WA Law: 5 Years in Prison for Gambling Online

[tahoesid]

Washington State has recently decided to take matters into their own hands. The Seattle PI reports, 'Beginning next month [June 7th], Washington residents who play poker or make other types of wagers on the Internet (http://washingtonvotes.org/2006-SB-6613) will be committing a Class C felony (http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/271844_internetgambling27.html?source=mypi)

http://washingtonvotes.org/2006-SB-6613

[StartedAt18]

Are you serious? That's crazy.. There are plenty of people in every state addicted to online gambling, nothing is going to stop those people from getting their high off gambling. That's like people downloading music. Millions of people do it, they can't put the whole world in jail for it.

[tahoesid]

They seem to want to try tho:D

[Jeff P]

The implications of this are SCARY.

A cut and paste from the text of this law:

Whoever knowingly transmits or receives GAMBLING INFORMATION by telephone, telegraph, radio, semaphore, the INTERNET, a telecommunications system, or similar means, or knowingly installs or maintains equipment for the transmission or receipt of gambling information shall be guilty of a class C FELONY subject to the penalty set forth in 9A.20.021...
What constitutes GAMBLING INFORMATION? Are entries, scratches, and past performance data files going to be considered GAMBLING INFORMATION when it comes to enforcement?

Take the following case:

A Washington resident wants to take his family out to enjoy a day at the races at Emerald Downs. Instead of driving all over town to pick up a Racing Form the night before he instead downloads a past performance data file from BRIS, TSN, HDW, or DRF.

Could selective enforcement of this law result in a conversation like this taking place in the not too distant future?

Inmate #1: "So, what are you in here for?"

Inmate #2: "Armed Robbery. They gave me five years. You?"

Inmate #1: "I downloaded a file from TSN. Thought I got away clean but my ex-wife ratted me out. I got five years too."

Could this law result in companies like Bris, TSN, HDW, and DRF refusing to offer their services to Washington residents?

Take it a step further.

Could Handicapping Software fall within the definition of "equipment for the transmission or receipt of gambling information" when it comes to enforcement of this law? Could guys like me, or CJ, or Ken Massa, or Dave Schwartz one day find the police knocking at our doors because we provided service to residents of the state of Washington?

Hell. Could some of the more informative posts on this site fall within the definition of "gambling information?" Could selective enforcement of this law lead to Mike/PA having to either delete some of the better posts around here or password protect this site so that he can refuse service to residents of the state of Washington (and other states likely to follow) so as to be in compliance with this law?

-jp

.

[Dave Schwartz]

Sure, drag me into this...


<G>

[Tom]

Gosh, I feel so safe today. Nice to know they are out there protoecting us.
One more time...we need Washington as a state because.......

Time to thin out the flag.

What's next in this state of confusion - that pesky free speech? Annoying free press?

[Macdiarmadillo]

Notice that this passed 44-0.

Except for intrastate transactions, Federal law, which has always exempted racing, is trumped by this? I don't think so. So this means Emerald Downs can't send its signal to anywhere else in Washington? Dumb. Who do these guys think they are, California legislators?

[Jeff P]

Doing a little searching around on the web over the last 30 minutes or so. It seems this law is directed primarily at Poker and not Horse Racing. In WA, Horse Racing is already covered by a separate set of statutes.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/271844_internetgambling27.html?source=mypi

an excerpt from the above article: The law applies to all online gambling except horse racing, which has been allowed through specially approved Web sites by the Washington Horse Racing Commission.


-jp

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[skate]

first i heard bout this, thanks.

i guess we have a political -sorta -capping issue here, so, this is the sort of issue that escapes me when people bring up "the religious right" (i'm not religious)and they talk about "being forced into religious situations by those religious right" ok fine.
i really don't think "they"(religious right) force anything on me. but others insist they do.

but here we have a "blue" liberal state trying to force this...

ya really got to find out, just who are these people? just shows how important (impotent)are local politics.

[Turfday]

nm

[kenwoodallpromos]

2004 Wa state approved horseracing internet advanced deposit wagering; this new bill allows internet gambling already in effect.
What the new law looks like it does is establish new state gambling schemes and eliminate allcompetition to the state-run gambling.
Jeff P.- maybe you should READ the whole thing- and the current Wa horse law is easy to find.
TahoeSid- if I am not mistaken, this General Handicapping section is for Horse related threads, not bingo, slots, or scratch-offs unless there is a way to handicap slots; in that case, please post it! LOL!!

[Jeff P]

posted by kenwoodallpromos - Jeff P.- maybe you should READ the whole thing... Ken. I did. Read post #8 in this thread.

-jp

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[kenwoodallpromos]

I see your post now- SOrry, I must have goofed somehow.

[tahoesid]

Actually there is, but we won't go there:bang:
We can always move this to a different forum.

[Jeff P]

the actual letter of this law - Whoever knowingly transmits or receives GAMBLING INFORMATION by telephone, telegraph, radio, semaphore, the INTERNET, a telecommunications system, or similar means, or knowingly installs or maintains equipment for the transmission or receipt of gambling information shall be guilty of a class C FELONY subject to the penalty set forth in 9A.20.021...
posted by Turfday - You Forgot a BIG GROUP...Football bettors in WA Let's see...

Last year the Seahawks made it to the Super Bowl. What if for the sake of argument they make it back again next year? I'm guessing that local interest will be very high. Going strictly by the letter of this law, anyone within the borders of the state of Washington, even somebody with absolutely no intention of betting at all, but who does any of the following, ends up committing a felony:

1. Instead of buying a local newspaper to read the sports page, he or she uses the INTERNET to browse a website that happens to list kickoff time and the point spread.

2. During a phone call with a friend the topic of conversation shifts to the Super Bowl. Naturally someone asks "What's the spread?"

3. A Washington resident listens to a sports radio talk show where a caller discusses the point spread.

4. The MAYOR of the city of Seattle uses a telephone or email to make a friendly bet against the mayor of the city where the AFC team is from.

Um... can anyone else see something of an inherent problem with this type of law? Strict enforcement makes almost everyone in the entire state a felon. Frankly I'm amazed the vote to pass this was unanimous. Wasn't there one lawmaker with the sac to stand up and say NO rather than abstain from voting? Did any of those who voted yes actually THINK about this before they voted? Or am I missing something?

-jp

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[skate]

jeff; "" Um... can anyone else see something of an inherent problem with this type of law? Strict enforcement makes almost everyone in the entire state a felon. Frankly I'm amazed the vote to pass this was unanimous. Wasn't there one lawmaker with the sac to stand up and say NO rather than abstain from voting? Did any of those who voted yes actually THINK about this before they voted? Or am I missing something?""

-jp


if you apply "the Mikey rule" that states, only bet when things are in a positive module.
you'll find your answer. you were ...amazed or amazing? expecting what?...thinking...ok now.

the man said, don't leave the "mikey rule" at the track.

[The Judge]

I don't think that people that use the "semaphore " should get as much time as those that use "similar means".

[traveler]

So if I live in Seattle and receive gamblig info over the phone from someone in Vancouver I commit a felony, but if I can get that same person to illegally enter the USA, not only is it OK to receive the info face to face but the illegal border jumper didn't commit a felony according to our crack lawmakers in Wash. DC. :bang:

[Tom]

Hey - good idea - stand at the border and yell out results! They will have to arrest everyone sneaking in! :lol:

This whole thing is so stupid. Who the hell do they think they are protecting?
People have been playing poker for years, and will do so no materr what pinhead governement lackies do. More power to them - this is oppressive government and unacceptable.

[Vegas711]

Maybe WA residents can just TEXT Message their Poker bets in like millions of people do each week for a shot of winning $10,000 on TV deal or no deal or Trumps Apprentice etc.


I got it, lets put cameras in every household in W.A. to make absolute sure that they are not breaking any laws:rolleyes:

[Valuist]

Odds are not one person will be prosecuted for it.

[JimG]

Hey - good idea - stand at the border and yell out results! :lol:


Tom,

I nominate the above for funniest one liner of the year:lol::lol:

On the other hand, maybe a new business opportunity awaits.

[highnote]

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/271844_internetgambling27.html?source=mypi
A gas station manager, Wettland said he plays online for free, but wants to start playing for money to try to win one of the large jackpots, which are often thousands of dollars. But he had to wait for his credit-card debt to go down.

Seems to me there is more pressing legislation that needs to be passed. How about legislation that protects consumers who can not get their credit card bills under control and causes them to end up paying high interest rates to the point they can't get out of debt. Credit card debt is big money for banks.

I think credit card debt is a much bigger and wide-spread problem than people who lose money gambling online.

But I really appreciate the concern these politicians have for my well-being. :rolleyes:

[godtomsatan]

Who the hell do they think they are protecting?


State sanctioned cardrooms and tribal casinos.

[tahoesid]

It seems that most legislation like this is about protecting special interest groups(read that as those with the money). In Nevada they prohibit(or try to at least) out of state betting/gambling. This couldn't possibly be to protect those people with a gambling problem. It just keeps the problem local(keeps all that money they lose in the state)

Making it harder for people to lose their money online forces them to spend their gambling money inhouse.(lottery comes to mind) Of course the lottery is not gambling(yeah right) in the minds of these self serving politicians. Basically the governments are in the business of gambling and they would rather not have any competition, but or course that makes it Ok.

[The Judge]

It's a sad day when one can't break out the old semaphore set and signal across state lines your next bet . Now what am I do do with the old flags? I was going hi-tec next week with the light set I quess that's out. SEMAPHORE'S forever.

" We don't die we multiply."

[MikeDee]

I think they should throw all the seahawk fans who make a bet on them the internet in jail for 5 years....that's about the best thing you can do with'em anyway :D

[Jeff P]

Playing Emerald Downs online today and couldn't keep the utter hypocrosy of it all from popping into my head...

The feature at Emerald Downs today is named...









drum roll please...










are you ready for this?













The WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATORS STAKES

Quite a few members of the WA State Legislature are in attendance today. And with about 3 MTP a handful were standing in the winner's circle waving at the camera and fans while track announcer Robert Gellar introduced them.

Amazing.


-jp

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[kingfin66]

The Washington State Legislature has actually been good to Emerald Downs and the horse racing industry in Washington. Two years ago they approved a bill that would expand simulcast wagering and legalized phone wagering. The new law, albeit totally ridiculous, did not criminalize betting on horse racing through approved betting outlets such as TVG.

[bigmack]

Sounds like you're in touch with the state legislature there in WA KF66.

How did this silly bill even come to pass? And what do Washingtonians feel about it?

[kingfin66]

I'm not in touch with the state legislature. Rather, I have local knowledge of how Emerald Downs came to be and how the President of Emerald Downs, Ron Crockett, had to personally lobby the legislature to have the house bill regarding simulcasting pass.

I can't speak for everybody in Washington, but I personally feel the new law is horrible and does not reflect the will of the voters. That said, the new law has nothing to do with horse racing as far as Washington residents are concerned. Yes, betting at Pinnacle is now illegal, but it has always been considered illegal on a national level. Fortunately, Washingtonians have a legal outlet where they can bet. This is far greater than some states allow.

[NEhandicapper]

After reading this thread, I still cannot stop laughing at the inclusion of "Semaphore" as a form of communitacting gambling information. I just keep imagining someone standing on top of a mountain trying to signal "I'll raise you $10"

[tahoesid]

Seattle Times staff columnist




The first casualty in the state's war on Internet gambling is a local Web site where nobody was actually doing any gambling.


http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003062386_danny15.html

[kingfin66]

Is it just me, or does this seem like a violation of our constitutional rights? Obviously, I am referring to the writing and maintaining an informational website rather than the gambling part. It seems as though my state believes that the new online gambling law supercedes free speech.

[highnote]

Is it just me, or does this seem like a violation of our constitutional rights? Obviously, I am referring to the writing and maintaining an informational website rather than the gambling part. It seems as though my state believes that the new online gambling law supercedes free speech.


Just remember who runs this country -- the people. If we feel there is something fundamentally wrong with a law then it is our obligation to make it known far and wide.