1. Sign my petition to repeal this law : http://www.petitiononline.com/ongamwa/petition.html

Posted at 3:26PM on Jun 16th 2006 by Terry Moore-Read

2. Looks like there's gonna be quite a few legislators who lose their jobs come November.

Posted at 3:34PM on Jun 16th 2006 by Ryan

3. Great article, I came here from a link off Daniel Negrenau's website - and I'm glad I did. I'm a Washington resident and a poker player and it is very distressing to me. What is interesting is that there was absolutely no coverage or discussion about this legislation in the media until the Govenor signed it into law. My speculation is a the gaming industry (tribal and non-tribal) that run poker rooms placed a couple of contributions in the right hands to get this done so efficiently. I would love it if some investigative journalist could follow the money on this one.

Posted at 3:51PM on Jun 16th 2006 by Jeff Gilham

4. I think there are some significant first amendment issues at play here. Boutte should contact the ACLU and see if they'd like to fight this on his behalf.

Posted at 6:18PM on Jun 16th 2006 by DrJubal

5. We were in the process of considering a move to a state with no state income tax this spring while this law was in discussion. I'm very glad that we opted for a more sane state, since I'd have hated to pack up and move just a month or so after moving. I'd still far rather live in Washington than Texas, but not with that sort of Big Brother-ism going on.

Posted at 8:20PM on Jun 16th 2006 by Soalaih

6. This legislation has me fuming. I moved here less than a year ago and to see them passing laws like this without any public scrutiny just burns my you-know-whats. I've emailed all three of my legislators and have sent email to the Washington state gaming commission to complain about the law and to let them know that, come November, none of them are getting my vote.

Incidentally, the politician who started the whole thing is known to have accepted campaign contributions from the tribal casinos and other B&M gambling institutions.

Even more interesting is that even though all of the legislators supported this bill, none of them supported a later bill which would provide state-funded support for people with gambling addictions. Funny considering that one of the things they use to explain this particular law is the fact that it makes it easier to become addicted to gambling.

Posted at 8:46PM on Jun 16th 2006 by Bob

7. Does this mean I can't wear my pokerstars.com hat & t-shirt any more ?

Posted at 9:31PM on Jun 16th 2006 by terrymr

8. Simply unbelievable. Will they come to your door with nightsticks if you write that you *don't like the new law*? What the hell happened to free speech? I think the ACLU should be all over this, and the guy who was harassed by law enforcement should get a public apology.

Posted at 10:54PM on Jun 16th 2006 by Dave Westbay

9. Uh, can Washington state override the US Constitution?

And if it can, why does the reach of their control not extend to the Seattle Times for publishing an article about an article about poker?

Posted at 12:04AM on Jun 17th 2006 by TJ

10. Is this a late April Fools joke?

Posted at 4:55PM on Jun 17th 2006 by BSN

11. From Rick Day, Director, Washington State Gambling Commission as posted on the Seattle Times blog site.

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 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

Posted by Rick Day, Director, Washington State Gambling Commission at 03:05 PM, Jun 19, 2006

Posted at 7:52AM on Jun 22nd 2006 by Shawn

12. 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 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

Posted by Rick Day, Director, Washington State Gambling Commission at 03:05 PM, Jun 19, 2006

Posted at 7:53AM on Jun 22nd 2006 by Shawn

13. WTF, is this some sort of joke?

Posted at 2:48PM on Jun 22nd 2006 by D

14. In my state it is a Misdemeaner to play cards for money, I'm sorry for you folks in Washington where it's a FELONY.

Here's a site with some information on various state gambling laws:
http://www.gambling-law-us.com/State-Laws/

Posted at 10:56PM on Jul 7th 2006 by Ray

15. My wife and I are in our 80's and don't get around very well any more. We have for many years been recreational gamblers.

When on line poker playing came into being we were quite thrilled that we both could gamble with out leaving our house.

Then we found out that on June 7th we could no longer do this, we did and do now feel we are being punished.

Why and for what we don't know. We could go to Porno sites all day long but can't make a one doller bet in a poker game. If this makes sense to any one I'd like to hear about it.

I served our country in three wars, was wounded in combat five times while protecting the freedoms we all now enjoy including the right of out elected representatives to make laws that punish us as this one on gambling does. Makes me feel like my service wasn't worth the effort.

Needless to say but no one now in office will get our vote or our childres vote for reelection.

Posted at 11:43AM on Jul 9th 2006 by Art Hanley

16. all of us poker players need to stand together. ive seen so many angry people about this new law and i am one of them the elected officials have gone too far this time the people run this country not the politicians its time we take it back

Posted at 8:42PM on Aug 21st 2006 by kevin huddleston