why was this law passed?

[westmt01]

You used the key word: "State". The government gets a piece of all those activities. Of course if Congress had been smart enough to regulate online gambling instead of trying to squash it, the federal gov't would make money (tax revenue), B&M casinos would make more money (more people playing poker = more people visiting their poker rooms = more profits = more tax money for the State), abuses such as 11-year-old Junior playing on daddy's credit card would decrease dramatically, the number of fish would explode attracting even more fish increasing the scope of all of the above, and basically everyone would be happy.

But the government can't have that.

[Johnny#5]

And then there's the argument that some of America's best minds are dedicating themselves to poker instead of increasing wealth for the country, since poker is a zero-sum game and all. As much as I hate to admit it, I think internet poker is -EV for the country as a whole.

Do I agree with the law? No. I'm the limited government type. I do think it was passed for monetary reasons and that the "Save our family" rhetoric is crap.

[BillLumberg]

Do you guys seriously believe this has anything to do with morals or whats best for american society? Politics is about money and power (same thing). Hello Harrahs online poker?

[westmt01]

Yes, the government is right about the wasted brainpower: I was going to discover a cure for cancer today but decided to play in a $5 tournament instead!

Seriously, I agree with you that internet poker probably is -EV for society, but then again so are cheeseburgers. Neither Congress nor Mr. Frist are so deeply concerned with our well-being - they're a LOT more concerned about getting re-elected. So we're the victims.

[BillLumberg]

Its certainly -EV...what leisure activity isnt?