US online poker freedoms in danger

[liladypokerpro]

I found this article a little while ago and thought it was interesting.

How do you feel about it?




US facing online poker rooms under direct attack?

According to Forbes.com, the apparent freedom some online poker rooms have enjoyed in catering for their US customer base may be in danger. According to the article, about $24 million have been seized from different US banks, money which the feds considered to have belonged to Bodog Poker, and to have been destined to honor cash-outs by US customers.
The first funds seizure occurred in January/February, and it targeted four different accounts, from Bank of America, Wachovia, Sun Trust Bank and Regions Bank. A second seizure of about $10 million happened in July, as the feds have supposedly made the connection between the funds mentioned and an undercover employee of Bodog’s. The January/February incident targeted money existent in the above mentioned four banks, in the names of two business entities: Transaction Solutions and JBL Services. Although the money had been suspected to belong to Bodog, no direct connection was established that time. The feds issued a civil suit and-according to the law – waited a predetermined amount of time for someone to step forth and claim the funds. Since nobody surfaced to claim ownership of the “hot” money, it was automatically forfeited to the feds.

Although Calvin Ayre, the former owner of all of Bodog’s operations is said to have relinquished all control over the business, the Forbes piece speculates that he might still be involved in the secret funding of the US customer accounts.

Obviously irked by the allegations, The Morris Mohawk Gaming Group, the entity which currently operates Bodog, released a statement in which they deny that any of the funds involved in the above named seizures ever belonged to Bodog. They also stated that they had absolutely no connection to JBL Services or to Zippeyaments.com (the company involved in the second, $10 million seizure) proof to which is the fact that the funds-flow to and from Bodog’s American customers hasn’t been disturbed in any shape or form. The statement assailed the media hype surrounding the events which it considered aimed at discrediting Bodog in the eyes of its US players. To wrap things up, Alwyn Morris, the CEO of the MMGG assured all US customers that their cash-out would be received on time as always and that their deposits will be processed normally too.

[sharkiller4u]

What the hell! Why are they trying to stop us? Is it because thier not getting their cut? I mean what is the problem? Am I missing the bigger picture?

[gamer4life27]

My oppinion:

I personally think that the courts are still trying to figure out what to do about so many American's gambling. This is created a problem in society, as many people are taking there houses, cars, and other assets, and selling them to gamble.

When people win large tournaments (Ex. WSOP Main Event), people see these winnings as a source of income, but the courts see them as a luxury win that they need to be a part of. They do not see how people can make a living off of gambling, or playing poker. So, in there eye's, they feel it right to be able to tax this 'luxury' money, when in fact, they are taking about %40 of our income.

I think they have this new rule now that if your winnings exceed a certain amount over a certain amount of time, you will be considered a 'profossinal poker player', and those tournament winnings would be counted as income for those select few. So they wouldn't take %40 from a pro's income because they now consider it like income to them.

But now, there are so many people online playing, kids, teens, adults, seniors, etc. that it's kind of getting a little out of hand. And America is the majorty of all these sites. So, the courts are trying to find a way to both tax online play for %40 of large tournament winnings, and reduce the amount of players stealing bank cards, selling assets just to play a $10 + $1 SnG 100 times and cash once. That, in turn makes them try to come up with a plan to reduce this.

I think that that is why they are trying to either limit our resources to play online, or cut American's off from online poker all together. They are trying to be like our mothers and fathers by telling us whats right for us and cutting us off from all online poker, so it's much easier to track the winnings and tax people accordingly. Because if I was a professional online poker player, and won the Main Event of the WSOP, they wouldn't know if I was a pro or not because I don't have a live record of my winnings.

[Vito_Nuccio]

Banning online poker is just another attempt at prohibition. It did not work with alcohol, it definitely is not working with drugs, and it never will with poker.

The US government is so mired into special interests and re-elections there is no real leadership for the people and what they want. People will do drugs and play poker, the feds can not stop it, it has been proven over and over again. Yet instead of taxation, the government gives us some feel good, look what we are doing for the common good trash talk that I have been hearing my entire life as they squander dollar after dollar. They are doing this for my own good, bull.

One of these days when the US is completely broke (half a trillion in the crapper now), maybe it will come to realize arresting small time drug users and poker players is not the right formula. Maybe it will happen before I die, but as each day passes my doubts increase.

Until then I am going to continue down my personal road to happiness...........................

See you at the tables.

Later,

[BUILDMO]

I hope people used their tax rebate (refund) from the feds to feed the poker gods.
And if you havn't already, do so!

You see, when the govt does this, it definetly makes our dollar worth less.

The Europeans and Canadians must be pissed!