In 2006, a small, seemingly insignificant, pro-tribal gaming law was attached to a piece of must-pass legislation in Washington State. What did this little bill include? It made playing online poker a felony - a felony commensurate with being a level C sex offender. Oh, you can still play poker...at a tribal casino or card room. You can still blow a week's salary on state lottery and keno tickets (encouraged by the state) or bet on horse races (even remotely).
The government decided to "protect" us from ourselves and in so doing threw a bone to the tribal casino monopoly within the state. As of January this year (2011), if I were on state assistance, I could empty my welfare debit card at a casino or strip-club ATM and spend the money on video slot machines, roulette tables and lap dances.
Makes sense, doesn't it? The sad part is, when canvased at a later time by various poker advocacy proponents, most state politicians who passed this into law admitted not even reading or researching this piece of attached legislation (which raises a whole separate concern -- how many other pieces of questionable legislation pass in this manner without ever being researched by our esteemed lawmakers?).
It shouldn't matter whether or not you support gambling in any form. At it's heart, this is a freedom issue, though admittedly not weighted with the life or death importance faced by those seeking basic civil liberties. However, it is another bucket of oil greasing the already slippery slope towards further government intrusion into our private lives. It's also flat-out hypocrisy as this bill is not driven by concern for Washington citizens -- this bill is about money, specifically tribal gaming funds and political contributions (see the Seattle PI for a report on a whopping $650K donation to Gregoire's 2008 campaign via tribal gaming sources).
FYI: For further reading on this issue and it's impact on people's lives, take a look at this truly interesting article via ESPN. As you read, step back from your personal views about poker (online or not) and pay attention to the political response.
Addendum 6/15/2011: A batch of new reforms were signed into WA State law following investigations into misuse of welfare funds - specifically their use at casino's and strip clubs. When and how will they be enforced? King 5 report on welfare reforms
No comments:
Post a Comment