Important: Players and Operators, Internet Gambling Prohibition bills coming up for a

To all players,

Please contact your Representative in Congress regarding the two pending bills to outlaw internet gambling. Just follow the information below the dotted line. If you have already done so, please do it again. If you have already gotten a negative response, please engage them and write them back with facts. A good source for any reply to your Congressperson is:

http://www.OnlineGamblingMythsAndFacts.com

Or just send them this editorial from the Las Vegas Review Journal:

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Feb-18-Sat-2006/opinion/5950681.html

TO THE OPERATORS, AFFILIATES, AND ALL WHO MAKE A LIVING FROM THIS INDUSTRY,

Now is not the time to be apathetic about these bills. While they have always failed in the past, they have gotten closer to passage each year. This is a multi-billion dollar industry, do you want it to come to a grinding halt? If this bill passes the House, all the backers in the Senate have to do is attach it to a bill in the middle of the night. They have successfully done it in the past.

Every person in this business should send the email below to all of their customers and contacts. There are supposedly millions of players in this industry. If only one percent spoke up, it would make a huge difference. Most of the lawmakers couldn't care less about this bill. But they will vote along with it if it comes to the floor and they haven't heard any opposition from their constituents.

Please don't let that happen.

Thank you

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TIME TO STAND UP AND BE HEARD. LET THEM KNOW YOU VOTE, YOU PAY TAXES, YOU GAMBLE ONLINE, AND YOU ARE OPPOSED TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TRYING TO STOP YOU FROM ENJOYING YOUR HOBBY.

Thursday, May 25th, H.R. 4411, the Leach bill (the "Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006") and H.R. 4777, the Goodlatte bill (the"Internet Gambling Prohibition Act") are going before the full House Judiciary Committee for "mark up." Maybe they will discuss it, maybe they won't. Members may or may not try to add amendments and carve outs. They will then vote up or down. If it passes, it will be free to go to the House floor at the discretion of the House leadership.

The Leach bill (H.R. 4411, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006) outlaws financial transactions for internet gambling. It exempts certain government favorites but clearly makes financial transactions with offshore sportsbooks and casinos illegal. The Goodlatte bill outlaws all internet gambling as we know it. It mandates the Federal government spends $10 million a year enforcing it. The Goodlatte bill also protects government monopolies.

The time is now to stand up and let your voice be heard. Please call and write your Representative in the House and your two Senators. Tell them you are opposed to the Leach bill, H.R. 4411, and the Goodlatte bill, H.R. 4777, The Internet Gambling Prohibition Act.

Call (202) 224-3121 and give them your zip code. They will connect you to your Representative's office.

To write, follow the instruction at this link:

http://www.house.gov/writerep/

To contact your Senators call the same number again and/or follow the links at http://www.senate.gov for their direct contact information.

hopefully everyone spends the 5 minutes it takes to do this

bump

Thanks for the info Jay. We'll pin this baby up for a while.

I just finished sending this to my Representative. I sent a modified version to my senators. Feel free to use parts of my letter for writing your representatives......

Dear Representative Porter,

I would like to express my opposition to the Internet Gambling prohibition bills introduced in Congress by Reps. Goodlatte and Leach. Internet gambling is a huge business and getting bigger every day. Our local Nevada companies like MGM/Mirage and Harrah's should be the ones making money. Our local, state, and Federal governments should be the ones collecting the taxes.

Prohibition doesn't work. The only people who make the money are the ones outside. Whereas with alcohol prohibition, mobsters made the money, with Internet gambling prohibition it's the people and governments of Costa Rica, Canada, the UK, Israel, and other countries.

The sensible and fiscally wise step is for us to go the complete opposite of prohibition. Legalize, tax, regulate. Create jobs. Create tax revenues. Get people in other countries to spend their money here, rather than have our money being spent overseas.

I urge you, as your constituent, to oppose the Leach and Goodlatte bills that want to limit or prohibit Internet gambling. Other countries are drooling over the prospects of not having any U.S. competition. Let's do what's right for our country and legalize Internet gambling.

And if public opinion counts for something, I have seen various polls of Americans about Internet gambling. I consistently see numbers of 70% to 80% who favor no prohibition.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

David Matthews

THANKS JAY

This is a chance for all of us to make a difference.

Below is the message I sent to my representative. I have done the hard part by composing the message. Please take the time to go to the site Jay mentions above and send this message to your representative.


I am sending this message to express my views on H.R. 4411 and H.R. 4777. Both of these bills deal with the prohibition of internet gambling. I hope you vote against these bills should they come to a vote. Congress should study internet gambling before taking any action. The American Gaming Association appears to be advocating a one year federal study to evaluate the impact of online gambling and whether or not it is feasible to legalize it. Millions of Americans enjoy this activity and a recent study showed that 41% of online gamblers have incomes of over $75000 per year and 61% have at least a college degree. Gambling laws are not very consistent. For example we are allowed to play the lottery (which is most often played by poorer individuals) and bet on horses but we are not allowed to play online poker or bet on sporting events. Again please vote against these bills and support a federal study of online gambling. It is my view that online gambling should be legalized, regulated, and taxed. For your convenience I have included an article from cnn.com citing the results of a recent online gambling study. Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

CARSON CITY, Nevada (AP) -- A gambling industry survey shows that people who use the Internet to place their bets tend to be affluent and educated -- a finding that could help advocates of a federal law change to legalize such wagering.
Release of the American Gaming Association survey on Monday follows the Washington, D-C.-based casino trade group's recent call for a congressional study of Internet gambling now that other countries, including Great Britain, are moving to authorize online betting.
Frank Fahrenkopf Jr., AGA president, said the group has opposed legalization of Internet gambling in the past "because regulators were opposed to it, and we're the strongest supporters of tough regulation."
"But the technology has changed greatly, and now Great Britain is legalizing online gambling -- and we're saying that Congress ought to take a look at (online gambling)," Fahrenkopf said.
"A lot of the opponents have been saying that the people who gamble on the Internet are the ones who can least afford it," he added. "But look at this survey. It shows they tend to be more educated and have more money than other people."
The survey of 552 Internet gamblers, conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates Inc., showed 41 percent had incomes of more than $75,000 a year, while only 12 percent had incomes of less than $35,000.
More than two-thirds of the online gamblers were men, more than two thirds were under age 40, most had started such gambling only in the last two years, 61 percent had at least a college degree and nearly half of those responding said the biggest reason for Internet betting was convenience.
The survey also said 55 percent believe online gambling companies find ways to cheat, and fewer than one in five knew or would admit that online gambling currently is illegal in the United States.
On other subjects, the survey showed:

The 455 commercial casinos in 11 states generated $30.29 billion in gross gambling revenue last year, for an increase of nearly 5 percent over the preceding year.

Las Vegas revenues surpassed $6 billion and Atlantic City revenues surpassed $5 billion for the first time.

A poker boom that started in 2004 is still going strong, with nearly one in five of those surveyed saying they played poker last year.

The gambling industry employed more than 354,000 people and paid wages of more than $12.6 billion last year. The industry also paid $4.92 billion in taxes and fees to state and local governments.
Those who responded to the March 18-21 survey were screened to ensure they were 21 or older and had made an Internet bet within the past year.
Because it's what's known as a "convenience sample" of a specific group, there's no reported error margin as there would be in a random survey of the general public.

I did this last month and was actually sent a letter from my representative (Ruppersberger) He sent me back a letter explaining why he was against it.

What gets me with these representatives, is that they seem to represent themselves and NOT us! I think that the Congress and House have gotten out of touch with what they are put in office for.....to represent us! And it's not only internet gambling, it seems they really don't have the balls to go up against the oil companies because they are all involved with "special interest groups". I've read 3 other reports of people getting answers from their representative that "they" are against it. Geez!!

I brought this up to a State Representaive in Oklahoma, he laughed and said well with ALL the Indian Casino's that are springing up in Oklahoma and ALL over the USA. Its just a matter of time until offshore gambling will be Totaly legal, with rules and regualtions from the USA ?

Not exactly sure what he meant by that, i have a feeling that he knows less than a "flat rock" !

Great thread!!

Below I've posted my letter to my rep. I used some info in this thread, so I thought mine may also be useful. Bottom line, at least send something that tells them NO, and you give a crap.

Dear Representative Bilirakis,
I would like to express my opposition to the Internet Gambling prohibition bills introduced in Congress by Reps. Goodlatte and Leach. I would like to urge you and your colleagues to sincerely consider the benefits that legalizing, regulating, and taxing this rapidly growing business could bring to the United States and the great state of Florida. Money is pouring into countries that could be much better utilized at home. The 455 commercial casinos in 11 states generated $30.29 billion in gross gambling revenue last year, for an increase of nearly 5 percent over the preceding year.
Las Vegas revenues surpassed $6 billion and Atlantic City revenues surpassed $5 billion for the first time. The gambling industry employed more than 354,000 people and paid wages of more than $12.6 billion last year. The industry also paid $4.92 billion in taxes and fees to state and local governments. Nevada and other potential businesses see these numbers and are licking their chops. They want a piece of the pie. And given that opportunity, I believe they will bend over backwards to agree to strict guidelines and oversight. I also believe the opportunity for the state of Florida is unlimited.

Living in your district for the past 17 years, and realizing some of your constituents, I understand that this may be a hard issue to support. But I believe that you have enough experience and support to look beyond the "moral" opposition you may face. We have a state run lottery, dogs, horses, bingo, local cruise ships, and poker venues for people, comfortable or poor, to throw their money away. Why is wagering on the Bucs more morally reprehensible then the above mentioned activities? At least that is a 50-50 bet. Much better odds then 14 million to 1. If this comes to a vote, please vote in opposition. I would also encourage you to put forth a plan to review legalizing internet gambling. If so many people are ready and willing to participate in this activity with offshore countries, given the mood of the nation in constant alertness, why not at least stop this knee jerk reacton without considering the whole picture, and realize that offshore gamblers in the U.S. would much rather participate with U.S. businesses that were regulated by your watchful eye.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Let your voice be heard! This falls under the category of Pursuit of Happiness that many have died for..

Insiders said:

Not exactly sure what he meant by that, i have a feeling that he knows less than a "flat rock" !

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I agree 100%. My rep admitting not being on any of the committees on the gambling bills and basically not knowing a damn thing about them.

For those of you who have been living on a glacier for the last 7 years, Jay C is the pre-eminent expert on internet gambling. I don't jump in here often, however this is something that should not be ignored. Heed the man's advice, or we may be back to gaming at the corner pay phone.:Sad Face: :Sad Face:

RIO SHILL said:

Heed the man's advice, or we may be back to gaming at the corner pay phone.:Sad Face: :Sad Face:

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Not even sure that will work with all the current phone monitoring going on.

BUMP

Take the time and shoot an email. It takes a few minutes

Politican X
Please vote against any upcoming legislation that would prohibit internet gambling. I am a hard working, tax paying citizen that should have the right to do whatever I choose with my hard earned dollars. If you choose to vote for any anti internet gambling measure, you will not be receiving a vote from me in the next election. I feel very strongly about this. It is not so much about internet gambling as it is about freedom of choice. The basic principle that monitoring what American citizens do in their own home with their own money on their own time should not be the federal government's responsibility. Thank you for your time.

Journeyman said:

I did this last month and was actually sent a letter from my representative (Ruppersberger) He sent me back a letter explaining why he was against it.

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Right, you sent the letter, and he basically ignored it and will vote his mind anyway, yet again showing how much of a waste of time it is.

I'm ok losing the 6 or 7 minutes it took me to do it. All they hear from is all the religious anti-gambling people. Most people in favor of it aren't as vocal. I think it's good for them to hear both sides to the story.

.....

Poker King Jim said:

BUMP

Take the time and shoot an email. It takes a few minutes

Politican X
Please vote against any upcoming legislation that would prohibit internet gambling. I am a hard working, tax paying citizen that should have the right to do whatever I choose with my hard earned dollars. If you choose to vote for any anti internet gambling measure, you will not be receiving a vote from me in the next election. I feel very strongly about this. It is not so much about internet gambling as it is about freedom of choice. The basic principle that monitoring what American citizens do in their own home with their own money on their own time should not be the federal government's responsibility. Thank you for your time.

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Very good!

Would appear it's going to be "passed as favourably amended" to the house if my understanding of the proceedings is correct

It must have sucked to grow up as "Mr Weiner"