Recent anti-internet gambling bill “free-rides” its way to passage in congress. Importance of Safe Port Act supersedes ridiculous rider that was underhandedly attached.
(PRWEB) October 2, 2006 -- A bill imposing strict policies to make gambling online almost impossible was passed late Friday night. US citizens and people from around the world speak out about government control over gambling related transactions through financial institutions.
The bill was passed using methods that question American beliefs and rights. A bill, which has been denied individual passage numerous times, was piggy backed onto a bill that was guaranteed to pass, The Safe Port Act.
The Safe Port Act, whose purpose is to improve homeland security, does not and will not relate to internet gambling, but yet over 30 pages of language relating to banning gambling online was included in the Safe Port Act. This can be found attached to this press release on the side of the page, between pages 213-244. The added section about internet gambling focuses exclusively on an attempt to prevent Americans from being able to transfer their own money to websites that allow any form of gambling, with exceptions provided for horse racing and state lotteries.
According to the companies listed below the US government has skipped the democratic process of public debate and is trying to take away something that well over 60% of Americans enjoy. In fact, a poll by the Poker Player’s Alliance, a grassroots advocacy organization of more than 110,000 poker enthusiasts, indicated that 94.7% of the people polled believe that the federal government should not prevent Americans from gambling online. Bill Frist and other proponents knew he would never pass this bill by democratic means so he dodged the entire process according to Macpokeronline.com.
"How can it be that in the Land of the Free a bill that questions American freedom can be passed by such outlandish means? While we fight for the democracy of others, such as the war in Iraq, it seems that somewhere along the way our own rights have been shoved by the wayside," exclaimed many poker companies and players.
While harsh words are expressed among US citizens it’s the subtle words that hurt the most.
“It is not about why this bill is in place that causes me embarrassment for my country, but rather the process of how our government allowed it to pass. This does not accurately represent or portray who we are as Americans or what America stands for,” said Roger a poker player and affiliate.
One more thing has citizens questioning the passing of the bill. Florida Representative John L. Mica said that a study done by the University of Illinois reported that for every $1 earned from state gambling, $3 are paid out in social and criminal costs. Americans are scratching their heads wondering why Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist underhandedly made sure that state run internet horse gambling is still available.
Kris from Poker.com talks about his views of the odd passage of this bill.
“It sure has opened my eyes to how corrupt the US government is. If this sort of thing goes on in plain view of everyone, imagine all the other dodgy things they get up to! What scares me the most about the situation is not the banning of online gaming, but the power that people like Frist wield and the fact that they do not use that power responsibly.”
Not only are citizens expressing their disgust with the passing bill but so are banks and larger companies. The bill will put extreme pressure on financial institutions to monitor these gambling transactions. These funds will undoubtedly be taken from sources currently being used to monitor terrorist funding.
In an interesting article done by gambling911.com, Wayne Allyn Root, who plans to run for Senate of Nevada, talked about online gambling in the United States. He talks of a phrase coined the “Nanny State” and how the government tries to ban things that made America what it is today, consumer freedom. It looks like we can add internet gambling to that long list.
Americans may have a tendency to overlook this law which they feel is unjust. A common consensus among poker players is that they will simply not pay attention to the law. The reason this bill has a potential to be so effective is not because it makes gambling illegal but because it makes funding gambling accounts extremely difficult.
At this point a lot of talk has shifted from the actual meaning of the bill to the morality of how it was passed. Comments are pouring into poker forums across the web with many users continually questioning the US as the "Land of the Free".
So what can you do to fight against your rights being taken away like this in the future? You can become a member of a free grassroots organization known as the Poker Player's Alliance, which has been created to help all poker players to work together to oppose unfair and obtrusive legislation relating to online gambling, with a specific emphasis on online poker.
Media Contacts:
Poker Players and Affiliates
This press release was created and supported by Americans and other poker players across the world. The following directly donated funds to make sure their voices were heard:
Macpokeronline.com represents the opinions of over 800 online poker players and has donated time and thoughts to this article
Sharkscope.com a poker tournament player ranking software provider, is outraged that the government is sneaking anti-democratic bills by means of piggybacking.
Compatiblepoker.com is disappointed at how a bill which has billions of dollars riding on it can be passed by such sinister ways.
4Kingpoker.com has made an effort to inform his members and visitors of the growing problem of government control.
Cardschat.com represents the thoughts of 14,000 poker players in his community.
Drawdead.com finds it depressing that the government would be so hypocritical as to take away our rights to play online, yet allow gaming to continue in casinos.
Straightflop.com and founder of the "Poker Is Not A Crime” initiative been giving out free bumper stickers in support of online poker.
Vegaspokerpro.com made a donation in effort to make Americans aware that their rights are being stripped from them.
Hotpokerbonus.com made a donation and is giving poker players bonuses for signing up to play poker.
Psmoney.com donated and wants people to be aware that they exchange PokerStars T$ and W$.
Stinkyfishpoker.net donated and offers online poker players a place to play free poker on the internet in hopes that free poker is not banned in the future.
TitanPokerClub.com whose membership includes over 700 new poker playing members, all oppose the bill and believe that it is discrimatory to our freedoms and rights as free-thinking people.
Gotbonus.com contributed to the creation of this press release.
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