DAM, just won my 71st poker tournament on Friday night and before I could figure out how I can dodge Rail Bird Row (if you play live -you know what I mean) I began boastfully SMS texting another win. Then BAM - the DOJ rears an ugly head and yanks away my feeling of glory; as a friend call's me to say "If you played Online -you ain't gonna get paid". That is when he told me to go look at the WSJ ( here) or ESPN stories ( here) & the Poker Capital of the World (Los Angeles) LA Times story ( here); about the DOJ shut down all US Citizens access to Online Poker websites.
Apparently feeling deprived of the narcissism top billing that the Dept of Justice and other federal agencies usually gets on April 15th IRS D Day (that was moved to Monday purportedly due to the holiday scheduling). The DOJ decided that it would be quaint to shut down all access to Online Poker on April 15th.
Is this an effort to seize monies they know would have gone to them on any other April 15th day? Could it be that all the IRS top brass made a bet with each other - that they could have fun and get the MSM to still give them top billing on April 15th? Maybe one bureau chief actually lost good money in the secret private game (because you know no IRS agent can ever be caught Dead in a casino - unless they are seizing assets).
Civil Rights issue overlooked
A real BIG story/civil rights issue that may be lost here, is the fact the Dept of Justice is seizing and blocking all US Citizens from accessing a web domain/site. If you go to Full Tilt or Poker Stars websites ( here) you will see the remarks by the DOJ that it has SEIZED the domain name. This is giving big brother the chance to experiment around with destroying the only free voice/press and such liberty realm left to any citizen - the Web!
This is an issue any DailyKos user, administrator, founder or any other civil liberties person; should keep a heavy eye upon!
FULL DISCLOSURE;
Of course I am somewhat biased, because I engage in the "Sport" of Poker Tournaments. Any Google of my name you might even find the half truth story of my associate Jamie Gold who won $12 million (NO I am not "that" Laser - that he had to settle with on his winnings). Jamie Gold now tends to ignore me - and it does not make me unhappy; because he and I are of much different character and accomplishment in the Poker Tourney world. I tell him of my win ratio and number of wins; he quips back - "Yeah, but I won $12 million". When everyone else was petty and envious of him, rushing to judgment; I defended him and told him NO - when he offered to bless me (Jamie Gold actually still owes me money). However, I am the guy who had a Poker TV/Cable deal working; when Jamie Gold boasted that he was working on producing such.
Be that as it may, the reasons I am in any casion is Protection from Corrupt DOJ personnel. Due to the fact that I have always had a real issue (and fear) that some sort of schemer would try to fake a charge against me; I play Poker Tournaments. Because casinos have security cameras EveryWhere; and I would have many witnesses on my whereabouts at all times.
Regardless of the reasons, arguendo, that you can find me there; I do feel the Feds are handling Online Poker incorrectly. Being that I have played over 1500 poker tournaments and am well spoken of, by both managment and players in the Poker Capital of Los Angeles; I would be considered an expert on many of the issues by any court of law.
There will also be those of you that will pick on me about the personal notes here. Have at what you will; including snarks at me. Being that I am online, throwing verbal stones at Federal agents who can harm me; do you really think any picky, petty or bark is of consequence? This is, after all, my blogging, on my thoughts about an issue greatly germane to me; in both my hobby and my battle with rogue elements in the Dept of Justice.
The Poker Tournament world is a wonderful world of camaraderie; where -- like the infamous Pro Johnny Chan has stated =
We are all equal here; everyone gets 2 cards!
So I joined the Poker Players Alliance; which are 1 million people strong. The membership includes promoter of Online Poker (former Senator Al D'Amato).
Poker Players Alliance also has many well known poker professionals - who travel and play the "Sport" worldwide (such as the great advocate Greg Raymer who apparently saw the writing on the wall and left Poker Stars after they began reducing pay to Poker Pros in Jan 2011 ( here)).
Feds and States are fighting
for the right to Tax us
This war of words, flexing of muscles and extreme civil rights intrusion; is really all about a battle between the States and the Federal ability to TAX poker (and any online gaming). because it is billions upon billions of dollars in business. With the major budget shortfalls in many states; all avenues of alternative revenue's are being considered. The problem is, however; that most times there is NO profit to tax.
Yet all state and federal authorities sniff big dollars here and want to get their cut. With the real question being; who decides whom gets more - State or Federal?
Online Gambling Tax will be of all monies submitted
As a matter of fact, almost everyone losses at gambling. Therefore, any effort to TAX online gambling is a quagmire. Many stories are told to me of the nightmare of going down to the State or IRS to explain why a person won a JackPot and the authorities will not allow them to deduct their losses against such. It is not that they cannot deduct their loss v gain; it is the fact of the matter that almost NO One keeps track of their gains vs losses (afraid to face the truth thereby deluding themselves). The authorities have been systemically pushing in the right "controlled" direction. Every casino now "requires" a players card to play tournament poker. This means they TRACK all the winnings. It is your fault if you fail to keep proper bookkeeping to clearly demonstrate the loss v gain facts.
On a personal sidenote (but germane quintessential example);
I will give you a peek at my book that is due out in 2012 once I have accumulated 100 wins (right now I am at 75 wins - but can only count 72 as I sold 3 trophies for big money). The book's title is not yet complete - but it will be something like
"Winning at Tournament Poker" - An Amatuer's way to the Pros!
It will happen once I reach the 100 win mark (the magic number); and I have a great plan/agent to get 1 million units sold! But, most importantly, it will point out that there are no such thing as Donkey's (only those who tried to donate to you and failed); and the reality of being an acctuarian of how to win in Poker Tournaments (as the math does not lie)
everyone has to lose money in the game
The secret is ------- (ah, sorry (:-{)- you will have to read the book). But I will tell you this and you are going to bark about the perpensity of stating the obvious. Yet your really need to Pay Attention to the Sensi
- a Winner is one who walks away after winning!
What has to happen - eventually - regardless of all the banter/hyperbole; Taxing of Online Gaming by a flat fee/tax on each dollar played. It is the only logical way. The IRS has enjoyed a field day in the last couple of years by bullying the issue nefariously. Because of that quirky law that forbade banks from transacting cash for Online Poker sites; the IRS issued a mandate (see PPA story ( here)) that you must pay taxes on all online monies in your account (regardless of whether or not it was profit or loss). You cannot go to court and argue the obvious Profit/Loss issues; because Online Gambling was classified as illegal; thus any legal arguments are void as moot. So the IRS commanded that all monies in online accounts be reported as Off Shore cash deposits.
Press Releases by Poker Player Alliance to legalize Online Poker
You can see the vast amounts of details in the battle; by the numerous Press Releases from the Poker Player Alliance website ( here). There you will see links to various topics and national discussions on the issue; including Bills before Congress such as this one that Chairman Barney Frank intruduced to license and regulate Internet Poker ( here).
Obviously this issue is relevant to many people. Not just on the Online Poker world. Nevada has announced ( here) that it is going to legalize Online Gambling in the state - after all much more profit and potential; with much less cost of operation! Nationwide betting online is going to happen; it is only a matter of time. It is also about time for the Big Gov to give up their buggy whips over the issues. Like those who refused to own a car and ride their horse into the ground; Big Gov has held onto the buggy whip too long!
Additionally, Poker has been played forever. Like the efforts on Prohibition vs alcohol; making it illegal online - just pushes everyone into home games and/or Indian casinos that will not pay ANY tax on the profits thereof.
Finally - we will try to keep you abreast of the issue; as our company InterNet Ways n Means LLC has big plans in Washington DC and in the gaming industry. We only hope that many of you are not suffering from the seizures of the monies - or blocking of you getting yours. Finally a tax extension may be necessary as had occured in the NET seizures before. We would also encourage you to go to Twitter and join Poker Players Alliance ( here) and get your voice heard.