Your take on the legislation that might pass?

[rfr3sh]

hmm, they might be wrong because I am 100% it was lahm, no doubt

[EmpireMaker]

A 15 month blackout period is absolute BULLSHIT

[Ian]

thanks pal, you too

it seems like the most in favor of the bill are:...


c. those looking at the bigger picture

Yes, and that's imo the only smart way to look at the issue.

The reluctance to support this bill stems from the fact the games will become unbeatable if the current legislation is passed as is. The sites will have to increase rake to offset the tax losses screwing over every player (The tax which I have heard is going to be like 20% of revenue)...

Basically this bill is Harry Reid giving a blewjob to his casino base while he fukks everyone else in the ass...

My thanks to all the droolers who support the PPA and regulation without knowing what it really means. My hats off to you.

Despite the belligerence with which you state your argument, all existing evidence points to the contrary. Even if there is a flat 20% tax, the expenses of B&M poker rooms (taxes, infrastructure, employee salaries & benefits, free alcohol, etc.) dwarf 20% of revenue. In Vegas, the rake in B&M casinos is either the same or only slightly higher than online, and one could make a very reasonable argument that the higher rake structures are caused by the substantially smaller volume of hands that B&M casinos deal. Quebec looks as if it's going to pass legal, regulated, and heavily taxed online poker in their province. They plan to rake a max. of 3 Canadian dollars. That's less than the max. rake at offshore sites.

I was for this at first, now it seems it will only serve to regulate us to hell, hell, hell.

We can't let the government get a toe in the door or they will kick it in fully, especially this administration.

Do you really expect Congress to pass legislation for unregulated and untaxed online poker? Even if that is a worthy goal, that sort of legislation has never stood any chance of passing, and has never been the goal of the PPA.

Brick and Mortar poker action will suffer if this legislation passes. That will hurt B&M players and B&M casino employees (and support employees) who rely on income directly and indirectly from B&M poker action.

Online poker is great for B&M poker. I play live poker full time, and I constantly meet tourists at the tables who were introduced to the game online and wanted to give Vegas a shot. It's no coincidence that the WSOP's biggest turnout came the last year they allowed online poker rooms to allow players to directly satellite in. In my experience playing professionally for the last 7 1/2 years, online poker is great for B&M business.

[tblues2005]

The 15 month blackout period is just to get it set up. I think at least it is something and it is a step in the right direction. Sooner or later the sports books out in Vegas will want a piece of this action also.

[Lockitup1x]

Online poker is great for B&M poker. I play live poker full time, and I constantly meet tourists at the tables who were introduced to the game online and wanted to give Vegas a shot. It's no coincidence that the WSOP's biggest turnout came the last year they allowed online poker rooms to allow players to directly satellite in. In my experience playing professionally for the last 7 1/2 years, online poker is great for B&M business.

Vegas is a destination, so it's a different animal than most casinos & poker rooms. You make some valid points, there is no doubt that online poker has had many positive effects on the B&M scene.

In any case, look at it this way:

If a player with a $100 poker budget per week has the choice to legally play micro or small stakes poker (especially tournament) online, there is a very good chance that he is not going to get in his car and drive to a B&M casino.

I'm not saying that legalizing and regulating online poker would be all bad, but the fact is that eventually a lot more poker / gambling / entertainment money will be going to a lot fewer people and places... not to mention the government.

[vividjohn45]

its better to legalize it. who wants to stay in the prohibition era. of the internet poker birth. always concerned about taking a drink. always concerned about my big ez getting busted down by cops. the bill is far from perfect, but it is a large step in the right direction.

as far as sports betting goes. the government is saying no to that. ok. move to vegas. or start talking to ur congress person about changing illegal sports betting, but at least allow legal poker and legal casino gambling online. once those things are legal. sports betting should not be to far behind, because its all in the family.

[AceKingHigh]

I REALLY REALLY hope it will pass !

[RudyRuetigger]

bill is dead according to ppa

http://www.pokernewsdaily.com/poker-players-alliance-harry-reid-bill-dead-17244/

[daneblazer]

On top of that, there is a report today that the UN plans to have internet regulation. The camel is going to get his nose under the tent eventually.

[Waz]

bill is dead according to ppa

http://www.pokernewsdaily.com/poker-...ll-dead-17244/

This is great news. Looks like we can breathe with a sigh of relief for any at least another year or so.