Jeff Oneye
01-02-2006, 04:50 PM
Greetings,
I remember the first time I went to an online poker site back in 2000. At the time the choices were very limited relative to today. Paradise Poker was the undisputed king, having dethroned Planet Poker. Back then the landscape was much different on various levels.
When online poker was still in its infancy, I often speculated it wouldn't last. I figured US regulators/law enforcement would succeed in crushing this industry. In fact, many times I have falsely thought online poker would meet an early demise. Of course, I have been proven wrong with the continued explosive growth we're seeing.
With this in mind, perhaps my fears that online poker will be maimed or crushed are unfounded. But I think it's wise to be eternally vigilant given the dubious legal status. I recently developed a renewed interest in this issue after listening to a talk show on XM radio. Basically, the host was interviewing the CEO of Intercasino. He seemed to have a pretty optimistic view.
He repeatedly cited the WTO ruling in favor of Antigua (and against the US) and the subsequent appeal. He basically said a bluff was being called and the US would have to make a clear, decisive stance on online gaming. He seemed to think the outcome would be positive for the industry and enthusiasts. The radio show's host seemed skeptical that the ultimate result of this fiasco would be advantageous to online gaming companies.
Last night I went to pokerpulse.com and was reading through some of their literature on the WTO ruling. My review wasn't too thorough but they basically thought the WTO developments were somewhat positive. They were asking people to send pictures/photos of US advertisements for online gambling. Apparently, this will be used as evidence against the US.
Anyway, my fear is that pushing the issue is NOT a good thing. I think this could serve as a catalyst for the destruction of online gaming as we know it. We know President Bush is associated with various religious right "pro family" groups who salivate at the prospect of undermining online gaming. The power of the religious right can not be understated or underestimated. They control the president and our congress is largely beholden to this powerful minority.
Hopefully, I am wrong (as I have been in the past) and my speculation is incorrect. I just fear the US will go the route the route of Italy. There seems to be so many special interest groups aligned against online gambling and so few in favor of allowing it. My personal political viewpoint is quite libertarian and I find it disturbing that our government is hellbent on undermining personal freedoms.
JeffreyREBT /images/graemlins/mad.gif
I remember the first time I went to an online poker site back in 2000. At the time the choices were very limited relative to today. Paradise Poker was the undisputed king, having dethroned Planet Poker. Back then the landscape was much different on various levels.
When online poker was still in its infancy, I often speculated it wouldn't last. I figured US regulators/law enforcement would succeed in crushing this industry. In fact, many times I have falsely thought online poker would meet an early demise. Of course, I have been proven wrong with the continued explosive growth we're seeing.
With this in mind, perhaps my fears that online poker will be maimed or crushed are unfounded. But I think it's wise to be eternally vigilant given the dubious legal status. I recently developed a renewed interest in this issue after listening to a talk show on XM radio. Basically, the host was interviewing the CEO of Intercasino. He seemed to have a pretty optimistic view.
He repeatedly cited the WTO ruling in favor of Antigua (and against the US) and the subsequent appeal. He basically said a bluff was being called and the US would have to make a clear, decisive stance on online gaming. He seemed to think the outcome would be positive for the industry and enthusiasts. The radio show's host seemed skeptical that the ultimate result of this fiasco would be advantageous to online gaming companies.
Last night I went to pokerpulse.com and was reading through some of their literature on the WTO ruling. My review wasn't too thorough but they basically thought the WTO developments were somewhat positive. They were asking people to send pictures/photos of US advertisements for online gambling. Apparently, this will be used as evidence against the US.
Anyway, my fear is that pushing the issue is NOT a good thing. I think this could serve as a catalyst for the destruction of online gaming as we know it. We know President Bush is associated with various religious right "pro family" groups who salivate at the prospect of undermining online gaming. The power of the religious right can not be understated or underestimated. They control the president and our congress is largely beholden to this powerful minority.
Hopefully, I am wrong (as I have been in the past) and my speculation is incorrect. I just fear the US will go the route the route of Italy. There seems to be so many special interest groups aligned against online gambling and so few in favor of allowing it. My personal political viewpoint is quite libertarian and I find it disturbing that our government is hellbent on undermining personal freedoms.
JeffreyREBT /images/graemlins/mad.gif