How to fight the WA internet poker law

[FBGHooper]

Originally Posted by ChaosReigns

Washington poker players might want to get this guy's views.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0...n_1336752.html

I have sent letters via email (and on Facebook) to Inslee. He's ignored me. Online poker is probably an issue he wants nothing to do with.

[frogfanatic]

I talked to Rob McKenna, Republican gubernatorial candidate for Washington and he said he would look at online poker with an open mind. This was last July at a parade. We should write him a letter. Inslee won't win.

[bippitybop]

I sent the following letter about a week ago. I am posting it to hopefully encourage others to write and send one as well. Feel free to use mine or edit at will. but realize that certain parts may need edited to make it specific to who you are writing, so proofread it first.

(Insert politician's name here) -

As you are probably aware, during the 2006 session, S.B. 6613 passed.

Since then, Washington State residents who play poker online are Class C Felons. Other examples of Class C felonies include possessing child pornography, threatening the governor, or torturing an animal.

With little fundamental difference between placing an online poker bet, or going to xx and placing a wager on the same type of game, one is a felony and the other recreation.

It is offensive that residents in their homes with money made by their own energies, playing a game played for sport by Americans for over a century, are akin to pedophiles. As a member of the GOP, a party that stands for smaller and less intrusive government, I hope you agree limiting what a person can do in their own home in a way that disturbs none, with a penalty of up to five years jail time, is overbearing.

Senator Prentice, of a district including cities Renton and Tukwila that host many Native American casinos, introduced S.B. 6613. During Prentice’s 2008 campaign, the Tulalip Tribes of Washington were her second highest campaign contributor. (http://www.followthemoney.org/databa...phtml?c=107800)

The interest the Senator represents is clear. In representing it, she put good people who want to enjoy playing a game in the comfort of their home at risk of jail and difficulty in life with a felony on record.

The Senator was asked about the law by ESPN and her response was: "I just think some of these arguments are utter nonsense. You mean you're going to move so you can play poker? Gee, lots of luck in your life. I have nothing against card playing. That's fine. If you want to do that, but I'm sure not going to worry about someone … you know. Let them go pump gas." (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/poker...ary&id=5808565)

I cannot judge her character, but I find the statement condescending and dictating. The bill passing is suspect, when few, including you, voted against this miscarried sense of “justice.” From the ESPN article: "That bill passed after one quick committee hearing," said state Rep. Bruce Chandler, one of the five who voted against.

Prentice said that the law is to bring Washington State in line with federal law to ESPN, but her interpretation of the law is wrong. The Justice Department wrote in December, ““The Department’s Office of Legal Counsel (“OLC”) has analyzed the scope of the Wire Act, 18 U.S.c § 1084, and concluded that it is limited only to sports betting.” (http://www.justice.gov/olc/2011/stat...es-opinion.pdf)

If the bill is to protect citizens from themselves, it begs the question why tickets sell on Washington State’s lottery website, exempted by the bill. The lottery is something with less of a chance at success than all other forms of gambling. Poker is a game that is not played against the house and has no inherent disadvantage.

If I wished to be playing online right now, I could still be doing so no matter the law. But, I would need to go to offshore sites located in places such as Costa Rica, its owners often unknown, the business unregulated and insecure. (http://www.freakonomics.com/2007/10/...own-wide-open/)

With the Justice Department opinion, many states are considering legislation for intrastate gambling and poker pools like with the lottery, including NV (passed poker only), CA, DE, IL, NJ, DC, FL, HI, IA, MS, MA, CO, CT, KY, ME, NH, NY, OH, the goal to regulate and tax the activity to fill budget gaps caused by the economic downturn. It is my hope that in the current economic climate where many essential government services are being cut, the legislature is considering all opportunities to bring in more revenue.

As a politically active constituent in your district, I will be speaking to my friends and neighbors on this issue, watching and voting carefully and urging them to do the same.

Sincerely,

xx

[tamiller866]

Originally Posted by bippitybop

I sent the following letter about a week ago. I am posting it to hopefully encourage others to write and send one as well. Feel free to use mine or edit at will. but realize that certain parts may need edited to make it specific to who you are writing, so proofread it first.

If the bill is to protect citizens from themselves, it begs the question why tickets sell on Washington State’s lottery website, exempted by the bill. The lottery is something with less of a chance at success than all other forms of gambling. Poker is a game that is not played against the house and has no inherent disadvantage.

Selling lottery tickets on the internet is also prohibited under this law.

[bippitybop]

Originally Posted by TheEngineer

We've got an email out to him now.

I recommend keeping up with the daily action plan. IMO the best shot for WA is to give them something to opt into. Please also be sure to send the two letters at www.theppa.org/takeaction once every six weeks.

Thanks!

Heard anything TE? I sent him an email myself awhile back asking if any efforts were in place, ways to help out, what was going on/update, but haven't heard from him.

[RedEyedTroll]

Originally Posted by bippitybop

Heard anything TE? I sent him an email myself awhile back asking if any efforts were in place, ways to help out, what was going on/update, but haven't heard from him.

Likewise. I've given up on expecting anything from the PPA in regards to WA state. I understand resources are stretched thin; I just assume those resources are going elsewhere at the moment.

[TheEngineer]

Originally Posted by bippitybop

Heard anything TE? I sent him an email myself awhile back asking if any efforts were in place, ways to help out, what was going on/update, but haven't heard from him.

He replied to me a couple of days ago that he received the email, so I expect he'll be responding to other emails soon.

[TheEngineer]

Originally Posted by RedEyedTroll

Likewise. I've given up on expecting anything from the PPA in regards to WA state. I understand resources are stretched thin; I just assume those resources are going elsewhere at the moment.

The best chance for WA would be for them to have a federal plan into which to consider opting into. Until then, it's hard to imagine WA lawmakers doing much to amend the current law, especially with a governor who'd possibly veto it.

In total, PPA has spent a lot in WA state, including hiring lobbyists and holding rallies. I wish we had the resources to lobby the legislatures of all fifty states in a formal manner, but am grateful that we have citizen lobbyists across the country who tell their lawmakers that they want poker legislation.

[bippitybop]

I see opportunity in WA. Margarita Prentice, the woman with all the clout in Democratic party who was able to push the bill through without it really even being read is retiring. And if Inslee wins governor he is supporter of HR 2366. McKenna the gop nominee said he would keep an open mind. Good time for us to collectively write our reps. and sen.

[curtinsea]

We have the means, if we have the desire, to change the law in WA without the help or support of the Legislature and/or Governor . . .

Join us in our effort to change law through the Ballot Initiative process, where your vote will actually count regarding your interests!

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/57...poker-1230233/

http://www.facebook.com/WashingtonOnlinePokerInitiative

[curtinsea]

Originally Posted by curtinsea

We have the means, if we have the desire, to change the law in WA without the help or support of the Legislature and/or Governor . . .

Join us in our effort to change law through the Ballot Initiative process, where your vote will actually count regarding your interests!

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/57...poker-1230233/

http://www.facebook.com/WashingtonOnlinePokerInitiative

Been in discussions about an Initiative to the Legislature and we plan to go forward. Something closer to what Delaware did than Nevada, and by trying to bring the State Tribes into the mix as opposed to fighting them for control.

[KickRocksPlease]

So what's the next step in WA?

[KZMU]

Originally Posted by KickRocksPlease

So what's the next step in WA?

If you are referring to the post above yours I guess technically the answer would be for the sponsor to file a completed draft of the initiative with the Secretary of State for processing. Below is a excerpt out of the Initiative Handbook of this step.


Processing an Initiative or Referendum Measure
Immediately after filing an initiative with the Secretary of State the office of the Code Reviser is provided a copy. The Code Reviser must, within seven (7) working days, perform the following:
• Review the draft for technical errors and style;
• Advise the sponsor of any potential conflicts between the proposal and existing statutes; and
• Return the proposal to the sponsor with any recommended changes and the Certificate of Review. All changes made by the Code Reviser are advisory and are subject to approval by the sponsor.
The sponsor has 15 working days after the submittal of the initiative to the Code Reviser to file the final draft of the measure, accompanied by the Code Reviser’s Certificate of Review, with the Secretary of State.
At this point, the Secretary of State will assign a serial number to the proposal and forward the initiative measure to the office of the Attorney General for formulation of the ballot title and summary.


After this step is completed, then the overwhelming portion would begin. But if you are just talking about Washington's overall situation, you will probably get a different answer from anyone you talk to.

[KickRocksPlease]

Thanks KZMU. That was exactly what I was looking for. I do know the current situation (which I believe to be towards the bottom of the list of states for poker rights.)

[FBGHooper]

Glorious news....

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/bil...Bills/1824.pdf

State Rep Paul Harris (R-Vancouver) introduces iPoker decriminalization bill.

I just zipped off a letter to my local senator and reps.