Poker News

There are so many aspects of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) recent actions against online poker that I don’t understand.

I don’t understand why the very government that was built to champion personal liberty would take away our rights to play online poker, a game that citizens of almost every other country in the world are allowed to play. Why don’t we have the same rights as those who reside in other countries?

I don’t understand why the DOJ has spent so much time and money trying to shut down a game. Wouldn’t their time be better spent trying to crack down on some of the truly destructive crises in our nation like terrorism, drug dealing, and crime?

I don’t understand why our government chose to make the jobs of tens of thousands of Americans vanish overnight. And it’s not just the players who have lost their income source. What about the poker media, customer service agents, event planners, and developers in the online poker business? What will the staff of the poker magazines, poker television shows, and poker sponsorship companies now do for work?

I don’t understand what will happen to the players who have had their bankrolls frozen without warning. How will they pay their bills? How many of them will lose their homes and now be subject to the unemployment and welfare that our government claims to work so adamantly to reduce?

I don’t understand why the DOJ has chosen to make the United States the laughing stock of the world. I am getting emails from friends in other countries making fun of our legislators for turning away millions of dollars that could be garnered through the taxation and regulation of online poker – dollars that could reduce the national debt. The online sites have been begging to be taxed and regulated for a long time.

I don’t understand the tainted future of events like the World Series of Poker. About half of the field in the Main Event qualifies through online satellites. Now this widespread opportunity to turn players’ dreams into reality has vanished. What’s going to happen to the poker dealers and tournament staff who will no longer be needed due to the reduced entries?

What’s going to happen to the city of Las Vegas – a city already in dire straits due to the current economic climate? Reducing the number of people who come to Las Vegas, a city so dependent on the bustling business of its visitors who spend money on lodging, dining, and entertainment, will only add to its economic anguish.

I don’t understand why I personally can’t continue to play in my online home league. I already miss the nightly $1 tournaments and the chance to chat and bond with my friends. I’m surprised how much joy these $1 events have brought me. It isn’t about the money; it’s about the bragging rights and the competition we each enjoy. Also, we’ve been keeping records on each player’s performance, so now how will we finish the league and determine the champion?

I don’t understand why I now have to go to a brick-and-mortar casino in order to play poker. What a waste of time, money, and gas to drive to a card room when I could play in the comfort of my own home. There are many times when I have an hour to kill, so I log on and enjoy some poker. Now, I won’t be able to go to the card room and wait for a game unless I am willing to commit many hours to playing.

I don’t understand why the government has taken away my freedom of choice. After decades of building my poker skills to their current level, I now have only a few places to play the games I prefer. The games and limits that were so readily available to me online are not offered in my local card room.

I don’t understand what I’m going to do the 200+ nights a year I am traveling. I used to fill the time playing online poker. Now what?

I don’t understand what people who can’t leave their homes to get to a casino will do now. I have an elderly friend going through chemotherapy whose only joy in life right now is playing online poker. I know paralyzed veterans who are so disabled that they can’t go to card rooms. What about my brother who lives in Utah; where will he play now?

I don’t understand what people on fixed incomes will do now regarding playing poker. Online, they can make $5 last all night. They can play $1 sit and gos or $0.02-$0.04 Limit. If they go to a card room, they need to have at least $100 to get into the smallest No Limit game.

I don’t understand the hypocrisy of a government that allows its citizens to wager on horse races, fantasy football, lotteries, etc. online, but won’t allow wagering on a game of skill.

I don’t understand what will happen when many of our online players move to other countries in order to make a living. We will be losing some of our smartest young minds that have a lot to offer to the United States.

I don’t understand why my country has let me down. I’ve been a law-abiding, tax-paying citizen my entire life. I’ve been a flag-waver. I am overcome with emotion when I hear our national anthem. I’m as patriotic as they come. I’ve always been proud to be an American. I don’t understand why everything has changed.

I’m angry, sad, disgusted, and confused about what has happened with online poker. The illogical destruction of the poker community along with the loss of opportunity to embrace the game for all it has to offer its citizens and government alike is beyond reason to me. What used to be my pursuit of happiness has evaporated along with a piece of my patriotism. I already miss playing my favorite game.

I don’t understand.

64 Comments

  1. The Guy who Knows says:

    So, let me get this straight. Full Tilt & Poker Stars are now authorized to refund US Based players money. How exactly are they going to do that if the processors that they previously were using are deemed illegal due to fraud and wire transfer irregularities?

    I’m guessing that this is the DOJ’s way of kicking congress into gear into passing legistatlion that legalizes and regulates On-line poker. Seriously, think about it. The DOJ can point to the 3 Billion of fees/penalties that they are asking for from the Poker companies, as well as the inevitable fees and or taxes that they will charge each and every US Based player who decides to withdraw their money.

    The DOJ isn’t just going to let the On-Line poker companies distribute the money back to the US based players without controlling those transactions. They will use the guise of “protecting the interests of US Citizens” and will likely tax or have fees that total 30% of the amounts being withdrawn. The DOJ can then take the 3 Billion in fines from the companies and the countless Millions or Billions that they get from US players withdrawing and demonstrate to congress that the demand is present for Online Poker in the US, and they will then pass the legislation to regulate and legalize Online Poker in the US.

  2. Chief Disciple of Poker says:

    Online Poker is a Political Third Rail. Government refuses to understand the purpose and benefits of the game. Viable legislation is years away. Brick and Mortar Casinos benefit. Online multi-table phenoms will simply leave the country to play elsewhere. TV advertising shattered, WSOP diminished. Bad for business. Very Bad…Pretty much a death blow for now.

  3. sdjen says:

    Very well said Linda and I agree wholeheartedly. People should have the right to choose how they spend their time and money. Poker is a game of skill NOT gambling as some people above in their responses don’t seem to understand. Also, not everyone has the ability to just walk into a casino or a card room and play poker due to location or physical limits.

    Why the government is being so stubborn in not legalizing and regulating it to make plenty of money for our deficit is beyond mind boggling. We must be vigilant now! Thank you for your efforts.

  4. Nancy Todd says:

    Well said Linda so on behalf of all of us, thanks.

  5. Rick says:

    Disclaimer: I also do not like the US law on this. However…..

    I am not sure why everyone is acting shocked or mad over the recent event. EVERYONE know that there is a US law against transfering money to the online gambling sites since 2006. Whether you agree with that US Law or not, all of the poker sites online users know of this and voluntary chose to disregard the law. You all know that the online sites were breaking the law when the charge on your credit cards showed up as a purchase with a fake entity. You all know that the credit card company would NOT approve the charge if its to a gambling site. Yet, you all did it knowingly. Once you rationalized that is ok to head down the path of supporting an illegal activity, when does it stop? Alcohol under 15 years? Cocaine ok?

    Once of the virtue of America is that you know what the laws are and that they will be enforced whether you agree with the law or not. If you do not like the law then first work with all your might to get it repealed. If you think that this law is unconstitutional then get go to court and fight it. For the past 5 years since this law has passed, all you did was just tried to get away with it. Why knowingly do something or get started (or as you put it – invest and hone your skills) on a career/hobby that you know is illegal? The online sites knew what they were doing. They were calling the govt. bluff that the law will not be enforced and they got called on. Or maybe the online sites knew that the day would come but they are just happy to keep making money off you until their bluffs is called. Its not like they were really looking out for your interests. They knew that they were doing illegal stuffs in making or supporting false credit transactions. Also, what about underaged kids being able to use the online sites also? I see ESPN interviewing these online poker pros who just turned 21 and they indicated that they have been playing thousands of games for the last few years. So is the moral then that its ok to break the law if it does not make sense to YOU? AND its ok to support companies that started out upfront with the intent to break the law of your country?

  6. Diane from Green Bay says:

    Linda,
    I share your massive disappointment but could never express myself as eloquently as you did. This is devastating to many people in many situations. I hope the work you and others have done with the PPA will ultimately make a difference. I dread the idea of only playing poker in a B&M casino.

    Diane

  7. REally says:

    We were all resting on a very thin thread… and we knew it. This was only a matter of time. And maybe the “bright minds” will actually improve society instead of wasting hundreds on hours a week in front of their computer. I enjoy poker but really don’t see a negative impact on society by this happening.

  8. ManofLogos says:

    @REally The negative impact on “society” is the continuing diminution of our rights as adults to engage in activities that don’t harm others. That’s called freedom. You think it’s just about poker, but it’s not.

    The best analogy is to recall what Martin Niemoller said about the Nazis: First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out — because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak for me.

    Do you really think this is about poker? Hell no! It’s about individual rights, your rights, your children’s rights, your fundamental freedom. Let them chip away bit by bit and one day you will wake up and the equivalent of Hugo Chavez or Hitler will be running things (remember both were democratically elected). How’s that for a “negative impact” on society?

  9. versenden@pldi.net says:

    linda johnson, grow up! Stop your lying about being a pro. poker player.
    If these compamies big wigs will break the banking laws. Don’t you think they would cheat millions out of their money. No before online poker, their was this thing called pocket poker hand held poker games. Not the same if the compamy your spoke person for isn’t steal money? Linda johnson seems your more worried how players will get scammed out of their money to your fraud dealing poker site.

    Funny how poker sites became famous, and then people started having
    trouble making their house, and car payment.
    I think americans losing millions of dollars daily to foriegn contries
    that hates america anyway would effect this countries economy situation.
    10,000s maybe 100,000s of americans sending their pay checks to a
    different nations.
    Instead of spending their money here in america to help create jobs, and
    help drive the economy. The americans without the gambling addiction
    shouldn’t need to pay all the taxes to run this nation. The millions of
    USA dollars going to non american companies each day. Has contribute to
    some of america’s trouble economy. And some have stated with more players
    becoming addicted, and with all of phoney hype of making extra money
    during tough times by playing online poker. The young american players
    playing poker online are growing with the numbers of addicted players
    online. (catch 22.)
    Which increase the burden of the tax players which as online poker gets
    more popular. Less tax able money is paid back into americas economy.
    This country was losing millions of dollars a day, and will again if
    online poker is legal. Most of the millions of dollars being lost online
    is coming from the middle class.

  10. Mike in N.O. says:

    I agree 100%. And I wrote my representatives in Congress about my displeasure. I received a response from Sen. Vitter. He stated that “The anonymity of Internet gambling can provide a haven for criminals, and I am very concerned that there are currently no reliable mechanisms to prevent children from using their parents’ credit card numbers to set up accounts at gambling websites. ”
    What a joke, worried about kids and this is his reasoning. This is whats wrong with our great country, our leaders who are running this country into the ground. We’re buried in debt, online poker could be regulated and taxed providing a steady stream of revenue. Seems like a no-brainer. But when we have idiots like Sen. Vitter (and I’m sure there are others) in Congress, it really scares me.

  11. JD in Seoul says:

    I wonder if someone could address this issue – many in favor of the crackdown argue that the poker sites must have been doing something wrong since they had to resort to devious means to get money from (U.S.) players. However, those “devious” means were a result of the U.S. government forcing private banks and credit card issuers not to let its American customers use their credit cards to give money to the sites. I am not a lawyer, perhaps someone familiar with the law can explain the legal ins-and-outs of American government dictating who the credit card companies can pay or not pay.

  12. Douglas Alexander says:

    Linda, Thank you. I’m sure you don’t hear that enough for all you do. You truly earn your title of The First Lady of Poker every day. Thank you.

  13. J R in Wyoming says:

    What is there to understand? At least Sen. Kyl is starting to come around a bit in his recent statements. It’s sad that we can GAMBLE on bingo, the lotto, horse racing, and sports online but not a true game of skill like poker. I can understand the other casino games like black jack and roulette online, but poker? This is a money grab and nothing else. They are trying to enforce an extremely vague law that was written and passed WITH NO DEBATE on the floor. The DOJ had to throw in the bank fraud to make it legit. They will not get far with this and poker will finally be regulated so that all can finally be free to play. Being a disabled veteran, I love the joy of being able to play online and whenever I can. It is a game of strategy, mathematics, psychology, deception, social skills, and much more. What other game offers so much of these forgotten skills. According to our government, we are not smart enough to know what’s best for ourselves. Sure online poker can be addicting, but pornography, alcohol, even diet mountain dew (myself) are just as addicting if not more and those things are legal and regulated. Children can access pornography easier than they can online poker, so that argument has no base.
    There is a silver lining in this, once congress gets a glimpse at what kind of taxes can be made with the regulation of online poker, they will be quick to act and pass legislation so that we will finally be able to return to our passion. And for those comments that say we don’t pay taxes, that is a baseless argument. We pay taxes quarterly on all income earned! If online poker was regulated , then all those corporate taxes will stay home, hence the reason to push for regulation. It is a bad situation now, but soon, and I mean very soon, we will see Online Poker become something we all want it to be, regulated and safe for all!

  14. trish says:

    I’m starting to understand…got stiffed for $15,000 by so called “pro” after backing him for $120,000. Zero return….absolutely OK with that, it was MY gamble but the $15,000 I lent out for personal(cause he was down and out blah blah blah)use has been 3 years with no pay. Sucks that he’s still out there playin. Oh by the way I was introduced through a wpt bootcamp. So yea, poker and all the seediness/scams I could care less about. I do lobbying for a lot of issues, and I promise this won’t be one.

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