Kicking Things Off

[Bob Ciaffone]

I think the number one need in poker legislation today is protection in state laws for the player who enters a poker tournament that he thinks for one reason or another is perfectly legal (usually because it is being run openly), but it turns out to not be legal. Often, the reason it is illegal is the organizer is making a profit on the event. A mere player should not be punished in such a situation. To raid a poker tournament and charge every entrant with a crime is as ridiculous as finding every Enron employee guilty because the company did something wrong in its accounting practices.

[Moneyline]

Great to have you as part of the forum, Bob.

I agree with your point, but I think the absolute worst piece of poker legislation is the way in which many states choose to tax amateur poker players. In many states amateurs are taxed for every session they win, but they aren't allowed to deduct losing sessions from their taxes. Taxing in this manner makes poker unbeatable for all but the very best players, and encites many people to commit the crime of falsifying their taxes.

I don't have a problem with gambling taxes in general; but taxing someone's winnings without allowing them to deduct their losses is greedy, unfair, and needs to be stopped.

[Vavavoom]

Welcome to the Forum...and by welcome - 2 years of lurking is fantastic IMO...

A very positive addition....I look forward to your posts...

[TheBlueMonster]

Welcome to the forums. I completely agree with your post. The biggest problem I see in getting pro-poker legislation passed is the stigma that goes with any "gambling" game. Unfortunately I can't see these types of laws being passed any time soon. At least not in this generation.

[Warren Harding]

I don't suppose they'd accept the old pro line: "it's all one long session"?

[ThinkQuick]

welcome Bob

[*TT*]

[ QUOTE ]
To raid a poker tournament and charge every entrant with a crime is as ridiculous as finding every Enron employee guilty because the company did something wrong in its accounting practices.

[/ QUOTE ]

I fundamentally agree with you Bob, existing state laws have to be considered. The biggest problem with our industry is that there is no unified national law to govern wagering. States and municipalities may have legislation on the books that forces the police department to arrest all players involved. This makes a national players lobby nearly impossible, the variables are greater than any one lobby can handle.

TT [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]

[Bob Ciaffone]

I have never heard of legislation that forces police to make an arrest. Police need the flexibility to make that determination on an individual basis.

[Bob Ciaffone]

Great point! I of course am a pro and deduct expenses. If you are not a pro, you are unable to deduct items such as travel expenses from your money won. This distinction between amateur and pro is artificial.
I believe this is a result of federal law, not state law, but I am not an authority on this. I do not think poker players or other gamblers will ever be able to do anything about this problem on their own. I would love to do something in conjunction with other recreational groups such as bowling associations to get amateurs to be able to deduct expenses from money received in competitions.

[Bob Ciaffone]

You are far too pessimistic in thinking that nothing will be done via legislation in a whole generation. On the other hand, it would be unreasonable to think that EVERYTHING will be done in another century.