Proposed internet poker ban in MA

[Uglyowl]

I made another donation to Barney Frank this afternoon and followed up with a phone call and was told that my message would be forwarded (no questions, etc), see what happens, but didn't get a warm fuzzy feeling after. (yup, yup, ok, we'll pass it along). They seem much more willing to listen and understand at the local offices than Washington DC.

Also called the DCCC and they do not get involved at the state level at all, but put in a good word for us and why thousands of us are now supporting Democrats. I came away feeling good about that phone call.

Onwards in the next few days going back to the state level I guess and maybe the Gov. office again.

Keep up the good work guys, Randy, Newguy, Skall, etc. I am willing to help in anyway.

[NewGuy]

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Between now and next July there must be committee meetings on this bill.


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Skallagrim,
Per the Committee (on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies), there will be a public committee hearing on the bill before July. I'm going to drop a "thanks for our conversation" line re-hitting the high points and asking to get advance specifics regarding that hearing.

It sounds as though having our interests well-represented to that committee (by individuals and the PPA) leading up to, during, and following up on that hearing may be one of our strongest opportunity to get the offending clause changed (or stricken altogether). I'm sure there are plenty of us willing to do whatever we can to apply pressure there as appropriate.

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Now, I'm not necessarily opposed to casino's in Massachusetts, but before I will hop on board their plan, I will have to see that very specific language stricken from the bill that seeks to criminalize online poker...Period!

One last thing, I'd like to have any and all readers of these posts who are members of other forums to please post threads about this proposed bill on as many forums as you possibly can.


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Randy,
FWIW, I think just close to 100% of poker players in Mass would with agree that position regarding bill- "I'm not necessarily for or against this casino bill, but I would be willing to fight to either help it pass or kill this bill depending on whether the clause making online poker a felony is corrected."
Just curious, is this the PPA "official" position or just your take?

As far as online forums, updating whenever there is action needed or a significant development can only help. Any significant ones missing here?
2+2 - (internet gambling forum)
boston.com (e.g., uglyowl news forum thread)
rec.gambling.poker
pocket fives
Ron Paul site (suggestion by TheEngineer)

[catlover]

Is there a forum for fantasy sports?

The bill, as proposed, criminalizes them as well. So if that community is organized, we ought to be able to get support there.

[oldbookguy]

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Is there a forum for fantasy sports?
The bill, as proposed, criminalizes them as well. So if that community is organized, we ought to be able to get support there.

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That I do not know, but an unlikely ally may be found here in the NFL, MLB, NBA, et al.

Odd how politics can at times do that. Lets not forget the 'skill' gamers that currently are playing via the Newton, Ma. company World Winner and it's 2 big affiliates, AOL and either MSN or YAHOO!.

I can dig up the WW company info, they are a third tier company from a top owned NASDAQ traded company with some 30 million members.

Maybe we need to do a free join there and hit the forum boards at WW to drum up support from these players as well?

This too will become unlawful.

If so, will the company close or relocate? Either way jobs will be lost in Ma., another point to be made.

obg

[MassPoker]

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Is there a forum for fantasy sports?

The bill, as proposed, criminalizes them as well. So if that community is organized, we ought to be able to get support there.

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Absolutely, while the poker players alliance is poker specific insofar as our interests in preserving the game we all love so much, we, in no way, wish to alienate, nor be counterproductive to other sectors of the gaming sector, except if said is counterproductive or harmful to poker.

Rally the troops...I could care less whether or not professional Scrabble players oppose this bill right alongside of us so long as they are working in concert with us and not AGAINST us.

Please, contact as many folks that you can and ask them to visit the PPA site and send letters to their legislators about this issue.

All In,

Randy C~
MA PPA REP

[permafrost]

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Is there a forum for fantasy sports?
The bill, as proposed, criminalizes them as well. So if that community is organized, we ought to be able to get support there.

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That I do not know, but an unlikely ally may be found here in the NFL, MLB, NBA, et al.

Odd how politics can at times do that. Lets not forget the 'skill' gamers that currently are playing via the Newton, Ma. company World Winner and it's 2 big affiliates, AOL and either MSN or YAHOO!.

I can dig up the WW company info, they are a third tier company from a top owned NASDAQ traded company with some 30 million members.

Maybe we need to do a free join there and hit the forum boards at WW to drum up support from these players as well?

This too will become unlawful.

If so, will the company close or relocate? Either way jobs will be lost in Ma., another point to be made.

obg

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Wait, I thought you earlier said World Winner games needed no regs since they are 'skill'. Why would a new MA Gaming Control Authority statute make them unlawful? Why would the change make lawful fantasy sports unlawful for that matter. Are these activities gaming and not skill ?

[TheEngineer]

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Wait, I thought you earlier said World Winner games needed no regs since they are 'skill'. Why would a new MA Gaming Control Authority statute make them unlawful? Why would the change make lawful fantasy sports unlawful for that matter. Are these activities gaming and not skill ?

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The bill proposed by Gov. Patrick doesn't make a distinction between games of skill and games of chance.

[oldbookguy]

Thank you engineer, the Ma. bill makes ALL, including skill and fantasy wagering contests illegal.

What I have said is poker / skill gaming is legal in most states.

Perma, note the 11 state ban imposed by some poker sites, this is why, they have language that even makes these games unlawful, the other 39 & D.C. do not, yet.

This list though is really not settled as some use different states than others i have noticed, up to 14.

obg

[MassPoker]

OK...I just got done posting an action request on 8 different forums asking additional help from MA poker players. One forum in particular is just crazy. My post was inundated by mobs of angry sports bettors who chastized the PPA for "throwing sports bettors under the bus". I swear, I have no idea why sports bettors believe we are out to harm them. Let me just say once and for all that the PPA, while poker specific in its mission, is in no way a foe of any other sector of gaming. That said, our mission is clear, and that mission is to "preserve, protect and defend the rights of poker players."

I've said this before and it bears repeating: Sports bettors, or any other gaming enthusiast can do precisely the same thing that the PPA has done by forming their own Alliance. In the meantime, this bill affects us all in the gaming sector and rather than create dissention among gaming factions, now is the time to work together to stamp out this injustice...period!

Hopefully, the posts that I made on each of the other forums will bear some fruit...It certainly couldn't hurt any.

Also, here is a copy of the email that I got from Rep. Ann M. Gobi (D):

"Dear Randall,

Thank you for the email. The Governors 80 page bill contains a number of sections that require in-depth scrutiny. The Speaker has already indicated his opposition to the bill and I doubt the bill will even have a public hearing before next year. I will add your name to my email notification if and when this bill may come up for a public hearing. I appreciate your comments.
Stu did give me your phone number, I got in late last night but will give you a call later tomorrow.
Anne Gobi"

So, that's what I got from her and whether or not what she said is true (about her doubting it will have a public hearing until next year) remains to be seen. I just hope that we have all our ducks in a row by that time.

All In,

Randy C~
MA PPA REP

[permafrost]

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Wait, I thought you earlier said World Winner games needed no regs since they are 'skill'. Why would a new MA Gaming Control Authority statute make them unlawful? Why would the change make lawful fantasy sports unlawful for that matter. Are these activities gaming and not skill ?

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The bill proposed by Gov. Patrick doesn't make a distinction between games of skill and games of chance.

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No distinction needed since the pertinent part of the proposed new statute only gives penalties for internet gaming and wagering, not OBG's 'skill' games unless he's now saying they are banking or percentage or otherwise gaming. See proposed definition of gaming below:

"SECTION 3. Section 7 of chapter 4 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by deleting lines 63 through 65 and inserting in place thereof the following paragraphs:-
Tenth, “Gaming,” any banking or percentage game played with cards, dice, tiles, dominoes, or any electronic, electrical, or mechanical device or machine for money, property, checks, credit or any representative of value, but excluding:
(a) the game of bingo conducted pursuant to chapter 271;
(b) any charitable gaming, so called, conducted pursuant to chapter 271;
(c) pari-mutuel wagering on horse and dog races, whether live or simulcast, authorized under chapter 128A and chapter 128C; and
(d) any lottery game conducted by the state lottery commission, in accordance with section 24 of chapter 10.
“Illegal gaming” or “unlawful gaming” shall include every act punishable under any law relative to lotteries and the buying and selling of pools or registering of bets, except those acts permitted under section 24 of chapter 10, chapter 12B, chapter 128A, chapter 128C, and chapter 271."