Online Poker Forum - US Moves To Implement Rules Banning Most Internet Gambling-Your voice is needed

Zophar · Last edited by Zophar on Mon Nov 10, 2008 8:03 pm; edited 2 times in total

A big deal:

Taken from TheEngineer over at 2p2:
http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/57/poker-legislation/lets-all-call-fed-tell-them-hold-off-uigea-regs-340261/

Just one week after a historic election the Poker Players Alliance is pitted in a fight to keep anti-Internet poker regulations from being enacted and we NEED YOUR HELP!

The current Administration is hastily finalizing a number of �midnight rules� before they leave office and the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) is on the list. See the 11/06 story in Dow Jones. Just like UIGEA was snuck into legislation in the dark of night in 2006, our opponents are again trying an 11th hour sneak job. We need you to help us expose and stop this reckless rulemaking.

Please call the U.S. Federal Reserve and tell them not to approve the UIGEA regulations -- Consumer Complaints, 888-851-1920 or Public Affairs, 202-452-2955.

Tell them:

* The federal agencies responsible for our nation�s economy should not be focused on Internet poker regulations.
* Finalization of the UIGEA rules will add additional burdens on our already crippled financial systems.
* Internet poker is a game of skill and form of recreation for millions of Americans; it should be exempted from the UIGEA.
* Please do not finalize the UIGEA regulations until their impact on our banking systems and average Americans has been fully studied.

Your call will make a huge difference and will add the public�s voice to these last minute policy decisions our government is poised to make. We can�t stand idly by while they make decisions that will impact our right to play America�s card game. PLEASE CALL TODAY!

or email

http://www.federalreserveconsumerhelp.gov/consumercomplaint.cfm#

cardfish2 · Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 7:19 pm Post subject:

Can you link the thread at 2+2?

live4freerolls · Banned Joined: 23 Nov 2006 Posts: 2588 Location: Grindin

Hold one time

drkato · Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 7:32 pm Post subject:

kyblue007 · Message Board Junkie Joined: 20 Nov 2006 Posts: 1238

Called and emailed. The more we do the better chance we have.

Camby24 · Message Board Junkie Joined: 01 Mar 2008 Posts: 2962

I called earlier in the afternoon, and the guy I spoke to said that there has been a flooding of calls to his office about the UIGEA and internet poker!!!

KEEP IT UP GUYS!!! If you havent called CALL!!!

UFO1947 · Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 7:54 pm Post subject:

I guess being from Canada it's moot for me to do anything, since they probally won't listen to a foriegner.

rumor has it that Obama is going to "reverse" some bills when he takes office. Hope Barney Frank brings this one up.

GL USA

spike420211 · Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 7:55 pm Post subject:

e-mailed 2day.
phoning 2morrow.
W won't get away w/ this one. Evil or Very Mad

UFO1947 · Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 7:55 pm Post subject:

Also Zophar maybe you should sticky this

Camby24 · Message Board Junkie Joined: 01 Mar 2008 Posts: 2962

kyblue007 · Message Board Junkie Joined: 20 Nov 2006 Posts: 1238

Received this in reply to my email to Fed.

Dear Mr. :

Thank you for your recent correspondence in which you expressed concerns about proposed regulations to implement the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. The opinions you expressed will be shared with the appropriate Board staff.

The Act prohibits gambling businesses from accepting payments in connection with unlawful Internet gambling, including payments made through credit cards, electronic funds transfers, and checks. The Federal Reserve Board and the Department of the Treasury are required to develop joint implementing rules, in consultation with the Department of Justice. A proposed rule was published in October 2007. The public comment period on the proposal closed on December 12, 2007. The Federal Reserve and the Treasury are carefully considering all comments received and determining what modifications may be appropriate in light of the issues raised by those comments. Our objective is to craft a rule to implement the Act as effectively as possible in a manner that does not have a substantial adverse effect on the efficiency of the nation's payment system.

Again, thank you for taking the time to share your views with us.

Sincerely,

JPD
Board Staff

IMO they are just saying "Bug off, we don't give a damn what you think."

Camby24 · Message Board Junkie Joined: 01 Mar 2008 Posts: 2962

they need to finalize and make it official by Nov. 19th (60 days b4 bush leave office) KEEP CALLING AND EMAILING

As the Bush administration comes to a close, government agencies are being pressured by the outgoing party to iron up the technicalities on several passed bills so that they will be in place before Barrack Obama is sworn in on Jan. 20.

The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) is one of those bills.

According to both the Poker Players Alliance and the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative, the UIGEA is being fast-tracked toward implementation before Bush leaves office.

The Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative is an industry group that �promotes the freedom of individuals to gamble online with the proper safeguards to protect consumers and ensure the integrity of financial transactions,� according to its literature.

On Oct. 20, through pressure from White House officials, specifically a former lobbyist who used to work for the NFL, the Federal Reserve and the Department of the Treasury sent a draft of UIGEA rules to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for final review.

In order for the proposed rules to be implemented before Bush leaves office, the OMB must sign off on them by Nov. 19. That date is important because, by law, a 60-day Congressional review period must take place before they become official. Sixty days after Nov. 19 takes Bush right up to his last full day in office, ensuring that the UIGEA will undergo no more delays under Bush�s watch.

Congress members will be able to comment on the proposed rules during this time, and the OBM could send them back for more revisions, but in this case, John Pappas, Executive Director of the PPA, says chances are no changes will be made and the rules will make it through the OMB by the time Bush leaves office.

It�s a common maneuver by outgoing parties to fast-track rules needed for laws that were passed during its term, and the UIGEA is just one of a handful that are being hurried on through as Bush�s administration comes to a close.

�This Administration still seems dead-set on trying to build a legacy out of this issue,� Pappas said.

On Friday, Pappas and a regulatory attorney hired by the PPA met with officials from the OMB and the Treasury to express their concerns about the proposed rules, particularly that online poker will be �unintentionally swept into the UIGEA regulations because banks won�t be able to make determinations,� Pappas said.

A three-page letter drafted by the PPA outlining the concerns the poker organization has with the UIGEA was given to OBM officials, and he described his meeting this way:

�There was a lot of head-nodding, but no reaction one way or another that they are or they are not going to get these rules out before the key date of Nov. 19.�

The PPA�s letter, as well as all the letters submitted to the OMB concerning the UIGEA regulations, can be found by visiting

Canlis · Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 10:03 am Post subject:

This is a must do. Took me literally 2 min to do.

Mods. I posted this in pokernews section as well. If you want you can delete or leave it up.

craigo6x · Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 1:06 pm Post subject:

Bush and his cronies getting their final shot in. Every thing this turd bucket did was behind closed doors. I've read the regulations and they are absolutely unworkable.

BBCOACH44 · Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 1:53 pm Post subject:

On my way............ Idea

Online Poker Forum at Full Tilt Poker