An Important Point About Harrahs Entrance Into The Online Poker Market

[David Sklansky]

One interesting aspect about Harrahs opening up a poker site for non Americans is, in my opinion, the psychological effect of a major company in essence making the statement that the internet law is wrong. At least as far as poker is concerned. And that most American's agree with them.

You can't just say that Harrah's is going into a business that that can get away with legally. Big American companies are taking a major risk if they do that. Philip Morris isn't in the marijuana business in Holland. Elite Modeling agency doesn't provide 14 year old escorts in Thailand.

Presumably if something is immoral in the US, we should consider it immoral everywhere. If it is illegal here and not there, our lawmakers will usually say that the foreigners are just wrong. That's all hogwash of course but major corporations in this country rarely want themselves beeing seen as disagreeing with that. Earlier MGM sort of did what Harrahs is planning but that was before the federal law came down. I believe Harrah's actions at this point in time can have much greater impact and implications.

[MrMetropolitan]

I agree

[0524432]

That's exactly why PartyPoker, part of a publicly traded firm, will never be back in the US, IMO

[uzjedi]

Glad you are posting, David. Especially about something other than Absolute. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] I have many conservative/Christian friends and even THEY think the law is stupid.

[Todd Terry]

I don't think your post makes any sense, David. Harrah's is in the gambling business, which many Americans feel is immoral. I am unaware of any morality distinction that has been drawn between Internet gambling and casino gambling.

[0524432]

BTW, I agree with your assessment and contrast of Philip Morris:Marijuana market in Holland.

The sad truth is, while both laws make both activities JUST as illegal as the other....we all know full well that the $3billion in annual tax revenue that online poker will generate, if nothing else, will have online poker in the US back in full swing WAY before we have coffee shops in the U.S. selling blunts next to the black/white cookies.....IMHO

[Foucault]

[ QUOTE ]
I don't think your post makes any sense, David. Harrah's is in the gambling business, which many Americans feel is immoral. I am unaware of any morality distinction that has been drawn between Internet gambling and casino gambling.

[/ QUOTE ]

Meh, same could be said for the tobacco/marijuana analogy. Good post, David.

[Francis_MH]

Awesome, lets continue to let major corporations dictate the laws and policy of our country. If online poker becomes legal again, I'd prefer it be because of a more grassroots effort by poker players and the American people at-large acknowledging that it is ridiculous rather than because major companies can make more money. This will be awesome, they will have McDonald's ads on the hole cards and every time I win a hand it will ask me if I would like to purchase something.

[0524432]

You think the Congress is going to decide in favor of the players because Harrah's decided to open their online room first to the UK? ay yi yi

[beanie]

It was bigger news when Yahoo did it. Yahoo had never been in the gambling business previous to them entering.

I am really not sure that you can draw any conclusions other than the fact that they want to have a store opened just in case and the cost of entry to online just wasn't that high.