pretty frustrating imo.

 

<table border="0"><tbody><tr><td><span><span>Dear Jared:</span></span>

<span> <span>Thank you for contacting me to express your support for H.R. 2267. I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts on legalizing Internet gambling.</span></span>

<span> </span>

<span> <span>I believe that gambling regulations are a state issue and should be regulated by the legislatures of each individual state.</span></span>

<span> </span>

<span> <span>At present, Internet gambling is illegal in all 50 states. In recent years, after enacting legislation to ban online gambling, it became apparent that states could not effectively enforce such prohibitions against the many offshore companies which continued to violate these laws. Therefore, in 2006, the National Association of Attorneys General sought a legislative remedy from Congress. The result was overwhelming passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) to restrict the payment systems used to operate Internet gambling websites by off-shore companies conducting online gambling transactions within the </span><span>United States</span><span>. It is important to note that UIGEA does not make Internet gambling illegal, it simply provides an enforcement mechanism for states to implement their legislative regulations. The UIGEA passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 317-93, with the support of 48 state Attorneys General. </span></span>

<span> </span>

<span> <span>Internet gambling, contrary to industry slogans, is hardly a victimless crime. Its victims are the thousands of young people recruited by online gambling sites who become compulsive gamblers. Additionally, the unique nature of the Internet puts all online gambling participants at increased risk in a variety of ways. Online players can gamble 24 hours a day from home. Children can play without rigorous age verification. Credit card betting can distort the real value of stakes and losses leading to addiction, bankruptcy and crime. Families often face serious consequences as well, including the loss of a job, marriage and home that can result from addictive gambling. Finally, a lack of privacy regulations and commercial transparency in online gambling sites opens the door to identity theft and fraud. </span></span>

<span> </span>

<span> <span>I believe that UIGEA is good policy that protects and empowers states, allowing them to draft their own legislation regarding Internet gambling. UIGEA will reduce the illegal, foreign online gambling business in the </span><span>United States</span><span>. As always, the power to prohibit or allow such online gambling remains with the states.</span></span>

<span> </span>

<span> <span>Again, thank you for your letter. I appreciate the opportunity to hear your views about this important issue, and will be sure to keep your perspective in mind should legislation on this topic come before the House of Representatives for a vote. If you have additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at (202) 225-7041 or visit my website at www.house.gov/graves for more information.</span></span>

<span> </span>

</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Sincerely,
<img>
Sam Graves
Member of Congress</td></tr></tbody></table>

im still confused about the rules in the states. if its illegal in 50 of the states how come everyone plays online poker in the US?

Sam Graves is an ignorant stooge.

This is easily the worst response I've seen from a U.S. Congressman on this matter, and I read all the posts about letters from people's representatives. Nearly every sentence is either a lie, an ignorant misrepresentation of fact, or a ridiculous generalization.

If TheEngineer or another PPA rep is reading, might it be worth the PPA's time to write a point-by-point counter to Sam Graves, quoting legal precedent, to try and educate the representative?

Personally, I liked the one I got back from my Representative, John Kline (R-MN) better...far more encouraging:

<span>Dear Mr. Herzog:</span>

<span> </span>

<span>Thank you for contacting me to share your support for the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act (H.R. 2267) and the Reasonable Prudence in Regulation Act (H.R. 2266). I appreciate learning of your view.</span>

<span> </span>

<span>I understand your concerns with the current laws and regulations governing internet gambling. As the debate on whether to loosen federal online gambling laws continues, it is important that policymakers consider the interests of internet poker players like you.</span>

<span> </span>

<span>H.R. 2267 and H.R. 2266 have been referred to the House Committee on Financial Services. H.R. 2266 is additionally under consideration by the House Committees on Energy and Commerce and the Judiciary. While I do not serve on any of these committees, I will keep your views in mind should these bills reach the House of Representatives for a vote.</span>

<span> </span>

<span> <span>Thank you again for contacting me. Please feel free to do so again regarding any issue of </span> <span>importance to you.</span></span>

<span> </span>

<span> </span>

Sincerely,

JOHN KLINE
Member of Congress

Form letter FTL

 

Originally Posted by MYBLUEDOG

Sounds like a "WONK" speak reply to me.

I read the UIGEA that came out. I never read anything that said anything about a vehicle for states to implement anything. In fact the UIGEA, specifically states it doesn't change any existing laws regarding gambling definitions or regulations.

UIGEA clarifies that states and Indian tribes can choose to authorize intrastate/tribal (on tribal land only) poker and gaming. Prior to that, the DoJ claimed that intrastate gaming violated the Wire Act.

 

Since the UIGEA wasn't debated in committee or on the floor (passed in the middle of the night as an attachment to unrelated legislation), it doubtful that many if any legislators new they voted on it (or what it said or meant).

It passed the House 317-93 as a freestanding bill. It was HR 4411 back then, and it was even harsher than UIGEA.

 

Originally Posted by teratical

I moved to Rep. Kline's district recently. Methinks it's time for a letter to get my opinions on this radar, too

Absolutely!!

<span>September 3, 2009</span>

<span> </span>

<span> </span>

<span>Justin XXXXX
</span>
<span id="lw_1252020529_0">
<span>xxxxxx xxxxxxxxx St</span>

<span>Southgate, MI 48195</span>
</span>
<span> </span>

<span> </span>

<span>Thank you . . .</span>

<span> </span>

<span>. . . for contacting me about online poker. I understand your concerns.</span>

<span> </span>

<span>As you may know, the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act (H.R.2267) has been introduced in the U.S. <span id="lw_1252020529_1">House of Representatives</span> by <span id="lw_1252020529_2">Congressman Jim McDermott</span> (D-Washington). This bill would make <span id="lw_1252020529_3">skill games</span> including poker, mah-jongg, bridge, and chess exempt from the <span id="lw_1252020529_4">Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act</span> (UIGEA) passed in 2006. There has not been similar legislation introduced in the <span id="lw_1252020529_5">U.S. Senate</span>. Should this bill come before me in the Senate, I will keep your views in mind.</span>

<span> </span>

<span><span>Thank you for contacting me. Please continue to keep me informed about issues of concern to you and your family. </span></span>

<span> </span>

<span>Sincerely,</span>

<span><span id="lw_1252020529_6">Debbie Stabenow</span></span>

<span>United States Senator</span>

<span> </span>

<span>DS:SM</span>