The state of Washington features a new law that makes gambling online a Class C Felony. People who gamble online will now be faced with exactly the same crime as somebody who possesses child pornography. Are now living in Washington and like to play poker? Doing so has become a crime that may land you in jail for 5 years. You can also be fined $10,000. Washington is setting a new precedence in the legal arena.
For years the federal government of the United States has tried to pass specific legislation to revise the Federal Wire Wagering Act. The newest attempt is anticipated to pass the house, nonetheless it will most likely fail in the Senate. Washington State legislators chose to take matters to their own hands by passing this new law. Since there is no contradictory federal law, the Washington State law will face clear sailing https://194.32.78.99/
The legislation does significantly more than ban online gambling. In addition it bans speaking about online gambling--quite the communist move by legislators. The legislation specifically outlaws the passing of any "gambling information." Furthermore, gambling information is defined as: "information regarding wagers, betting odds and changes in betting odds will probably be presumed to be intended for use in professional gambling." Technically, a blog that discusses a nationally televised sports game and mentions the "spread" would be in violation of regulations and at the mercy of penalty.
Needlessly to say, legislators are quick to point out that regulations would not be properly used against individuals in this way. While that's all warm and fuzzy, the fact remains that regulations remains on the books. Perhaps a better way to place it's that they don't currently plan to utilize it in this way--just wait until they require it. Also, if there clearly was a whiff of truth to those statements, then how will you explain the official statement by Rick Day, the Executive Director for the Washington State Gambling Commission? When asked whether a niche site simply linking to an on line gambling destination was in violation he explained, "If your website even offers an url to a gambling site, then to us that's no different." According to this statement, simply linking to a niche site can enable you to get faced with a Class C Felony.
There's further reason for concern here, in regards to the way laws are written and the precedence they set. It's possible other states will look at Washington State's actions and decide to enact something similar. Even although you are against gambling, are you currently also against censorship? Today it's gambling; tomorrow it's something you worry about even more.
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