Comments on: US Congress passes bill banning Internet gambling http://corvillus.com/2006/10/10/us-congress-passes-bill-banning-internet-gambling/ Technology, gaming, and time wasting news Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:37:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Doug Savoy http://corvillus.com/2006/10/10/us-congress-passes-bill-banning-internet-gambling/#comment-258 Doug Savoy Sat, 21 Oct 2006 16:16:12 +0000 http://corvillus.com/2006/10/10/us-congress-passes-bill-banning-internet-gambling/#comment-258 That's a great comparison, alcohol prohibition. Prohibiting anything closes the doors to those who want to operate in an above-the-board manner, but opens the door to those who hide in the corners. For those who like to play poker, they're going to find a way to play poker, except their legit choices are going to be limited. And that's part of our primary argument - freedom means choice - and when the gov't steps in and limits choice, they limit freedom. And limiting freedom has all these strange, unexpected consequences. It's like a microcosm of our entire system and showcases why our freedom is so important and shouldn't be for sale to special interests, or motivated by a protectionist attitude. It's a global economy and we're demanded to compete, not protect. That's why regulation - guidelines, rules, codes of ethics - is relevant for any industry. Doug That’s a great comparison, alcohol prohibition. Prohibiting anything closes the doors to those who want to operate in an above-the-board manner, but opens the door to those who hide in the corners.

For those who like to play poker, they’re going to find a way to play poker, except their legit choices are going to be limited. And that’s part of our primary argument - freedom means choice - and when the gov’t steps in and limits choice, they limit freedom. And limiting freedom has all these strange, unexpected consequences.

It’s like a microcosm of our entire system and showcases why our freedom is so important and shouldn’t be for sale to special interests, or motivated by a protectionist attitude. It’s a global economy and we’re demanded to compete, not protect. That’s why regulation - guidelines, rules, codes of ethics - is relevant for any industry.

Doug

]]> By: Corvillus http://corvillus.com/2006/10/10/us-congress-passes-bill-banning-internet-gambling/#comment-257 Corvillus Sat, 21 Oct 2006 13:10:37 +0000 http://corvillus.com/2006/10/10/us-congress-passes-bill-banning-internet-gambling/#comment-257 I hadn't thought of it at the time I made this post, but that's an interesting point. When the government bans something relatively benign for whatever reason, the result tends to be that the problem becomes worse because it becomes unregulated, and you get criminals providing the product or service in question instead of legitimate organizations. All you'd have to do is look back to the 1920's and see what little good alcohol prohibition had on the US for an example of this. I hadn’t thought of it at the time I made this post, but that’s an interesting point. When the government bans something relatively benign for whatever reason, the result tends to be that the problem becomes worse because it becomes unregulated, and you get criminals providing the product or service in question instead of legitimate organizations. All you’d have to do is look back to the 1920’s and see what little good alcohol prohibition had on the US for an example of this.

]]> By: Doug Savoy http://corvillus.com/2006/10/10/us-congress-passes-bill-banning-internet-gambling/#comment-256 Doug Savoy Sat, 21 Oct 2006 04:16:39 +0000 http://corvillus.com/2006/10/10/us-congress-passes-bill-banning-internet-gambling/#comment-256 The other major impact of the gambling bill, and the resulting exodus by some of the most responsible, licensed operators, is the effect on players - as the industry goes underground, it leaves us more unprotected than ever. We have formed a coalition to fight the gambling ban - Poker Patriots. Poker Patriots will strive to create a community of players and advocates with a purpose - to reverse the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act and demand the US government license and regulate the industry. It is inherent in all American poker players to defend their rights against the special interests that created the bill and become Poker Patriots. We call on them to join the fight for the right to play at http://www.pokerpatriots.com. Thanks, Doug Savoy Poker Patriot The other major impact of the gambling bill, and the resulting exodus by some of the most responsible, licensed operators, is the effect on players - as the industry goes underground, it leaves us more unprotected than ever.

We have formed a coalition to fight the gambling ban - Poker Patriots. Poker Patriots will strive to create a community of players and advocates with a purpose - to reverse the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act and demand the US government license and regulate the industry.

It is inherent in all American poker players to defend their rights against the special interests that created the bill and become Poker Patriots. We call on them to join the fight for the right to play at http://www.pokerpatriots.com.

Thanks,

Doug Savoy
Poker Patriot

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