Washington State Law Makes Online Gamblers Felons

[xpanda]

Washington State Law Change Makes Online Poker Players Felons
By Bob Pajich
Law Goes into Effect Next Wednesday


Starting June 7, playing poker online in the state of Washington is a Class C felony. Players can be fined $10,000 or sentenced to up to five years in prison, or both, thanks to a new law that is designed to curb online gambling in the state.

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The bill covers all forms of online wagering, including poker.

(snip)

Although the law puts Washington State’s online poker players in the same category as child pornographers, repeat drunk drivers, drug dealers, and identity thieves, Arland acknowledged it’s doubtful state officials will try to prosecute online poker players.

“We’re just letting people know that under Washington law it’s illegal to gamble on the Internet,” she said. “The law really didn’t change, it just clarifies it.”

But that doesn’t mean online poker players will never be prosecuted in Washington State. Washington is one of the states involved in what Arland called a “multi-state Internet gambling task force.” The task force includes Indiana, California, Missouri, Louisiana, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, among others, as members.

One of the reasons the task force was formed about a year and a half ago was to figure out how online gambling players can be prosecuted.

Although Arland said that the main focus of Washington’s Gambling Commission was to prosecute people running online sites in her state, ways to prosecute players is “something that’s being looked into now” by both the state and the multi-state Internet gambling task force.

“Not to say we wouldn’t (prosecute players), but the focus wouldn’t be on an individual player,” Arland says.

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Full article:

http://www.therx.com/blog_washington-state-law-change-makes-online-poker-players-felons.php

 

[Insiders]

WOW !! And it Starts !! With Washington, who will be next?

 

[Fishhead]

Such hogwash........unbelievable!

 

[WildBill]

Just remember people there is pride with any human. Law enforcement and prosecutors let a lot of stuff go, but one thing they will never like is to have someone say they are ignoring the law because that means they are not doing their jobs. We would all be better off if this all was just a gentlemen's agreement type situation where little is said by either side.

 

[LarryTalbot]

just use russian proxy ips and your identidy is hidden.

 

[WildBill]

I doubt they will even go that far. You pretty much have to do it in public and have it witnessed. When it comes down to it all these "well maybe we'll prosecute threats" are empty. Plenty of legal experts have discussed how tough it would be to get a conviction on a charge of betting unless the authorities were running the operation.

 

[xpanda]

I doubt they will even go that far. You pretty much have to do it in public and have it witnessed. When it comes down to it all these "well maybe we'll prosecute threats" are empty. Plenty of legal experts have discussed how tough it would be to get a conviction on a charge of betting unless the authorities were running the operation.

Then why make it illegal? I mean, if you can't - or won't - enforce the law, why write it in the first place?

I don't know the politics of Washington State, but I have to think that somebody is benefitting from this; lobbyists, perhaps. Does anyone know?

The best part is how online gambling puts you in the same category as someone into kiddie porn. How on earth do they rationalise that??

 

[teazeman]

The best part is how online gambling puts you in the same category as someone into kiddie porn. How on earth do they rationalise that??

X, a valid point but i think you have forgotten one thing, in this country politician and rational don't go together.

 

[Bluemyboy]

Then why make it illegal? I mean, if you can't - or won't - enforce the law, why write it in the first place?

I don't know the politics of Washington State, but I have to think that somebody is benefitting from this; lobbyists, perhaps. Does anyone know?

The best part is how online gambling puts you in the same category as someone into kiddie porn. How on earth do they rationalise that??

just to clerify, it is illegal in Washington and has been. This just upgrades it from a misdemeanor to a felony. I know alot of people worried who live here, I luckily can wait until foots and see how the first couple months of this go. Personally I think this is just a bunch of smoke...... I hope I am right.

 

[Whoson1st]

just to clerify, it is illegal in Washington and has been. This just upgrades it from a misdemeanor to a felony. I know alot of people worried who live here, I luckily can wait until foots and see how the first couple months of this go. Personally I think this is just a bunch of smoke...... I hope I am right.

Agree.
THAT is EXACTLY the point. Upgrading it from a misdemeanor to FELONY! They are going after SOMEBODY. (I know a year or so ago when I was complaining about all the postcards being sent to me by BoDog, they came from Blaine Washington --the mailing address) So Bodog was clearly sending out lots of stuff from within Washington. Maybe some Postal Inspector asked for it to end or something related ---caused this action. I asked Bodog to stop 3 TIMES before they finally stopped sendiing it)
Just my thoughts !

 

[daringly]

I am amazed that 1. no one can read, and 2. people keep repeating the same false sound-bites.

This new law does NOT apply to people playing online poker. It makes it a felony to be a bookie, lottery organizer, or other organizer that takes bets. This law has NO effect on players. Read the whole statute.

 

[Whoson1st]

Thanks Again daringly. I had forgotten what you said earlier about this and haven't read it since I don't live in Washington. From what you say it's a perfect example of "the sky is falling" made by the less well read.
Thanks.