I'd wager this "sting" is independent of any legislation that may or may not be currently being discussed.

Right, but I would imagine it wouldn't take Nostradamus to assume that something roughly similar was reasonably likely and to prepare accordingly

Right. All I'm saying is that it may be a mistake to think this is part of some grand strategy on the part of harrahs/mgm/etc.

There is not a coordinated plan. However, anyone who makes a living in the casino business knew this was coming and knows what is coming next. Yeah, I don't KNOW what their exact plans are, this is just my opinion. However, in 2006, my first inclination was that what happened Friday was going to happen at some point (I figured it would have happened a few years ago already, but it didn't).

You think Wynn and other casinos that were partnering up with online sites knew they could just back out within hours of the raid? I doubt it, given how many lawyers would have to be involved. It figures they have been planning for this contingency all along and knew their contract would allow them to back out once it happened.

If anyone wins in this going forward, I would bet my money on the gov't and on LV/AC casinos (who will jump in with their own sites once everything is in place).

In the long run, this will be the best thing for the online community as you will have protection and recourse against the house (AP/UB anyone?) and there will be increased access to online poker. Also fish will be more confident that it is legit: 1) that it is legal; 2) that because it is regulated that they are not getting cheated.

these are not things I said.

I think the 4 of us are in complete agreement, just using different words.

Oski,

Agree. Just not as sure as you are that regulation is certain.

Okay. I admit, my opinion on regulation is heavily influenced by what I want. Of course, it stands to reason that the gov't would have to be foolish to dismantle a proven commodity that would result in a lot of money for them and American businesses (if you accept my argument that should there be regulation, LV/AC casino companies will quickly fill the void).

Of course, it also stands to reason that a ****ed up government will continue to be ****ed up and not see the big picture.

One thing that also makes me believe regulation is coming is that Dick**** paid 200 million to settle his claim. The only way I think that happens is if he got some information or assurances that online poker will be legalized in the US at some (no so distant) future point.

Anyhow, I just wanted to post some hopeful words for our online poker pro bretheren. I sincerely hope this is just a temporary bump and that they can get up and running in the near future. To take a stance that "oh, well you deal in an illegal activity and you get what you deserve, etc." reflects a pollyanna attitude towards this venture that I do not embrace.

This is not like drugs (even though I believe they should be legalized) where you can't buy them online (legally) or at a B&M (setting aside medical P.O.T. laws, etc.). This is where the activity is clearly allowed in a number of venues and is not considered illegal for any other reason other than a group of people don't seem to like the fact someone else put their hand in the cookie jar first.

Eh, I think Dik**** did that because he still had 10 figures and wanted to make sure he had no chance of going to jail. But we're on the same team. I just don't see regulation coming on the federal level any time soon given the predominance of jesus freak idiots in the house.

Well, I also want to state that I am outraged at how this went down. This is a pure angle shoot where the gov't set up a freeroll for themselves.

For years they turned their back on this industry as pioneers had to grow it without their help or intervention. We all had to enter this venture on trust and so many times that trust was not enough as we got taken advantage of. There was no recourse against shady operators, middlemen, (rogue 2+2 mods that gambled stake money), etc. I doubt the AP/UB scams would have gotten very far if there was gov't regulation.

Anyhow, they sat back and let the pie grow (and they must have known what was going on all the time ... really, when are all the shipments of gizmos being purchased in Malta coming to port?) and then are swooping in to get it.

I thought cardiotard was a solid user. He should post more

Glad to have you back and active Vic. I'm looking forward to seeing you contribute

its good to be back jetto. wish i coulda joined in the nba posting today. lots of passion. was nice to read at least.

You mean like jumping into the middle of a pissing contest making false accusations about gimmick accounts, then melting into the wall when it turns out you were wrong?

i thought mistaking you for not lo lo was a pretty sick burn. good one pudge.

I was wrong. It doesn't change the fact that at the time I would've bet a lot it was you. No need to get butthurt over random speculation on the internet

Phildo are you trying to be the nerdy kid that picks on the other nerdy kid in the room in attempt to win favor with the cool crowd?

Not butthurt at all. Just pointing out that you made the false accusation, then chose not to acknowledge it when given a couple of chances to do so. Which I think is relevant seeing how quick you are to bring down the judgment hammer on others like Needle or me.

yeah i'm real concerned about my popularity, suzzer. please see my posts itt over the last couple days for proof.

Gotta turn the corner sometime...

No way. There's no one who could even make that promise, even if someone were inclined to (and why on earth would someone in the US make promises to random "criminal" who is an online site principal). Even as of this second no one has any clue when online poker will pass in the US. I assume it's an inevitable thing, but it could take a year (best case is end of this year) and it could take many years. Gambling is way too sensitive a topic with the general public for anyone to know how something like this would go.

Edit: Regardless, dicksh.it has zero ties to Partygaming now anyways.

That name just never ever ever stops being funny.

Fair enough. I didn't really keep up on that aspect of the story. So, I guess as SE would say: Dick**** gonna Dick****.

Dik**** isn't even censored, there's an exception built into the profanity filter for him.