PokerStars pulls out of US state of Washington

[Betfair]

Pokerstars is no longer accepting cash from players in the state of Washington following last week’s Supreme Court verdict to uphold its decision to prohibit online gambling, the first move it has made to withdraw from activities in the US since UIGEA was enforced four years ago.
PokerStars has always maintained that it operates within the law and that its activities in the US are legal since no state or federal law has specifically banned its offering.

In an email message sent to residents of the state of Washington and seen by Poker News Daily, PokerStars said: “To date, PokerStars has operated in Washington on the basis of legal opinions where the central advice was that the state could not constitutionally regulate Internet poker, or at least could not discriminate in favor of local card rooms and against online sites. Last week, however, the Washington Supreme Court for the first time rejected that position and upheld the state’s Internet gaming prohibition.”

“In light of this decision, following extensive consultation with our legal advisors, we believe that the right course of action is to now block real money play by Washington residents on the PokerStars.com site.
“In all of the jurisdictions where we operate, we are committed to making responsible decisions that are based on a full and considered understanding of the most up-to-date legal advice,” the email added.

In 2006 the Washington state legislature passed a bill that outlawed online gaming and poker. The statute raised the punishment for violation from a misdemeanor to a Class C felony putting playing poker online on the same level as child molestation and made it punishable by up to a year in jail. The new law also put strict regulations against advertising for online gaming.

Poker News Daily reported the decision by PokerStars had drawn extensive commentary through the message boards at the TwoPlusTwo and PocketFives.com forums. Many are wondering whether the second largest internet poker room, Full Tilt Poker, will follow suit, and others wonder if it will lead to a domino effect of other states passing similar legislation.

Betfair

[Chicago RED]

Wow just not good news at all. Makes you really wonder which way the industry is going. What if all states follow next who goes and who stays. This is some bullshit.

[Chicago RED]

They say America land of the free, not at all. If they could Monitor and tax what everyone does and buys they would. Do you know that most online U.S. based horse racing sites will take more money in a week then most of shore online sites would take in a month. Makes you really wonder who is looking out for who.

I remember watching one of the Senate hearings on that first online law passed, "click a mouse and lose your house" one senate member said. lol I hope they were talking about the U.S. stock market or The U.S. government backed horse racing sites, because if not he was on crack.

U.S. has to get with the program and regulate like Europe did with these online sites. not try to ban and charge.

[Chicago RED]

In 2006 the Washington state legislature passed a bill that outlawed online gaming and poker. The statute raised the punishment for violation from a misdemeanor to a Class C felony putting playing poker online on the same level as child molestation and made it punishable by up to a year in jail.

That above shows they are insane, they should use the laws to stop kids from getting molested, not for playing a $25 card game.

Ok venting done lol

[cuse_man]

Originally Posted by Chicago RED

They say America land of the free, not at all. If they could Monitor and tax what everyone does and buys they would. Do you know that most online U.S. based horse racing sites will take more money in a week then most of shore online sites would take in a month. Makes you really wonder who is looking out for who.

I remember watching one of the Senate hearings on that first online law passed, "click a mouse and lose your house" one senate member said. lol I hope they were talking about the U.S. stock market or The U.S. government backed horse racing sites, because if not he was on crack.

U.S. has to get with the program and regulate like Europe did with these online sites. not try to ban and charge.

spot on bro... u forgot the worst one of all though... lotto tickets !!

[cuse_man]

Also funny quite a few gung-ho republicans on this site while their "heros" are the ones leading this fight !!! amazing!

[QuadzillaXXX]

Originally Posted by cuse_man

Also funny quite a few gung-ho republicans on this site while their "heros" are the ones leading this fight !!! amazing!

oddly enough i actually vote based on more than just what my heroes think about poker

time to hurry up and load up your poker accts while you still can lol

[upinya83]

obviously pokerstars is sick of getting beat by pasco

[cuse_man]

Originally Posted by QuadzillaXXX

oddly enough i actually vote based on more than just what my heroes think about poker

time to hurry up and load up your poker accts while you still can lol

what about that big gov-ment

[QuadzillaXXX]

i'm sure your the voice the dems here want to represent them lol

anyway, back on topic......so if this started to take effect would it just be like betting with a sportsbook and just more difficult to deposit?

[cuse_man]

lol anyone not with us.. against us..

another big problem of ours

[JR7302001]

Originally Posted by cuse_man

Also funny quite a few gung-ho republicans on this site while their "heros" are the ones leading this fight !!! amazing!

No need to worry Cuse, the Democrats will repeal the law and tax you 100% of your winning so some 30 year old grown man can stay at home to watch repeats of Sportscenter, lol!

I mean lets not get too worried, who lives in Washington anyways. Be ready when it happens to one of the big states like Cali, Tex or NY.

[Victor]

Originally Posted by JR7302001

No need to worry Cuse, the Democrats will repeal the law and tax you 100% of your winning so some 30 year old grown man can stay at home to watch repeats of Sportscenter, lol!

I mean lets not get too worried, who lives in Washington anyways. Be ready when it happens to one of the big states like Cali, Tex or NY.

Washington is the 13th largest populated state. lol

[SI5]

Washington has always been a controversial State with poker... No surprise here

[cuse_man]

Originally Posted by JR7302001

No need to worry Cuse, the Democrats will repeal the law and tax you 100% of your winning so some 30 year old grown man can stay at home to watch repeats of Sportscenter, lol!

I mean lets not get too worried, who lives in Washington anyways. Be ready when it happens to one of the big states like Cali, Tex or NY.

I have no problem with tax dollars used to benefit our country, and would love for the government to tax gambling. Of course I don't approve of the people that scam the system.. so we need to focus on fixing the loopholes. Just like we can focus on fixing the loopholes in the SEC that help CEOs/stock promoters scam the middle class out of their retirement. By the way I am registered independent, and have plenty of beef with democrats... Que the famous line in 3...2..1...