Democrats Take Over of House and Senate - Good News For Online Poker Players?

As a result of the 2006 mid-term election vote, the Democratic Party has taken over control of both the house and the senate in the United States.  Although, Republican leader and President George W. Bush remains in power, a change in the political landscape may bring a more "liberal" future in US politics.  But, will this lead to a bright future for online poker players, especially those playing and residing in the United States?  Only time will tell if the affects of the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) will be softened or reversed.

There are many contrasting opinions about the effects of the election and the change in power from conservative to liberal.  Some poker theorists believe that because the law has already been passed by the previous house, mostly because of corrupt senator Bill Frist sneaked it in during the last session of parliament, that there is no avoiding enactment of laws preventing poker players from making deposits at online poker rooms.  Others believe that the bill will fade into oblivion now that the Democrat leaders focus will shift to health care concerns and pulling out of Iraq and the Middle East.

One thing is for sure: poker players are in a better position now than October.  At least, we know that the power in the US senate and house is more open to debate on freedom issues for the American people.  The new Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has already made clear his views about attaching an internet gambling bill to another bill in the past.  Reid stated that, "Any linking of an Internet gambling bill to another bill would be unfortunate."  Of course, this statement was made before the UIGEA passed attached to the Port Security Bill.

What the U.K. and other countries have come to realize is that regulation of gambling online is not only a huge portion of income for the government that can be used for funding such as health care and education, but the money can also be used to help control gambling addiction and educate youth of society on how to control their money better and spend it responsibly. 

Some think the United States has a hidden agenda to drive out foreign gambling entities so land-based casinos such as Harrah's and MGM can monopolize the market on US soil.  This idea may not be that far-fetched as rumors that companies such as Harrah's may already be in the works of negotiating takeover possibilities with Party Gaming.  The question here is: How would the dynamics of online poker and casinos change if large corporate casinos control the play?

In Canada, similar events are taking place, with the Ontario government attempting to restrict online gaming advertising.  Like the US, the Ontario government has no problem with horse racing or lottery ads as they money goes to the Ontario Lottery Corporation (OLGC) and Woodbine Entertainment Group who has funded many government pockets for campaigning in the past.  The idea behind the ban of ads again is the hopes to monopolize the market.  The interesting catch is the reluctance by government to impose any type of regulation towards native casinos and gaming interests such as the Kahnawake Gaming Commission in Quebec.  The KGC serves as a regulatory power for many of the online poker and gaming sites.  This may be a strong edge that gaming operators have in the courts if litigation should occur in the future.

Simply put, these governments (US and Ontario, Canada) are trying to tell the people what to do, imposing on freedoms inside our own homes.  This is never something that has worked in the past (as we found out during the Alcohol Prohibition earlier in the century) and not something that is likely to sit well with citizens in the future.  But, in order to protect ourselves, poker players, gamblers and people in general must put up a fight for their freedoms and rights if anything is going to get done.  Otherwise, we may be answering to Big Brother in the not too distant future!