Don't Seperate Poker from other forms of Gambling

tsearcher · #1 02-04-2007, 12:51 PM

There have been a lot threads in various forums about whether poker is gambling, is it skill, carve outs, etc. Most of these discussions have been in regards to the recent legislation and arrests.

Personally, I don't understand why we need to seperate poker from other forms of gambling. The distinction will be lost on the general public and lawmakers anyway. I believe that the best chances for legalizing online poker is by fighting for online gambling in general.

We could appeal to both conservatives and liberals. For traditional conservatives we could just point out the problems with the nanny state, big government and infringement on states rights. For the liberals we could continue on with their beliefs that what consenting adults do in the bedroom is their own business. We could also throw them some bones such as donations to gambling counseling, money management counseling, etc., Liberals love that kind of stuff. As far as the religous right, I can't find anything in the Bible that prohibits gambling. And of course the industry could donate to some of their charities also.

I know the major sports may object, at least on the surface. But the truth is the NFL wouldn't be as popular as it is today without gambling. The same goes for NCAA basketball, or any other sport.

Lastly, what a great way to generate revunue. And it wouldn't just be from Americans. People from around the world will be contributing to our tax base.

JoseGonzlez · #2 02-04-2007, 01:05 PM

Blah there are many good reasons why poker should be legal and other forms of gambling should not. It is a game of skill, people are not just giving away monies to a foreign entity.

Alot of liberals are against I gaming feeling the state needs to protect its citizens. Pelosi supported the bill.
Some of the traditional conservatives would like to stand for pro gaming (make your own choice). But all the ones who run for office want to appeal to religious voters.

Hence in the real world a carve out for poker is the only real option.

BluffTHIS! · #3 02-04-2007, 01:12 PM

There is much more opposition to casino and sports betting than there is to poker. We can't afford to hitch our cause, which is already difficult to achieve, to those other forms. We will just be carrying an albatross around our necks. This doesn't mean we should oppose legalization of those other forms of gambling, just only work for our own (poker) to be legalized. Those who support casino & sports betting need our support much more than we need their, especially regarding -EV casino games. Our cause is a dog now to win in any short term time frame, but if we tie it to those other forms it becomes a MUCH bigger dog.

tsearcher · #4 02-04-2007, 01:18 PM

Do you guys think the voting public and lawmakers understand or care about -ev. As far as I can tell the most widely legalized forms of gambling are lotteries and bingo. I think sometimes we are so passionate about poker we lose sight of what the rest of the country is thinking about.

BluffTHIS! · #5 02-04-2007, 01:21 PM

They understand the difference between players playing against each other in a poker game, and people blowing their mortgage payments on a video slot game where they are doomed to lose long term. Proving poker is beatable is trivial, the London jury verdict notwithstanding (taking out rake considerations at the lowest limits).

tsearcher · #6 02-04-2007, 01:27 PM

I'm not convinced the non-gambling public does understand this, but I don't have any proof. Either way there are going to be big losers whether it's poker or casino games. Whether it's poker pro's or casino owners winning the money why would any one care?

BluffTHIS! · #7 02-04-2007, 01:34 PM

It doesn't mattert what the public understands or not. What matters is the strength of potential opposition in the legislative/politics arena. And in that arena, there are very strong interest groups against those other forms of gambling, and sports betting in particular. Thus legislators will be more receptive to our arguments if we are not tied to those other forms. Remember that even Leach said the arguments of poker players were "somewhat relevant".

Lottery Larry · #8 02-04-2007, 01:34 PM

" I believe that the best chances for legalizing online poker is by fighting for online gambling in general. "

I'm not sure that works, as the Wire Tap laws were written about illegal sports betting and such (prior to the Internet). You'd be asking the governments to change their position on bookmaking, in a sense, wouldn't you?

Uglyowl · #9 02-04-2007, 01:56 PM

Some of the strongest lobbyist against our cause were the NFL and NCAA. They only cared about sports betting and we were collateral damage.

Poker is more socially (and probably politically) acceptable than sports betting at this point. I am sure there are politicians who play that would never admit to it.

tsearcher · #10 02-04-2007, 01:56 PM

I realize there are problems with sports betting. But why not work with the gambling lobby as a whole? It has more resources and experience. Fight for American owned and operated online gambling. The lobby will probably have to concede sports betting is covered by the Wire Act (Wire tapping refers to spying on peoples phone conversations), and use that as a concession.