Stop that Felon!

Did you know that a law is written in Acworth, Georgia, which states that all citizens must own a yard rake? A New Jersey law prohibits men from knitting during fishing season. There is a statute on the books in La Crosse, Wisconsin, which expressly disallows any playing of checkers in public! We hear about these silly ordinances and laws all of the time. It seems that every part of our nation has similarly odd laws governing them. I suppose that special circumstances and upstart government officials have worked their way into producing idiotic guidelines for our lives. Although these odd laws remain on the books, they are rarely ever actually enforced. I doubt that any residents of Acworth are serving hard time for not having a suitable rake for the backyard full of leaves. Still, these laws give us a snapshot into the morals and ideology of the area. The guidelines and laws of ancient civilizations give historians and sociologists great insights into the mindset of the times. Future generations may use our written laws as a way to judge this time, and this generation. If this is so, what will they think about the disapproval of poker? Will it mimic our current reaction to prohibition of alcohol in the 1920's? Or will the masses join against poker, forcing it to the backrooms and effectively killing the online game? What is the future of our game?

Many of us have been a bit blindsided by the recent backlash against poker and gaming. We have been wearing a pair of rose-colored glasses, thinking that poker had finally "arrived." After all, televised poker is now one of the most popular & well-watched sporting contests. Endorsement deals are raining in for the biggest name players, even from companies that have nothing to do with poker. Grandmas and kids alike have sparked an interest in the game, and home games are everywhere. Many thought poker was finally accepted into the mainstream. In reality, the game is under attack from moralistic and ill-informed politicians who are looking to boost their names as election time nears. If you are logging onto any online poker sites from the state of Washington, for instance, you may be committing a felony! Online gaming is now not a simple misdemeanor, it is characterized as a felony. Although no one actually expects them to hammer casual players in such a manner, it may be possible to levy a heavy 5 years in prison and $10 grand in fines to Washington's online hosts and online players! The federal government has reignited its push to ban online poker, as well. Representatives from a few different states have aligned themselves against poker, drafting proposed legislation that might make it illegal for any American to log on and play. Internet poker chat forums have been clamoring that this may be just the tip of the iceberg. Players in all 50 states, in Canada, in England, and across the globe are wondering what will become of the game's legality in their area. This is a vitally important time for the future of poker. Stars like Greg Raymer, Jesus Ferguson, and Howard Lederer understand this point. That is why they joined the leadership of the Poker Players Alliance in Washington DC to lobby lawmakers and media outlets to reconsider the bills banning online poker.

Poker may be a popular pastime with you and your friends. Talking about the World Series and WPT may be common near your water cooler at work. Still, this legal push is a harsh reminder that poker has a very long way to go, sociologically speaking. There is a huge portion of the voting public with a very negative image of the game in their mind. They see poker as dangerous and shady. They think it puts children at risk. Essentially, they see poker as an evil. In stark contrast, poker players retell stories of how they forged a bond with their parents who taught them the game. We love the game, and feel it brings families and communities closer than ever.

The discourse between the perspectives is deep and remarkable. Our task is not an easy one. As a poker community, we must completely change others' outlooks on poker. We must work to show them that their assumptions are ill-conceived and incorrect. We have to find a way to reach those who neither understand the game, nor the poker community. Poker is not a crime. It is certainly not a felony! For the health and future of our game, we must find a way.

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