Monday, March 07, 2005
Greg "Fossilman" Raymer Supports North Dakota Poker Bill
There's a bill in North Dakota that will specifically legalize online poker in the state. This coule be a really big deal and a really good thing for online poker players throughout the United States. Today, Greg "Fossilman" Raymer came out in favor of the bill and is lobbying for it. (eCogra is also supporting the bill, although I suspect they have little lobbying power with the North Dakota legislature.
Raymer's the winner of the 2004 WSOP, and a regular poster at the forums at 2+2. Seems like one helluva nice guy, funny glasses and all, and I hope that his support of this bill will make a difference. Raymer spoke at a news conference organized by Rep. Jim Kasper, R-Fargo, who is sponsoring legislation to authorize state licensing and regulation of internet poker sites.
Frank Catania, an attorney and former New Jersey gambling regulator, and Patrick O'Brien, a lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and former U.S. customs agent, disputed U.S. Justice Department statements that Internet gambling is illegal.
"It's very easy (for the Justice Department) to write a letter, but it's something else to get into court and defend that letter," O'Brien said.
Speaking of which, whatever happened to the idea of a free country anyway? Hell, the American Revolution was paid for with money made by lotteries. Gambling is as American as apple pie and baseball, and nothing is more American than poker.
(The italicized portions of this post were originally in the article; I think I've used little enough of the article, and in proper context, to qualify for fair use.
Raymer's the winner of the 2004 WSOP, and a regular poster at the forums at 2+2. Seems like one helluva nice guy, funny glasses and all, and I hope that his support of this bill will make a difference. Raymer spoke at a news conference organized by Rep. Jim Kasper, R-Fargo, who is sponsoring legislation to authorize state licensing and regulation of internet poker sites.
Frank Catania, an attorney and former New Jersey gambling regulator, and Patrick O'Brien, a lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and former U.S. customs agent, disputed U.S. Justice Department statements that Internet gambling is illegal.
"It's very easy (for the Justice Department) to write a letter, but it's something else to get into court and defend that letter," O'Brien said.
Speaking of which, whatever happened to the idea of a free country anyway? Hell, the American Revolution was paid for with money made by lotteries. Gambling is as American as apple pie and baseball, and nothing is more American than poker.
(The italicized portions of this post were originally in the article; I think I've used little enough of the article, and in proper context, to qualify for fair use.
Greg "Fossilman" Raymer Supports North Dakota Poker Bill posted by Randy Ray @ Monday, March 07, 2005 
