambling by taking over Web domain names of gambling sites.

"Unlike casinos that operate on land or on riverboats in the United States, these operations pay no tax revenues, provide no jobs and yield no tourism benefits," Beshear said at a Monday afternoon Capitol press conference. "They are leeches on our communities."

Kentucky, home to the Kentucky Derby, already has a state lottery and allows gambling at horse tracks and bingo halls. Blocking internet gambling sites in Kentucky would "protect the signature industry," Beshear said.

Such sites "siphon off money from regulated and legal games such as Kentucky's thoroughbred racing industry, our lottery and charitable gaming activities," Beshear said.

Although Kentucky officials did not have a definite estimate of how much money is being lost to online gambling in Kentucky, Beshear claimed residents were wagering millions online.

Justice Secretary J. Michael Brown said the state is asking the court to forfeit control of the domain names to Kentucky state government. Brown said if successful, the domain names would then controlled by Kentucky state government and subsequently blocked.

"There is gambling going on on the Internet and we know that that gambling is illegal in the commonwealth of Kentucky," Brown said.

Beshear, a Democrat, largely based his campaign for governor last year on a pledge to push for an amendment to the state constitution legalizing casino gambling in Kentucky. Beshear was unable to persuade Kentucky lawmakers earlier this year to put a proposed gambling amendment on the ballot this fall.

Read More...

Poker Players Alliance Press Release

Pokerati's Comments

Redumblicans Flip Flop on Poker

er.. I meant Republicans, did I say that? :)

I know we live in a very tight conservative area that is central PA and I know I have had numerous arguments supporting Obama and NOT McCain at the table, however, I really wish you poker players would take more notice of what is going on, article from Poker News:

Initially it looked like the party may have decided to drop their opposition to online gambling from the official line, but CQ Politics reported on Tuesday, the language has once again been added.

In 2000 and 2004, the platform for the Republican Party had included, "Millions of Americans suffer from problem or pathological gambling that can destroy families. We support legislation prohibiting gambling over the Internet or in student athletics by student athletes who are participating in competitive sports."

I argue that poker is not in the same category as sports gambling or other casino games and I am sure most readers agree.

The Poker Players Alliance has also been lobbying pretty heavily to have the Republican Party change its stance on online gambling and return to its traditional stance of protecting people's personal freedoms and individual responsibility.

As a result the PPA encouraged its Republican members to post comments on the www.GOPPlatform2008.com site which the committee is using to help shape this year's platform.

By mid August more than 160 poker players had posted comments on the site, including Greg Raymer and players from all over the country.

On Tuesday, word went out that the Republican Party was removing the call for an online gambling ban from its platform, but later in the day CQ Politics reported the language had been returned.

The comment section is still active and below are some good ones:

By mid August more than 160 poker players had posted comments on the site, including Greg Raymer and players from all over the country.

On Tuesday, word went out that the Republican Party was removing the call for an online gambling ban from its platform, but later in the day CQ Politics reported the language had been returned.

Already the GOP Platform site has seen feedback on the flip flop from members.

"Wow ... great job guys. Way to throw all of us who enjoy the freedom to play Internet poker in our homes a bone by initially saying that you were going to pull the draconian language from the platform that says Internet gambling is a scourge on society, then caving to Chad Hills and Focus on the Family when they applied a little pressure three hours later," writes Aaron from Norwood, Mass.

"No wonder the Democrats are the party of the people. They actually listen to them, as opposed to small fringe groups that pull the strings in the GOP. Well I know how I'm voting in 2008, and for the foreseeable future, and sorry John (McCain), it ain't for you."

His sentiment was shared by Dave from Weston, W. Va., who wrote that he was given a ray of hope for the GOP when the news came out that the language for an online gambling ban was taken out of the party platform.

However, when news of the reversal came out later in the day, he was once again turned off by the Republican Party.

"You have LOST my vote and more importantly I will be actively working against the GOP in my SWING state of West Virginia which is, as you know, in play this year," Dave wrote.

"Though I am only one, there are MILLIONS of regular folks who enjoy a game of cards with other ADULTS and since you seem to want to manage my life you have. Ironically you have managed to harden my heart AGAIN against the GOP. Oh well."

The GOP site is still open for comments on what should be put in the 2008 Republican Party platform. The platform committee is meeting again today to write up a document for the party to adopt on the first day of the Republican Convention, Sept. 1, in St. Paul, Minn.

I know many of my fellow Pennsylvanians are conservative and have many problems with us crazy liberals, however, I must say one more time, if you enjoy poker as much as I do, then please reconsider your vote for McCain and take a stronger look at Obama!

Poker Stars Summer Games Freeroll Series Starts Aug. 22

More Than 80,000 Cash Prizes Will Be Awarded Along With a $100,000 Final

The Olympic Summer Games may be coming to a close in a few days, but the Summer Games at PokerStars have yet to begin. PokerStars is kicking off an eight-week-long promotion called the Summer Games that pits Canadians vs. Americans in a fight to snag some of the more than 80,000 cash prizes to be given away and seats in the $100,000 final, and it all starts this Friday, Aug. 22.

Each week features a different poker variation, and players get one free round-one entry for each week's poker variant. Each country has a separate set of tournaments, and the free entry can be used for any of the round-one Summer Games tournaments running during that week for the player's home country.

Those who finish well enough in the round-one event move on to that week's round-two final, and the weekly finals send five players from each country to the $100,000 main event. Then, the next week, players can try their hands at a different poker variation with another free round-one entry.

The round-one and round-two events aren't just qualifiers, though; plenty of cash prizes are being awarded in each tournament.

Here's the schedule of events:


Limit hold'em
Aug. 22-28
Aug. 31, 4 p.m.

Seven-card stud
Aug. 29-Sept. 4
Sept. 7, 4 p.m.

Five-card draw
Sept. 5-11
Sept. 14, 4 p.m.

Omaha
Sept. 12-18
Sept. 21, 4 p.m.

Short-handed no-limit hold'em
Sept. 19-25
Sept. 28, 4 p.m.

Pot-limit hold'em
Sept. 26-Oct. 2
Oct. 5, 4 p.m.

Omaha eight-or-better
Oct. 3-10
Oct. 12, 4 p.m.

No-limit hold'em
Oct. 11-16
Oct. 19, 4 p.m.


Those interested in taking part in this free promotion and representing either the USA or Canada can sign up for PokerStars today.

Danger: Online Poker and You

Fleet Street Games has a comedic look at how our government is handling online poker, although the clip is a joke, at least Doyle Brunson and Andy Bloch thinks this might be more real than humorous and publicly supports Barrack Obama:

Stetson-wearing Las Vegas pros who like his belief in the freedom to gamble are putting their chips on Mr Obama, who is himself a skilled player of Texas Hold'Em and Seven Card Stud.

Doyle Brunson, America's greatest living player and formerly a life-long Republican, has come out for Obama.

Another leading poker player and Obama backer, Andy Bloch, told The Sunday Telegraph that most players in Las Vegas for the main event of the World Series of Poker, which began on Thursday, are backing the Democrat. Meanwhile a group called Poker Players for Obama writes a blog on his campaign website.

...Announcing his support for Mr Obama, Mr Brunson, twice a winner of the world championship, said he could not back Mr McCain because the Republicans support the current US ban on internet gaming. Mr Obama has said he would like to regulate online poker and gambling, rather than criminalise it.

"Poker players have to support Obama," he said. "God help the internet gambling business if McCain does happen to win."

More on the politics of poker and the upcoming election soon. However, although not online, I bet those involved in the poker raid in Lemoyne in January has this video hitting home a little too hard...