Proposed internet poker ban in MA

[catlover]

In another thread, the poster pdj316 noticed the following, in casino enabling legislation proposed in Mass.:

http://www.mass.gov/legis/HD4626.pdf

(i) Placing, sending, transmitting, relaying wagers to another person prohibited under certain circumstances; penalties.
Any person who knowingly transmits or receives a wager of any type by any telecommunication device, including telephone, cellular phone, Internet, local area network, including wireless local networks, or any other similar device or equipment or other medium of communication, or knowingly installs or maintains said device or equipment for the transmission or receipt of wagering information shall be punished by imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than 2 years, or a fine of not more than $25,000, or both.
This section shall apply to any person who, from within this commonwealth, transmits a wager to, or receives a wager from, another person or gaming establishment within or outside of this commonwealth and any person who, from outside this commonwealth, transmits a wager to, or receives a wager from, another person or gaming establishment within this commonwealth.
This section shall not apply to the use of a local area network as a means to place authorized wagers in a licensed gaming establishment, or use of said devices or equipment by the authority in it duties in regulating, enforcing, or auditing a licensed gaming operator.

[meleader2]

ok, so, they catch you how?

[Leader]

I content myself in knowing that I'll be the hell out of this state by the time this is enacted.

[F. McSimmons]

[ QUOTE ]
ok, so, they catch you how?

[/ QUOTE ]

[Al_Money]

I admit I skimmed the link, but basically they are saying they are going to allow up to 3 casinos in the state, and at the same time, they are making online gambling illegal?

[catlover]

That's right. Apparently, gambling is desirable if it contributes to the Commonwealth's treasury, and punishable by imprisonment otherwise.

[F. McSimmons]

BTW what are odds this passes anyway?

[Skallagrim]

Sneaky bastards, I missed this in my quick look before...

So they let you play at their licensed casino's and take away your ability to play on the net. That wouldn't have anything to do with getting their cut would it?

Time for MA poker players to mobilize and complain.

Skallagrim

[Skallagrim]

After re-reading this passage, I am not so sure the drafters of this legislation meant to make placing "wagers" on the internet illegal. Either that, or they really are sneaky bastards. It appears designed to prevent folks from calling in wagers to the newly licensed casinos from outside the casinos themselves.

But a broad interpretation of this statute is indeed, a ban on internet "wagering."

Get on the phones and letters and get them to clean this up, neighbors! Either explicitly ban internet gaming, or clarify that you are merely limiting the casinos (and their patrons) from taking wagers from over the phone or the net.

Skallagrim

[Al_Money]

[ QUOTE ]
That's right. Apparently, gambling is desirable if it contributes to the Commonwealth's treasury, and punishable by imprisonment otherwise.

[/ QUOTE ]

such bs.