Casino Gambling Web Delivers 435 Packets to Congress

[BluffTHIS!]

Merkle,

The way to see the political truth of what I wrote, is to see how many opponents each form of gambling have, and how adamant those opponents are to the various forms. Even former Rep. Goodlatte said that the arguments of poker players were somewhat relevant. Sports betting has the strongest and most entrenched opposition, and casino gambling comes after that. The main reason casino gambling is ahead of poker in opposition, apart from the obvious skill aspect, is that those online casinos aren't mere facilitators of the games who have no vested interest in the outcome. While they *shouldn't* rig any game where they are destined to win in the long run against suckers who gamble on -EV forms, there is nothing to stop them and in fact they can up their own EV by doing so. And there have been more shady casino sites than shady poker only sites that have come and gone.

To use another analogy, if you are getting bullied by a particular group, how much does it help you to ally with another target of those bullies who can't fight a lick? All it does is expose yourself to even more abuse.

[Uglyowl]

Eddytom, people just don't show up on here and get immediate love and applause. You are only a screen name. It takes time to establish yourself here. If you are serious, then stay onboard and I am sure you will do fine. Oh yeah, and from what I have seen you need some thicker skin.

[Robin Foolz]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
i'm not ungrateful just a little perpexled of this campaign.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm a little perplexed at this statement. CGW said when they started their petition that it would be hand delivered to each member of congress. That is what this was, CGW representatives hand deliverying the petition to every member of congress. Each representative received a unique packet of papers personally addressed to them, featuring specific signatures and comments from signers in their state. Each packet was hand signed by an American voter with contact information in order to keep it from seeming 'spam-like'. It also keeps it from being 'spam' if people call and say they support the packet.

You guys are unbelievable, this will be the last time I post here, I can't believe I am spending my time defending the actions of a group who has nothing but the interests of the American people in mind. But I guess you guys can spend your time debating the real reasons why CGW would do this, instead of just saying thank you for their hard work and moving on.

[/ QUOTE ]

wow. someone is made of glass. but seriously, as i said before, every little helps/counts. i'm just not going to fall over in support and be grateful (as you seem to want) for a group i've never heard of and whose lobbying of congress i find ineffectual. i'm entitled to my own opinion. sorry you won't engage in meaningful conversation.

[eddytom]

Okay, sorry everyone for not writing sooner, I do see this thread has 'blown up' and there has been much debate going on. Meanwhile, I have been talking extensively all day with my friends at CGW and they gave me permission to publish here the '10 reasons' portion of the packet that their reps delivered. I was also told to be sure to clarify a couple of things... this is from them...

1) Casino Gambling Web began 'The IGREA Initiative' on behalf of the American people. We are not representing poker interests, casino interests, or sports interests, we are representing the will of the American people who want the UIGEA to be repealed.

No where in the packet or CD that was delivered will a congress person find the name Casino Gambling Web mentioned, as this was meant to be a packet delivered by the American people, not a gambling interest.

2) Casino Gambling Web is in NO WAY connected to sportsbooks or sports interests. We cover news related to gambling, including sports, poker, casino, brick and mortar casino, etc. No where in the packet of papers is sports even mentioned, other than to say that major sports leagues are one of the two groups who oppose gambling legalization.

3) Our stance, if it is not simply to gain a freedom back, is that regulations must be put in place in order to protect problem gamblers, underage gamblers, fraud, and other negative activities.

.................


They also told me to link to their latest article which explains in detail what 'The IGREA Initiative' is exactly.

Here is that link...

Below is the 10 Reasons part of their packet...


[ QUOTE ]
The IGREA Initiative – September 12, 2007


Here are 10 reasons why you should not only repeal the UIGEA, but sign up to co-sponsor Congressman Frank’s Bill H.R. 2046 (aka the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act, aka the IGREA) which legalizes and regulates Internet gambling…


1. Quite simply, the UIGEA is a form of Prohibition that has been proven ineffective. More than 25 million Americans gamble online each year. Attempting to prevent 25 million voting citizens from doing something they enjoy to protect the few who abuse the freedom is Prohibition and quite frankly not that smart for politicians who wish to remain in their voters favor.


”Do not underestimate the power of voters who all of a sudden are paying attention to politics because one of their favorite hobbies was taken from them,” said Sid Johnson, a US voter.


“The existing legislation is an inappropriate interference on the personal freedom of Americans and this interference should be undone,” said Congressman Barney Frank.


2. By making internet gambling illegal while carving out exceptions for the horse racing industry and state run lotteries the US, via the UIGEA, is breaking a World Trade Organization ruling. By defying the WTO ruling, in favor of the island nation of Antigua, the rest of the world will lose respect for future decisions in US’ favor.


“A WTO panel ruled against the United States in 2004, and its appellate body upheld that decision one year later. In March of 2007, the organization upheld that ruling for a second time and declared Washington out of compliance with its rules,” said a New York Times article.


“One day they’re out there saying how scandalous it is that China doesn’t respect WTO decisions, but then the next day there is a dispute that doesn’t go their way and their attitude is: The decision is completely wrong, these judges don’t know what they are doing, why should we comply?” the article continues.


Repealing this law will be instrumental to the survival of the World Trade Organization.


3. We must protect underage citizens and problem gamblers in America. By banning Internet gambling it does not stop online gambling sites from existing, rather it stops us from knowing what those sites are doing. There are proven effective methods for protecting kids from gambling online, and there are means to protect problem gamblers, too. We must protect our citizens by regulating, not banning. There are also safeguards available to protect against money laundering and fraud.


“Clearly gambling on the Internet raises some difficult issues, but it provides theoretical opportunities for operators to deliver responsible gaming programs that meet or exceed current standards in the ‘bricks and mortar’ gaming industry,” said Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling.


“The only circumstance in which crime can flourish is if the activity is unregulated,” said Clive Hawkswood from the Remote Gambling Association.


“The main areas of risk are criminal infiltration, fraud, and money laundering, however, despite statements made by opponents of online gambling there is no evidence that this sector is more prone to criminal activity than any other,” said Mr. Hawkswood.


“Thankfully, again despite claims to the contrary, online gambling provides many opportunities to put in place protections that are not there in all traditional gambling environments.”


“While technology may be perceived by some as a threat, the truth is that when it comes to combating crime and problem gambling it offers a whole range of additional solutions and protections,” Mr. Hawkswood continued in his sworn testimony.


“Despite the purported illegality of Internet gambling, millions of Americans continue to gamble online, but without uniform regulatory structures that protect against fraud, underage gambling, problem gambling, money laundering or other financial crimes,” said Frank Catania in his sworn testimony to the Financial Services Committee.


The opponents of Internet gambling, in their opinions, state that the industry must be banned to protect underage gamblers, to protect problem gamblers, to keep fraud and money laundering out of our land. Proponents of Internet gambling would like to achieve the same goals, they just have facts that say they can more effectively achieve them through regulation. The following is a quote from the conclusion of an extensive international study on the effects of problem gambling and is a key fact on this issue…


“If a jurisdiction introduces new forms of gambling and does nothing else it will most likely experience an increase in the incidence of problem gambling. However, if the jurisdiction combines the introduction of new forms of gambling especially with an effective public awareness campaign about the dangers of gambling and how to avoid them, it is likely to experience a decrease in problem gambling numbers and even in the numbers of people who gamble regularly as well.”


4. Money. The American online gambling industry is a 12 billion dollar a year industry and it is growing exponentially. American casinos are going up all over the country and the effects on the cities where they have been built have been that of revitalization. If America regulates and taxes this industry there will be billions of extra federal tax dollars that could go to fund problem gambling programs, amongst a vast majority of other federal programs.


5. The United Kingdom, America’s closest ally, has completely legalized and regulated Internet gambling. They have successfully instituted strict regulations that all operators must abide by. Operators are mandated to provide only the most secure betting platform that is resistant to the allowance of underage gambling. Problem gambling resources have been instituted using the funds from the tax money. Advertising regulations have been put in place. The UK, along with Italy, Spain, South Africa, and a large host of other nations across the world, have embraced the industry as a reality of the 21st century. It is time American does too.


In addition, “The illegality of Internet gambling in the United State effectively disables legitimate American gaming companies from engaging in a profitable activity which has found wide spread acceptance in the rest of the world,” said Mr. Catania, former New Jersey regulator in his sworn testimony to the Financial Services Committee.


6. Hypocrisy. 48 of 50 states host some form of legalized gambling. Casinos are being built all over the country. One study suggests that no matter where you are in the country you are only a two hour drive to a casino. Individual state governments run lotteries, which are proven to be the most addictive form of gambling, and they advertise them heavily. It is simply hypocritical to legalize gambling all over the country, then make it illegal on the Internet.


7. A Bill has already been proposed in the US House of Representatives that would legalize and regulate the online gambling industry. The Bill was proposed by Congressman Barney Frank, Chairman of the Financial Services Committee, and is titled H.R. 2046. There has already been a full hearing in front of the Financial Services Committee debating whether there are current and proper regulations that can be implemented in the industry. The hearing testimony includes both proponent and opponent views. After reading all of the testimony one can only logically conclude that the future is that of regulation.


8. The legalization of Internet gambling is a bi-partisan issue. Both Republicans and Democrats have already signed on to co-sponsor Bill H.R. 2046. One of the only groups against the legalization of Internet gambling are the right wing religious conservatives who claim that legalization will lead to an explosion of underage gamblers while opening up the wounds for problem gamblers. However, the Director of the National Council on Problem Gambling has said the exact opposite is true. Study after study has proven that regulation is the answer for the people who worry about the perils of gambling.


Major sports leagues are also against the legalization of Internet gambling, however, they do not realize that in Barney Frank’s Bill H.R. 2046 there are caveats that would allow any sport league to opt out of allowing bets on their games. However, this may be seen as a violation of a WTO ruling since betting on sports is legal in Las Vegas and via the lottery in Oregon. This is one issue that needs to be debated before the bill is passed. In the UK, betting on sports is legal, however, any participant in a sporting event who is found guilty of corruption gets an automatic two years in prison. They provide strict regulations in order to ‘maintain the integrity of the game’.


9. This is not a new industry that needs more studying. Harvard University has done an extensive study on Internet gambling and found that 0.4% of the 40,000 online gamblers they studied developed gambling problems. A South African study found that problem gambling actually went down in areas where the expansion of gambling occurred if public problem gambling programs were instituted simultenously.


The online gambling industry has been thriving since the late 1990’s. The software used by these online casinos is the most sophisticated on the Internet. Antigua, the Isle of Man, and other nations that regulate online casinos employ strict auditing techniques that keep the software operating fairly and accurately. The payout odds on slot and video poker games at online casinos are 10-15% better than the odds you will find at any Las Vegas casino.


Also, the stereotypes of this industry are just not true. The operators of these online casinos are not criminals and mob-type guys. They are run by business men and women who are of great standing in the corporate world. They run legitimate companies, some publicly traded in their world markets.


This industry was well regulated before interference of big countries like the UK and the US because each casino/poker room/sportsbook’s survival depended upon their good reputation. Any unscrupulous activity would have seen a betting site blacklisted in a flash and they would quickly go out of business. This led the industry to be one of the most honest in the world, with the best customer support in the world, etc., contrary to stereotypical beliefs.


10. Remember freedom? In the United States we cannot restrict adult citizens from doing something in the comfort of their own home that is harming no one. We must give adults the freedom of choice, encourage them to do what is responsible, and trust that our education system has prepared them to make intelligent decisions.


Please help keep the United States of America the land of the free!





Please see the enclosed CD to read the official testimony from the Financial Services Committee hearing on if regulating the Internet gambling industry is a viable option at this time. Also included on the CD is the full Repeal the UIGEA petition, the Harvard University study, the South African study, and more. If you take the time to read up on this issue, we (the 15-25 million Americans who gamble online every year) feel confident that you will come to the conclusion that Internet gambling must be legalized now.



Thank you for your time.




Sincerely,





(Name Hidden for Privacy) - On behalf of 25 Million American Citizens
Contact for further information: (Contact Information Hidden for Privacy)

[/ QUOTE ]

My friends at CGW explained everything EXTENSIVELY to me so if anyone has ANY questions please post and either I will answer them, or if I don't know the answer I will contact one of them at CGW and ask them and then get back to here.

[BluffTHIS!]

[ QUOTE ]
2) Casino Gambling Web is in NO WAY connected to sportsbooks or sports interests. We cover news related to gambling, including sports, poker, casino, brick and mortar casino, etc. No where in the packet of papers is sports even mentioned, other than to say that major sports leagues are one of the two groups who oppose gambling legalization.

[/ QUOTE ]


Is CGW connected to online casinos? In fact does it act as an affiliate for same?

If the answer to either or both questions is yes, which I'm sure it is, then see my earlier comments as to why poker is harmed by an open association with such casino interests.

[eddytom]

That may be true Bluff, however, the point is that the packet delivered has nothing to do with CGW. It was not signed by them, there is no reference to them, they were simply the creators of these packets which included thousands of comments from Americans who signed the petition to repeal the UIGEA, most of which commented about how poker should be legalized. I think this is a big portion of what everyone is misunderstanding here. They simply put the packet together. It was delivered by friends of theirs, not staff, just regular Americans who want freedom back.

[DeadMoneyDad]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
2) Casino Gambling Web is in NO WAY connected to sportsbooks or sports interests. We cover news related to gambling, including sports, poker, casino, brick and mortar casino, etc. No where in the packet of papers is sports even mentioned, other than to say that major sports leagues are one of the two groups who oppose gambling legalization.

[/ QUOTE ]


Is CGW connected to online casinos? In fact does it act as an affiliate for same?

If the answer to either or both questions is yes, which I'm sure it is, then see my earlier comments as to why poker is harmed by an open association with such casino interests.

[/ QUOTE ]

A serious question if you will.

Lobbing is done by those with a vested interest. The ones with the biggest stakes in an issue tend to provide most of the financial resourses. Take the NRA for example, I'd imagine that a high portion of their at least seed money came from gun makers. Now this might have changed some as the group matured but is it still a fact? Did the NRA stop taking money from gun makers when they started getting sued? How about affiliates? Did the NRA ever stop any "influence" from anyone who makes money from the puschase, sale or advetising guns or hunting?

Are not some of these issues exactly the same?

D$D

[IndyFish]

Thank you. It is obvious that a lot of work went into this effort. I tend to agree with TheEngineer that, while getting poker exempted from the UIGEA is ideal, going against the UIGEA is a common cause shared by all. If no mention was made about casinos or CGW in the packet, then this is good for poker IMHO. I remember reading a LOT of the petition, and most was indeed about poker.

[Tuff_Fish]

[ QUOTE ]

...
...

Below is the 10 Reasons part of their packet...
...
...




[/ QUOTE ]

From what I see, these are the same arguments almost all of us have made in response to Barney Frank's bill and against the UIGEA.

So chill Bluff et al..

Sheesh, they delivered a well reasoned letter to the congress folks and you guys whine that they, gasp... [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] ...might represent gambling interests.

And who else, pray tell, has the money, and willingness, to take on the cause of defeating the UIGEA.

Keep in mind a couple of things. Defeating the UIGEA is GOOD for poker players.

We can, and must, still pursue the "poker is skill" argument.

These things are not mutually exclusive.

Tuff