“Is poker a sport?” is a much-argued question and one that, for the sake of this story, I will answer in the affirmative (although many will disagree).
We have recently had several stories regarding the evils of online gambling and it is hard not to agree with those that say it is dragging sport down to an unacceptable level.
Well finally, someone has decided to do something about it!
The government of the USA, that upholder of truth, justice and the American way, has shut down several poker and online gambling sites and charged their management with money-laundering and other crimes.
In an attempt to help their citizens and those worldwide, the American government has, through the FBI and other organizations, seized several poker sites, thereby freezing the accounts of persons worldwide (American or not) who played on those sites.
As always happens some people are stupid enough to disagree with the USA government.
Now many non-American people are saying, “What does this have to do with us and why are our accounts frozen?”
These people need to look at “the big picture” and be assured that anything the USA does is in the best interests of all concerned.
Those who still doubt, only need to look at the USA’s long and selfless record in attending to world crisis.
America rushed in to help its allies in the second World War, only waiting twenty seven months after it had started thereby allegedly placing several countries under a mountain of debt.
During this war, they became the only country to ever use nuclear weapons against civilians, but this was for the good of the people not to see how the weapons would work.
They invited their allies, with allegedly very little pressure, to participate in the Korean and Vietnamese “conflicts”.
Several necessary worthwhile skirmishes worldwide were also attended by the USA and her Allies and most recently, the invasion of Iraq.
People are shaking their heads and thinking, “this is not right”, but of course, it was because the CIA had told Bush that the Iraqis were stockpiling weapons of mass destruction.
The United Nations and other countries of the world that could not see this, were totally blind and therefore any mandates submitted could be ignored. (The arguments that the USA’s involvement had anything to do with oil are, of course, totally ludicrous)
So now we come to this world crisis, where the terrorists are allegedly laundering money through the online poker sites.
It must be stopped! (The rumour that the Americans are only dirty because they are not getting their cut through taxes is absurd)
Here is how the scenario will pan out: The sites will agree to pay a certain amount to the US government and they will then be allowed to reopen but under American supervision.
Those sites who do not agree, will forfeit their assets in the USA and Americans will be banned from playing there.
So what does this mean if you have money in any of these sites?
If you are an American, you will get most, if not all, of your money back. If you are Australian or from some other country apart from the USA, you might get a small percentage of your money back from PokerStars, but are unlikely to get anything from Full Tilt or Absolute.
The horse has bolted, so it is no good closing the gate but here is a little piece of information for the future. Do not leave more money in your online account than you are prepared to lose.
When you have a decent win immediately pull out all, except that amount that you have already decided you can afford to lose.
There is more than one way to lose when gambling, which is why we are so lucky to have the Government of the good old USA looking after us.
What’s your best bet? For great odds on all your favourite sports check out PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
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