A comparative list of those countries where poker players have greater freedom than in the US might highlight alternatives to a so-called "libertarian" regulatory proposals:

I'll start out with Israel, where a Court has struck down attempts to block IPs of off-shore gambling sites. http://www.gamingintelligence.com/le...-israeli-court

You can also add countries where the government does not tax poker winnings, like Canada.

There was a report on internet freedoms, and LOL America was 2nd. I laugh at how high that is, not that we weren't 1st.

http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,15021424_page_0,00.html

Wouldn't it just be a lot faster to list the countries that don't have more freedom for poker players? Much shorter list.

the point of listing positive alternative approaches to "Poker Rights" of players is to counter, by example, the desctructive spin put forth by "fronts" like the FPUSA.

According to the FPUSA model/principles, the US needs TOUGHER restrictions on players' access to games, not more freedom, better access, better games, fair games, or enjoyable games. That sort of approach leads to less freedom, not more.

The thread idea is to highlight countries where different models have emerged, more conducive to and protective of player choice and freedoms.

Sweden, Canada, the UK, many countries in Latin America (even Venezuela), and Israel all come to mind in one way or another. These jurisdicitions have licensing which is not exclusive of player choice to go offshore to play, or, they do not restrict play in any meaningful manner. (

How in the world would that be relevant to FPUSA? They pretty overtly dont give a **** about player freedom.

They are the "Mr. Bad Example" of where US lobbying efforts are directed. They are also someone whose support is welcomed by the PPA.

My thread was intended for poker players, to illustrate that there are regulatory and tax alternatives to creating new federal crimes and that the FPUSA, the "Must Get Stronger Tools" tools" are going largely unchallenged among players.

Its been viewed as a necessary evil for Federal Legislation, I dont think it has a lot of player support as a stand alone feature. That's more of a political decision than a functionality decision.

The Israeli example confuses me a little bit because I dont see a lot of IP blocking going on in the US (obviously other tools are being used).

Player choice and freedom arent really a driving factor in any legislation that I can see, either on the state or Federal level. The political support for a UK model or a Canadian tax scheme just arent there, we do the best we can with what is there.

I do agree that FPUSA isnt a player friendly org, thats been obvious from the get go.

Domain seizure is a tool here, with a similar aim to IP blocking ...

I agree with the poster who said it would be much easier to list the countries that have less freedom.

I was looking on Poker Stars just now. They will accept deposits from the following countries. These are just a few of the many listed.

Afghanistan, Antartica, Albania, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bosnia, Cambodia, Chad, China, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Vietnam.

I live in Ireland. Here you pay no taxes on gambling winnings whether it be poker/horse racing/lottery

Is misé Tompakee®

Tompakee, I decided to read more about Ireland to get an idea why they're so much more accepting towards gambling ect. There are obviously many more reasons than this, but for some reason I thought the differences in our preambles to our respective Constitution were notable lol:

American Preamble to Constitution:
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Ireland:
In the Name of the Most Holy Trinity, from Whom is all authority and to Whom, as our final end, all actions both of men and States must be referred,
We, the people of Éire,
Humbly acknowledging all our obligations to our Divine Lord, Jesus Christ, Who sustained our fathers through centuries of trial,
Gratefully remembering their heroic and unremitting struggle to regain the rightful independence of our Nation,
And seeking to promote the common good, with due observance of Prudence, Justice and Charity, so that the dignity and freedom of the individual may be assured, true social order attained, the unity of our country restored, and concord established with other nations,
Do hereby adopt, enact, and give to ourselves this Constitution.

Gambling winnings are tax free in the UK too.

Afghanistan
North Korea