They cannot prevent us from gambling online
October 21, 2006
The recent attachment of the Internet Gambling Prohibition and Enforcement Act to the Port Security Act of 2006 has ruffled the feathers of many, but has stopped very few from doing what they love to do. I for one, love poker. Online poker is a wonderful way to play the game as it brings together a massive amount of people who want to play poker without the hassle and expensive of going to a casino or organizing a small private game (There is no friendly gambling. a great quote by my favorite author Robert Heinlein; whom you’ll get sick of hearing about very quickly I’m sure; is “There is no such thing as “social gambling.” Either you are there to cut the other bloke’s heart out and eat it — or you’re a sucker. If you don’t like this choice — don’t gamble.”, or the danger of heading to a back room private club. I’ve been to small private games, I’ve been to a brick and mortar casino, but I’ve spent hours upon hours playing Online to prepare myself for those other venues, to have fun, and to make money. (I prefer the casino, and really don’t wish to try a private poker club.)
There are two main reasons why this bill passed, I believe, the first is simply bitterness. The government either doesn’t want to go though with the trouble, or doesn’t know how, to regulate and tax Online Gambling. So they make it easier for themselves and just toss out the very idea of gambling on the Internet.
The second reason, which I’ve argued with several people about; is the GOP conservative moral views coming into play on this debate. They find some moral outrage with gambling, I can’t fathom what it is, and they feel the need to make sure they protect the helpless citizens of the United States from their sinful behavior.
This is part of the reason I believe this, Internet Gambling is handled toward the end of the video.
[video n longer available]
I am aware that The Daily Show might not be the most scholarly source, however he makes a wonderful point.
I believe the bible does say: “Thy whom gamble in thy bathrobes, shall feel the fire of a thousand hells for all eternity.”
Business Week has run a story this week, which deals with the issues at hand. We won’t stop. Just because the government says that American banks can’t make transactions to Online Gambling Sites doesn’t mean the industry is crushed. Indeed some sites have given up and walked away, but just as many sites are prepared to stay up in the US and continue to offer their great service. I, for one, am grateful and proud. No one is going to dictate morals to me, no one is going to tell me what to do with my money in my own home. If I want to gamble it away in Online poker, I will do just that.
A message to all Online gamblers out there, stay the course! Keep playing and sooner or later the government will realize they cannot stop Online Gambling, they will regulate it and tax it. Making everything just wonderful between the Online Gambling sites and the US Government.
I don’t know about you, but Underground Online Gambling sounds like a much better idea.
