I like Jim Kasper, the Fargo state Representative of North Dakota. He has as much perseverance as Jon Kyle, the Republican Senator from Arizona, only he is pro-online gambling. Actually, to be specific he is pro-online poker rooms. A few months ago Mr. Kasper took a group of his fellow Republican representatives to the Caribbean to see some online gambling companies in the flesh, and that is how we knew something was brewing for the future. He has already tried to get internet poker legislation passed for North Dakota last spring. The Senate's vote of 44 against - 3 for Kasper's Internet poker licensing bill, in March 2005 left officials in the state wondering whether the concept would be popular among North Dakota voters. This time, however, Jim Kasper is certain he has a winner. He wants to use licensing revenues to reduce local property taxes. According to Kasper "It's a natural, I believe if we did do an initiated measure, with the fact we're going to reduce people's property tax, I think it's a slam dunk." He's asked various companies for financial backing of an Internet poker initiative, but has not received any contributions at this time. If and when he receives contributions he will register a fund-raising committee with the North Dakota secretary of state's office. According to Keith Furlong, deputy director of the Interactive Gaming Council, a trade group based in Vancouver, British Columbia "The key is convincing the key people in the industry that it's worthwhile." This is the key issue, as online casinos are strictly illegal in the United States. However, poker is considered a skill game by many (still under debate on whether the Department of Justice agrees or not) and as such has a modicum of a chance of being considered legal. The ever media friendly Nigel Payne (who was interviewed so nicely on 60 Minutes), group chief executive for Sportingbet PLC, a London company that offers Internet poker and sports wagering, said he would be interested in reviewing any Kasper proposal. Of course, I'm assuming that the sports wagering side of things would not be developed as that would be considered strictly illegal by the Department of Justice. The other thing is, interested doesn't actually mean that they will give money. "When the initiative is fully developed, we, as I am sure like others in the industry, will assess it on its merits and make a considered decision at that time." Payne said. To show his support for the idea the ever eloquent Payne lobbied for Kasper's Internet poker measures during the Legislature. His testimony at the Senate Judiciary Committee's initial hearing on the issue may sway the opinions of the state on internet poker. Many states have tried previously to license and regulate internet gambling. So far nothing has passed in any of these states Senate's as no one is totally sure how far the Federal government will let it go if it were to pass. Having regulated and licensed internet gambling would give the industry the legitimacy that it so desires. This is why Payne and other industry officials say they would welcome state licensing and regulation of Internet poker as it is their belief that regulation and licensing would bring more people wary of internet gambling (due to it being currently illegal) to the games. To be fair, it's the internet casinos which are illegal. Depositing and playing in online casinos is not. However, many potential players don't want to take any sort of risk in depositing in an off-shore establishment. As such having a state which regulates and licenses internet gambling will help the industry significantly. This initiative is simply one option that Kasper is exploring, as his previous attempts at getting a proposal through the legislature was not successful. His media stance is moderate "I'm just weighing, should I try to put the energy together next year for an initiated measure. It's a huge time commitment, and I have to find the proper funding." While his tone with the online casino industry is stronger "I am continuing to move forward here in (North Dakota) to put an initiated measure on the North Dakota ballot next November." One option for Kasper is circulating a petition to have his proposed law or constitutional amendment placed directly on the ballot. He would need signatures from at least 25,688 eligible North Dakota voters for an amendment petition and 12,844 names for a proposed law. He has the option for a state constitutional amendment and an Internet poker licensing law. Regardless an amendment is required to ensure North Dakota's licensing of Internet poker sites would not violate the constitution's anti-gambling provisions. Kasper is convinced the people of North Dakota will back his idea and is shopping around the various industry conventions. He discussed it at the Casino Affiliate Convention in Las Vegas in September and at the annual Global Interactive Gaming Summit & Expo in Montreal in June. He plans to continue discussing it at the Poker Industry Expo in San Jose, Costa Rica. Leaving this initiative up to the voters to decide is a bit of a risky move on Kasper's part, as if the voters say no this could be the end of the line for regulating poker in North Dakota as I see it. However, Kasper is into gambling (or so it seems) so he's not afraid of some risks. The cleverest bit regarding the proposed licensing is how it will reduce property taxes. Lowering taxes is always a winner on the ballot, and I'm certain that the citizens of North Dakota realize the potential money this could bring to their fair state. I wonder what Jon Kyle thinks of all of this? If Kasper realizes his dream of regulating internet poker it will put a huge cog in the wheels of Kyle trying to stop people from being able to deposit in online casinos. Of course, the cog is already there, as Kyle has been trying to get his laws passed for over eight years now. Most likely neither of these men will succeed in their plans, as most people (including the federal government and Department of Justice) seem to like things the way they are today. Internet casinos aren't legal, but no one is being stopped from playing in them. Hence the citizens have the freedom they want to do what they please with their money, and the government can chase and prosecute the owners of the online casinos to their hearts content. Why mess with a good thing? Posted on: December 2, 2005
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