Where is the outcry from WPT, PPT, Poker Super Stars, etc.?

You're No Daisy · #1 10-05-2006, 12:37 PM

I haven't seen any mention of this, so where in heck are people like the Travel Channel, Fox Sports, Bravo, NBC, etc. who televise poker events? These people and their representatives should be up in arms about the advertising dollars they will be losing if this ban does indeed 100% cover online poker. Moreover, they should have been proactive in fighting the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act way before it would have been brought to a vote. Specifically, they should have been proactive in distinguishing how poker is vastly different from other forms of gambling because it's a game of skill.

There are some very influential and well spoken people such as Mike Sexton, Chris Rose (Fox Sports), Howard Lederer, Phil Gordon, etc. who host these shows. It's not too late to make a plea to these folks to help us out. If the goverment can subpoena major league baseball players, surely there is a way for our professionals to step up in a congressional hearing. Is there any way we can get them on here so they can give us their thoughts? I mentioned this next comment in another post. Collectively, we are a group of relative unknowns that most likely wouldn't carry any clout when dealing with the U.S. government. We as a community need these people to speak up and give us credibility. Any thoughts on this?

Adam

poker1O1 · #2 10-05-2006, 12:46 PM

I was also thinking about how big names are no where to be seen, as in big names on TV and also big names on this site.

Mendacious · #3 10-05-2006, 01:08 PM

I almost vomitted when I read the Helmuth column in our local paper today and it was about a bad beat he suffered (because he played like a wuss) and not about the Online Gaming Act.

Truly revolting.

ElCoral · #4 10-05-2006, 01:13 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I almost vomitted when I read the Helmuth column in our local paper today and it was about a bad beat he suffered (because he played like a wuss) and not about the Online Gaming Act.

Truly revolting.

[/ QUOTE ]

Regularly recurring features in newspapers (like columns, comics) are usually written and finalized several weeks in advance of their publication.

SinPies · #5 10-05-2006, 01:15 PM

I know for a fact that at least one of the companies you mentioned welcome a ban on Internet poker because they believe it will get more people into casinos. Since there are only two up there, take your pick. I'd rather not say.

I'm not sure if what I heard was an official company stance or just the opinion of some of the company's employees. This was a couple months ago.

the shape · #6 10-05-2006, 01:18 PM

Exactly. Not to mention we login to PokerStars every day and get slapped in the face with the news dialogue box that tells us all about the latest donk to win mad loot in a WCOOP event yet no mention of what PokerStars stance is on the matter and what they are doing right now.

I know Lee has made a post here, but we have heard nothing since, and the users that don't frequent this or other forums have no idea WTF is going on.

All that loot PokerStars takes in, they better get that ___ to the US and start lobbying instead of putting it solely on the shoulders of the players.

Personally, I think any site that lays down for this legislation and bans U.S. players should be shunned by us all if and when it becomes explicity legal for U.S. citizens to play.

If PokerStars in particular takes the cowardly stance and bans U.S. players they should never be frequented by U.S. players again.

Raymer, Moneymaker, McEvoy, Lee Jones better all step up.

The Shape

jmillerdls · #7 10-05-2006, 01:20 PM

The WPT released a statement. They LOVE the internet gambling bill and are firmly behind it.

Seems pretty strange given how many online players win buyins to their events online, or how many online players watch their events on TV. It also seems strange given that 90% of their ad-time is bought up by sites that will no longer be catering to the US. And finally...and the most strange of all...THEY OWN THEIR OWN ONLINE GAMBLING SITE.

Cowards.

SinPies · #8 10-05-2006, 01:26 PM

[ QUOTE ]
The WPT released a statement. They LOVE the internet gambling bill and are firmly behind it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, I guess it's no secret, then. Shows how much I pay attention. WPT is who I was talking about above. I spoke with a fairly high-level employee who said that outlawing online gambling in the US would be benficial to their business because it would drive more people to the tournaments. WHA?!

I suspect the real reason is that it will drive more non-US players to their online poker site, which is a WPT branded real-money poker site that has always been unavailable to US players.

Patriot76 · #9 10-05-2006, 01:41 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I know for a fact that at least one of the companies you mentioned welcome a ban on Internet poker because they believe it will get more people into casinos.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, if a B&M casino really feels this way they are very narrow minded and cannot "see the forest for the trees". Speaking for myself, if it were not for online poker I doubt seriously that I would have ever stepped foot in a casino. Playing online really got me itching for playing against people in a live setting and I went to Vegas for the first time last Fall. I also have another trip booked in 2 weeks and I'm staying at Binions downtown. These people are idiots for thinking that online poker would do anything but HELP their business. Such petty thinking...

CybrPunk · #10 10-05-2006, 01:41 PM

[ QUOTE ]
The WPT released a statement. They LOVE the internet gambling bill and are firmly behind it.

Seems pretty strange given how many online players win buyins to their events online, or how many online players watch their events on TV. It also seems strange given that 90% of their ad-time is bought up by sites that will no longer be catering to the US. And finally...and the most strange of all...THEY OWN THEIR OWN ONLINE GAMBLING SITE.

Cowards.

[/ QUOTE ]

The WPT statement doesn't even remotely resemble what you state in your message. Their official press release can be read HERE. It only took me 2 minutes on the WPT site to find this statement in their press releases.

With the widespread panic the last thing we need is people spreading misinformation or slandering companies.

I'm seriously getting tired of wading through hundreds of threads filled wtih rumors and heresay with no supporting evidence, lack of any sound judgement and complete and total nonsense trying to find a gem of real truth hidden amongst them.

If you are uninformed about the situation the best thing to do is remain quiet. Posting speculative messages like this without any supporting evidence only helps to fuel the fire and it's already raging out of control. If you really want to help the situation we all need to stop with the mass paranoia.