Civic Engagement

How can the State possibly justify banning Internet Poker when we let people waste money on Lottery tickets?

Pretty ridiculous, legalizing casinos then making internet poker a felony. Governor Patrick has clearly stated that he doesnt have a moral objection to gambling and spoke of visiting Foxwoods with his mother. This is just mafia style tactics to eliminate competition. How are we going to enforce this, sent the Gestapo door to door to see what people are doing on the internet? Also where are we supposed to play poker until this casino is built in four years?

If this goes through, I will be making sure to make max contributions to anyone running against Gov Patrick or voting yes on this bill. I have spoken to my state and local reps as well the relevant committee for the casino bill and suggest everyone here does the same. Luckily I have talked to several legislators who feel this provision is onerous enough to kill the whole bill, hopefully we can get others on board. Together we can take back our state from the totalitarian governor!

Three points: First, the internet is coming. Face it, the internet is here. To make revenue projections for a future based on the assumption that the law will continue into the future to protect the casinos and lotteries from internet competition is ill advised. On the other hand, to criminalize internet commerce in and from the commonwealth relegates Massachusetts to and internet backwater.

Second, online poker, in comparison to online casino games like blackjack, roulette, does not take money away from casinos. Quite to the contrary, online poker is a boon to live-action poker. Just look at the numbers at the main event of the WSOP starting with 1999. TV didn't hit until 2003. 2004 is when the combination of TV and online really kicked in. From there the growth in casino poker has been exponential, fed by a mass of players who have learned and honed their poker skills online. In 2004, 316 contestants qualified for the WSOP via online poker satellite competition. In 2005, the ...

Why is it I can go and gamble my life savings away at the track, or a host of other venues or scratch ticket my life savings away and thats ok but should I want to play in a poker tournamnet online I would be public enemy #1. If you were to criminalize online poker yet still allow the wagering of cash on things like weekend golf tournaments {which every club public and private does} and how about Bingo and office football pools. my point being that even if someone were brought up on these charges what jury in this land would convict them of a thing? None.

Well, this issue is actually up here twice so I am responding to both. Basically, I'll move out of state if it this passes. Just one more reason to say a teary farewell to the place I once called my home.

criminalizing my ability to play online poker in the same bill that proposes building casinos is outrageous. I voted for the Govenor but will not do so in the future unless this language is removed from the casino legilation.

So you are going to build casinos, then make it illegal to play poker anywhere other than in these casinos? Seems pretty underhanded to me.

Enough of MA's Nanny government tactics.

Leave us alone to enjoy our lives as we see fit, we are not hurting anyone.