Politics from the Palouse to Puget Sound

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Internet Gambling

I am interested in hearing everyone's opinion on this. I want to know if I am in the mainstream on this or if I am on an island by myself.

The State of Washington passed SSB 6613 which making Internet Gambling a Class C Felony.

It is legal to go to Mr. Z's Casino and play Texas Hold'em. It is legal to play the lottery. It is legal to go to any of the other card rooms/casinos around the state and play Texas Hold'em, but it is now a Class C Felony to do it online.

I believe that the state has enacted an unenforceable law without violating someones privacy. I also think that lumping: assault on a child in the third degree; custodial sexual misconduct in the first degree; third degree rape; four DUIs in seven years; second degree assault; robbery (1 count) together with playing online Texas Hold'em.

Let me know, and I alone on this one?

2 comments:

Victoria Dehlbom said...

You know what they say...Big Brother is watching you!

Dale Courtney said...

Scott,

I've always said that gambling is for people poor at math.

That said, it's not up to me to protect someone from their stupid choices.

I don't see how this law is at all enforceable. First, the servers themselves are physically located off-shore, with different laws than we have.

I would hope that Olympia has better things to do than try to regulate online gambling.

best,
Dale