Internet gaming illegal in washington?

[Sarge85]

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I'm wondering how much of a risk it really is, and if I should consider moving to another state where their gambling laws are more lenient.

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I think that would be hasty.

Sarge[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]

[Tapin]

That's approximately the same language I've seen for several different states (and possibly federally). It seems to make a big deal out of using "bookmaking" as an example, but typically never specifically mentions "games of chance". Leads me to believe that sports betting is explicitly illegal, while casino games are implicitly grey.

Of course, this also leads to questions about whether poker should be considered a "game of chance" (to which California IIRC responded 'no, it's not' -- but that hasn't convinced any other state in the union).

[M.B.E.]

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I'm wondering how much of a risk it really is, and if I should consider moving to another state where their gambling laws are more lenient.

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I think that would be hasty.

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Doesn't it depend on your philosophical attitude? If you think there's nothing wrong with breaking the law as long as you aren't likely to get caught and/or the penalty is not too great, then that's one thing. But many people believe that one of the responsibilities of living in a democratic society is to obey laws made by their elected representatives, even if they disagree with the law in question.

[Tapin]

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I'm wondering how much of a risk it really is, and if I should consider moving to another state where their gambling laws are more lenient.

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I think that would be hasty.

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Doesn't it depend on your philosophical attitude? [..] But many people believe that one of the responsibilities of living in a democratic society is to obey laws made by their elected representatives, even if they disagree with the law in question.

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Given the OP's use of the word "risk", I'd imagine that his philosophy regarding civil obedience isn't really the question here.

Having said that, I'd love to talk to all those people who have apparently never broken the speed limit [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] (Forget 60 in a 55, I don't know how they manage to stay under 5mph in empty parking lots!)

[nsdjoe]

I think the risks of gettting busted for playing poker online are exactly zero...

Many pros talk quite a bit about gambling online every day ON TV (John D'Agostino comes to mind) and don't seem worried about it.

[UncleDuke]

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If online gambling is illegal in the United States and Washington State, then why do I see them all over the Internet?

It is not illegal to operate an online or Internet gambling website in countries which permit it and when the people placing those bets are in those countries; it is illegal, however, to solicit bettors from the United States, under the federal Wire Wager Act. Also, people in Washington State who place bets on the Internet can be charged with Professional Gambling in the Third Degree, which is a gross misdemeanor.

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From what I've heard Washington does have a law that addresses online gambling, which may (I'm no expert on this) include poker. The federal stuff though most likely does not apply. I believe it has been ruled (although this doesn't mean a higher court couldn't rule differently one day) that the Wire Act does not cover things like online poker. Furthermore, if you look at the wording of the Wire Act quote, it says it is illegal to solicit bettors, not to be one of the bettors yourself.

Anyway, it appears that it may indeed be illegal to play online in WA state. I'm not sure what the likelihood of actually being prosecuted for it is, probably low unless you somehow make it very obvious to a government official who has issues with it, but that's a judgement call everyone must make for themselves. Although interpretations of laws can be fuzzy, I'm reasonably comfortable, at least for myself, that it is not a federal crime to play online poker. There are some people who would like it to be illegal though, and who knows what laws may be passed in the future.