WA State Update & Question

[EasilyConfused]

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Word around the Washington State Legislature is that the Strow bill as written is unlikely to move this year. However, if a new bill is introduced that simply reduces the penalty for online gambling from a felony to a misdemeanor, it would be likely to pass the House. The Senate could still be a difficult hurdle.

So my question is, what would the members of this forum rather see?

A. A continued effort to push for the intact Strow bill. We probably wouldn't move the bill forward this year, but might be able to make progress in a future session.

B. A watered-down bill that reduces the penalty for Internet gambling to a misdemeanor. If a bill like this passes, the Legislature is unlikely to ever revisit this issue again.

Which would you all like?

[plaster8]

As much as I'd like to see Strow's bill pass, I'll take what I can get.

Changing it from a felony to a misdemeanor may seem minor, as individual players are unlikely to be targeted either way. But if the state decides to make an example out of someone, I'd certainly rather have them facing a misdemeanor.

[ZPinhead]

I would have to go with option A and here's why:

When SB6613 was passed last year it was rushed through, little floor time and after it went public a lot of people realized how ridiculous it was, just too late.

The arguments that were (and have since been) made in favor of SB6613 are that it 'sends a message' to the tribes in WA that online gaming (at least in WA) is illegal and has harsh penalties. This was to block them from pushing to allow them to create online casinos. Also make it a felony allowed WA to join a 'multi-state task force'.

Trying to get a bill through changing from felony to misdemeanor does not address the issue of SB6613 having been a mistake in the first place (making folks playing for change in their own homes into felons) and effectively cripples the the original intent of SB6613 (blocking tribes, inter-state task force) while still having an 'online gaming is illegal' law on the WA state books. Given the political clout that Senator Prentice seems to have, I seriously doubt that a 'change to misdemeanor' bill would go very far.

I say push for the bill that exempts recreational play (HB1243), site the situation under which SB6613 was passed and the fact that according the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Interstate Wire Act of 1961 only applies to sports betting (not online gaming, etc).

[EasilyConfused]

Anybody else have an opinion about this?

[catlover]

It's difficult for me to have an opinion, because I don't know how good are the chances of getting the misdemeanor through, nor how good are the chances of the defense version in a later year. Basically, this is the type of decision that needs to be made by someone who is close to the political calculations involved.

I will say this: I used to live in Washington, and I moved out of the state because of the new law. So I really hope this is changed one way or another.

[TheMathProf]

This year will be a big year in terms of WA Internet Gambling prospects for the near future, IMO.

If WA manages to pass the Strow bill, it is a major, major coup for online poker advocates.

If the bill fails this year, then I think it could be quite some time before another opportunity like this one will avail itself.

But I think it's a mistake to be satisfied with the transfer from a felony to a misdemeanor. It seems too much like settling in a case where we really need a major pushback. A misdemeanor will still keep many folks away from the game and it will give the WA State Legislature the impression that they have given something back.

No, even if it's the best that we have a realistic shot of getting, settling for calling online gambling a misdemeanor is a huge mistake for the future of such in our state for the foreseeable future.

[HelloandGoodby90]

Well my only worry would be that, if it gets changed to a misdemeanor, are they going to start hunting players?