Online Poker News Blog

Wired Talks about Current State of Online Poker

Wired magazine wrote an article discussing the current state of online poker. The article starts out by talking about online poker players retiring from playing online as their full job because of the UIGEA making online poker rooms harder to play at. The article states that with the current UIGEA bill it doesn’t stop online gambling but forces it underground.

The article states that $3.5 billion dollars could be raised every year if they legalized and taxed gambling. Rep. Barney Frank’s legislation which was introduced last month looks to re-legalize the industry. It also talks about other proposals from Rep. Bob Wexler (D-Florida) and Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-Nevada) also taking steps to overturning prohibition (which most know does not work). Bob Wexler is looking to find carve out’s for skill games including poker, mahjong and bridge. While Shelly Berkley is setting up a commission to study the industry and find the best way to regulate it.

It is great to see online poker covered in Wired and other main stream publications. It looks like the momentum is currently to legalize the industry. The benefits out weigh the costs and would help the US get much needed tax revenue while allowing adults the right to gamble online if they choose too. While putting safeguards in place to protect problem gamblers and underage children.