I was talking with a friend of mine tonight. He ran unsuccessfully for the congress this year. I have been fuming all day about Full Tilt pulling out of Washington State. He was saying that an initiative would be the best way, for now, to get this silly law overturned. However, the law still needs to change on the national scene. I emailed some people, including Tim Eyman (King of the initiative), the PPA, and various other entities to see who would be willing to take on this issue. Who is willing to take on this issue with me? We would need over 250,000 signatures to get it on the ballot. However, if recent polling is any barometer, the people of this state by a large margin would vote to overturn this ridiculous law. We need to mobilize and let the politicians know that we won't let their votes get bought out anymore. It's one thing if poker was illegal all together in this state. However, it is legal to play in card rooms and casinos. Let's get this fight going and turn this draconian law on it's head.
Poker Players Alliance Forums » State - WA
Initiative for online poker
(8 posts)-
Posted 2 weeks ago #
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Hey Jay,
I live in Seattle, also upset to find out Full Tilt followed in the steps of Poker stars and banned WA state players. I'm politically active and would love to help with the initiative. I can help collect signatures etc etc. Feel free to email me @ coreyo@gmail.com
Posted 2 weeks ago # -
As both of you I am outraged that Wa state has banned our play, but even more then that they have seen fit to throw someone as myself who sits at home after a long day of work and likes to play(in freerolls for tickets to cash tourny's, never spending a dime), in the same class as a hardened criminal. A FELON??? Really for "stealin" a pot, watchin someone "drowning on the river"??? I find it really amusing in a state that can't balance their own budget, or afford to keep track of the sex offenders residing here, and that rely's soooo heavily on their own state sanctioned gambling system(wa state lottery) and from the Indian and every other casino in the state(we all know that the Indians do not own Hooters), that they didn't work harder to just tax us our the site some how. Instead, they have turned it into a FELONY. What's the old saying???, "if you can't beat them, criminalize them".
Posted 2 weeks ago # -
Any way I have some experience with trying to change laws, about 6 yrs ago after a accident with a uninsured motorist I co-sponsored a bill with my local Representative. I am willing to help in any way including getting signatures for a petition. I live up here by the Snoqualmie casino, and happen to know more than a few professional players, and lots of people that just play for fun at the casinos and almost all of them play online too. Anyways feel free to contact me acrazzzyc@gmail.com
Posted 2 weeks ago # -
I have sent out emails and letters to a few people and have talked with a couple of local politicians. The ball will hopefully start rolling soon. I'm waiting to hear back from my friend, an attorney, about remedies and who to talk to about writing the bill. From what I have heard, if the initiative is put on the ballot and wins, it cannot be changed for 2 years. So that would give us some time, especially if the vote is a landslide, to get a permanent bill passed through our state house. If our legislatures here see how badly their law gets voted down, we have a great opportunity to get a more positive law put in place. We could potentially be the state that can turn the national debate into legalizing online poker for everybody in America. Like I said, if it were illegal to play everywhere in the state, we wouldn't have a chance. However, the current law is so arbitrarily wrong with the scope and magnitude that the people, I feel, will overwhelmingly support overturning it. I'm still waiting to hear from some people, and if anyone can get a hold of Lee Rousso or know anyone that might be able to help, let's get going.
Posted 2 weeks ago # -
The Indian casinos don't pay any taxes on their revenues. We are the only state that doesn't collect any taxes from Indian casinos. They bought the governor and the legislatures in this state because they felt online poker is competition and was taking business from them. That is why it's a felony. So until we get this law overturned I will not play at any indian casino in this state. Not for a tournament or a cash game.
Posted 2 weeks ago # -
They dont pay taxes on their revenue, but they do buy and pay taxes on their alcohol(another area the state should butt out of!!!) And because they dont pay in taxes to the whole state you are right they have lots of money to lobby with and to use to back specific candidates when its suits their needs. In a state where they allowed votes from felons to elect the governor we should expect nothing less.
Posted 2 weeks ago # -
I have very similar feelings and believe I could help get some signatures. Feel free to email iwasakib@gmail.com
Posted 1 week ago #
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