Moneymaker thread on RGP

[Inthacup]

Sorry for the cross-post, but I thought this thread was very interesting.

Posted by Nuts4daNuts:


This will probably generate a lot of flames, but I have to ask: Did Chris
Moneymaker violate the law by playing online poker in the state of
Tennessee? I am NOT posting this to get him in any trouble but feel that
this is a way to discuss the legal ramifications of playing poker online.

Statute 39-17-501 states:

==================================
As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) Gambling is contrary to the public policy of this state and means
risking anything of value for a profit whose return is to any degree
contingent on chance, or any games of chance associated with casinos,
including, but not limited to, slot machines, roulette wheels and the
like. For the purposes of this chapter gambling does not include:

(A) A lawful business transaction;

(B) Annual events operated for the benefit of charitable § 501(c)(3)
organizations that are authorized pursuant to a two-thirds (2/3) approval
of the general assembly, so long as such events are not prohibited by the
state constitution; or

(C) A state lottery of the type such as is in operation in Georgia,
Kentucky, and Virginia in 2000 and authorized by amendment to the
Constitution of Tennessee, if such lottery is approved by the general
assembly;
==================================

He was clearly involved in "gambling" as defined here, and does not meet
any of the stated exceptions.

Statute 39-17-502 states:

==================================
(a) A person commits an offense who knowingly engages in gambling.

(b) The offense of gambling is a Class C misdemeanor.
==================================

Obviously a Class C misdemeanor is a petty offense but couldn't some
hard-ass anti-gambling prosecutor decide to make an example of such a
high-profile player in order to discourage others from playing? Like I
said I'm not looking to stick Chris with a $100 fine or something like
that but you all better realize that the danger of being legally harassed
exists for many players and I feel that this must be brought out in the
open for discussion.

Thank you for reading and responding.



What do you guys think? Has anyone ever researched this?

[Rushmore]

If the Federal government wanted to stop internet poker, all they would have to do would be to wait until Chris Moneymaker was in a public place and make a big show out of arresting him. Then they should seek to take the $2.5 mil, claiming that this money has been "reappropriated due to the illegality of its' original source (an online poker satellite, of course)."

This might deter folks from playing internet poker anymore.

Kinda like the ATF and FBI tried to "deter" Randy Weaver from spreading his unsavory views.

I sure hope the governments of the fifty united states of America can reach a consensus to...

...just leave us all the hell alone.

Fix the streets. Defend the nation. Don't worry about some poker playing. If they're so worried about the missed tax opportunity, maybe they can just take back, oh, say, a tiny fraction of the BILLIONS of dollars we send to our "allies" to wage wars against our "enemies."

P.S. This post guaranteed written by a man who has has a masked SWAT team member stick a glock in his face for playing poker.

[Inthacup]

If the Federal government wanted to stop internet poker

This isn't a federal issue. It's dealt with at the state level. Making a big scene arresting MoneyMaker would only serve the interests of Tennessee.

[pokerfunnMyAss]

I think the defense would be that he was not gambling in Tennessee, but on the server located elsewhere.

[RiverMel]

It would serve the interests of all fifty states, whether or not it's a federal issue. The point is that it would be so public and visible that it would deter folks no matter what state they lived in.

[risen]

Nice try, but if that were allowable, we wouldn't be having these discussions. Every one of those packets he sends originates in his home, and depending on his connection may travel over interstate phone lines for the purposes of gambling. But I'm sure the government has a whole lot of more pressing issues than trying to put another rake on our winnings. I'm sure they got at least a cool Million of MM's haul within 24 hours.

[Rushmore]

That is exactly correct. An issue of government exists at both the state AND federal level.

Ultimately, with so much gaming originating offshore, it will be the federal government who will make this decision anyway. The states will have nothing to say about it (internet poker as it currently exists) once it is legislated at the federal level.

And that's why blah blah blah etc etc ad infinitum.