Any Washingtonians have any problems yet or hear anything?

[teddyFBI]

[ QUOTE ]
They've already nailed one guy under the new law...and it gets worse...

They didn't come down on him for gambling, but for TALKING about gambling online. IMO, this is even worse (and likely unconstitutional). The state has even warned Seattle's largest newspaper to stop running Daniel Negreanu's column, because he recommends playing poker online to learn.

If 2+2 was based in WA, Sklansky and Malmuth would be felons.

Seattle Times article

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow, that guy got nailed for merely having an affiliate site.
Scary.

[stabn]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
They've already nailed one guy under the new law...and it gets worse...

They didn't come down on him for gambling, but for TALKING about gambling online. IMO, this is even worse (and likely unconstitutional). The state has even warned Seattle's largest newspaper to stop running Daniel Negreanu's column, because he recommends playing poker online to learn.

If 2+2 was based in WA, Sklansky and Malmuth would be felons.

Seattle Times article

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow, that guy got nailed for merely having an affiliate site.
Scary.

[/ QUOTE ]

An affiliate site is much more on the "hosting/promoting internet gambling" end of things than playing is. Ie, it's going to be a much greater offense in the states eyes. And he still didn't get charged.

[bobbyi]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
They've already nailed one guy under the new law...and it gets worse...

They didn't come down on him for gambling, but for TALKING about gambling online. IMO, this is even worse (and likely unconstitutional). The state has even warned Seattle's largest newspaper to stop running Daniel Negreanu's column, because he recommends playing poker online to learn.

If 2+2 was based in WA, Sklansky and Malmuth would be felons.

Seattle Times article

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow, that guy got nailed for merely having an affiliate site.
Scary.

[/ QUOTE ]
Affiliates are who I've always said they would go over. An affiliate is essentially working for the casino as a freelance marketing guy. They are getting paid directly by the casino for getting players to play. They have been clear that they aren't going to go after players but after the industry and people promoting it. From another article about this affiliate: [ QUOTE ]
The gambling commission's Day said there are no plans to crack down on home gamblers. Instead, the commission will focus on those who profit from gambling, and will likely mount an education campaign to warn online bettors they are breaking the law. But he refused to rule out prosecution of bettors.


[/ QUOTE ]
I'm pretty sure that "refused to rule out prosecution of bettors" is just what they have to say here. They can't actually say that there is no chance of individual gamblers being arrested.

[Jibbs]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Since it is a felony, any citizen can make a citizen's arrest. Now that would be pretty funny. I would think at least a couple people would set this up to make an issue of it.

[/ QUOTE ]

And how is a "citizen" going to go about getting a warrant to inspect someone's computer or online accounts?

[/ QUOTE ]

I can see one way this would happen. Imagine a divorce/breakup situation where one of the parties tries to get revenge by trying to get the other arrested for illegal online gambling.

[river me please]

[ QUOTE ]
I saw a guy from Spokane, WA playing the other night. I was tempted to say (after he stacked me) "You know its illegal to play online poker in your state?"

bastard.

[/ QUOTE ]

Was I playing donktastic? Seriously though I just moved to WA and I think it may be time to leave. This is getting frigging crazy. Something needs to be done fast before somebody gets poked in the eye. Isn't WA suppose to be a liberal state. Guess not. The irony is that there are indian and non indian casinos all over the place but yet it is illegal to place a .05 bet on line.

[ZPinhead]

As I am seeing this absurdity unfold I just had a thought. I'm wear one of my PartyPoker (.com) shirts today, does that make me culpable under the 'aiding and abetting' rule that they've threatened the Seattle PI with?

[river me please]

[ QUOTE ]
As I am seeing this absurdity unfold I just had a thought. I'm wear one of my PartyPoker (.com) shirts today, does that make me culpable under the 'aiding and abetting' rule that they've threatened the Seattle PI with?

[/ QUOTE ]

Sounds like it.

[teamdonkey]

i would think twice about filing my taxes as a "professional gambler" in WA this year.

[bobbyi]

[ QUOTE ]
i would think twice about filing my taxes as a "professional gambler" in WA this year.

[/ QUOTE ]
You're worried that--in blatant violation of the Constitution--the IRS is going to call up the WA State Gambling Commission and report that a WA resident filed as a gambler and then the state is going to come and seize your computer to look for evidence that some of the gambling was online? And so much so that you think there is actually a smaller risk in lying to the IRS instead? That's sort of silly.

[teamdonkey]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
i would think twice about filing my taxes as a "professional gambler" in WA this year.

[/ QUOTE ]
You're worried that--in blatant violation of the Constitution--the IRS is going to call up the WA State Gambling Commission and report that a WA resident filed as a gambler and then the state is going to come and seize your computer to look for evidence that some of the gambling was online? And so much so that you think there is actually a smaller risk in lying to the IRS instead? That's sort of silly.

[/ QUOTE ]

uh...

-i wouldn't be worried about a federal agency reporting to the state that you filed as a professional gambler, since you file with the state already
-i wouldn't be worried about a state raid on your computer, more about an audit where your records of where and when you played would come under question
-i wouldn't be worried about lying to the IRS, i'd give more thought to filing winnings under "gambling winnings"

edit - i guess since you can't be prosecuted for paying taxes on other illegal activities, this wouldn't be any different. i still might consider filing a different way if i lived in Washington.