Many American citizens who also love poker would certainly love to see online poker being legalized beyond doubt in the near future. Online poker has become immensely popular in the last years and it is a pity that many US poker players are deprived from enjoying the game on the internet for some vague and wooly laws concerning online gambling. And since Barack Obama is himself known to be a fan of poker, there is all the more hope that something would be done soon.
The fact is that the laws dealing with online poker in the country are somewhat vague and politicians and common public alike often misunderstand them. Since these laws took years to come into existence, the chances are small that they will be abolished altogether. But we can at least hope that the necessary amendments would be made so that US online poker players do not suffer from them anymore. The law that is most commonly misunderstood and seems to prohibit online poker is the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), passed in 2006. But one should understand that UIGEA is specifically targeted at institutions and online sites that do the funds transactions related to online gambling. This law is in fact meant to consolidate the already existing laws against gambling.
The issue here is to understand that poker is not a form of gambling. Gambling is a pure game of chance where you just throw the dice and wait for your lady luck to shine. But poker is a game of skill. While there is an element of chance involved, it is mainly a strategic game. This sets it apart from all forms of gambling and at least theoretically, outside the reach of UIGEA, too.
Future however brings promises of good things to come. Recently, a Pennsylvania judge declared poker as being a game of skill as opposed to being a game of luck. Shortly afterwards, a Colorado judge declared the same. On top of it, Barney Frank, a House of Representatives member, has recently voiced his intentions to pass legislation that will help to counter negative effects of UIGEA.
So US poker lovers are pinning their hope on Obama administration. But remember that the President cannot do anything on his own. So raise your voice and let him know how much you want online poker to get legalized in the country.
The fact is that the laws dealing with online poker in the country are somewhat vague and politicians and common public alike often misunderstand them. Since these laws took years to come into existence, the chances are small that they will be abolished altogether. But we can at least hope that the necessary amendments would be made so that US online poker players do not suffer from them anymore. The law that is most commonly misunderstood and seems to prohibit online poker is the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), passed in 2006. But one should understand that UIGEA is specifically targeted at institutions and online sites that do the funds transactions related to online gambling. This law is in fact meant to consolidate the already existing laws against gambling.
The issue here is to understand that poker is not a form of gambling. Gambling is a pure game of chance where you just throw the dice and wait for your lady luck to shine. But poker is a game of skill. While there is an element of chance involved, it is mainly a strategic game. This sets it apart from all forms of gambling and at least theoretically, outside the reach of UIGEA, too.
Future however brings promises of good things to come. Recently, a Pennsylvania judge declared poker as being a game of skill as opposed to being a game of luck. Shortly afterwards, a Colorado judge declared the same. On top of it, Barney Frank, a House of Representatives member, has recently voiced his intentions to pass legislation that will help to counter negative effects of UIGEA.
So US poker lovers are pinning their hope on Obama administration. But remember that the President cannot do anything on his own. So raise your voice and let him know how much you want online poker to get legalized in the country.
No comments :
Post a Comment