House Committee to Hold Internet Gambling Hearing 6/8

[frommagio]

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erm, out of curiosity, did Cero's story turn worse? I remember reading that article a long time ago. It ended with what seemed to be a happy ending for everyone.

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Well, it could hardly get worse. He worked his bankroll up to $60-70k or so, then lost it all and more, dipped into the untouchable savings (a negative bankroll, essentially). But then, I recall that he began winning when his family started eating cheaply. Not pleasant.

Don't know if he ever worked his way out or not. He wouldn't be the first pro to go bust a few times when learning his lessons. For him, obviously talent wasn't the problem; clearly bankroll management was an issue, and maybe tilt as well. If he can get beyond his limitations, perhaps he can move from talented gambler to pro player.

But his wife and kids paid a steep price, and that's not right. These stories of the social damage caused by folks who can't control their gambling problem are very, very sad. We should not be surprised that many public leaders instinctively want to fix the problem - whether or not they understand it.

The problem, of course, is: how can the government possibly distinguish between me and him?

[Legislurker]

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Perhaps the pastor is there to support the need to restrict access to those above the age of 21. In that respect, he may very well be an ally.

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I'll give you 10-1 on that proposition. It was clear from the start that the tilted bank robber dude was gonna be a poster boy for the "click your mouse" crowd. I'd be shocked if the pastor has anything positive to say about gambling, though in the new political climate hopefully his views will be met with some degree of reason.

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Forgive my hostility to the clergy in this country, but this man is sitting on a gold mine. He has a story, an issue, and a platform to tell it from. Greed or ambition one will appeal to him to ride this. Preaching careful, reasoned regulation doesn't fill up the offering plate.

[TheEngineer]

Updated witness list:

Howard Lederer, Professional Poker Player and Poker Industry Software Consultant
Radley Balko, Senior Editor, Reason Magazine
Jon Prideaux, Chief Executive, Asterion Payments
Gerald Kitchen, Chief Executive Officer, SecureTrading Ltd
Pastor Greg Hogan
Jeff Schmidt, CEO Authis

From http://jschmidt.org/schmidt-bio.pdf :

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Jeff Schmidt is the founder and CEO of Authis, a provider of innovative risk-managed identity services for the financial vertical. With a unique blend of technical expertise and business savvy, Jeff has consistently shown results delivering information security products and services. A proven entrepreneur, Jeff founded Secure Interiors (SI), an early entrant into the managed Internet security space. After founding the company in 2000, he managed the business to acquisition in 2003 by Telsource Corporation, a $100MM telecommunications integrator. Jeff also assisted in the re-launch of ENDFORCE (formerly SmartPipes) by managing their flagship product offering to initial revenue generation. ENDFORCE was subsequently acquired by Sophos.

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Aside from the pastor, sounds like we're in good shape for Friday's hearing.

[Jack Bando]

Even with the pastor I think we're good. Lederer is a very good speaker annd I feel he can refute anything the pastor says.

[Jestocost]

I'm guessing that Jeff Schmidt is being asked to speak about age verification. He's written extensively on the subject and it seems as if he will present a rational view. If you want to see some of his writings on that issue, click the link below:

Jeff Schmidt on Internet Age Verification

[NozeCandy]

I really hope the pastor goes into a rage and starts ranting about morals and God.

[Coy_Roy]

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I really hope the pastor goes into a rage and starts ranting about morals and God.

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Yeah, and I hope he lays hands on Lederer and cries HEAL!....HEAL!.....I COMMAND THY FOUL WICKED SPIRITS....OUT!....HEAL!





That would be good.

[Jestocost]

As of this afternoon, Howard Lederer's name has been dropped from the witness list at the House Committee hearing this Friday. We'll see if they get add another player or not. Might be tough to get someone to make the trip with the WSOP going on.

[Coy_Roy]

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As of this afternoon, Howard Lederer's name has been dropped from the witness list at the House Committee hearing this Friday. We'll see if they get add another player or not. Might be tough to get someone to make the trip with the WSOP going on.

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Oh man, that's a big loss at a very important time.

[LeapFrog]

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As of this afternoon, Howard Lederer's name has been dropped from the witness list at the House Committee hearing this Friday. We'll see if they get add another player or not. Might be tough to get someone to make the trip with the WSOP going on.

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Oh man, that's a big loss at a very important time.

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Hmm Howard must have read the NVG posts concerning his impending arrest and fled the country [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

This is unfortunate. Howard always struck me as a calm, rational individual and would I think have made an excellent witness for the committee. I wonder what prompted the change.