[clevfan]

Washington State: Online Poker is no Longer a Felony in Homes

by PokerPages.com
Wed, Apr 25th, 2007 @ 12:00am

Washington State legislators last week passed Bill 1243 to correct excessive felony charges for online poker or online gambling when done in the privacy of a primary residence for recreation and not for organised profit.


State Rep. Chris Strow, R-Whidbey Island, introduced House Bill 1243 on Jan 15, 2007 to correct what he considers "an inappropriate penalty for an activity responsible adults should be allowed to do in the privacy of their home."


Strow at the time the bill was introduced stated, "Most certainly choosing to gamble, or play a game of skill such as poker, should not have been made a crime equivalent to possessing child pornography or threatening the Governor."


Under the state's 2006 internet gambling law, any online gambling in the state is a Class C Felony, which is the same penalty for possessing child pornography.


The Senate passed SB 1243 on 3 April with 45 yeas to 2 nays. The House followed suit on 17 April voting 62 yeas to 36 nays. So now, online gambling in the privacy of a home in Washington State is a legitimate defense against being convicted of a felony charge.


Other sponsors of the bill include Representatives Kirby, Upthegrove, B. Sullivan, Simpson, and Appleton.


Ironically, the bill does not apply to online operators of gambling or gambling information sites located in the State of Washington. They are regarded as profiting from and promoting online gambling. So, in apparent contradiction, online gambling- the activity- is allowed, but the promotion and provision of it is not.