PokerPages > Poker News > Poker News
Washington State: Online Poker is no Longer a Felony in Homes
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.
Click Here to review the bill that was passed.
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.
Read Related Article:
More Poker News Articles
PokerStars to Sponsor Irish Poker Championship
12am Wed Mar 31st, 2010
PokerStars.com, the world's largest online poker site, just announced that they will throw their substantial weight behind one of Ireland's major poker festivals, The Irish Poker Championship (IPC), as part of the new PokerStars.com UK and Ireland Poker Tour.
UIGEA Delayed 6 Months in Temporary Victory for Online Poker
12am Thu Dec 3rd, 2009
Days before the December 1 deadline for implementing the UIGEA, the U.S. government announced a six-month postponement of the poorly defined anti-gambling regulations. The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board jointly released a statement moving the deadline for UIGEA compliance to June 1, 2010.
Fabrice Soulier Joins Everest Poker's Pro Roster
12am Thu Nov 26th, 2009
To further strengthen its support for French poker in anticipation of the opening of that market, Everest Poker has signed renowned French poker pro Fabrice Soulier as its latest ambassador.
HHPT Co-Sponsors Bayou Poker Challenge Ladies Event Dec. 20
12am Wed Nov 25th, 2009
The HighHeelsPokerTour (HHPT), the first all women's poker tour launched on the East coast, will wrap up their 2009 schedule at Harrah's New Orleans on December 20th where they will co-sponsor the Ladies Event #14 no-limit Hold'em at 12 pm.
OPPAGA Reports on Florida's Online Poker Options
12am Tue Nov 24th, 2009
Given that UIGEA permits individual states to regulate online poker, the Florida Legislature's Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) published a report this week presenting three options available to Florida State lawmakers in order to protect consumers from unlawful internet poker: regulate it, prohibit it, or carry on with the status quo pending federal legislation.
BC Poker Champion Arrested, Charged with Manslaughter
12am Tue Nov 24th, 2009
Just two days after taking down the BC Poker Championships Main Event, Sophon Sek of Cloverdale, BC, was arrested in connection with one of the most storied crimes in the Province's history.
Local Businessman Bags European Poker Tour Vilamoura Bling
12am Sun Nov 22nd, 2009
The European Poker Tour rolled into the Casino Vilamoura last week, instantly generating the richest poker prize pool in the nation of Portugal's history.
Keikoan Captures Harvey's Lake Tahoe WSOPC Championship
12am Thu Nov 19th, 2009
This week marked the finale of the biggest annual tournament series in Northern Nevada, the WSOP Circuit championship at Harvey's Lake Tahoe. While the Main Event saw only a modest turnout, it did boast of a tough final table, and a WSOP bracelet owner as the eventual champion.
WSOP Main Event Champ Joe Cada to Appear on Letterman
12am Wed Nov 18th, 2009
The poker world will receive some late night attention tonight as "The Kid" Joe Cada, the youngest champion in the four decade history of the World Series of Poker Main Event, takes a seat next to embattled talk show host David Letterman.
First Korean Champ of Asia Pacific Poker Tour Crowned in Cebu
12am Tue Nov 17th, 2009
Another stop on the Asia Pacific Poker Tour is in the books, this time it's the APPT Cebu in the Philippines, and for the very first time a Korean player has come out on top.



