On June 7 online gambling becomes felony in Washington state |
Loading ...The hypocritical stench surrounding the online gambling law forthcoming in Washington state includes campaign donations from none other than Indian casinos for State Senator Margarita Prentice (pictured below, Sen. Prentice homepage). Her term ends January 2009. The bill submitted to the Senate is known as SB 6613 and the history shows that it took from January 17, 2006 when it was discussed until June 7 to be enacted into law. Not even five months. Wow, they can move fast on the things that don’t matter, can’t they?
Curiously enough, the Seattle PI article cited below doesn’t mention these heavily biased campaign donations, but KIRO710 Dori Monson read a list of the terrestrial casino donations during one of his recent talk shows. 
Washington residents who play poker or make other types of wagers on the Internet will be committing a Class C felony, equivalent under the law to possessing child pornography, threatening the governor or torturing an animal. Although the head of the state Gambling Commission says it is unlikely that individual online gamblers will be targeted for arrest, the new law carries stiff penalties: as much as five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
So let me get this right: an adult who dials up an online poker site is going to be comparable to someone possessing kiddy porn? If there are any actual convictions, this is proof most politicians have gone insane.
The bill passed unanimously in the Senate and with just five dissenting votes in the House. It was signed into law by Gov. Christine Gregoire on March 28.
The same Christine Gregoire who referred to herself as “Chris” Gregoire during her election run. I didn’t vote for her and won’t vote for her re-election. At least there are five people in the House with common sense but they were drowned by 95 others who favored imprisoning online gambers in Washington state.
The article focuses on online poker which is a game I’ve never played for real online. Not a game I particularly care for, but regardless I am strongly opposed to laws preventing adults from gambling if they want to do so.
Formerly, online gambling in Washington State was a gross misdeamonr, of which there don’t appear to have been any convictions (?) which KIRO710 Dori Monson also mentioned as being strange. How can we upgrade the punishment for a law which formerly had zero prosecutions? Is this correct or were there some confirmed prosecutions? My research as of the writing of this article could not confirm there were any successful prosecutions. Please update in the comments if you can find differently.
Washington state residents, please write to your local representatives, especially the 95 who voted for this bogus and likely unenforceable law. Complain voiciferously. Even if you don’t gamble, the last thing the state needs is to see is online gamblers being thrown in jail and having Class C felonies on their record. It will be very difficult to get this law repealed now.
Across the 50 states, only two do not have legalized gambling: Utah and Hawaii. Is Washington state about to have the harshest law on the books against online gambling? In a state that is literally teeming with Indian casinos — some of which we like to visit occasionally — and a state run lottery with some utterly craptastic odds (like most state lotteries) this law seems incredibly hypocritical.
And now I somewhat expect to receive a (likely anonymous) fear mongering comment about how terrible gambling is for society. Yeah, prohibition worked too (not). Didn’t work with alcohol. Isn’t working with marijuana. Won’t work with online gambling. Let’s find a way to legalize and regulate online gambling, open up gambling to the non-tribal state businesses, tax it so the indian casinos aren’t reaping all the rewards.
A vote in a recent election shot down non-tribal gambling being legalized. Of course the fear was that we’d have slots in grocery stores and right next to schools. That’s how laws which make sense get sullied by political scare campaigns muddying up common sense. Most casual gamblers, of which I consider my wife and I, wouldn’t want slots next to schools, but it’s that FUD that spreads and causes non-gamblers and casual gamblers to vote down legislation.
I like the guy’s spirit in the article that says he may take his wireless laptop to the capital steps in Olympia and play online poker as a form of protest. I’ll donate to his legal fund to prevent him from sharing a cell with Bubba. You?
Update June 7, 2006: Clarification on penalties from KOMO:
(Editor’s Note: There was some earlier confusion over the law’s penalties. While online betting will be a Class C Felony, which typically carry 5 year prison terms and $10,000 fines, the law’s sponsor says it will be an “unranked” felony. That means it has a maximum sentence of 1 year plus a fine. And if you’re a first time offender, you get no time or up to 90 days, plus a fine.)Related PostsSponsors of the bill say it’s really meant to protect, not punish gamblers. They say online games invite organized crime and money laundering.
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- Washington State Christine Gregoire declares June 30 - July 1 ‘RSS Days’
- U.S officially closes the sports … book on BetOnSports
This is but one good example of government, motivated by greed, overstepping its purpose. I’m becoming more Libertarian every day. I promise to be a good citizen if they’ll just leave me the F alone.
Yes, I’ll donate to that legal defense fund.
Comment by Sterling Camden — May 28, 2006 @ 10:50 am PST
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Pingback by Make You Go Hmm: » Hmmcast #10: Microsoft steps and missteps, online gambling a felony and more — June 2, 2006 @ 2:06 pm PST
we are retired and in our 70′ we enjoy our computer for recreation. we no longer are physically Abel to travel and walk very far. so we play bingo on line, but with our health, I’m sure the state would hesitate to even pay my medication and oxygen bills.arresting us would be to expensive. but who knows what these pocket politicians might do.
Comment by jack bailey — June 7, 2006 @ 1:17 am PST
Hey Jack, for free medical coverage if I were you I might call the cops over to watch me play on-line and then offer the wrists. Crazy world in which we live — free medical covereage for criminals (including Congress), none for the rest of us. Gambling is a crime, but (fill in the blank for all the stupid things happening these days) isn’t.
Comment by Sterling Camden — June 7, 2006 @ 11:21 am PST
I suggest a full boycott of the washington state lottery until this law is repealed. The only way to win this fight is to hit ‘em where they live!
Comment by Rob Dahlgren — June 12, 2006 @ 9:46 am PST
The State is wrong on this and I want to change it. Anybody know a good lawyer? I want to hire him.
(That question, while funny, is not meant to be a joke.)
Comment by Easycure — June 20, 2006 @ 1:12 pm PST
I agree with all of you. This law is garbage. I fully intend to continue my online wagering..if they want to arrest me and throw me in jail, so be it. I won’t take having my rights taken away lightly. Legally as grown adults, we are all able to do as we please, so long as we arent harming anyone or doing anything illegal..which for the most part a lot of people abide by. However, saying that adults are not allowed to gamble online, and if they are caught they will go to jail, possible PRISON over this, and be in the same class C conviction as people who commit FAR worse crimes is absurd. These people are complete idiots and have lost thier minds. I agree with the full boycott of the lottery, and to hell with scratch tickets too. Washington State has become a horrible place to live in…just sad.
melissa
Comment by Melissa — July 15, 2006 @ 2:40 am PST
[…] There is a lease through 2010 at Key Arena, so the Sonics won’t be going anywhere next season, at least unless this group pays off the lease. Not sure if there is a clause which allows prepayment or not. Lots of speculation at this point, but a news conference is scheduled for 3pm PST today and supposedly our illustrious Governor Christine Gregoire is in on the talks with the team. Let’s hope she does better with this then she did with online gambling in this state. […]
Pingback by Make You Go Hmm: » Oklahoma City group buys Seattle Supersonics — July 18, 2006 @ 2:14 pm PST
#5.
You are amazing. You have done the one thing that matters. Take away the funds from the State and then everything will change. Crying will not do it and there just isn’t enough poker players to make a difference otherwise. Pull their whore money away and watch them squirm.
Comment by timmy — October 14, 2006 @ 2:50 pm PST
I agree with everyone else. This law is friggin bogus and I guarantee I will NOT vote for “Chris” which BTW….during Lake Fair here in Olympia, decided to stop at Hannah’s for a couple glasses of wine. Considering that this particular bar has GAMBLING *Gasp*, I’m surprised. Either way, she knows of my partner and said hi to him, but failed to even look and say hi to me. Gee, I wonder if I like her….uhhh…no. Now that we’re being classified as Class C Felons, I wonder if I should care to STAY in this state.
Kind of makes me think that they want people out of this state, doesn’t it seem that way to you?
Comment by POFFEDCOWBOY — October 14, 2006 @ 9:18 pm PST
I too am utterly amazed by the recent passing of what I can only call a moment of stupidity for our state government. To think that I am not allowed, by law, to sit in the comfort of my own home, log on to my computer, and play a friendly card game with other consenting adults in the comforts of their own homes, is beyond belief to me. I can guarentee that my votes have changed. Maybe another state wants my votes (and money).
Comment by Nan — November 15, 2006 @ 1:16 am PST
NEW WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE PROPOSED TO REVERSE A PORTION OF SB 6613
In-home recreational internet gaming shouldn’t be a felony, says Strow
10th District legislator introduces bill to provide an affirmative defense to the Class C Felony created by 2006 internet gambling bill
Rep. Chris Strow, R-Whidbey Island, today announced his legislation, House Bill 1243, to quash the felony charge language in last year’s legislation addressing in-home internet gambling.
“My goal with this legislation is to correct an element from last year’s online gambling bill, Senate Bill 6613, that made it a Class C Felony to gamble recreationally in one’s own home if it is done online,” said Strow.
“While I do see the need for protecting our citizens from online gaming that may be scamming innocent victims, I do think that there is also a level of accountability, as an adult, to do as he or she chooses in his or her own home,” said Strow. “Most certainly choosing to gamble, or play a game of skill such as poker, should not have been made a crime equivalent to possessing child pornography or threatening the Governor.”
House Bill 1243 is currently awaiting a hearing in the House Commerce and Labor Committee.
“While I have requested a hearing on the bill, people need to call and write the Chairman of the House Commerce and Labor Committee, Representative Steve Conway, and ask him to schedule a hearing for House Bill 1243,” said Strow. Rep. Conway can be reached at (360) 786-7906 or Conway.steve@leg.wa.gov.
“There’s a certain point at which policy can be perceived as ‘nanny stateish.’ I think we reached that point with last year’s legislation and I’m aiming to make amends,” said Strow.
Comment by ZPinhead — February 1, 2007 @ 11:00 pm PST
[…] No idea if Frank’s proposal will be passed but if/when it does I’ll delight in seeing somebody challenge the current legislation here in Washington state that makes it a Class C felony to gamble online. The sposors of the bill said it was meant to “protect” gamblers, not punish them. Sorry if I’m skeptical of any form of government protection. I can protect myself just fine, thank you very much. […]
Pingback by Barney Frank proposes bill to legalize and regulate internet gambling » Make You Go Hmm — April 27, 2007 @ 1:33 pm PST
[…] State House Bill 1243 If you live in Washington state where gambling online is a class C felony, you might also be interested in this comment which talks about proposed Washington State House […]
Pingback by Google, Yahoo and Microsoft ante up $31.5 million in fines for promoting online gambling » Make You Go Hmm — December 20, 2007 @ 7:42 am PST
I think this is ridiculous. I play poker all the time. Always for play, but I enjoy the game. I even work in a casino and have yet to play real poker there. Not once in two years. However I enjoy the game. I heard of a website that you could play for money if you want to, or just for fun. Totally up to you. Reading the terms and condition, it pointed out that it doesn’t promote it in states where it is illegal. Curious I looked it up on the internet. The state I live in, Washington, with casinos every 10 miles it seems, considers me spending five dollars of MY hard earned money to entertain myself on-line illegal. I am causing no harm to anyone, just enjoying myself. With other adults. And they are gonna say that it is equivalent to possessing pornographic pictures of kids? I cant believe it. I am sure it boils down to the fact that the money isn’t staying in Washington. I feel like they are saying, “You cant take FIVE dollars and spend it THERE on THIS, if you want THIS, you have to spend FIFTY dollars on it HERE!” I am more intent on doing it now. Give our greedy politicians the bird and let them figure out where to put it! I am not gonna be told by anyone that it is illegal for an adult to have a little harmless fun.
Comment by Samantha — January 24, 2008 @ 2:18 am PST
Yes, there are felons: the felons that took bribery under the name of “donation” from Indian Casinos so that the Indian Casinos could reap all the rewards. No, this is not hypocrite. Someone is simply guilty, just as guilty as Jack Abramoff!
Comment by Carl — January 28, 2008 @ 9:24 pm PST
i just moved here from florida and can’t believe that they would pass a law like this. how do they enforce it? how do they know who is logging on to pokersites to play poker or sportsbooks to place wagers? my father said that they created a task force but im calling him out on that BS!!! if they did make some sort of task force that would be even more rediculas. our tax dollars going to a group of people that are going to arrest good citizens for some harmless entertainment. i really doubt they have this type of task force but i just dont know and frankly dont care and would continue to gamble online if i did. anyone know how they would catch people?
Comment by Brian — June 22, 2008 @ 1:04 am PST
Actually they started passing laws like this in washington to target the the ones of intrest of other crimes during that year and once they have so many intrests they sign a bill against watever immoral the targets intrests are and nail them …which i totally agree is a schizoaffective way of dealling with shit and what kind of bullshit artists come up with these brainfarts??? the feds??? the cowards that believe other peoples crap??? or the rich bitch that lays around all day and sleeps untill 3 in the afternoon wakes up drinks her wine and watches soaps and crime shows all night…DAMN!
Comment by bob — July 1, 2008 @ 2:30 am PST
vampires with neckties
Comment by bob — July 1, 2008 @ 2:38 am PST