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-   -   What the sites plan to do about the S.627 (http://archives2.twoplustwo.com/showthread.php?t=41077)

jek187 08-02-2003 04:21 AM

What the sites plan to do about the S.627
 
I have taken the liberty of emailing the following sites to see what they have planned to deal w/S.627. The sites are:
Party
Paradise
UB
Stars
ICP
Pacific
Golden Palace
Planet
True
ThePokerClub
WSex
ACR

Here is the email I wrote:
Dear Poker Site,

As a professional online poker player, I am very concerned about the Senate bill S.627 or the "Unlawful Internet Gambling/Funding Prohibition Act." Should this bill pass, does your site, or the industry in general, have any backup plans in place to avoid losing a large portion of American customers? If so, can you divulge what they are? Thank you for your time,

jek's name (jek's screen name)


I've had 3 responses so far, which I'll post in a seperate post.

arod4276 08-02-2003 04:28 AM

Re: What the sites plan to do about the S.627
 
Jek, thanks for taking the time to do this. I am very interested to see the replies you got. Please post them for our perusal. Thanks,

arod

jek187 08-02-2003 04:38 AM

Paradise, Pacific, and Stars Respond
 
Paradise response: 10 minutes:
Hello jek,

We're in the same boat as you in that we don't want to see this bill passing, but it looks to be progressing. Over the next few months I'm sure more will develop in this area, but for the time being we are still pressing ahead as per normal.

Best Regards,

Craig
Paradise Poker Support

Well, how boring, but it was a prompt seemingly knowledgeable response.


Pacific Response: 13 minutes

Dear jek,

Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.

I have forwarded your message to the relevant department, they will look
into this matter closely.

They will contact you as soon as possible.

If you require further assistance in this or any other matter please
feel free to contact us. We are here for you 24 hours a day, everyday.

Kind Regards,
Lydia
Member Support Representative


I hope the "thank you for bringing this to our attention" line is just a standard response from Pacific. Although it wouldn't surprise me if Pacific support really wasn't aware of this. We shall see what their follow-up response is like.

Jacob from Poker Stars responded in an astounding 2 minutes. Although all he simply had to say was:
Hello jek,

I will forward your question to management.

Regards,

Jacob
PokerStars Support Team

I look forward to the "real" Stars response.

Planet Response (just in while I'm typing this): 42 minutes
[b]Hello jek

Reference Account #XXXXXX

Thank you for your comments and concerns. We have forwarded your e-mail to management. Please expect a reply within 24 hours.

Deborah W
Planet Poker Customer Support

Email
support@planetpoker.com

Phone
US & Canada: 1-866-50-POKER (1-866-507-6537)
International: 1-678-460-0111
9:00 AM to 11:00 PM Eastern Time

jek187 08-02-2003 11:38 AM

ThePokerClub\'s Response
 
Response Time: 3h 42min

Dear Player:

As soon as we have a resolution for this we will be contacting our players with all the details and procedures our site will have about this situation, we appreciate your concern and please keep in touch for more updates about this.

______________________________________
Regards,

Tony

Client Support
ThePokerClub.com


"As soon as they have a resolution" Hmmm. Do they even have one in the works or are they waiting to see what develops just like us? Also, no mention of Skill Poker.

jek187 08-02-2003 07:22 PM

ACR\'s response
 
Response Time: 10h 10min

Hello jek,

We are not sure what affect this bill will have. If it is passed at that time we will have to see what we can do.

----------------------------------------------------------------
Regards,

Customer Support


Anyone else getting the feeling that the sites aren't too concerned about this? Kind of makes me feel better.

Wake up CALL 08-02-2003 07:40 PM

Re: ACR\'s response
 
"Anyone else getting the feeling that the sites aren't too concerned about this? Kind of makes me feel better. "

Sort of like when we were not very concerned about Osama Bin Laden. Just a thought though I am not comparing the severity of losing the ability to play online poker to the threat of terroism.


yct 08-02-2003 07:46 PM

Re: What the sites plan to do about the S.627
 
Good post, Jek. Keep those replies coming. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

GrannyMae 08-02-2003 08:13 PM

Re: ACR\'s response
 
paradise seems to be the only one that addressed the issue in a way that we are sure that they know the potential impact.

i would call the rest of the responses form spitouts from over taxed or undereducated reps.

the acr response comforts you, yet it scares me. i don't want my sites having the attitude that when someone emails them that the law has passed, they will deal with it then.

that is totally unacceptable. the reality is that it IS something we need to worry about and deal with, and acr's blase response better be due to management changes that have left them clueless, as opposed to the possibility that CRIS might actually BE cluless.

you KNOW i rarely take things serious here. however, i gotta tell you, this thread is the best thing that you have done for ME. you KNOW i love all your posts, but this is such an eyeopening thread so far, and i will probably discuss it more than all your other posts combined. (discuss with local friends.. don't worry zoo, this is my one and only rant/crusade)

i can't speak for others, but IMO your idea to write them all has forced their hand in regards to many things that will expose the *actual* brains, or lack thereof that some of these online have toward reality. they feel so safe and secure off the soil, and miss things that are industry changing. this is one of the BAD things about offshore poker.

how sharp are they in reality? do these support people *really* think this is an issue that should be dealt with AFTER passage?? rofl. this response from acr disturbs me 100 times more than the blow-offs to upper management that the rest have been sending.

i hope the sites that have promised you a response deliver on it. and in keeping with my notion that this is the most valuable thread in ages, i hope that you follow through for us with the sites that are dragging their asses on answering.

know what i got out of the acr response jek?? a phone bill to Berlin. now how could your post have cost me a long distance call like that ?!?

well, my brother-in law is a travelling PA. he is doing it to work off the last of his educational loans. he just turned 50, and has finally grown up. at this point, today, now, that 1k he has with ACR is a LOTTA dough to him.

because of the way these rotations work. this means that he happens to be stuck in germany until christmas.

i felt that i needed to call, because by christmas, it may be too late. i did not call with a pissy attitude like i have in this post. i did not want to worry him too much, but it is something that i decided prior to the call, that it could not wait till christmas.

my brother-in law has a little bit over $1,000 REAL money at ACR. when i saw your post, i called him.

of course i called to say hello as well, but after the family talk was done we got down to business.

i told him in no uncertain terms that if i tell him that the bill is close to being signed into law, he is going to INSTANTLY withdraw every last dime from ACR.

my brother-in law has worked his ass off and been in school for close to 12 years. he has finally on the edge of being solvent, but right now things are a bit tight for him.

there is NOOOOOO fuking way that i will knowingly allow him to leave a dime in a site that has no clue about the necessity of being proactive here.

if i had to script the worst response i would want to hear from a site regarding the bill, ACR would be the model. i can't tell you how screwed up the "ostrich approach" is when it comes to dealing with peoples money.

don't mess with peoples money, and g_d damn it, have a FREAKING plan!!!!

a rush on funds (mass cashouts) for a small POS site like acr could deliver a critical blow to their day to day operations. this is bad for poker, bad for business, and something that "GrannyMae" would never condone. i have spent 5 years being a goodwill clown for this industry (happily, don't get me wrong). being the person that granny is, saying to someone to do a total cashout is NOT AT ALL what i stand for.

but, and it is a BIG BUT, any site that is ill-informed or avoiding the inevitable, or avoiding answering jek's emails on this, are sites that deserve ANY mass exodus they may get because they were not smart enough to have a plan B.

ask caro if planet is on top of this. ask paradise.. they won't give you specifics, but as you see by their response, they are the only one's that are not treating this like a zit that will go away.

top 5 sites people, i'm warning you. money in sites #6 and up is speculative.

dang that was gloomy and doomy, but this thread is starting to piss me off.

keep all the responses coming please jek, and thx much for providing the info to us.

http://smilies.sofrayt.com/%5E/9/confangry.gif




pokerwhore 08-02-2003 08:21 PM

Re: The one who planned ahead...
 
Skillpoker.com a sub of poker.com planned way ahead
for this. Actually with a server already based in the united states and is back by a las vegas casino. Skillpoker.com said once the bill has passed skillpoker.com will be the only legal poker site online, since they said the bill will not affect them since they are an american owned company and their game of poker is based on pure skill unlike the offshore companies which is based on luck. Also skillpoker.com will be regulated by las vegas gaming commision. So its nice to see someone is looking forward to the bill being past in which it will give skillpoker.com the american market. Also I think skillpoker.com is pushing for the bill to pass as you can see one of their main offices is in washington D.C.


jek187 08-02-2003 09:31 PM

Re: The one who planned ahead...
 
To the best of my knowledge Skill Poker is run by ThePokerClub.com people. Why didn't they mention that in their response?

jek187 08-02-2003 09:46 PM

Some revised thoughts from \'ol jek
 
1st off, ty to ARod, yct, and especially Granny for the words of encouragement. Sometimes I'm easily amused, but the responses have certainly made posting this stuff worthwhile and given me the motivation to really be a pain in some site's asses.

The cause of my initial relief was because I was starting to get the idea that the sites had some sort of master plan in place and just didn't want to tip their hands. Upon further consideration (and after reading a nice eye-opening rant [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]) It does seem that they are more likely clueless.

I will give the sites until Monday afternoon/evening to get back to me. That should give all management time to respond given that I started this on a weekend. Stars response especially intrigues me. Pacific should be good for a laugh. Party will almost certainly need multiple emails. I think ICP will ignore me.

ty again guys for all the support.


bull7 08-02-2003 10:31 PM

Think again. . .
 
[ QUOTE ]
Skillpoker.com a sub of poker.com planned way ahead for this. Actually with a server already based in the united states and is back by a las vegas casino. Skillpoker.com said once the bill has passed skillpoker.com will be the only legal poker site online, since they said the bill will not affect them since they are an american owned company and their game of poker is based on pure skill unlike the offshore companies which is based on luck. Also skillpoker.com will be regulated by las vegas gaming commision. So its nice to see someone is looking forward to the bill being past in which it will give skillpoker.com the american market. Also I think skillpoker.com is pushing for the bill to pass as you can see one of their main offices is in washington D.C.

[/ QUOTE ]

Care to make a small, or better yet, LARGE wager on the outcome of that?

I think skill poker's prose is pure B.S. and won't fly anytime soon. I'll have to see it operating within the U.S. with impunity before I believe it.

I understand everyone's natural concern as it relates to current funds on deposit as well as future income. I, too, have a rather large sum invested with various poker sites and neteller. Yet I am gonna stand pat and sleep like a baby tonight.

My father often told me growing up "there's more than one way to skin a cat". Granny your criticism of poker sites responses may be too harsh. It is difficult for sites to know precisely what adjustments to make until they know specifically know the obstacles they face.

And while it seems poker sites are unconcerned, I can tell you the major offshore sportsbooks are keenly aware of what's transpiring. The big sites, with millions in profit at stake, will have a response when the time comes.

Remember when internet poker started how limited the deposit and cash out options were? But as the business has evolved so has funding methods. The situation on the horizion is merely another hurdle which must be recognized and overcome. This business will continue to change and adapt, must likely in both positive and negative ways. As players we must also adapt where necessary. Necessitty is the "Mother of Invention". Rest assured this tremendous "cash cow" will always find it's way to the barn and develop the means to survive.

Wake up CALL 08-02-2003 10:57 PM

Re: Think again. . .
 
"Rest assured this tremendous "cash cow" will always find it's way to the barn and develop the means to survive. "

Hmmm, I wonder if the guy who invented polyseter leisure suits felt the same way? Or the pencil sharpner? How about vinyl records or betamax? And for Granny don't forget the girdle!

It is a fact of life that some functions cease to exist. Will online poker be the next? I don't claim to know but to be unconcerned is naive.

bull7 08-02-2003 11:36 PM

Re: Think again. . .
 
[ QUOTE ]
Hmmm, I wonder if the guy who invented polyseter leisure suits felt the same way? Or the pencil sharpner? How about vinyl records or betamax? And for Granny don't forget the girdle!

[/ QUOTE ]

Almost any item you can mention either became obsolute because it couldn't or wouldn't adapt to changing times and demand, or were replaced by superior products. CD's replaced albums, pens largely replaced pencils, etc. (Though I still prfer a razor sharp pencil).

Undoubtably there is a tremendous market for online gaming. Sure, those currently making millions could allow it to die, but my point remains they have all the incentive in the world to adapt, improve, advance, and ultimately survive.

You really think just as demand for these products are increasing exponetially those that provide it are just gonna wake up one day and close up shop? Granted some will, reresenting the weaker, less creative and least aggressive in the industry. Nevertheless some will remain to supply the demand for as long as it exists in large enough measure to be profitable.

Ray Kroc didn't invent or launch McDonald's. Instead he has the vision and forsight to franchise it, which represented goals far larger then those of the creator of McDonald's. So Kroc gets the cake and the McDonald's owner the crumbs. Sam Phillips, who just passed away, sold Elvis Preseley's Sun Records contract to RCA for $30,000 because he did not see Presley's true future potential as the "King of Rock & Roll".

Your thinking reflects a view which "can't see the forrest for the trees", and thus I contend, is more naive than mine.


jek187 08-03-2003 12:44 AM

The Gaming Club\'s Response (Prima Network)
 
Response Time: 18h 42m

Hi there jek,


Thank you for emailing The Gaming Club.

Our Casino games are played over the Internet, which reaches virtually every country in the world. Some of these jurisdictions have not yet addressed the legality of online Internet gaming, while some have specifically made Internet gaming illegal. In practical terms it is impossible for us to determine what the laws are in your jurisdiction, and whether it is legal for you to place a bet via the Internet.

Participation at The Gaming Club is the sole option, discretion and risk of the Player. In particular, the Player takes sole responsibility for determining the legality of Real money Casino play.

By placing real wagers, the Player warrants that he/she is legally able to do so within his/her jurisdiction. In so doing he/she accepts that the Casino is unable to provide any warranties regarding the legality or otherwise of any Player's participation in Real money play.

We trust that we have been of assistance.


Should you require any further assistance, feel free to contact us. For your convenience, we have a toll free helpdesk available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.

Kind regards,

Tanya


Customer Service Representative


Wow. Granny, if you didn't like ACR's response, what about this one?

I'm debating how to phrase a reply to get a meaningful response out of them. I'm open to all suggestions.

Wake up CALL 08-03-2003 12:53 AM

Re: Think again. . .
 
bull7, jek187's post above proves my point. The world does not relvolve aroud the USA, online poker will continue and thrive even without our dollars.

Just because you want something very much does not always mean Santa isn't going to leave a lump of coal in your stocking.

thylacine 08-03-2003 01:01 AM

Re: The Gaming Club\'s Response (Prima Network)
 

What we have here is a failure to communicate (or comprehend).

Do any of these sites try to understand the actual meaningful content of the messages they receive.

Why do they have these completely irrelevant responses.

kdog 08-03-2003 02:28 AM

Re: The Gaming Club\'s Response (Prima Network)
 
[ QUOTE ]
What we have here is a failure to communicate


[/ QUOTE ]
Strother Martin to Paul Newman in "Cool Hand Luke"
[ QUOTE ]
Do any of these sites try to understand the actual meaningful content of the messages they receive.


[/ QUOTE ]
A few.
[ QUOTE ]
Why do they have these completely irrelevant responses

[/ QUOTE ]
Because someone is getting paid x rupees/hr to ANSWER emails and they want to keep their job.

jek187 08-03-2003 05:52 AM

Poker Stars follow-up
 
Update from Jacob:

Hello jek,

Just to update you, I have forwarded your message to management and we are
discussing various possible things we may try in reaction to this. Rest
assured, we do realize the seriousness and consequences of this possible
legislation. Once we have studied the exact wording and implications of the
legislation, we will have a better idea of how to react.

Management should be in touch with you in the next couple of days with a
more detailed answer.

Regards,

Jacob
PokerStars Support Team


Such a stark contrast between each of the site's support teams. Of course we haven't seen the real response, but I personally think Stars edges out Para if for no other reason than I've actually seen personality from some Stars personel. Anyways, enough OT rambling.

GrannyMae 08-03-2003 01:29 PM

Re: Some revised thoughts from \'ol jek
 
I was starting to get the idea that the sites had some sort of master plan

J, they do NOT. the responsible sites have their lawyers and everyone shuffling to make sure that they have plans to deal with it when it happens (not if, when)

none of them have THE fix yet, but they are making sure that they will have plenty of ideas, all of them good for different scenarios that may evolve. they will be as ready to react as humanly possible.

poker sites, especially those that are top 5, and poker only (not the casino skins), are well aware of how smart poker players are in general compared to casino players. they know we are a group of people that will NEVER trust a site to react properly after the fact. they know that if we even sniff the possibility that our funds may get locked up in a C.A. bank, we will pull every dime out rather than face the uncertainties.

look at the revenue that all poker sites could lose with even a single day of being "dark". now consider the revenue that EmParty, Paradise and the other biggies would lose if they did not have an alternative for us.

peoples livelihoods and investments are on the line, and being proactive could be the difference in survival or failure.

finally jek, if you need ANY help at all with this 'project', please let me know. if i can't help, i'll find someone that can.

we know they read this board, so the existence of this thread is already common knowledge in the rooms. this thread will force the procrastinators to get off their asses, and it will serve to reward the sites that keep us in the loop.

keep it up
http://smilies.sofrayt.com/%5E/_950/friendship.gif



GrannyMae 08-03-2003 01:44 PM

Re: The Gaming Club\'s Response (Prima Network)
 
The Gaming Club's Response

what a joke. this is a form letter sent to people who question the legality of playing poker online. it, in no way, addresses the funding bill. total canned reply.

and bull, you make an excellent point. i'm not panicking YET. i *fully* understand and agree wth your assertion that a battle plan can't yet exist because the enemies and issues are not yet in place.

however, jek's emails are a good start at guaging the attitude and awareness that the sites have, given the current information available.

http://smilies.sofrayt.com/%5E/g/imurevenge.gif


yct 08-03-2003 01:59 PM

Re: Poker Stars follow-up
 
imho, stars has the sharpest and the best support staff. they know their stuff and get things done. they should get the credit that they deserved.

lunchmeat 08-03-2003 02:25 PM

Propoker
 
I sent an email similar to jek's to propoker.com... This is one response I'm eagerly awaiting.

jek187 08-03-2003 02:44 PM

Re: Propoker
 
lol, excellent idea Lunchmeat. Maybe Mike Haven will hit his good friends at Sunrise too?

jek187 08-03-2003 03:13 PM

Pacific Follow-up
 

Dear jek,

Thank you for contacting us.

Your question was brought to my attention, and I am happy to assist as
good as I can.

To my knowledge this bill refers to US payment methods only, which would
be restricted for transactions with gaming related industries, in case
the bill passes of course.

I can assure you that this is not related to the legality of our
business, and I also want to point out, that we are licensed in
Gibraltar (South of Spain).

In any case we are always looking into offering alternative payment
methods for our members around the world, and as you might know, many of
the methods available in the US are actually based in Canada.

Also, if I was a US citizen I would contact my senator directly, and
definitely not vote for this bill to pass.

I hope I was able to address your concerns.

If you require further assistance in this or any other matter please
feel free to contact us. We are here for you 24 hours a day, everyday.

Sincerely,
Benjamin
Manager
Member Support Department


While I thank them for the geography lesson (but where is Spain? [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]), and the helpful hint to contact my senator, there is precious little in this response. They're "always looking into offering alternative payment methods." I think this is another site that can be chalked up to not being too concerned.

richie 08-03-2003 03:50 PM

Re: Propoker
 
ROFLMAO However, propoker doesn't need us Americans. They have the Korean investors with their big bankrolls. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

jek187 08-04-2003 02:19 AM

UB\'s Response
 
Due to a rather hectic day, I'm a bit behind of schedule. UB's response came in at noon today for a response time of 1d 11h 28m

Hi jek,

I can't speak for the industry in general, but we do have a team of lawyers that follow these bills closely. They are not very concerned about this one at the current time. They feel that the limited amount of time congress has remaining this year, and other 'more important' bills to review, that this one will die a quiet death.

However, another is sure to follow, as some people see your occupation/pastime as a great threat to humanity. Now, I've never seen you at the tables, so this may be true. ;o) In any event, it is quite frightening that a handful of politicians can decide what you can and cannot do with your money online. I do hope that you write your congressman with your thoughts on the matter, and encourage others to do so as well.

Take care,
Emma


For the record, my senators have certainly heard from me on this subject. But maybe if people keep reading sites telling them to contact their represenatives more will do so.

Stu Pidasso 08-04-2003 02:51 AM

Re: What the sites plan to do about the S.627
 
Your not going to see or hear very many solutions until after the bill is passed. Why announce your loophole and give congress the opportunity to close it while the legislation is being written?

Stu

arod4276 08-04-2003 06:03 AM

Re: UB\'s Response
 
Jek I was glad to see Emma from UB take the time to adress your e-mail personally instead of sending some crappy form letter like some of the sites. I have dealt with her before and she has always been very helpful. Hopefully she is right and this bill will die in committee before this session of Congress is over. However, we, as poker players, and the poker sites should not take that for granted. Keep writing your congressmen people. I gaurantee the top 5 poker sites are not burying their head in the sand on this issue and neither should we. Jek keep up the good work, and thanks again. Power to the people.

arod

Hung 08-04-2003 06:04 AM

Re: Pacific Follow-up
 
[ QUOTE ]


While I thank them for the geography lesson (but where is Spain? [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]), and the helpful hint to contact my senator, there is precious little in this response. They're "always looking into offering alternative payment methods." I think this is another site that can be chalked up to not being too concerned.

[/ QUOTE ]

I wouldn't say that. I think he has read this thread before he replied to your mail. I'm surprised that UB hasn't answered you yet. Stars and UB have a very good support team. At least they speak/write correct English.
I'm sure they lobby day and night (I don't know if the word lobby excists in English)
These things take a lot of time and work and I'm sure that none of the sites will say what they're gonna do.


TruePoker CEO 08-04-2003 07:38 AM

Re: What the sites plan to do about the S.627
 
Dear jek187:

We got your email. As for the poker sites specifically, we have seen little action or reaction. That doesn't mean it is not happening beneath the surface, just that we cannot see it.

As for the gaming industry generally, the response is twofold, lobby against the legislation and prepare alternative means for players to deposit funds, possibly beyond the particular provisions of the legislation.

At a minimum, the effect of "more difficult" deposits on the casual US poker player, and players generally, cannot be ignored. Whether you are a US or non-US player or a site, we will all be much better off if S. 627 is defeated and US poker players are allowed to continue to play poker online.

(Poker players are found all over Capitol Hill, to date there has been no "poker-specific" grassroots lobbying of which we are aware. US players, PLEASE write your Senators to tell them how you feel about playing poker, the All-American game, online against other players from around the world and how S.627 affects that.)

Truepoker Management


Aragorn 08-04-2003 11:58 AM

Sorry, but ......
 
>>Also skillpoker.com will be regulated by las vegas gaming commision.

There is no such thing as the "las vegas gaming commision"

There is the Nevada Gaming Control Board, but they don't regulate any online games. And no Nevada casino will risk their license by getting involved with online gambling for money.

HUSKER'66 08-04-2003 12:01 PM

Re: What the sites plan to do about the S.627
 
Jek, I too want to thank you for your initiative in writing to the various online sites. That having been said, I'm not too sure that I like the sequence of events so far. Ted Geisel and I have pointed out in several earlier posts the seriousness of just what this bill would do to online poker players from the USA. I find myself appalled at the apathy of some of these sites and their responses. Now I do not claim that with the absence of US players the collapse of online poker is inevitable, but it would be a serious blow to the industry. Thank you for staying on top of this issue and I look forward to reading the responses from the remaining sites that have yet to answer.

thomastem 08-04-2003 12:17 PM

Re: UB\'s Response
 
It didn't die in committee it is in congress's hands. I did read somewhere that a congressman was quoted as saying that he thought there was no way congress could get to this bill for a vote this session.

HUSKER'66 08-04-2003 12:29 PM

Re: The one who planned ahead...
 
ROTFNLMAO your kidding right? Is this some kind of cruel joke.......pokerwhore, I don't mean to flame you, but your either a shill for this unique site of "pure skill" or as ignorant AS THEY ARE . Where do they get off thinking that since they are an "American" owned company that offers the same game as all those "offshore" sites, that they are exempt from s.627? Why would their games be considered games of "skill" while the offshore sites have games of "luck"????? Maybe, I don't get it but that statement sounds asinine to me. It is my understanding that there have been major casinos in Vegas that have already looked into having online poker sites and passed. What is good for the goose is good for the gander, if this site is allowed to operate with impunity then the offshore sites will have a good case for unfair trade practices.

jek187 08-04-2003 01:45 PM

WSex\'s reply
 
Response Time: 2d 4h 51m


Hi jek

Thanks for your concern. This is a very important question. I have forwarded it to our management team for their consideration. I hope to get a response fairly soon. I will be in touch with you about it.

Thanks

Kiki


jek187 08-04-2003 01:59 PM

Planet follows up
 

Hello jek

Reference Account #XXXXXX
I apologize for the delay in answering your question. I have been away from the office, and am just now getting caught up.. There is no easy answer to your questions. Planet Poker operates under license and regulation of the Netherlands Antilles, however we recognize that the decisions of the American government are far reaching and will have an effect on our industry. This bill, or versions of it have been tossed around for the last several years. The uncertainty of the direction the US will take, has already had a ripple effect on the industry by making it difficult to deal with conservative banks and financial institutions around the world. The funding methods for online poker (which are lumped together with the whole industry of online gaming), have evolved as a result, and will continue to evolve as developments around the world unfold with respect to online enterprises. While some countries make moves toward prohibition, others are embracing the industry with licensing and regulation. The internet, and this industry, is uncharted territory for governments, and they are struggling to find an approach that is reasonable and acceptable. The United States is no exception... even as S.627 moves forward, another bill, introduced in March this year, hints of regulation instead of prohibition. See: http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/leg...ative_home.htm Do a keyword search for online gaming or search bill H.R.1223.

Our Cardroom Manager, Roy Cooke feels that this commission could be the forum where the professional players and casino owners would get a voice. He says " It looks as if someone has figured out exactly how much money is to be made and is looking to control the wealth. That's just fine with me as long as I can play poker in peace. " As Americans, you all have a voice, and have the right to lobby your government representatives when bills are presented that are contrary to your views or are detrimental to your livelihood.

So I guess the short answer is that there is nothing specific to the bill S.627 underway, but there will be continued efforts made by various stakeholders over the next few months and years to keep the industry viable. I know that does not really answer your question, but there can be no clearly defined answers to it. We really have to 'wait and see' what direction the regulators will take, and the industry will find its own path as a result. At Planet Poker, we remain optimistic and we will certainly continue to do everything in our power to ensure that our American friends have a place to play.

Speaking of which, I notice you haven't been in to play at our tables for some time... is there something that we can help you with? We have had significant software upgrades since you were last in a real money game, including the ability to play more than one game at a time... I hope you will give us an opportunity to serve you again in the near future.

Hope to see you back at the tables soon! Have a great day!

Brenda E
Planet Poker Customer Support Manager

Email
support@planetpoker.com

Phone
US & Canada: 1-866-50-POKER (1-866-507-6537)
International: 1-678-460-0111
9:00 AM to 11:00 PM Eastern Time


The heads-up to the search is interesting. The rest of the content was a good read too. I'll let others discuss it further.

As for why I haven't played there, it's simply due to a lack of fish. I'll always hold a soft spot in my heart for Planet as it was where I got my start. They're one of the sites I pull for to do well.

dux 08-04-2003 08:34 PM

Re: Planet follows up
 
I like this one - a thought out response, seemingly holding nothing back. They don't seem terribly pro-active about it all though - rather than sort through the wording off the bill like Stars, they are going to wait to see what happens first.

So jek, who does this leave to respond? One omission that comes to mind is Party.

Hung 08-05-2003 03:28 AM

Re: Pacific Follow-up
 
I'm surprised that UB hasn't answered you yet

I can't believe I missed the reply of UB just above my post... [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]
woops... [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

Mike Haven 08-05-2003 12:32 PM

Do NOT miss Sunrise\'s reply on this ...
 
"Dear Poker Room Manager

As a professional online poker player, I am very concerned about the Senate bill S.627 or the "Unlawful Internet Gambling/Funding Prohibition Act."

Should this bill pass, does your site, or the industry in general, have any backup plans in place to avoid losing a large portion of American customers?

If so, can you divulge what they are?

Thank you for your time,

Mike"

Dear Mike,

information about all our customers is absolutly confidential. Please don`t worry.

Best regards,

Robert Polson

Sunrise-Poker Support


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