I play poker, and am deeply involved in the industry, both online and live. I don't bet sports, play pit games (don't even know how), and have never played slots except once before a show, penny slots for free cokes because two were seven bucks at the bar. Poker is not a game for gambling addicts. It's too slow. Not enough action. It is a game of skill, at the least the way winners play. ;)

Online gambling could, if legal and regulated by something like the Nevada Gaming Commission, have actually more safeguards against underage gambling and problem gamblers. There are many more ways for an online casino to spot both and provide services to the latter. Unfortunately, the online casinos as they are now, have no oversight. This needs to be addressed and hopefully will be with a change in Administrations.

Poker is not illegal online, never has been. Sadly, poker is lumped into the broad category of online gambling, while bridge, hearts and other card games are not. Poker is/should be a separate issue.

However, it's more about the right to make your own decisions. Those who would make online gambling illegal are saying they have the right to take away your decision about what to do with your money in your home. That is abominable and Un-American! If we continue to allow our rights to be taken away, we will soon have no rights at all, including the right to protest.

CJ

While the winner of the HORSE event will be considered the best poker player in the world, until next year, the Main Event winner will be the one people want to see. It's the most democratic championship in the world. Anyone can enter, and seemingly, anyone can win.

No one thinks that the ME winner is the best. He won the biggest donkament of the year. But, if you don't think Scotty Nguyen wouldn't trade his HORSE bracelet for the ME bracelet, I've got an over-priced house in Henderson to sell you.

CJ

Too bad we didn't get this kind of support for the bill last week which would have gutted the UIGEA. I will remember this when I vote in November.

Sports leagues are against betting while being the biggest beneficiary of betting. Does anyone really think the Super Bowl would be as big as it is if there weren't millions of people in office pools? Why do you think the NFL puts out injury reports on players every week? It's because of the betting!

The whole Prohibition scheme on gambling is one of the great hypocrisies in the US today. It's an issue of our basic rights, to do what we want with our money, however we want to spend it. Any discussion which does not have this at the top is a fraud.