[elon05]

This is absolutely ridiculous. I don't see how Congress can think they can do this. I mean what is the problem with people gambling online. I really hope Bush does not approve this or I will be pissed.

LONDON (Reuters) - Online gambling firms faced their biggest-ever crisis on Monday after U.S. Congress passed legislation to end Internet gaming there, threatening jobs and wiping 3.5 billion pounds ($6.5 billion) off company values.

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Britain's PartyGaming Plc, operator of leading Internet poker site PartyPoker.com, and rivals Sportingbet and 888 Plc said they would likely pull out of the United States, their biggest source of revenue.

"This development is a significant setback for our company, our shareholders, our players and our industry," PartyGaming Chief Executive Mitch Garber said.

The House of Representatives and Senate unexpectedly approved a bill early on Saturday that would make it illegal for banks and credit-card companies to make payments to online gambling sites.

The measure was sent to President George W. Bush to sign into law, which most analysts see as a certainty.

[123Law]

Here is a site with a great pic of Bill Frist... Sports Betting at Eye On Gambling - Discuss Online Sportsbooks; Handicapping; and Free Picks

[BBP Guru]

I personally don't think this is going to force many US residents to quit online gambling. Those who want to play will always find their way around.

[Southern Yankee]

This absolutely crazy. Are we living in the land of the Free or the land of Dictatorship? A person works hard all their life with (little pay for most) and should be allowed to spend it as they please.

Our homes are our sanctuary, and the govenment has no right to invade it.

It is funny that the government can't find time to resolve Iraq, but they can find time to take more of our freedoms away.

Do I have to watch out for the knock on the door by the Poker Police?.

[123Law]

Do I have to watch out for the knock on the door by the Poker Police?.

The bill says nothing about criminalizing the act of playing poker. It only prohibits banks from putting your money in an offshore account. We are talking about a 12 billion dollar a year industry,,, those banks will figure out a way to get the money into their coffers. Besides, how are they going to be able to restrict deposits into 3rd parties like NETeller, who dont do JUST gaming sites, but also handle financial transactions for other online merchants?

The problem I have is that it was done in such a sneaky manner. Attaching it to a bill, in the last hour, that was for port defense? Doesnt pass the smell test.

Its not criminal to play poker, just not legal for your bank to directly deposit money into certain accounts. How they are going to legislate what accounts, who is legit, and who is not,,,, thats what I am going to be curious to see.

[elon05]

Yes it is only illegal for banks to transfer money but as the article said Party poker is thinking about pulling out of America and not allowing Americans to play on their site. If they were to do this I'm sure other sites would follow.

[123Law]

I would hope that they wouldn't. I read somewhere that 3/4 of all their revenue comes from US based players. I cant imagine they would not be able to find away around this little piece of legislation. Too much money at stake, and too many people who like their poker.

Like Ssmooth from last night's tourny, their bluffing.

So, its ok for me to place a bet online for my favorite horse, but I cant place a bet online for my favorite full house? odd.

[elon05]

the legislation includes sport betting sites.

[ad1129]

PP has alrdy said they are pulling out. I withdrew 2500 from my PP account and i'm done with the site. I'm looking to move over to FTP, but i'm not sure what i'm going to do yet. I'm really worried i won't get my rakeback from my PP affiliate around 400 dollars, and the fact that the games are a lot less fishy on FTP and might become a lot fishy since the legislation looks it is going to make it harder for fish to deposit. As of right now i have 500 good to go in neteller with HOPEFULLY 400 more coming, which i will use to fund my FTP account most likely. Going to take a few days off poker for now but i'm just so pist about this WOW. I was going to move up to NL100, but now i'm just so pist WoWoWoWOWOWOW. I was fiinally starting to make some money in poker(40$/hr) and now this TOTAL BS happens, EVERYONE VOTE STRAIGHT DEMO, REPUBLICANS ARE THE DEVIL.

edit: you are still allowed to do horse betting, and state lotto tickets. I may also make a return to titan but their software is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BAD.

[AGreen]

It would sure be a blow to lose online poker, but think on the bright side. The live games are going to be so much bigger and better.