Trying to get my head around the new Internet Gambling law. Read an interesting piece on page 2 of today\’s Business section in the Dallas Morning News (sadly, the website does not have the article). In it, the writer suggests that Internet sites might resort to setting up their own banks dealing in gold and silver vs. dollars and cents. It also mentions that the WTO, of which the United States is a member, may have something to say about it. Also saw this article in the Las Vegas Sun which interestingly suggests that the two biggest Casino congolemates (Harrah\’s and MGM) stood far more to lose than the other Casinos, who offered little more than passive opposition. It would seem that Harrah\’s, with a pending $15 Billion offer, is perhaps even more inclined to seek a poker exemption by clarification or carve-out.
On a related note, does anyone out there with any computer savvy know how a poker site could determine where you are a resident (other than just your have filled out a questionaire)? I could see how US-based or foreign banks could be pretty sure about that, but what about the poker sites themselves? Is is too difficult to imagine foreign-based banks catering to American players? Would they have any concern, though not subject to liability for doing so? I.e. could they face pressure from the US government outside of the anti-gambling law?