Massachusetts Trying to Sneak In Online Gambling Ban

November 9, 2007

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has been pushing his proposal for legalizing resort style, land-based casinos in Massachusetts, his proposal is 28 pages long. He has had some opposition because many believe his financial outlook for 20,000 jobs and $2 billion revenue is not realistic. But there are more reasons to take a closer look at his proposed bill.

The PPA (Poker Players Alliance) is questioning his proposal because hidden deep in the 28 page bill is a questionable, hypocritical clause banning online gambling.

His clause in the “Act Establishing and Regulating Resort Casinos in the Commonwealth” says, “Any person who knowingly transmits or receives a wager of any type by any telecommunication device, including telephone, cellular phone, Internet, local area network, including wireless local networks, or any other similar device or equipment or other medium of communication, or knowingly installs or maintains said device or equipment for the transmission or receipt of wagering information shall be punished by imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than 2 years, or a fine of not more than $25 000, or both.”

The PPA is urging online gamblers in Massachusetts to let there voices be heard and how they feel about this buried clause by contacting their state representatives.

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