Republican Moron Destroying My Livelihood - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Tyler · 10-02-2006, 12:19 PM

This weekend I awoke to find an email from my boss entitled:

US Congress approves Internet gambling ban bill

The bill, a compromise between earlier versions passed by the two chambers, would make it illegal for banks and credit card companies to make payments to online gambling sites.

I work for an online gaming company, which falls under this umbrella. Our US market is around 90% of our business, and if we're forced to close down shop to this big of a demographic, I'm afraid that we won't be able to make it, and I'll be out of a job.

The worse part is, this wasn't even a bill on it own. This republican ******* affixed it to a port security bill because he knew that would pass.

It's so frustrating when a group of right-wing conservative bible thumpers think that they know what's morally best for a population.

Urgh

jar_e · 10-02-2006, 12:21 PM

I'm surprised they didn't just tax it. You'd think this would be a huge cash cow given the craze of it right now.

Tough luck though if you end up with out a job...hopefully things work themselves out.

nfotiu · 10-02-2006, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyler

This weekend I awoke to find an email from my boss entitled:

US Congress approves Internet gambling ban bill

The bill, a compromise between earlier versions passed by the two chambers, would make it illegal for banks and credit card companies to make payments to online gambling sites.

I work for an online gaming company, which falls under this umbrella. Our US market is around 90% of our business, and if we're forced to close down shop to this big of a demographic, I'm afraid that we won't be able to make it, and I'll be out of a job.

The worse part is, this wasn't even a bill on it own. This republican ******* affixed it to a port security bill because he knew that would pass.

It's so frustrating when a group of right-wing conservative bible thumpers think that they know what's morally best for a population.

Urgh

So, is the feeling in the industry that this ban can be effective? Or is there going to be an easy way around it? It seems that all the money goes through 3rd party financial websites like Citadel/Neteller/Firepay/etc. Is that enough to get around the ban?

Tyler · 10-02-2006, 12:30 PM

I can't believe they don't tax it either. This is a HUGE industry (billions of dollars).

We were hoping to branch out to the EU (Britain and Italy in particular) where gaming is embraced and taxed, but had no plans to do that until late next year. Looks like we really have to make a strong push for that.

As far as third party e-wallets go: yeah, we're well aware of them. NETeller makes up about 70% of our overall sales.

What we're looking at now is, will NETeller stick around, and how will the legislation work for/against them.

Looking at some of the bigger site 888.com and Party, looks like they REALLY jumped the gun and begun banning all US customers.

We don't fall within the sportsbook or poker realm, but we're still waiting on our lawyers to see if we're going to have to do that or not.

I certainly hope not.

Bobblehead · 10-02-2006, 12:37 PM

NETeller already is based out of the UK, isn't it? I know it is actually here in Calgary, but its servers and coporate identity are considered in the UK, aren't they?

Tyler · 10-02-2006, 12:43 PM

Something like that.

I'm talking to our NETeller rep later today. I'm sure they're pretty swamped. They issued a statement today, and their TOS seem to be a bit different.

Statement here >> http://www.gambling911.com/NETeller-100206.html

What we're all waiting to see however, is whether the US gov't goes after facilitators like NETeller.

Right now the banks are pretty defenseless against e-checks and bank transfers. So we hope that means things stay as they are for the immediate future.

However, if NETeller begins stopping all American customers from using their site, well, then we're in a bit of trouble.

someguy51 · 10-02-2006, 12:54 PM

The republicans don't really believe too much in "seperation of church and state", do they?

Right now America is the land of the free...as long as you agree with the morals of the government.

jolinar of malkshor · 10-02-2006, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jar_e

I'm surprised they didn't just tax it. You'd think this would be a huge cash cow given the craze of it right now.

Tough luck though if you end up with out a job...hopefully things work themselves out.

That's the difference between Canada and the US. If Canada doesn't like something they tax it. If the US doesn't like something, they ban it. They really don't care about the taxes. Thats why we pay so much more than they do.

Displaced Flames fan · 10-02-2006, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by someguy51

The republicans don't really believe too much in "seperation of church and state", do they?

Right now America is the land of the free...as long as you agree with the morals of the government.

Right. Because ALL Republicans are evangelicals and ALL Democrats are atheists.

Tyler · 10-02-2006, 12:56 PM

Actually, that's only somewhat correct.

It's still "against the law" in Canada to gamble online.

Our site (because we are publicly traded), does not allowe Canadians to gamble.

However, the Canadian government has done absolutely ZILCH to enforce this, and most privately owned sites could care less and fully allow Canadians to play.

Tron_fdc · 10-02-2006, 12:56 PM

I've been to the guys house that started Neteller.....it's frickin ######ed. I also know a few people that work over there and have seen what kind of money that company pulls in. Crazy for sure.

Strange that the US government is willing to shut down a multi billion dollar industry instead of taxing it.....definately lobby groups at work here IMO.

Tyler · 10-02-2006, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

I've been to the guys house that started Neteller.....it's frickin ######ed. .

Yeah, talk about being in the right place at the right time.

A few years ago NETeller was just a little e-wallet company dwarfed by PayPal. Lo and behold, ebay buys PayPal, suspends all gaming transactions, and NETeller overnight inherits (well close to) 70% of gaming transactions.

RougeUnderoos · 10-02-2006, 01:08 PM

What is the name of the politician behind this?

nfotiu · 10-02-2006, 01:08 PM

I think the root of the republican's cause may be that all this money is going outside the country. I notice there are exemptions for horse racing, which stays in the country. The American casino companies have been ****ed for a while now that their potential gaming revenue is being spent overseas, and I am sure they have some high powered lobbyists working for them.

Tyler · 10-02-2006, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

What is the name of the politician behind this?

Bill Frist (R. Tennessee)

Tyler · 10-02-2006, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nfotiu

I think the root of the republican's cause may be that all this money is going outside the country. I notice there are exemptions for horse racing, which stays in the country. The American casino companies have been ****ed for a while now that their potential gaming revenue is being spent overseas, and I am sure they have some high powered lobbyists working for them.

Somewhat.

They don't seem too concerned that American jobs are going overseas either.

Frist has been making the moral argument that online gambling is far worse then regular gambling, and that all this money going overseas is funding terrorist cells and bringing about the downfall of America

Tron_fdc · 10-02-2006, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyler

terrorist cells and bringing about the downfall of America

Just an observation, but why does it seem that every time there's some type of major decision to be made in the US the terror card gets played?? You would think the public would start to get wise to this type of ploy.

Maybe someone can connect the dots for me, but how exactly does an internet gambling website line the pockets of terrorists???

troutman · 10-02-2006, 01:43 PM

http://money.canoe.ca/News/Other/200...936184-cp.html

Canadian Internet gambling companies were rattled Monday and their stocks took a nosedive in the wake of legislation passed by the U.S. Congress that effectively outlaws online wagering in the United States.

troutman · 10-02-2006, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

Maybe someone can connect the dots for me, but how exactly does an internet gambling website line the pockets of terrorists???

Does the mafia count as "terrorists"?

nfotiu · 10-02-2006, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

Does the mafia count as "terrorists"?

I would think that the mafia has more ties into illegal and legal domestic gambling in the US, than these offshore publically traded companies.