Congress and Poker
Having a little trouble sleeping tonight. Probably can be attributed to too much caffeine in the late hours. Since I’m not catching any z’s right now I figured I’d jump on here and write a quick little blurb about something in the news that is kinda irritating.
Now I’m not one to really pay too much attention to politics. I used to be very interested in the topic, but lately I’ve just become apathetic. However, yesterday I receved an email through the Poker Player’s Alliance about this bill that Congress is looking to put through. Essentially the intention of the bill is to create a law prohibiting all U.S. financial institutions from transferring funds to online gambling sites and to put pressure on Internet service providers to block the sites and applications individuals use to play online poker.
It’s being reported that this is part of an “American Values Agenda” that is being prioritized in Congress. However if people playing in poker tournaments online is a big moral dilemma, why does this same bill leave the barn door wide open for legal horse racing and Internet lotteries?
It seems to me that if, like other evolutions in the technology world, governing bodies would choose to embrace those evolutions rather than fighting them, the end results would prove to be more beneficial for all involved. As far as I’m concerned it’s similar to the same idea as the RIAA or MPAA’s learning to provide their product through new channels rather than prohibiting those innovations threatening their market share.
This quote from the Poker Players Alliance illustrates this thought process:
“The United States should follow the lead of the United Kingdom by regulating and taxing online poker, not banning it. An economic analysis just released by our organization shows that U.S. regulation of online poker has the potential to raise more than $3.3 billion in annual revenue for the federal government, in addition to another $1 billion for state coffers. We hope that this analysis will give a fresh perspective for U.S. Senators about the benefits of regulation.”
Now I’m not a high stakes gambler or anything, but I will say that I enjoy the ability I have to hop on an online poker room, when I feel the urge, and splash around a few chips. I enjoy the game of poker because it is a game that while yes, it has an element of luck involved, it also requires a thought process and analytical approach that I find to be relaxing and a nice break from my work. Besides, I will never balk at the opportunity to make a few extra bucks every now and then. It’s too bad that the government feels that they need to get involved with this.
If you’re interested in reading more, I recommend this article from CardPlayer.com
