Mass. governor wants to jail online poker players while building 3 casinos

[Fonzi]

The hypocrisy continues as Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick is proposing to make online gambling illegal, while adding three land-based casinos in the state.

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick wants jail terms of up to two years and $25,000 fines for those who play poker and other casino games for real money online.

The Boston Globe reported this weekend that Massachusetts is looking to follow in the footsteps of Washington State, which already makes it a Class C felony to place bets online.

The provision, buried deep in Patrick's bill to allow three casinos to the state, puts the governor at odds with a fellow Democrat: US Representative Barney Frank, the sponsor of federal legislation to license and regulate online gambling nationally. Yesterday Frank strongly criticized the governor's plan to punish online gamers while inviting casino operators to set up shop.

"Why is gambling in a casino OK and gambling on the Internet is not?" Frank said. "He's making a big mistake. He's giving opponents an argument against him."

Patrick officials declined yesterday to explain the governor's rationale for including the provision in the proposed legislation. They also would not respond to Frank's comments.

"Several of the provisions of the governor's proposed resort casinos bill seek to clarify the laws relating to gaming in Massachusetts, including online gaming," said Kofi Jones, spokeswoman for the governor's chief gambling adviser, Daniel O'Connell, secretary of economic development. Others suggested the provision was included to make casino licenses more lucrative by preventing competition from online operators.

"If you were cynical about it, you'd think that they're trying to set up a monopoly for the casinos," said David G. Schwartz, director of the Center for Gaming Research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Patrick's casino legislation, which has been introduced at the State House but is not expected to get a hearing until next year, according to the Globe.

[Assistanc3]

atleast he makes his motives clear of why he wants to ban online poker players.

notice how Patrick doesn't respond to the question?
how could he with out taking the shoe from his mouth

[KingBorgo]

At least some people aren't smart enough for subtlety, so everyone can see his motives. Yay bluntness!

[Only1JA]

Can only end in tears.
We should enjoy it why we can.

[LottoLarry]

hey the more of these i read the more i get tead off will it ever end i doubt it but nice to have the info keep it up and nice job