Cross post from legislation forum.

Hey guys, I am doing an information speech over the UIGEA and would like some thoughts, sources, and any additional opinions/help that you all might provide. I think adding on to a lot of already started information to this thread would make it a very useful reference in the future as it seems that many students have questions pertaining to this.

"I am making this thread for 2 reasons. 1) is that I have been doing some research and a lot of sources or not clear as to what has happened and were we are at now in terms of online gambling. 2) I am writing an information speech for my college class and need some outside help. Maybe you guys can confirm some of the things I already have and can add on if you please.

Online gambling occurs in the late 1990s.

Safe Port Act -passed in 2006 because: The SAFE Port Act codified into law a number of programs to improve security of U.S. port

UIGEA is a specific premise in the Safe Port Act that prohibits the transfer of funds from a financial institution to an Internet gambling site.

OK question. I understand that this is obviously bad for us (poker players) but why did the gov pass this or decide to? Is it because they are afraid that they are going to lose money from the US economy? I really don't see a specific reason.

Immediately after the act was was passed, popular sites such as Party Poker pulled out. Why is it that a lot of sites pulled out and some other ones stayed in?

jan 2007- Antigua and US have World Trade Organization disputes

April 2007- In April 2007, U.S. Congressman Barney Frank introduced a bill to overturn the gambling aspects of the Act, saying "The existing legislation is an inappropriate interference on the personal freedom of Americans and this interference should be undone." Additionally the bill sets up the framework for taxing and regulating online gambling by individuals within the United States.

2007-IMEGA and PPA were established in 2007. ( I know IMEGA was but is this true for PPA?)

Illinois, Indiana, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, and Washington. have rules against online better and are therefore not legally allowed to participate in online poker.

Present June 2009- The Southern District of New York (SDNY) Action Against Online Poker Players was a legal action taken by the Department of Justice in an effort to crack down on online poker. The action occurred around June 8, 2009 when the government ordered four banks to freeze over $34 million dollars in payments owed to about 27,000 poker players.

Other notables-

The wire act of 1961.

I also need some legitamate sources for this speech (non Wikipedia type). Are there any titles to books that you guys have used. Obviously I am going to check the library, but would like a heads up? Thanks in advance,

-Reasons"

I did a paper last year on the same topic.

Here were a few of the sources that I used...

United States. GovTrack. H.R. 4954: SAFE Port Act http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h109-4954

http://www.pokerstars.com/poker/room/features/security/ (Talked about security of online poker)

"Poker Player :: Articles :: Could UIGEA Be Repealed in 2009?" http://www.pokerplayernewspaper.com/...le.php?id=3183

Brunker, Mike. “Online poker cheating blamed on employee” http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21381022/

Griffiths, Mark. “Gambling Technologies: Prospects for Problem Gambling.”

Griffiths, Mark. “Internet Gambling: Issues, Concerns, and Recommendations.”

And the report by PriceWaterHouseCoopers and their report of if UIGEA was repealed, $64 billion would be made through taxes for the government in 10 years.

Not sure how accurate this is, but I was under the impression that UIGEA was passed because conservatives thought online gambling was morally reprehensible. I'm not sure why they thought they have the right to decide this (instead of individuals deciding this), or why online gambling is under such scrutiny and casinos are fine...