“I always say I hope (Internet poker) stays up, because I think it helps us a lot.”
Jack McClelland, Bellagio Poker Tournament Director
As the poker tournament director for the Bellagio, industry veteran Jack McClelland’s opinion on the matter carries more weight than just about anyone’s.
The real question is not HOW the un-American UIGE Act will affect poker, but HOW MUCH and for HOW LONG.
Sure, the public companies are leaving the U.S., but that just opens opportunity to those who would find another way to maintain online poker service. TV coverage of the game is increasing, not decreasing. Brick-and-mortar casinos can’t build poker rooms fast enough. And the explosion of tournaments both online and real world continues.
So is the un-American UIGE Act just a temporary blip? Yes. Why? Look to history.
Prohibition did not last. No injustice survives in this country – especially not one that infringes on personal freedom. Freeloading Bill Frist and his special-interest politico-punks are the necessary evils of a democratic system that welcomes all, but ultimately stands with the majority. Their shenanigans remind us of what makes this country strong – Freedom. In the end, their brand of fascism is always defeated. Always. That’s history.
Play Your Game – Scarlet Poker
Yes, we’ve got a poker industry playing musical chairs right now. But that will pass. Services will settle down. And we’ll all get back to playing the great American game.
Talk Poker. Play Poker. Poker is America.
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