TY. TY. For the infor and update. But, I beg YOU,(even if you're not that commentator) whose leading the charge for the Poker Players, but you have organizational contacts and knowledge of interest groups interested in overturning this jammed through legislation, PLEASE post it.
Heard one brief radio blurb out of hundreds on the counter action. If those of us, interested here, don't know where to band together,(or don't want to. God Forbid,) then let's just give it up and nary a word be uttered about it again. Travel, travel, room, entry, etc into your EV. Comp Kings and Queens!
How long before that catches up. They are quick to change the games. You and I have already seen the restructuring of comp programs. Get 10 per cent off of anything over a grand. Come on. The boys have caught up.
Here are some thoughts:
1) What's done is done. Some ask "Why don't you join the Poker Players' Alliance and try to help fight this?" I answered that it's too late. The PPA and other pro-internet-gaming groups made their feelings known, and they were ignored. It was a nice try, but no positive results were yielded. We have to face the facts here. Namely, regular on-line players are not as big or vocal a group as the Christian Right, nor do politicians particularly fear pissing us off or losing our votes. We can scream until we're blue in the face, but our cries will fall upon deaf ears. If this new law ever gets changed or repealed, it will be the doing of American corporations such as Harrah's, not regular-Joe on-line players.
2) The future of online gambling, if any, rests with American gaming corporations. If anyone can save us, it's corporations like MGM, Boyd or Harrah's. They have the money, influence, and clout to get this law turned around, especially if they can legitimize this rogue industry and give way to government regulation. Now that the new laws have been passed, they will never be completely overturned -- even if the Democrats eventually take the House, Senate, and Presidency. Few politicians will support bringing back the old days of unregulated offshore sites taking billions out of our economy. If there is any hope of getting legalized online poker in the US, it's in the possibility of getting legalized online poker in the US.
3) Trust least those who are proud of breaking the law. Sites that are complying with US law and closing out American players are the safest. Why? They all have a long-term survival plan, and obviously cheating US customers isn't conducive to surviving long-term. Why comply with US law if you're just going to turn around and do something even worse? It's the ones that are electing to play on that really scare me. These sites are closing their eyes and taking a sink-or-swim attitude. Some may prosper for it, but others will fail. If these sites aren't afraid to give the middle finger to the most powerful government on earth, they also won't be afraid to swipe your money if things start to turn sour. Beware.
4) Neteller ain't so tough. Way before this legislation hit, the state of Maryland ordered Neteller to stop doing business with its residents. Guess what? Neteller complied. If Neteller will bow to pressure from a small U.S. state, what will it do when threatened by the federal government? I have a feeling that, if push comes to shove, Neteller will quietly exit the U.S. market. However, they will stay with their U.S. customers for as long as possible.
5) The sponsorship gravy train has been derailed. Expect to see far fewer sponsored players in tournaments, especially given that this internet gambling ban will result in a tighter advertising/marketing budget for most sites. The biggest names like Hellmuth should stay aboard, but expect most of the B-list names to be cut soon.
