The state of Washington has a new law that makes gambling online a Class C Felony. Those that gamble online will now be charged with the same crime as somebody who possesses child pornography. Are now living in Washington and want to play poker? Doing this is now an offense that may land you in jail for 5 years. You can even be fined $10,000. Washington is setting a new precedence in the legal arena.
For decades the us government of the United States has tried to pass specific legislation to revise the Federal Wire Wagering Act. The newest attempt is expected to pass the house, nonetheless it will likely fail in the Senate. Washington State legislators decided to take matters into their own hands by passing this new law. While there is no contradictory federal law, the Washington State law will face clear sailing.
The legislation does more than ban online gambling. It also bans speaing frankly about online gambling--quite the communist move by legislators. The legislation specifically outlaws the passing of any "gambling information." Furthermore, gambling information is defined as: "information as to wagers, betting odds and changes in betting odds will probably be presumed to be designed for use within professional gambling." Technically, a website that talks about a nationally televised sports game and mentions the "spread" could be in violation of the law and susceptible to penalty.
Not surprisingly, legislators are quick to point out that the law would not be properly used against individuals in this way. While that is all warm and fuzzy, the very fact remains that the law is still on the books. Perhaps a better way to put it's that they do not currently plan to utilize it in this way--just wait until they require it. Also, if there was an ounce of truth to those statements, then how do you explain the official statement by Rick Day, the Executive Director for the Washington State Gambling Commission? When asked whether a website simply linking to an on the web gambling destination was in violation he explained, "If your website even offers a connect to a gambling site, then to us that's no different." According to this statement, simply linking to a website can allow you to get charged with a Class C Felony.
There's further reason for concern here, in relation to the way laws are written and the precedence they set. It's possible other states will appear at Washington State's actions and opt to enact something similar. Even although you are against gambling, are you currently also against censorship? Today it's gambling; tomorrow it's something you value even more https://194.32.78.99/.
No comments:
Post a Comment