In a feature from our June issue, Senior Editor Jacob Sullum dissects the government's self-defeating war against online gambling.
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Comments to "New at Reason":
Naga Sadow | May 19, 2008, 12:07pm | #
As an employee of a brick and mortar casino, I wholeheartedly endorse gambling as a legitimate pasttime . . . if you go through my company that is, otherwise it should be illegal and you should be treated as a common criminal. j/kI bet if they just started them "short-term hedge funds" the whole problem would go away.
BakedPenguin | May 19, 2008, 12:32pm | #
I'm a little more fortunate than most, as I have friends in the UK who are willing to lend me their addresses so that I have a "UK" account. FOAD, Goodlatte.Eliot Spitzer's Ghost | May 19, 2008, 12:35pm | #
Beware BakedPenguin! I WAS a *@!#ing steamroller once. I may be again . . .Here's hoping that this will be a shiny thread in the coming "Democrats get everything they want" storm. The Clinton years were pretty good for gambling and porn, not so much for drugs and pop music lyrics.
Somebody, anybody, tell me again why the GOP is more "libertarian" than the Demorats. Please.
BakedPenguin | May 19, 2008, 12:58pm | #
If Obama pledged to legalize online gambling and (even just medical) marijuana, I'd vote for him in a heartbeat. I suspect he won't, so go LP stooge!Eliot - it would be great if Goodlatte was busted for gambling on college football or something.
J | May 19, 2008, 1:40pm | #
Barney Frank is the man. I disagree with him on so many economic issues, but time and time again he shows himself to be one of the most rational, honest politicians.I'm from his district, and while I wish he would lay off the socialist stuff, I still feel like he better represents me than 99% of congress would.
Paul | May 19, 2008, 2:24pm | #
Based on what I read in this article, it seems that the U.S. government is pretty successful at scaring the pants of anyone selling gambling or payment services. We can make fun of it all we want, but looks like some legit businessmen are looking at real prison time.Never underestimate a governments ability to regulate or ban something by sheer force of will.
Lajaw | May 19, 2008, 2:50pm | #
as soon as the welfare system is dismantled, and my tax money will not go towards idiots, I will support gambling of every sort. But until the welfare "safety net" is gone, I cannot support gambling because of the idiots that do so and lose their shirts that I must then support through the welfare system. But until everyone is solely responsible fore themselves in all matters financial and otherwise, it is best to make gambling illegal.shrike | May 19, 2008, 3:45pm | #
I will trade a 2% reduction in my marginal income tax rate for personal and civil liberties anytime.OK - I know that makes me a "socialist" - but goddamnit - I like my vices, freedom, and "sins" too much.
Lajaw wins the thread. You can't get any more insightful than that.
In fact, in the same spirit, since some people drive without car insurance and their accidents drive up my rates, let's ban driving until all those slackers are insured. It's the only fair way.
In fact, in the same spirit, since some people drive without car insurance and their accidents drive up my rates, let's ban driving until all those slackers are insured. It's the only fair way.
shrike | May 19, 2008, 3:57pm | #
Welfare, HUD, and the food stamp program are less than 2% of the federal budget.I want to see a "Libertarian" complain about the military taxes he pays sometime.
Granted - I don't support either - fuck welfare and fuck the military. They are both evil. One just costs a lot more than the other.
R C Dean | May 19, 2008, 4:00pm | #
I want to see a "Libertarian" complain about the military taxes he pays sometime.You're new here, aren't you, shrike?
Bramblyspam | May 19, 2008, 4:11pm | #
Lajaw: Why ban gambling for the vast majority that is able to gamble responsibly, just because a small minority gets in trouble?By the same logic, why shouldn't we reintroduce prohibition and ban alcohol?
Paul | May 19, 2008, 7:38pm | #
it is best to make gambling illegal.Cool.
What does this article have to do with making gambling illegal?
Paul | May 19, 2008, 7:42pm | #
I will trade a 2% reduction in my marginal income tax rate for personal and civil liberties anytime.You must mean an increase of your marginal tax rate?
Funny, 'cause what we got is an increase of our marginal tax rates in exchange for our civil liberties. They increased our taxes, we gave them our civil liberties.
shrike | May 19, 2008, 7:51pm | #
Yes, you interpreted my error correctly, Paul.I value what little freedom I have left and Big Government has no enemy in either major party,
Tommy_Grand | May 20, 2008, 12:22am | #
Good article Mr. Sullum.Joe Naborz | May 20, 2008, 12:54am | #
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Act was the last straw for me. I was a Republican for over forty years. The RP has lost my vote.rechoboam | May 20, 2008, 8:12am | #
"as soon as the welfare system is dismantled, and my tax money will not go towards idiots, I will support gambling of every sort. But until the welfare "safety net" is gone, I cannot support gambling because of the idiots that do so and lose their shirts that I must then support through the welfare system. But until everyone is solely responsible fore themselves in all matters financial and otherwise, it is best to make gambling illegal."Well if gambling is taxed (extortionately, in most cases) the resulting tax influx should pay for the welfare. I assume the nation makes a profit on nicotine overall, to take another example.
z | May 20, 2008, 9:50am | #
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Act was the last straw for me. I was a Republican for over forty years. The RP has lost my vote.It should be noted that 1. UIGA was passed a month before the 2006 elections. 2. There was a LOT of publicity about it in the online poker world. 3. Republicans were slaughtered.
OldBookGuy | May 20, 2008, 11:07am | #
GABLING IS NOT ILLEGAL!What, that’s right, this debate over Poker is one of semantics.
Do not believe me, awes.
Go to YAHOO, MSN, LYCOS or most any other home page and click GAMES.
Then click SKILL, you will find anywhere from 25-100 ‘skill’ games played for money at companies located IN the United States or owned by the same.
The games marketed on the SAME page as children’s games include card games such as Hearts, Spades, Solitaire, Free Cell, Rummy, Poker Solitaire and a host of others.
The same company that owns Fox News, the bastion of the conservatives, owns the largest via MSN and AOL - World Winner.
WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE?
No, gambling is NOT ILLEGAL.
PokerKeep | May 20, 2008, 12:01pm | #
This is one of the first articles in a main stream media publication to address this issue from an unbiased point of view. Kudos to Reason Magazine and Jacob Sullum for a job well done.U.S. regulation and taxation are going to happen probably within the next year or eighteen months. It's the only logical solution to this complete fiasco called UIGEA.
Support our right to gamble online. Join the Poker Players Alliance (http://pokerplayersalliance.org/) and support APCW (http://www.apcwinteractive.org/) in their efforts to legalize and protect the industry and it's players.
Skinski | May 20, 2008, 5:05pm | #
I agree, U.S. regulation and taxation will happen ! I pay my taxes , I've served my country , and will be a cold day in hell before my Government stops me from playing my cards in my own home.As PokerKeep said , "Support our right to gamble online. Join the Poker Players Alliance (http://pokerplayersalliance.org/) and support APCW (http://www.apcwinteractive.org/) in their efforts to legalize and protect the industry and it's players."
Nancy Sellers | May 20, 2008, 9:37pm | #
Cast your vote for online gambling: http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2008/edition_05-11-2008/Intelligence_ReportJP | May 21, 2008, 12:24am | #
Jacob, excellent job capturing the entirity of the issue. Probably the best reporting I have seen in my time following the post UIGEA media.Well done to you and the editors at Reason for publishing such a fine article.
Very, Very good article! It does a great job of explaining what a double standard the gov't has if it does not benefit them. Also on imposing the views of a few men in congress on the American public. (which elected them into office). It sounds to me like all hell is getting ready to break loose. Once again great article.
DG | May 23, 2008, 3:05am | #
This is the best article I have read on the UIGEA. Thank you Jacob.