Even gambling critics dislike new law to restrict online bets
By Denise Jewell
A new federal law aimed at restricting online gambling in the United States has come under fire from a rare pair: poker players and people who help addicted gamblers.
Poker players are angry because they say the law has hampered their online opportunities to participate in popular poker games and make money.
“It has unintended consequences,” said Michael Bolcerek, president of the Poker Players Alliance, a pro-gambling lobbying group. “Just like the unintended consequences of alcohol prohibition — the speakeasies.”
Gambling addiction experts are unhappy because they say the law doesn’t go far enough and will not slow the growth of the multibillion dollar online gambling business.
“It will make it a little bit less convenient for casual gamblers,” said Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling. “But heavy gamblers and certainly problem gamblers ... can easily find ways around the law.”
(Dead link: http://www.flyergroup.com/sports/local_story_027103949.html?keyword=topstory)
By Denise Jewell
A new federal law aimed at restricting online gambling in the United States has come under fire from a rare pair: poker players and people who help addicted gamblers.
Poker players are angry because they say the law has hampered their online opportunities to participate in popular poker games and make money.
“It has unintended consequences,” said Michael Bolcerek, president of the Poker Players Alliance, a pro-gambling lobbying group. “Just like the unintended consequences of alcohol prohibition — the speakeasies.”
Gambling addiction experts are unhappy because they say the law doesn’t go far enough and will not slow the growth of the multibillion dollar online gambling business.
“It will make it a little bit less convenient for casual gamblers,” said Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling. “But heavy gamblers and certainly problem gamblers ... can easily find ways around the law.”
(Dead link: http://www.flyergroup.com/sports/local_story_027103949.html?keyword=topstory)