Online Casino Poker Bill Filed in Washington State8 Feb 2007
In the US state of Washington, last week a bill was submitted to exclude online casino gaming played from a person’s home from being considered a felony. This bill also includes online casino poker. Under the state’s 2006 online casinos gambling law, any online gaming currently conducted in Washington State is a Class C Felony, which holds the same penalty as possessing child pornography. Washington State Rep. Chris Strow introduced House Bill 1243 on January 15th, 2007 in order to correct what he considers an inappropriate penalty for online casino gaming, an activity he feels responsible adults should be allowed to take part in within the privacy of their homes.
While I do see the need for protecting our citizens from online gaming that may be scamming innocent victims, I do think that there is also a level of accountability, as an adult, to do as he or she chooses in his or her own home. Most certainly choosing to gamble, or play a game of skill such as poker, should not have been made a crime equivalent to possessing child pornography or threatening the Governor,’ said Strow regarding online casino gaming. Other sponsors of the online casino gaming bill include Representatives Kirby, Upthegrove, B. Sullivan, Simpson, and Appleton.
Strow made a plea for state residents to write and call the Chairman of the House Commerce and Labor Committee, Representative Steve Conway, requesting a scheduled time to conduct a hearing for House Bill 1243. This online casino gaming bill is currently awaiting this hearing. Hopefully, for the online casino gaming fans in this US state, this hearing is not far into the distant future.
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