I read the complete text of the law that is currently working it's way through congress. The main idea of this law is to make banks and internet providers do the enforcement of an online prohibition. This latest arrest is intended to scare the owners of offshore casinos and poker rooms into stopping US patrons from playing. At least as far as online is concerned.

The really sad thing is that if you read it there are so many exceptions. OTB for Horse racing is exempted, Tribal Gaming is exempted and a few others as well. What this amounts to is that (especially in WA State where the tribes have a stranglehold) we are being told it's ok to gamble - as long as we gamble where THEY tell us to. It's completely ridiculous and inconsistent. I worry that once they have "control" of the online, they are going to start going after the home games. There was already one arrest I read about and they came in and took all the money that was in the house - not just what might have been on the table at the time.

There will at some point need to be some regulation toward online gambling if for no other reason to protect consumers.  To crackdown on offshore gambling as criminal is not going to be very effective because internet access and offshore bank access is too easy.  It would seem to me that regulating it with thought would be a better idea.

I question gambling regulation as it exists in this country today.  The Indians are really exempt from very many laws, and even in Vegas there's something of a weirdness about regulations.  Rather than trying to ban the inevitable, our lawmakers need to think this through.  Gambling is not going away!

I doubt home games would be affected unless, as someone else said, it's more than a weekly get to gether and more of a commerical venture.

I can just see the headlines now - "local gambling ring busted . . ." ;)

It is illegal, though.  But we went by a diner that was advertising "TEXAS HOLDEM" and I had to wonder how they are pulling it off. 

IT would only help the homegame their are still online poker sites you can play so the law will actually have little affect.

[QUOTE]rod wrote
As you may know, some people are getting a bit concerned about the spread of online gambling and the associated problems that go with it. I personally think that as with anything it is important to always gamble safely and in moderation.

How do you think a crackdown on online gambling would affect home games? Would they too come under more scrutiny? (it is an offense in some US States to gamble at home gathers etc. already). Would it merely drive the home game market? Or would offshore, online gambling dens emerge and create an online gambling "black market"?

What do you think?

Smallprint:
For the record - PokerDIY is about bringing poker players together socially - not about hardcore gambling. If you think you have a gambling problem then it would be a good idea to seek help!
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I think online gambling gives entertainment to the people. One way to control it is to implement an age limit to the fact that gambling brings no good to the kids especially students.