wtf is this shiat i live in minnesota

IMO, this action violates the 1st amendment protection of free speech. These websites have free play. I have read many constitution attorneys who opine that the website blocking provisions of the UIGEA violate the 1st amendment.

However, this is why I fear state regulation of online gambling. State governments, like Kentucky, disregard individual rights more often than the federal government.

In general, this will action will never work. Most of the ISP's will ignore it anyway. Still it is the first attempt by a state or federal governmental entity to block websites. If really attempted, I expect lots of litigation.

My dark side wants me to post the following: "C'mon, getting a proxy IP address out of state is no big deal, and when the other states do the same thing, we just need to get out of country proxy IPs. It still far better than taking the chance that Federally legalized and regulated online poker will require me to pay my taxes and maybe increase the rake. Do nothing, everything is fine as it is."

This huge fight had to happen sooner or later, get involved: write letters, join the PPA, etc ....

Skallagrim

Definitely expect lots of litigation, just as in Kentucky. However, keep in mind that a judge in Kentucky even felt the state had a right to seize overseas, which obviously goes well beyond blocking. IMO this all shows that we poker players need to remain proactive in fighting for their rights.

Absolutely. This is the best Congress poker will get, so we'd all better secure our rights now.

Oh yes. People who want to keep the 'status quo' remind me of the same people who posted on this forum, and others, things like, "Party will NEVER leave the US market! They aren't crazy enough to give up all that money."

And they won't have to worry over phony issues like taxes and rake when they can't even access any poker sites on their computers.

DPS press release:

Online gambling is illegal in all U.S. states?????

it's sad that this will need to be fought. I am ashamed to live here (Tim Pawlenty lives right down the street, will wear him out about this).

UIGEA should have been a wake-up call. Unfortunately, one effect of our fighting back has been to keep access to U.S.-facing sites, perhaps lulling some into thinking that's the worse that can happen, when it was really just the beginning.

obv one of the reasons the Star Tribune is 150 million in debt. Nice fact checking!

I am so tired of hearing from the main stream media, especially newspapers and magazines that they are dying because of ebay, craigslist or google. You are dying because the information you have is often incorrect and of no use to people that are informed.

I just communicated with Pappas on this issue. PPA is on it.

I recommend everyone in Minn. contact Gov. Pawlenty and their state reps to express disapproval. Everyone should also write to their U.S. reps to express their support for our rights. The PPA letters are at http://capwiz.com/pokerplayersalliance/home/.

The bad thing for us is that the DoJ tells everyone that online poker is unlawful federally and in all 50 states. Kentucky made a similar claim in the domain name case, and no doubt the State of Minn. told the Star-Tribune the same thing.

anything I can do to help I will. I am assuming you guys need money for this type of stuff, maybe I can do a fund raiser or something.

Match Beanie's money kind of deal.

Is the PPA going to stand up for Minnesota poker players and litigate this ?

Telling players to write letters to Congress is fine, and a good way for DC lobbying to capitalize on this crisis, but is any direct action proposed to protect poker plauyers in Minnesota ?

As a substantive matter, is this 200 site list available for review ? Minnesota expects to expand it to "thousands of sites:

"Acknowledging the effort as an initial sample, Willems anticipates the program expanding to address thousands of sites, depending on compliance."

Is this action, based upon the Wire Act, open to challenge as to poker ? How about seeking a Declaratory judgment ?

Interestingly, the Minnesota stance seems to invite litigation, and a policy direction from DC:

“In Minnesota, and for Minnesotans, the primary issues are legality, state self-governance and accountability,” says Willems. “In broader context, the long-running debate on online gambling continues to raise significant issues, including absence of policy and regulation, individual rights, societal impact, "

Someone might explain to Minnesota that in the US, if there is NO law against something, you ARE free to do it. In the "absence of policy or regulation", you ARE free to do it.