Washington Votes Forum

those of you planning to play fantasy football in washington state better think again. Its a class c felony. You can play the state lottery though with impunity.

Fantasy football is only a felony if you pay money to play and could win money; and if you do it over the internet. If you don't pay money, or don't have a chance to win money, or if you don't do it over the internet, you are not a felon. Same is true of fantasy baseball and all other rotisserie type games. Makes perfect sense, doesn't it. :-)

The House passed Internet Gambling Prohibition and Enforcement Act differs from Washington State's law in several ways, but specifically, TWO. ONE, the players are NOT criminalized. TWO, fantasy sports gaming, not gambling, is specifically carved out. There are other differences. Your legislators were too lazy to put together a rationale law and too compromised by their dealings with the tribes and the state's lottery dependence to balance citizen's privacy and net rights with reason.

I can't believe our legislators: A) Believe that they can restrict citizen's Internet usage. B) Think that doing so is a good idea. What is going on here? What is Senator Prentice and the majority of our legislators thinking???

How ironic that Luke "The Truth" Esser voted in favor of this bill in light of the fact that for years he was a columnist for Fantasy Football Index magazine.

I will definitely NOT vote for any rep. or senator that voted this bill in. I am a tournament poker player and I practice on-line. This is PROHIBITION. Stop the other tournaments too. No more golf,chess,backgammon Tournaments either. Big Brother trying to tell me what I should do and what I should Like To Do. POKER makes ME HAPPY.

you law makers are OUT OF TOUCH. People like to play poker and they like to gamble. If you can't collect money you do not allow it (your outdated philosophy). I'll bet you enjoy your golf Tournaments. Well I play in POKER tournaments and it is my right to do what I ENJOY. I don't think you have any business telling people what they should like and what they can do in their spare time. Stay out of our business and mind your own. If you don't want to go on-line, then don't. Why don't you start passing some laws that matter like getting SEX OFFENDERS away from our children.

I will definitely enter the class action lawsuit with pleasure

I'm sure YOU do something that harms ME. You hypocrit. Why don't you get your nose out of other peoples business. If you don't like the internet stay off of it you nosy busybody.

We the citizens of Washington State demand that the internet gambling law be rescinded. The legislators have made a very bad judgment call and criminalized thousands of innocent tax paying citizens for no reason. We demand immediate action on this.

Join the Poker Player's Alliance to help fight the national legislation which has made it's way to the Senate and waiting for a vote by more ignorant law makers. If this passes it will be PROHIBITION all over again. They better build plenty of prisons to house all of us felonous poker players.

Yes, Matt horse racing is also considered a "FELONY" as well!! Even though you may obtain n account with "TVG", it is "illegal" to use your account while residing in the State of Washington!! Makes no sense whatsoever. They say they did allow horse racing online in your state of Washington, but it also say's that you may not wager on horse racing while living in the state of Washington!! As we say, makes no sense at all. If you play $2 bucks to win on any horse you are breaking the law just as you would be doing say playing an online casino game there in Washington State. You MUST contact your State reps to let them understand how STUPID this new law is...!!! Chris Bellimngs

They should find more "ideal" thinsg to do with their time then this crazy law!! I have been gambling for over 25 years and have made a living from it for the past ten as a "Professional" in sports wagering. One thing about this law is that they claim that they are trying to "protect" kids from getting to online gambling, but they should be "protecting" all kids from "molesters" and things such as that!! A "Felony" to place a wager on an "off-shore" book is STUPID!! We should be able to "Police" ourselves with what we WANT TO DO WITH OUR CASH, NOT THE STATE OF WASHINGTON!! I know one person whom is very happy and that is a guy I know who is a "local bookie". He has been raking in the cash as now all of these "bookies" are getting all of the "action" once again. Now you tell me, what is safer? Having the abaility to wager online where you MUST HAVE THE FUNDS IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO PLACE ANY WAGER, or RUNNING UP A TAB WITH A LOCAL BOOKIE THAT IF YOU DO NOT PAY BREAKS BOTH YOUR LEGS???...

I wish they had spent more time consulting the people before passing this law. I'm just not sure it makes sense. The bill didn't get much, if any, media attention during session.

That's a good point--I wonder if lawmakers really spent time thinking about the long-term consequences of the bill. Only now, after Session, do we hear about it.

Hello, I have a question that I need an answer to. I see a comment at the bottom that claims this bill also has to do with horse racing as well. Is this true? They passed a law earlier in the year that was ok to wager on horse racing thrugh the use of a "TVG" account. But now this new bill claims that no sport may be bet on, along with no money going into your account over the phone lines, internet, etc. I am confused!! One bill states that is was ok to wager on the ponies, while this new law states that no sports wagering may be done online. Please let me know what is right? Thanks, John Beekley

SO whats the deal? Its illegal to own and operate a Casino Affilate site in the U.S.? I just started one 3 weeks ago and now I after all I have been reading I..well I just need some answers..I thought it went by state

Hey is it illegal to have an affiliate casino portal site or not?

I need to know if running an internet casino and sports book links portal is ilegal in the states...I am confused..I just started one up and need to know if I should take the site down or not

Facts - Washington State Gambling Commission [by Rick Day, Director, Wash. State Gambling Comm. about 2006 Senate Bill 6613 (Banning internet gambling)] So much has been written about the recent Internet gambling bill, I wanted to respond with some of the facts. Hopefully, these facts will help when you hear people talking about Internet gambling. • Internet gambling currently is, and always has been, illegal under Washington law. Online gambling is also illegal under federal law. • In response to the growth of illegal Internet gambling activities, the Legislature unmistakably clarified and strengthened Washington’s existing statutory prohibition against Internet gambling. The specific term “Internet” was added to the law and one of the possible penalties for its violation was increased, providing law enforcement with additional tools to pursue those profiting from or supporting illegal Internet gambling. • Washington’s gambling statutes now provide a range of gross misdemeanor and felony penalties for Internet gambling violations, depending on the factual circumstances. The actual punishment for any felony conviction is controlled by the State’s sentencing guidelines. The standard range sentence that a court is authorized to impose on a “first offender,” absent aggravating circumstances is 0 – 90 days in jail for a violation of the recently amended statute. • Talking about Internet gambling is not illegal. Although, radio, television and newspapers that publish “gambling information” (RCW 9.46.0245) are exempt from the new law, advertising for Internet gambling is generally illegal. In most instances, advertising would be a gross misdemeanor under the professional gambling statute (RCW 9.46.222). • This legislation has also had the added benefit of increasing public awareness and our citizens are becoming better informed about the dangers and illegality of Internet gambling. • Gambling on the Internet is risky. Those who gamble on the Internet have no idea who is operating the game, if the game is run honestly, if winnings will be paid, or if the money will be used to further criminal activity. Internet gambling also creates an uncontrolled opportunity for addicts and children to gamble. • As for players, gambling on the Internet, whether playing poker, slots, horse racing or another gambling game, runs a risk of a felony conviction. However, there is not going to be an active campaign against regular players. If players’ names appear in an operator’s seized records, the Gambling Commission would likely send the player a warning letter, notifying them that betting online is a felony. If a player’s name reappears again, charges may be filed. • Washington is part of a multi-state and federal task force that is pursuing education and awareness, as well as coordinated enforcement activities, in order to combat illegal Internet gambling. • The Washington State Gambling Commission was created to keep the criminal element out of gambling and to protect the public. The recently enacted legislation supports the Commission’s efforts at fulfilling that responsibility. Rick Day, Director Washington State Gambling Commission

Bullet comments from Rick Day, Washington State Gambling Commission. Responses from Philip Hage, NetRightsAdvocates • Internet gambling currently is, and always has been, illegal under Washington law. Online gambling is also illegal under federal law. Czar Day ignores the fact that online gambling is NOT illegal for the gambler under either the Wire Act of 1961 or the recently U.S. House passed H.R. 4411. Only the operators can be prosecuted under federal law... Under Washington law the citizen gambler is a felon. Czar Day that is a difference! • In response to the growth of illegal Internet gambling activities, the Legislature unmistakably clarified and strengthened Washington’s existing statutory prohibition against Internet gambling. The specific term “Internet” was added to the law and one of the possible penalties for its violation was increased, providing law enforcement with additional tools to pursue those profiting from or supporting illegal Internet gambling. Okay. • Washington’s gambling statutes now provide a range of gross misdemeanor and felony penalties for Internet gambling violations, depending on the factual circumstances. The actual punishment for any felony conviction is controlled by the State’s sentencing guidelines. The standard range sentence that a court is authorized to impose on a “first offender,” absent aggravating circumstances is 0 – 90 days in jail for a violation of the recently amended statute. Czar Day ignores the fact that your life as you know it, is OVER after you have been convicted. They legislature raised the penalty to a felony from a misdemeanor for a reason. They could have left the penalty alone when they amended the coverage to Internet gambling. • Talking about Internet gambling is not illegal. Although, radio, television and newspapers that publish “gambling information” (RCW 9.46.0245) are exempt from the new law, advertising for Internet gambling is generally illegal. In most instances, advertising would be a gross misdemeanor under the professional gambling statute (RCW 9.46.222). Czar Day hates the Bill of Rights: “Talking about Internet gambling is not illegal.” I bet (whoops) he cringes when he says that. Read the ads in All-In Magazine on sale at any Washington book store or magazine store. How are those ads which cite the overseas websites’ URLs any different from Internet sites which provide the same information? University of Washington law Professor Stewart Jay (see Seattle Post-Intelligencer, “New state online gambling law raises doubts,” 26 June 2006): “when you discriminate between forms of speech and providers, the government has to provide a compelling reason.” • This legislation has also had the added benefit of increasing public awareness and our citizens are becoming better informed about the dangers and illegality of Internet gambling. The ads for the state lottery, card rooms, and tribal casinos cause significantly more damage. • Gambling on the Internet is risky. Those who gamble on the Internet have no idea who is operating the game, if the game is run honestly, if winnings will be paid, or if the money will be used to further criminal activity. Internet gambling also creates an uncontrolled opportunity for addicts and children to gamble. Czar Day is spouting total nonsense. Blogs report on problems and rank the sites. Try getting satisfaction from a brick-and-mortar problem from a tribal gambling commission. Hold onto your manes. • As for players, gambling on the Internet, whether playing poker, slots, horse racing or another gambling game, runs a risk of a felony conviction. However, there is not going to be an active campaign against regular players. If players’ names appear in an operator’s seized records, the Gambling Commission would likely send the player a warning letter, notifying them that betting online is a felony. If a player’s name reappears again, charges may be filed. The lesson here is never gamble on the Internet at a U.S. site. It is illegal and the site’s records can be confiscated. Thomas Jefferson: “When the people fear the government there is tyranny.” That about sums up my reaction to Day’s explanation. There is tyranny in Washington State. Don’t gamble on PartyPoker in your kitchen with your tax-paid entertainment dollars, while your kids watch TV in the next room. Instead, hire a babysitter, drive 30 miles to a tribal casino and plan waiting 30 minutes for a table that matches your table limit preferences, sit down with a bunch of sharks that are just waiting for you, then drive home 30 miles, pay the babysitter and kiss your sleeping kids. • Washington is part of a multi-state and federal task force that is pursuing education and awareness, as well as coordinated enforcement activities, in order to combat illegal Internet gambling. Okay, and good luck. The law is totally unenforceable. Laws that won’t be enforced, can’t be enforced, and shouldn’t be enforced should result in one thing: voting out the lawmakers and their enforcement stooges. • The Washington State Gambling Commission was created to keep the criminal element out of gambling and to protect the public. The recently enacted legislation supports the Commission’s efforts at fulfilling that responsibility. It tyrannizes the citizens of the State of Washington. Thomas Jefferson: “When the people fear the government there is tyranny.” Bullet comments from: Rick Day, Director Washington State Gambling Commission responses from: Philip Hage NetRightsAdvocates

I have been reading the notice from Mr. Day and also the question from a jbeekley about "horse racing". Yes he does state that wagering on horse racing i.e., emerald downs, etc. is cleary "illegal" and you are "felon" if you play horses either online or over the net. This is after the our state of Washington "PASSED" a law that made it OK to wager on horse racing over "land-line" phone, internet and so on. So how can Washington have it "BOTH WAYS"? They have one law that say's yes you may play horse racing, and then Mr. Day say's no you may not! Someone please get some sense out of this STUPID LAW!!!!

I just found out about this - I can't believe it! We can play poker in casinos - but if we play poker online we are felons?!?!?!?!?!?!? This makes absolutely no sense!!! What kind of legislature do we have?????????

This is a perfect example of the collusion between a democratically controlled senate and the biased news media. I’d say this was definitely a news media event; but where was the news?? I don’t spend as much time as I’d like contacting my friends and informing them of the wool that is being pulled over their eyes but I am trying. It disgusts me that so many of us wander day to day ignorant to what is going on. IT MUST STOP!!!! E-mail your friends, create the links for them to information such as this web site and test them through conversation. We must show the legislators where the real power comes from or we will surely repeat the mistakes of the first half of the 20th century. I love this country, I care about it’s future and I want to make a difference. I am a registered Republican; that doesn’t mean I will vote along party lines. I force myself to learn about the individual and what he or she stands for. The new National Identity card due to be rolled out in May 2008 squeaked through the Republican controlled congress. It should have never made it out of committee.

Now that you mention it I felt compelled to post this info. We all need to get PRO-ACTIVE on this one...Talk about scary…THIS is scary. Every Washington citizen and every other freedom loving citizen in every state and territory, MUST get pressure their state legislatures to firmly trump the National ID act and urge them to repeal it. I could go on and on but I could not say it better than this excerpt from a well know and respected national watchdog groups site. -Begin Excerpt George Orwell was the first to describe totalitarianism as a "boot stomping on the human face forever." But in Orwell's day Americans would have had a hard time believing that the law -- the good old, all-American legislature -- all those smiling senators and "representatives" would be the ones to plant their iron heels in our faces. Back in those innocent days, we imagined tyranny would come from outside. Well, tyranny is here. And it's a gift from the very people we so trustingly put into office. Tyranny is THE LAW. Is this a way to run a country? Tacking something as onerous as national ID onto a must-pass bill and making it law without any debate? What does this say about people the gun owners consider their friends? In the House, where the bill containing the Real ID Act passed 368-58, only three Republicans voted against it. In the Senate, not one person cared enough about freedom to vote against it -- or even to demand that senators discuss it. (The Real ID Act originally passed the House in February as a standalone bill (H.R. 418) by a vote of 261-to-161. House leaders, realizing national ID would have been in trouble in the Senate, then added it to a must-pass military appropriations bill in a cynical ploy to make it almost impossible to fight national ID.) Turning America into a full-fledged police state was just business as usual to your representatives. And, just as Adolf Hitler scrupulously followed German law while committing his horrors, so your "representatives" and the bureaucrats you face at the national-ID drivers license bureau will also be following the law -- the Real ID law that allows them to enslave you. WHAT NEXT? We have two choices now: Resist or submit. More than 600 organizations, from the American Civil Liberties Union to the National Governors Association, opposed the bill. Even the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (which loves national ID and was largely responsible for an earlier attempt at such legislation nine years ago) criticized it. We can expect lawsuits against national ID, including at least one suit led by state governments. However, nearly all the opposition from state governments focuses on one area: They're upset because the federal government didn't offer them extra money to enslave us. If Congress bribes them with enough millions and billions, they'll gladly sell our freedom. Ultimately, real resistance is up to us, as individuals. There are certain courses of action we cannot recommend. But every freedom lover should be pleased if all the people who had a hand in creating Real ID act lost their jobs -- soon. And those individuals who truly value their (and their children's) futures should seriously consider making national ID their line in the sand. –End Excerpt To this I will add - you can go to almost any legislative site that tracked this outrage to see the final role call on the vote so you can see how your own congressperson voted. Now is the time no only to fully support this Joint memorial but to give these jack booted thugs we call representatives the same boot they used on us. It’s called your vote. Use it or loose it! November is coming quick!!!

Previous poster is right, if we don't start taking action..this country is lost! When we take away just one group of citizens rights, it is bound to lead to more! This is a Republic, not a Democracy, and we should all be heeding the Constitution of our founding fathers! All I hear on here is complaints about the gambling law..well, where were all of you when you voted for I-901, had your heads in a hole? Just because it didn't concern you..you voted for it, not even thinking of the results.Didn't even bother to check out if passive smoke was a real evil did you? Well, it isn't, and it's ALL beginning to come out! Check out the websites until you get the right ones. Maybe then you will begin to see you SHOULD have used your brains! Get rid of these lifestyle politicians we have in this state, registar as Independent or Libertarian, NEITHER big party is any good anymore! I USED to be a Democrat! But NO more! Heaven help us all if we don't take back our country!

If you want the idiotic online gambling ban reversed, then meet with your legislators! I have already met with both of my reps, and will be meeting with my senator. If you talk calmly and rationally with them, they will realize that at the least, this law needs to be looked at again. At most, they might even agree with us that internet poker should be legalized and regulated exactly the same as brick and mortar poker. Talk to your legislators! Call your legislators! Write your legislators!

They claim that wagering on sports through the internet (or) phone is illegal, and is a "felony". But you may drive drunk while on drugs, kill a cop and get plea down to "up to" 1-year in jail...

You endorsed a person named Charles Ross and I cannot find any info on him anywhere. Even at town hall they say,"He is the mayor." Soooo... I live in Naches and he has no affect on my life. He has no information and niether do you and so what if you ENDORSE him. Your name just went more south of where it already was for me and I will not vote for Charlie either.

Good Question However I fear that with the passage(s) of the "Patriot Acts" it shouldn't be to much of a challenge for some petty prosecutorial nosiness....Who sponsored that Bill? Class C felony, right, so are the IP's like comcast going to protect my privacy or assist in invading it...

I will DEFINITELY make note of the names of all that voted on this ridiculous issue! They will in no way shape or form get my vote EVER! They can also be sure that I will spread the word about them *wasting* time on this stupid law!

Fact is if you even get an email telling you about gambling ie. SPAM you are commiting a C felony. These idiots who passed this law didn't even take the time to read the receiving part. It really shows how little they know about computers and the internet. Nor did it take any account of freedom to send a buddy an email about gambling or receive one. There really is no detail in this bill. Apart from that I agree that we need to be protected against online scam artists who set up scam gambling web sites but this went too far. It takes away the freedom of individuals to look at what they want and what they choose to do in their own time with their own money. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that they want to tell us what we can and can't spend our money on. And protecting the profits of state run lotteries etc. Kinda like saying; If you have a gambling problem make sure you gamble in our casinos or go to jail and pay us a $10,000 fine. Gotta get that money off you somehow.

The online can better protect us than can the legistlators in Olympia. They want ot make us felons. Pokerlistings is one of several evaluators that examines the major website that offers gaming for transparency and fairness. Try getting a tribal council to give you a fair hearing if a table game turns out to be a set-up. The real issue here is money. Campaign contributions. Greed. Ignorance. Most of the lawmakers never read the laws that they vote on. They should ALL be thrown out. Its your money. After-tax salary wages that is your entertaintainment dollars. These ignorant scum should not be telling you or I how we should spend our free time. Impeach the bastards.

they cant tax an out of country casino or can you get them for cheating..

prostitution,gambeling.can be done if they pay taxes

This November, I will be doing just that. There will not be ANY incumbant receiving my vote. I have heard from others that say "but... but... but... there are a few good ones". HORSE PUCKY! If they haven't sold us out on this issue, they sold us out on the National ID act or some other issue that steals away the public's freedoms in some way, shape, or form. They all need to go and we the people need a FRESH start in Olympia AND in the Federal Gov too. That is the ONLY way the message will get through to these career minded blockheads and those that inevitably will follow in their footsteps.

all online fantasy football leages that have any money involved must be a felony also. wow thats might overcrowd are state prisons.

all online fantasy football leages that have any money involved must be a felony also. wow thats might overcrowd are state prisons.

The answer to online POKER is not to ban it altogether, but rather regulate and tax it like every other reasonable country does. Last time we tried to ban something that was this popular, we ended up with a huge backlash with well-to-do, respected people going around the law to pursue their hobbies. It concerns me, as it whould all Americans, that we are digressing from as far as we have come. Please take a look at the facts before amending such a stupid bill. WAKE UP! Now if you will excuse me, I have to drive to the nearest indian casino and give them my money, which is what you want any way!

yea, im sure the 44 included republicans. typical short sighted thinking.