Arizona stops online wagering

[kiltman]

Well I just got notified that I can no longer wager over the internet due to a law that just went into effect at midnite 18 Sept. Arizona HB2694 has stopped
online wagering for horseracing. This was just slipped in I didnt even know such a bill was being discussed in the State Legislature. Not good at all I am feeling really down in the dumps at the moment. Hope no one else will suffer this type of action. Froggy I guess is out of town. He at least lives where the casinos are close.

[RichieP]

Well I just got notified that I can no longer wager over the internet due to a law that just went into effect at midnite 18 Sept. Arizona HB2694 has stopped
online wagering for horseracing. This was just slipped in I didnt even know such a bill was being discussed in the State Legislature. Not good at all I am feeling really down in the dumps at the moment. Hope no one else will suffer this type of action. Froggy I guess is out of town. He at least lives where the casinos are close.

This is unreal Russ. When are these jerkoffs that run the gov't gonna stop torturing the bettors? I really feel for you.

So day trading is ok but wagering is not?? Welcome back Al Capone.

Richie

[Ted Craven]

Russ,

Wow, that sucks. I bite my tongue sometimes, witnessing how some jurisdictions (state, federal, provincial) treat citizens like babies. I guess its off to the BoDogs and other more shady off-shores for Arizonans.

:mad:

Ted

P.S. Speaking of Froggy, he hasn't been heard of for over a month. I sent him an email, but no reply. I hope he's OK...

[jms62]

Unfortunately Ted most of the Offshores don't take money from US clients and funding accounts with those that do is quite a mess as credit cards can't be used.. I guess its ok for government officials to seduce pages or seek out sex in the mens room but damn on those who want to bet a 2.00 DD.. This country is ripe for another revolution.

[kiltman]

You hear alot about Big Brother is watching and controlling things well this is a fine example of it. I figure being almost 67 years old you should be able to have some freedom to do as you want as long as your not hurting someone. This was my little pleasure, not into golf or hiking or bird watching just enjoy a little wagercapping. Now the government says I cant do that and shuts it down. You guys keep an eye out from your state legislatures as to what they are slipping through.

[RichieP]

Russ,
Check your PM box in about an hour man.
Richie

[froggy]

I just got back late last night from visiting the grand kids. Had a wonderful time.

Then I read my emails. Brisbet has as of midnight closed my account.
No message yet from Youbet, however when I get settled in I might try logging in as if from another state.

Arizonia made it a class 6 Felony to place a wager online.
I don't know if this is the hill I want to die on.

I am seriously considering putting up a for sale sign out in front of my house.

Froggy

[Houndog]

I feel sorry for both Russ and Froggy on this terrible piece of legislation. I can only wonder if this type of backwards thinking will spread to other states as well. I cannot think of any good reason why the powers to be thought this was such a good idea.

You would think are legislators would have better thinks to do than sneeking in a bill that causes more harm than good.

[finishline1]

Att. All P&c Members There Is An Off-shore Called E-horse And Can Be Funded By Going To Westeren Union And Wiring Them The Money.if You Open Your Acct. With $250.00 Or More They Will Pay All Charges And Then Put That Amt. In Your Acct. If You Are Interested Send Me A E-mail For A Phone # I Have Been With Them For 5 Years .

[azbacks]

Kiltman....

I didn't see anything in the Phoenix newspaper about this new law. I think the OTB network put pressure on someone. At present I don't have an online account, but was planning on opening one shortly.

The little guy doesn't stand a chance.

Pete in LP

[Turbulator]

Well I just got notified that I can no longer wager over the internet due to a law that just went into effect at midnite 18 Sept. Arizona HB2694 has stopped
online wagering for horseracing.

Is it just (specifically) horse racing? Washington state passed a similar law (they were the first) about a year ago, but everybody I know still gambles online up there.

I just funded one of my online poker accounts, and I can still play the horses, so in reality the law has little teeth.

This could be completely different, I don't know. I'd like to hear more.

[kiltman]

The bill is HB 2694 and it looked to me like it is just horseracing it was slipped through in March and became law last nite the 18th at midnite. It seems to have passed by a large majority only 9 votes against. I am sure it was backed by the OTB sites in Arizona. Never was anthing in newpaper here that I ever saw as I read the daily newspaper. When the folks dont know what is being put forth in the legislatures from city to federal things can be slipped in and no one is the wiser until the axe falls and it effects you personally.

[Turbulator]

became law last nite the 18th at midnite. It seems to have passed by a large majority only 9 votes against.

In Washington, it was unanimous. It was also slipped in and happened very quickly.

Yet, people still play poker and the horses online. It's my understanding that poker is considered illegal because the sites themselves are illegal--offshore, crossing state lines, etc. Horse racing is legal so that's still OK.

So I don't know what effect it really had other than to make a stand or scare people. In Arizona, from my understanding, the ADWs were forced to give notice to Arizona customers that they would no longer be taking their business. This hasn't happened in Washington State.

It appears that in Arizona they were pressured by the OTBs and race tracks to change the law. That hasn't happened in Washington.

One suggestion I could make is to establish a PO or UPS box in a neighboring state and use that as your "legal" residence as far as the ADWs are concerned. No one knows exactly where you are when you're using your computer--and even if they did it shouldn't matter.

[azbacks]

I did a Google and found a little more on this.

The HR deals with parimutuel betting. One can only place bets with state approved horse or dog tracks. This includes the OTB's for both. This is a class 6 felony.

Turf Paradise supported the resolution and the state's Dept. of Racing opposed the bill.

Politics as usual I guess.

Pete

[uncleroughy]

I used to use Betehorse for computer betting (in Costa Rica) after NJ prevented me from betting in the Pennsylvania setup, however, NJ finally got on the ball and setup a very good computer betting system within NJ which works great. Maybe Arizona would consider following the Jersey way.

[ray lopez]

Youwager.com and Betmaker are also good offshore sportsbooks.Person-to-person through Moneygram or Western Union is the best way to make a
deposit and they'll give you a bonus and they're honest and fast when you
want to make withdrawals....they also cover the fees if you send at least
$250...

[froggy]

To legally place a bet in the state of Arizonia I would now have to drive to Kingman (about 35 miles one way) and enter thru the rear door of a low class bar/chinese resturant into a very dark smoke filled room with a bunch of drunks. I can't even bring in my own bottle of water as it has to be ordered from the bar. That is how I got thrown out the last time I was there over five years ago.

I can go to the book at the Riverside(only minutes away) and it is not a bad place. They thru me out because I had a laptop and you can't use them or cell phones in a Nevada Sports book.

Below is the love note I got from Youbet.


Wagering Suspended for Arizona Residents



Dear Mike,

A new Arizona state law (House Bill 2694 amending A.R.S. 5-112), allegedly prohibits residents of Arizona from wagering on races outside of an approved racing enclosure in Arizona.

While Youbet views this law as clearly unlawful, unconstitutional and protectionist, and is reviewing the situation with its attorneys, for the time being, Youbet is suspending your ability to wager.

As a courtesy, you may continue to use the Youbet.com website to follow your favorite horses, tracks, and features and Youbet will be suspending your subscription fee until further notice. If you want to withdraw the funds in your account, please access the "Withdrawal Feature" under the "Account" menu or contact Player Services 1-888-YOUBET-8 (1-888-968-2388).

Thank you for your understanding and support. If you have any questions about why you, a resident of the state of Arizona, are being deprived of your right to participate in pari-mutual wagering when and where you choose feel free to voice your dissatisfaction with

Arizona Department of Racing Phone: (602) 364-1700
Office of the Attorney General Phone: (800) 352-8431

Youbet.com regrets having to take this action and thanks you for your patronage and support. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you, our valued account holder.

Sincerely,

Youbet.com Team

Youbet.com supports responsible gaming.

[froggy]

I can't put into words my anger, resentment and disappointment in the actions of my elected officials.

It was already illegal to bet online any race that took place inside the states boundaries, now they have made it illegal to bet on races outside the states boundaries.

All this is intended to increase the sales of admission, hot dogs and beer at the track, not to mention the small increase in profit buy eliminating the ADW's.

Since very few people can walk to the track this would increase the consumption of oil by driving and revenue of mass transit.

All this does is eliminate us senior citizens on fixed incomes and limited physical mobility and puts barriers in the way to attract new and younger computer literate horseplayers.

Saturday I signed a contract to sell my home at a loss and am going to another state this week to find a place to buy in a more friendly environment.

My name address and number and voting district is available on request.

Froggy

[jms62]

Froggy... This is not about increasing track attendence.. It is 100% about the "MORAL" extreme right wing shoving their values down our throats whilst violating morals as they see fit. Senator Kyl from your fair state has been after Internet Gambling for quite sometime..

[froggy]

jms62,

This action is State not federal and Senator Kyl had no vote in it. He may have been for it but has no say in it.

It was done at Turf Paradise's urging.

Quote:
"Eliminates a current step in the transmission of wagers and allows wagers to be transmitted directly to the track that conducts the live race."

When the republicans put the axe to internet poker a month before the election where they lost their power in the Congress and the Senate nation wide by less than 45,000 votes total, they blamed it on a half dozen different reasons.
Never on the silent and therefore considered voiceless and unimportant voters.

There were an estimated 25,000,000 internet poker players in the US cut low by their underhanded and in the dark of the night action.

How many Republicans and Independents as myself voted democratic as a result?
Of those 25 million angered poker players does 45,000 sound like a reasonable number.

Getting elected to office is not a sign of intelligence.

Froggy

[RichieP]

tp@turfparadise.net

The above is Turf paradise's email address.

I am bombing them with emails saying that I and all serious players I know will be boycotting their track until the internet ban on Arizona players is reversed.

Please if you have time consider emailing them your displeasure and let them know you will be staying away from wagering there until the law is reversed.

"Procott's" are all well and good BUT these people need to feel it in their wallets man. **** Frogman has put his darn house up for sale because of all this.

Let them know your dollars are going elsewhere til things change.

Big spread on this at PA so they will be "hearing it"

Thank you for your consideration
Richie

[partsnut]

Arizonia made it a class 6 Felony to place a wager online.


With a good Attorney who would start a class action suit
against the State of Arizona, I believe that law would be soon overturned.
I would say that the law is an invasion of an individuals privacy by the state of Arizona and in my mind is unconstitutional. Next they'll tell you what to read and what not to read., when to have sex and when not to, and how many children you're allowed to have. :D

[Turbulator]

I would say that the law is an invasion of an individuals privacy by the state of Arizona and in my mind is unconstitutional.

Unconstitutional? You'll have a hard time making that case. This is politics as usual plain and simple.

States have a lot of latitude as far as individual laws are concerned. It's called "States Rights."

They did this same thing for online poker up in Washington and it passed unaminously. They don't give a damn about what anybody thinks. In their minds they're protecting "state business" as well as their own "asses."

The problem as I see it is that horse racing is a legal enterprise. It's legal in the state of Arizona. These poker sites are all off-shore, so essentially they're illegal. If they were legal they would be on shore, but that isn't going to happen until they change the laws.

Somebody had to lobby pretty hard to get this law passed. Somebody with some juice had to be pulling the strings. This is especially obvious because these laws are passing almost unamiously or by a large majority--so not many congressmen are willing to buck the trend.

In the meantime my advice to Froggy would be to open an out of state PO Box with a new ADW, and go on with business as usual. Why take a big loss on your home just so you can bet the ponies? There are ways around this. They took away all of the ways to fund online poker accounts, and then they came up with just as many ways to get around it.

When I was in Arizona this winter I was told that you used to be able to bet the horses at the casinos, but then that got stopped. I have no idea what the reasons were. You used to be able to bet the horses at the Indian casinos in Washington, but they stopped that as well.

If they ever make ONE arrest for this so-called felony I'd be shocked. They're just trying to make a statement. If the handles go down in Arizona then they will know it backfired. If handle stays the same or rises, then they'll consider themselves justified in their actions.

Everyone in Washington still plays poker online. Nothing has happened but that it's now "technically" illegal. In fact, one day, a large group of people went to the capital building and played poker on their computers.

The only way this will change back to the way it was is if the tracks themselves cry uncle. In order for that to happen a lot off the people who don't play online will have to boycott--that might be hard to get done. On the other hand, if the online contingent has enough pull (bets enough dollars) then their boycotting actions could be the deciding factor.

We'll just have to wait and see.