Republican Party Changing Stance On Internet Gambling

The Republican party has been strongly against internet gambling for almost a decade, and it looked like that would continue this year when they introduced their party platform for the 2008 election year. But, in a surprising twist it appears that their opposition to internet gambling will not be included in this year’s party platform.

Could the party that supposedly stands for individual freedom be finally getting back to its roots?

The Poker Players Alliance executive director, John Pappas, said: “This is a small victory in our determined effort to educate both sides of the aisle that there is a true constituency in America that values its Internet freedoms.”

But, there is still the possibility that the ani-internet gambling language might make it back onto the Republican party platform before the Republican National Convention. If the Christian right raises a lot of stink about the Repblican party going soft on internet gambling then look for the language to be added back in. They have a lot more influence than the Poker Players Alliance, and the Republicans are already struggling to satisfy the Evangelicals who are not yet fully onboard with McCain who is seen as more liberal on social issues.

Let your voice be heard on internet poker and gambling by posting on gopplatform2008.com

Congress Attempts To Clarify UIGEA

Ever since the UIGEA was passed there has been confusion all over the online poker/gambling industry ranging from the poker rooms, to the payment processors, to the banks, and yes even the geniuses that come up with these ridiculous pieces of legislation.

One of the main concerns seems to be defining what is considered “unlawful internet gambling’ in the United States. Is poker considered unlawful internet gambling, even though many that play poker consider it a game of skill? Online casinos offering slots, blackjack, and other games of chance are definitely gambling, but are they unlawful?

Well, the very smart people on capitol have attempted to clarify exactly what is considered unlawful internet gambling, and in the process have actually made things more confusing and ridiculous than they were before. A new bill introduced by Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) is called the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Clarification and Implementation Act of 2008 (H.R. 6663) tries to offer further insight on what exactly the 2006 UIGEA is supposed to accomplish.

According to H.R. 6663, “No provision of this Act, or any amendment made by this Act, shall be construed as clarifying or implying that Internet bets or wagers, other than sports bets or wagers, which were accepted subsequent to October 13, 2006, are in violation of Federal law.”

“Federal Internet gambling prosecutions have involved sports betting, creating a lack of authoritative court decisions on the applicability of other federal criminal statutes to Internet poker and casino-style gambling.”

Shortly after the introduction of this bill the Poker Player’s Alliance came out with the following statement: “We are, however, puzzled by the introduction of H.R. 6663 and by the purpose of this legislation. While we agree with several findings in the bill that correctly identify the illegality of sports wagering, the PPA remains concerned with the implication H.R. 6663 asserts in that the [UIGEA] has made Internet poker an unlawful activity that needs special protection from prosecution.

“Previous federal case law (re: Mastercard 2002) made it clear that existing federal criminal law (WIRE Act of 1961) applies only to sports wagering, and not to internet poker. Further, the UIGEA itself states, ‘No provision of this law shall be construed as altering, limiting or extending any Federal or State law.’ Thus, H.R. 6663 only confuses a clear judicial standing on this matter.”

The PPA further comments on the bill by stating that it “does nothing to clarify the UIGEA” and “contradicts its own rule of construction by implying in its findings that the sites on which millions of Americans currently play are offering poker services in defiance of federal law.”

Confused yet? Or did this new bill make everything crystal clear for you?

The poker world may be crazy, but politics mixed in just makes everything insane.