Massachusetts Wants You to Gamble — Just not behind closed doors

More proof that politics is way more about money than morals … Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick is pushing for three resort casinos in his state. You would think we might say that\’s a good thing — especially for Gonz. However, let\’s hope it doesn\’t pass … because buried deep inside the legislative initiative is a provision that would make it a serious crime to place a bet online.

If it does pass as-is, playing poker online would be punishable by two years in jail and a $25,000 fine. Rep. Barney Frank isn\’t happy, because that\’s a rake you just can\’t beat!

What rubs me a little raw here is the short-sighted ignorance of politicians (and others) who don\’t see how online gambling — at least as it applies to poker — actually helps feed their brick-and-mortar interests. I mean that\’s just looking at the bucks and bolts of it. Forget about the morally offensive nature of criminalizing any solo activity perpetrated in one\’s private bedroom.

What the people who care less about online poker and casinos for the people of Boston should be concerned about is yet another attempt to put laws into play that will ultimately require an internet police force to be set up to patrol our computer screens.

Let\’s focus, political people: \”Sensible government\” is what the voters want to see in 2008! And when the PPA is siding with anti-gambling advocates, you know something doesn\’t add up.