The Jig is Up?
Last week the Honorable Rep. Jim Leach of Iowa attached his Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 onto an unrelated port security bill that was being rushed through Congress. Late Friday night it passed. The Honorable President Bush is certain to sign it.
And just when I was starting to get good at the thing. The thing being no-limit poker. Just when I was starting to make some money, the Republicans decided to piss all over the parade.
It's gotta be about the dollar. The right people aren't getting their slice of this particular pie. We're talking about a 12 billion dollar industry with 2300 gaming sites now on-line. But it ain't getting taxed and the usual fat cats ain't getting their piece of the action. You gotta bet that the big casinos have their clout all over this, too. They would love to have their own sites - a virtual Bellagio where players can play in their pajamas. A whole lot let less overhead involved. If they can't play, they don't want anyone to play.
A prediction - two actually. It ain't gonna work. American players will figure out a way to get their dollars in off-shore banks - and buy-in from there. And when the government and Vegas catch on, they are gonna find a way to regulate and tax all these American dollars flying across the ether.
After Mr. Bush signs the bill, banks have 200-some days to get in line. Until then, I'll keep playing, hopefully keep winning. And then we'll see. You'll probably see me more often in the brick and mortar card rooms honing my skills, waiting for the day when I can play in my pajamas again. If I wore pajamas.
And just when I was starting to get good at the thing. The thing being no-limit poker. Just when I was starting to make some money, the Republicans decided to piss all over the parade.
It's gotta be about the dollar. The right people aren't getting their slice of this particular pie. We're talking about a 12 billion dollar industry with 2300 gaming sites now on-line. But it ain't getting taxed and the usual fat cats ain't getting their piece of the action. You gotta bet that the big casinos have their clout all over this, too. They would love to have their own sites - a virtual Bellagio where players can play in their pajamas. A whole lot let less overhead involved. If they can't play, they don't want anyone to play.
A prediction - two actually. It ain't gonna work. American players will figure out a way to get their dollars in off-shore banks - and buy-in from there. And when the government and Vegas catch on, they are gonna find a way to regulate and tax all these American dollars flying across the ether.
After Mr. Bush signs the bill, banks have 200-some days to get in line. Until then, I'll keep playing, hopefully keep winning. And then we'll see. You'll probably see me more often in the brick and mortar card rooms honing my skills, waiting for the day when I can play in my pajamas again. If I wore pajamas.
posted by Philip Dean Brown at 12:56 PM
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