Is this directed at my post?

I'm certainly not panicking by considering a move to a poker friendly country--nor is it "useless" to consider. Even if these new regs don't change anything, it would be very nice to be able to play on non-American sites and to be able to use neteller again. I have other motivations behind this consideration as well but I don't think someone would need any more reason than being better able to game select and ease of transferring money. Those two benefits of moving to a poker friendly country alone could be enough incentive for the move to make sense to the right type of person.

Moving to another country is an individual solution to a collective problem - the conservative, paternalistic and religious right wings increasing success in turning what was once the "country of the free" into their own private back-yard congregation (and cash-cow, as the current adminstrations main interest in the "common" american seems to be in the role of contributor to the increasing wealth of the richest and most powerful 1% of the population).

I moved to the US almost 10 years ago when Clinton was still defending his right to enjoy life in the "oral office" without the Republican Party's interference. I moved from a liberal Scandinavian country, because I loved the flamboyant insisting on personal freedom and right of free speach and expression, that overflowed on the streets of New York.

I have seen first Guiliani close down the once sprawling poker clubs and transform the once un-inhibited strip, sex and club/drug scene of New York into a family censored entertainment supermarket run by Disney and MGM corporations, and later Bush and his gang successfully subdue my rights to play my game of choice on the internet.

But I'm not throwing the towel in the ring and moving back to liberal EU, because I believe the fundamental qualities of the North American population - a love for freedom, free speach and free expression - will prevail, as long as everybody are willing to work together and confront the aholes and stand their ground.

And seriously, if the driving motivation for moving to another country is to be able to play poker online without the interference of the US Government, the same can be accomplished with a minimum of enginuity and imagination from home - set up a VPN, a post box mail address and a remote server in Canada, EU or South America or where have you and you can play to your hearts desire - without the tremendous hazzle and costs of moving to another country.

Wow, that was deep. Nh. Btw NYC needed cleaning up, I think Gulliani did a good job with that, but taking away gambling is going over the top.

Great article, thanks for the link!

There is also tax benefits for doing so. There is an $85,000 tax exemption you can claim if you reside in another country for 330 calendar days (I haven't researched this comprehensively, so these details may be a bit off--I know they periodically increase the exemption because of inflation, ect). Depending on the country you choose, like one that does not tax gambling winnings, this can save you 20K+ per year.

I'm just saying that you are wrong to categorize talk of moving abroad for poker reasons as useless panic. It is neither useless nor is it panic. I don't know how much money you make per year playing poker but for someone who is making several hundred thousand per year, the legislative ROR doesn't need to be very high at all to warrant serious contingency planning. To not do so would be very irresponsible. Most of us don't fall into this category but could benefit from evaluating all options nonetheless.

That was a great link!

I know some Dutch players went to Dublin (Ireland) and they really like living there. No taxes, but living is more expensive compared to Holland.
The_cleaner11 and pandachan are two of those guys, they both play 1KNL and 2KNL.

what i posted:

I believe this is a matter of personal liberty. If I wish to play poker, chess, checkers or connect four as a form of entertainment, why should the government care?

I can go to a movie or play golf or any other thing which takes a few hours of my life and where I definitely lose money for gained enjoyment.

The only difference with poker is I MAY get that money back if I am skillful. Not so with a day at the ballpark.