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In The News


2007-01-22 14:12:03
By: Gene Bromberg

It seems like every day brings more news about the legal issues surrounding online gaming, and today is no different. Everyone who plays online poker should stay informed about what's going on both in the U.S. and abroad, especially when you consider what's gone on the last 24 hours.

The U.S. Department of Justice issued subpoenas to a number of major banks ordering them to turn over e-mails, telephone records and other documents pertaining to online gaming transactions. It's believed that a few of these subpoenas were issued shortly after President Bush signed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) into law back in October.

That's the bad news. The good news (or, at least the news that isn't bad) is that some bankers and government officials in the United Kingdom aren't too thrilled with the Justice Department trying to "foist . . . US legislation, even individual state legislation, on anybody."

Alan Duncan, who has the kinda-cool sounding title of Shadow Trade and Industry Secretary, said this about the investigation:

"There is growing suspicion that the US Department of Justice is using its muscle in a highly unpleasant manner, and is targeting financial institutions beyond their own shores in a way that cannot be justified. I hope the Department will stop and review its approach so that its behaviour doesn't sour relations between us."

If you play online poker it's in your interest to stay informed about what's going on. Our rights are being stripped away by people who think that they know what's best for us. That we aren't to be trusted to make decisions for ourselves. And if you don't get involved in fighting for those rights, you might not have them for much longer.



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