US Citizens Victims Of The War On Gambling
from the snake-eyes dept
Executives at online gambling companies aren't the only ones getting hurt by the US government's recent actions against the industry. Plenty of law-abiding US citizens have had some of their funds effectively frozen in online accounts, with little recourse for getting it back. As online casinos and money transfer firms like NETeller stop taking dollars from US citizens, they've also stopped returning money to them. These companies insist that some method will be determined for users to get their money back, although it's unclear when that will occur, or what that will be. It's hard to imagine that any of them will try too hard to return money to depositors, if doing so could put them further afoul of the law. Some might argue that the gamblers were breaking the law, and shouldn't have any expectations of getting their money back. After all, if you were buying illegal drugs online, you wouldn't try to get a refund if your supplier went belly-up. But the law is targeted on the banks and other institutions that fund gambling, and it's not clear that actually placing bets online is a violation. So until that's specified, it's legitimate for gamblers to be upset about losing access to their funds.Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
There are a lot of Rich Casino owner's in Las Vegas and around the US who are happy this "War" is happening
...always follow the money
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
Lets be clear here...The US doesn't have a problem with gambling online....they have problem with online gambling that doesn't donate to their campaign reelection funds or state and federal taxes....they want their cut too!
There are a lot of Rich Casino owner's in Las Vegas and around the US who are happy this "War" is happening
...always follow the money
BINGO!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Upset?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Upset?
Gamblers upset about losing money? Isn't that what gambling is?
Which answer do you want? The snippy answer is, "it depends on the game and on which side of the table you're sitting." Gambling actually makes quite a bit of money for the casinos.
The less snippy answer is, no, it is not. It is risking the loss of some amount of money for the possibility of claiming some larger amount of money. In this sense, every business venture ever is gambling. The successful gambler is one who properly controls the risk to his own favor. Selling fast food to Americans is a good risk - the money you put forth is likely to gain substantially. Selling space heaters in the desert is a bad risk.
Most casino games are a bad risk. On the other hand, so are state sponsored lotteries. But, as I say, most casino games... anything where one plays against the house. Poker is not played against the house, it is played against other players, and is more a game of skill than of chance.
I play poker. I am up quite a bit from what I put in. Gambling makes me money. Money that I cannot access at the moment. And yes, I am pissed. I am being penalized because of political posturing and axe-grinding. And all the arguments about the government's cut are so much bunk - I pay my taxes.
My government of, by, and for the people has not only ceased serving me, it has crossed over to actively harming me. Where do I sign up for the revolution?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Upset?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
My thoughts exactly.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
I have a Netteller account and have NOT used it for gambling. I can not get my money out of the account. I am a victim of the war on gambling.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: victim
And for those who gamble, the casinos are trying to find more ways for you to deposit into their coffers - if they put a bit of pressure on Neteller, you'd have your money.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Money
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
1) Native American Territory is not considered US Property for the rights of Gambling. Therefore they are allowed to flurrish (not to mention the money to the gov for various reasons)
2) The Gambling is Goverment Operated or Sponsored.
Gotta love Fed Law giving theman excusive rights to something.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Monopolies
I guess next year they'll be opening up brothels.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
I Bet You They Get Stuck Holding The (Empty) Bag
T Man
http://www.stophairlosstoday.blogspot.com
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
hmmm
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
America's War on Everything
War on Drugs
War on Online Gambling
War on Piracy
War on Iraq
War on Terrorism
War on Violence
War on Video Games
War on Canada
War on Democracy
War on Neo-Liberalism
War on Fat-Assed Bitches
War on Air America
War on Trans Fats
War on Whatcha Got?
I think America is obsessed with War. Gee, and you wonder why the rest of the world thinks America is a bully and all about War.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: America's War on Everything
War on ScytheNoire
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: America's War on Everything
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
online poker
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: online poker
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Internet gambling ban
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
annonymous coward
Are you answering a question with a question? "Losing money" is part of the definition of gambling, but the question is directed to the issue of the gambler being upset! By the way the other part of the definition of gambling is the part about the "chance of winning", which obviously doesn't appear to a prevelant activity of the gambler or else this topic would not be an issue, nor would the gaming sites be in business. The gambler that is afflicted with the disease of addiction to gambling has every right to be upset due to being victimized by inticement practices and misrepresentation of credit offers amongst many other "lethal" tactics these gaming sites use.
It is as bad as, if not worse, advertising and inticing people to smoke cigarettes, which will prove hazardous to one's health. Preying on the vulneriblity of one's disease of addiction.
Why not call their site hooklineandsinkercasino and instead of clicking on "sign me up now" icon, it could say "reel me in NOW"!
How is it these internet banking sites are able to allow deposits to be approved that have nonsufficient funds available for processing the said transaction?
My thoughts exactly.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Government Theft.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]