Government involved in Poker

[Rianna]

Did anyone see on the tube where the Gov is now (that the tournaments are successful)trying to get involved and hit the cables up for some serious money?

From whatI've heard I think it's an outrage...what business it it of the Governments to take money away from TV tournaments in the name of "Gambling"?

Will this be the end of the wonderful and interesting TV tournaments as we know them? If they get away with this, where will they stop?

I think it's outragious and that poker is simply none of their business.

ANY comments are greatly appreciated.

Rianna

[Kevmath]

It's just some random politician trying to get themselves a little publicity. I can't see any possible way this will happen.

Kevin...

[sammysusar]

can you post a link to a story?

[Rianna]

I'm very sorry I dont have a link. It WAS ALL over the news today BIG time. Must have listened to it 25 times. Srry but it made me furious.

What right does the gov. have to legislate the enjoyment of others'...this is a free society...if people want to spend their money in a poker game what right does the gov. to TAX them? Isnt the IRS enough?

I personally love the TV tourneys but can see this bill killing them. I can only hope your right about someone just trying to get attention. As if congress has nothing better to do than kill american poker (at least on TV)

Thank you for your response.

Rianna

[Niediam]

Ever hear of the Constitution and its Amendments? /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Kurn, son of Mogh]

Artilce I, Section 8, of the US Constitution states:

The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

I don't see the words "except on poker related income" anywhere.

Now, I'm the first one to debate the ethics of taxing income in general and the first one to suggest that powers of taxation should be limited (by limiting the activities of government), but that's philosophical. The legal right (aka the power to do so)of the government to tax is clearly stated right there.

[johnfromvirginia]

I'm not sure, but I don't think we're talking about a tax on "poker related income." All income from a televised poker tournament is already subject to tax. Everything the players, casinos and broadcasters make is, under current law, taxable income. I was under the impression we were talking about some sort of additional tax on televised tournaments, but I haven't seen the story.

[Rianna]

Yes Ive heard of both the constitution AND taxes, THATS NOT WHAT WE ARE AT ALL TALKING ABOUT.

John is correct in his post. They want to now take serious money from the companies that are putting on the tournaments on TV. I believe it sets a very bad precedant and what companies would want to sponsor ANY form of poker if the government has their pocket in it. Please think about it...once it happens, I think it's the beginning of the end of at least poker on TV.

NO problem with paying taxes, thats not the issue, because its "poker", the gov. is going to try to get a piece of the pie (and IMHO may very well destroy the pie).

Any comments are welcome, thank you.

Rianna

[Dynasty]

[ QUOTE ]
They want to now take serious money from the companies that are putting on the tournaments on TV...the gov. is going to try to get a piece of the pie (and IMHO may very well destroy the pie).

[/ QUOTE ]

Somebody post a link so that the number of people who think the original poster is a rambling nutcase is held to a minimum. At least if we get a coherent story about what was said, a real discussion can be had.

[Niediam]

Just like the gas tax has made everybody buy bicycles... and the cig takes has made everybody stop smoking... and the tax on alcohol has made... er nevermind. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Rianna]

Dynesty...you are rude and people like u drive people like me off great boards like this. Verbal abuse and name calling is immature and unnecessary. Grow up.

If I knew how to provide a link I certainly would, maybe John would know how to do it. That story was all over CNN and others ALL day long today ( a feature story) and for those that enjoy poker on TV I cannot see how this bill won't seriously effect it. I have written in protest to Congress and would hope others would do the same.

Your name calling just doesn't seem appropriate on a forum as fine as this one and I don't appreciate it. My name is Rianna, not 'rambling nutcase'. I'm sorry your stuck, I suggest David's books and anger management toward women.

Rianna

[Broken Glass Can]

N.J. lawmaker wants poker shows to chip in for addicts (http://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/03/09/nj.voss.tvpoker.ap/index.html)

ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey (AP) -- On Bravo, it's "Celebrity Poker Showdown." On ESPN, it's "The World Series of Poker." On compulsive-gambling help lines, the real stakes emerge.

Now a New Jersey lawmaker wants cable networks that feature gambling to help gambling addicts by giving money to treatment agencies. Assemblywoman Joan Voss, a Democrat, on Tuesday called for a surcharge on state cable providers if the networks don't cooperate.

"Cable television channels that are heavily promoting the Texas Hold 'Em rage should be held responsible for some of the unglamorous side effects, like juvenile gambling addictions," said Voss.

New Jersey casinos kick in $600,000 annually for anti-compulsive gambling programs; it's only fair that poker networks contribute, according to Voss.

The broadcast media "have almost completely failed to provide any sort of health warnings, public service announcements or responsible gambling tips," said Keith Whyte, executive director of the Washington-based National Council on Problem Gambling.

In New Jersey, 28 percent of the nearly 20,000 calls made to the state help-line last year came from gamblers who cited cards or dice as their gambling vices, up from 4 percent in 2003, according to figures released Tuesday.

Voss said easy access to the television coverage by young viewers is dangerous. Whyte said poker-playing minors are increasingly calling the National Council's help line.

The surcharge, Voss said, would be imposed on cable providers who air poker tournaments, requiring them to collect the money from cable networks without passing on the charge to customers.

ESPN spokeswoman Keri Potts said the sports cable network needed to review the proposal before it could respond.

Dan Silberman, a spokesman for Bravo, said "Celebrity Poker Showdown" isn't really gambling, since the proceeds go to charity.

[Kurn, son of Mogh]

They want to now take serious money from the companies that are putting on the tournaments on TV.

If you want serious discussion, you have to be specific.

1) Who are "they"?
2) Even if you can't post a link, tell us where you read/heard what you're talking about.

I suspect this may be somewhat in reference to the DOJ putting pressure on the WPT and Harrah's to not accept advertising money or paid entries from offshore sites, but unless you're more specific you just sound clueless.

[MrDannimal]

If I were the networks, I'd say

"As soon as you make the beer companies pay a similar surcharge for all the alcoholics."

It's just some clown looking for a new revenue source and/or getting his name out there.

[Rianna]

Thank you guys. I feel as you do Mrdannimal, it's INCREDABLY hypocritic. One could site a number of issues that the gov. leaves alone as you have pointed out.

I hope you are right in your assessment or we may be seeing the end of any TV poker as we know it.

I would also think this sends a clear message to any potential sponsors for poker now and for the future in the poker world. The hypocracy makes me ill.

And Kurn, your point is well taken and you made it with class, thank you. I didn't know how to post it as Broken Glass so elequently did.

Thank you for your posts.

Rianna

[cardcounter0]

I think the beer companies already do this. And the cigarette companies are required to pay for advertising to not use their product. Sounds like another sin tax to me, and we all know how that stops the "problem".
/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[johnfromvirginia]

In my humble opinion, I don't think this is anything to worry about. It's probably just hot air from a politician looking for issues that might get his name in the paper for a day. But even if the tax were to make it all the way through the system, I'm sure it would be levied in a manner that would not kill the golden goose and neither televised poker nor online poker would disappear.

[Rianna]

Thanks for the posts. I could see it as the beginning of the end of online poker in some states...just enough to get the ball rolling. Hope not /images/graemlins/frown.gif

Rianna

[Joe Tall]

The Government has been involved with poker for years. CLICK HERE (http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/spring_2003_truman_poker.html)

[Luv2DriveTT]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the posts. I could see it as the beginning of the end of online poker in some states...just enough to get the ball rolling. Hope not /images/graemlins/frown.gif

Rianna

[/ QUOTE ]

Probably not. The WTC will most likely rule any laws that ban overseas financial trade via an offshore casino a violation.

TT /images/graemlins/club.gif

[Niediam]

The US Government already considers online poker to be illegal yet it is going strong... seriously, don't worry about this.

[jedi]

[ QUOTE ]
Dynesty...you are rude and people like u drive people like me off great boards like this. Verbal abuse and name calling is immature and unnecessary. Grow up.

Your name calling just doesn't seem appropriate on a forum as fine as this one and I don't appreciate it. My name is Rianna, not 'rambling nutcase'. I'm sorry your stuck, I suggest David's books and anger management toward women.

Rianna

[/ QUOTE ]

re-read his post. He never called you a rambling nutcase.