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2014
Nov 12, 2013 17:15:57 GMT -8
Post by Admin on Nov 12, 2013 17:15:57 GMT -8
The legislative session begins on January 13th, and this will be an important session for internet poker players in our state. I'm confident that Rep. Harris will introduce an #ipoker bill in the House, and I am working diligently to get a bill introduced in the Senate as well. It is paramount that we, as a group, not only get behind and support these bills, but actively push for legislation to be enacted.
As soon as I can get the text of the bill(s) I will share it here for you all. We will likely get very short notice between a bill being introduced and the scheduling of a public hearing, so we will need to be prepared, and be able to have a contingent of players speak on behalf of internet poker at committee hearing(s).
What would be ideal would be to have a rally at the Capital the day of the hearing, and come out in numbers large enough to get noticed. This will also help us generate some mainstream press to illustrate not only the absurd penalty for playing internet poker, but the utter failing of prohibition to address the issues used to support that prohibition in the first place.
We need volunteers who can get a free weekday and travel to Olympia to stand for the game. Let's stand together so that our voice is heard, and push our elected leaders to restore our freedom to play the game, and to establish safeguards for the players!
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2014
Dec 9, 2014 21:07:40 GMT -8
Post by Admin on Dec 9, 2014 21:07:40 GMT -8
Post by Admin on Dec 20, 2013 at 5:54pm
Our prospects of a bill coming out of the legislature in the 2014 session appear to have waned significantly. It's time to think about our options for 2014.
Had we raised the funding and achieved the signature goal of our initiative effort in 2013, we would be facing the option of putting the issue to the voters of the State of Washington in November of 2014, assuming the legislature would have ignored the measure. The opportunity to reach that same November 2014 election with an internet poker initiative still exists, should we choose to go directly with an initiative to the people next year.
The first day to file an initiative to the people is January 4th. However, the signature gathering period for this form of initiative is much shorter, with the deadline being July 3rd. I intend to revise my previous measures slightly, and will likely submit them on the first day allowed.
I still believe the Tribes could be convinced to support regulation. They just need to be included in the discussion, and shown the advantages of agreeing to statewide regulation, as opposed to their demanding control on their own lands. Clearly, there would not be sufficient player liquidity in a system structured only on Indian lands. A compromise for the benefit of all seems workable, with some outreach.
Success is dependent upon the will of the players to gather signatures, raise funds, and pull in support from the industry and other advocates. I am reaching out to industry for support, and I encourage you all to raise the issue wherever and whenever you can. We must build this organization into a formidable committee of concerned citizens for regulated internet poker in Washington State. We need many more members, and much more involvement to bring our goal to fruition. Let's work together in 2014 and see this through.
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2014
Dec 9, 2014 21:09:37 GMT -8
Post by Admin on Dec 9, 2014 21:09:37 GMT -8
Post by Admin on Jan 15, 2014 at 8:50pmSad to report that no bill will be introduced in the 2014 Legislative Session. From Rep. Hargrove (R-47th): " I talked with Rep. Harris. He said that the Tribes, who have powerful influence with the House majority party are adamantly opposed to his bill. He has been trying to amend it to alleviate their opposition, but no luck so far. Unfortunately, in the current situation, there is no point in submitting the bill, because it wouldn't get a hearing. It looks like the political make up of the legislature will have to change for this bill to have a chance. " www.facebook.com/repmarkhargrove/posts/10152108440476329It is sad, really, that Washington's native gaming interests do not, as yet, see the value that internet poker bring to their existing enterprises. Fear that they will lose revenue is unrealistic, as internet poker not only provides a platform for Tribal Casinos to offer satellite games that will bring players from their computers and into the casinos, but it also is the proving ground for beginning players, giving them a chance to hone their skills at affordable stakes before trying their skills in a live environment. Many players never get into live games simply because they are priced out and do not have the bankroll to play at the limits offered. As has been demonstrated in DE/NV/NJ, there is no need for them to reinvent the wheel. There are willing software partners out there capable of offering turn-key products to the Tribes. Both the Snoqualmie and the Coleville Tribes have already broken the ice and established partnerships that can lead directly to real money poker online just as soon as state law can be amended. Washington's Tribes should be our allies in this fight, not our foes. We represent a ready market actively seeking to have services delivered. I'm hopeful that they will soon see that they are missing an opportunity here, and that waiting too long could result in lost opportunity. If they would turn that powerful political clout towards a fair regulatory scheme that allowed players across the state to play our game of skill online, positive results will be realized. Washington Internet Poker Initiative is committed to pursuing a regulated internet poker market for the players of Washington State, and would welcome the opportunity to work with the state's Tribes to make that happen in a way that satisfies all interests.
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2014
Dec 9, 2014 21:16:29 GMT -8
Post by Admin on Dec 9, 2014 21:16:29 GMT -8
Post by Admin on Jan 29, 2014 at 10:32amRegulation is the solution - Prohibition is the problemCreate a Regulated and Inclusive Market Allowing Washington State Card Rooms to Offer Games Online Under our two-tiered approach to creating a system of internet poker in Washington State, the popular poker platforms that the players' know, including 888poker, PartyPoker, and even Pokerstars, will be able to apply for a license to operate as a network, providing business to business services to authorized Tribes and licensed card rooms. The will need to establish as a Washington State business, and locate servers and support systems within the state. They will not be able to own or operate their own card rooms. They will need to compete with each other for customers among the state's licensed card rooms and Tribal casinos currently operating Class II poker rooms. The Commission will establish a significant fee to operate an internet poker network For their part, the state's card rooms and Tribal casinos will be able to operate 'skins,' sharing player liquidity with others on the same network(s). This allows for the many to participate, without splintering player liquidity beyond viability. Non-tribal card rooms will be required to apply for an additional license to extend their offerings online, and will need to meet minimum thresholds to qualify. Tribal casinos currently offering poker on-site as Class II gaming will be able to operate skins on approved networks, and self regulate as they do their B&M offerings. There is no tax provision in our proposal. Given that there is no state gambling tax, it isn't appropriate to establish a tax solely on internet poker. Also, any tax that would apply only to non-tribal card rooms would be patently unfair. Rather than try to tax the card rooms, a significant fee on the network operators should be sufficient to bring revenue to the Commission to cover its oversight obligations. Be sure and see this article, which elaborates on how the network model will benefit not just Washington State, but will facilitate the spread of regulated poker markets in the United States. WA #ipoker 2015 (updated 10.22.2014)
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