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?

[F. McSimmons]

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ok, so, they catch you how?

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[schwza]

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ok, so, they catch you how?

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what's more important for me is that when i tell my gf's parents / future employers that i play / played poker for a living that i want to be able to say that it's legal with a straight face. i also just don't like feeling unwelcome in my own state.

[Tomcruise]

LOLOLOL.......they made internet gambling illegal in the state of washington as well, and everyone there still plays, including famous tourney players colson10 jovial gent......rofl rofl rofl....stupid politicians.

[meleader2]

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

[/ QUOTE ]

what's more important for me is that when i tell my gf's parents / future employers that i play / played poker for a living that i want to be able to say that it's legal with a straight face. i also just don't like feeling unwelcome in my own state.

[/ QUOTE ]

while it's a valid concern, to be truly honest, i don't think any state cares about it's denizens one way or the other, ur a dollar sign just like if you'd walk into the casino to play, they're trying to rake you like everyone else.

that said, it shouldn't really concern u what ur state wants u to do, that isn't what this country was founded on at all. also telling future employers about playing poker might not be the best thing to say right away.

[Leader]

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

[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

[Uglyowl]

I will have to call Governor Patrick at his office tomorrow. It would be a giant slap in the face since I voted for him (first Democratic governor I have ever voted for) specifically due to the UIGEA. Mass. is one of the most liberal states in the country so it would surprise and anger me.

I will call Gov. Patrick tomorrow and shoot an e-mail to his weekly radio call-in at 96.9 FM Talk:

http://www.wtkk.com/Personalities/Ji...2/Default.aspx

askthegovernor@969fmtalk.com

Also one of the largest "skill game" websites is located in Newton, MA, I will give them a call and get their thoughts.

http://www.worldwinner.com/cgi/about...6&partner=



Also from what I have heard the bill still has a very uphill battle.

Another observation is there is a large poker playing population in Mass. I see a larger than expected # of people from Mass. than you would expect online.