Poker Players Fight the Online Casino Ban
The fight against the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act in the United
States is coming to a head next month. The United States angered the world
online casino gambling community and many American players with the ban, and now
the Americans are banning together in hopes of affecting change. Specifically, a
lawyer and online casinos poker enthusiast in Washington will have his day in
court on September 21, 2007 to oppose the Washington state law that makes
playing internet poker a felony offense.
Lee Rousso has secured a court date, and now all he has to do is win the favor
of the Kin County Superior Court – if that happens it will bring the Poker
Player’s Alliance one step closer to victory. Just like the UIGEA infringes on
the American’s freedom, the Washington law is even more egregious by making it a
felony offense for the online casino poker gambler. Rousso is basing his case on
the concept of interstate trade infringement though it does also affect
American’s liberties.
The Washington law is now a little over a year old and this is the first case to
make it to the Superior Court although the passing of the law last June made
national news because of how severe the punishments against online casinos
gambling. Though Washington has an all around strict policy on state gambling,
classifying the offense as a felony borders on absurd for even the die-hard
anti-gamblers.
Rousso is the Washington representative the national Poker Players’ Alliance
that is currently focusing on amassing members who support legislation that
would neutralize the UIGEA. One the Alliance has enough members it will begin to
heavily lobby Congress to nix the UIGEA.
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