**Intro**
I\’m not someone that makes their income from online poker (ok, I dreamed someday I could get out of the micro-grind), which may seem odd given how much time I have devoted to covering the topic of poker legislation in the past year. But I love the game of poker, and believe that people have the right to derive income off their skills in the United States, and have the ability to work in a regulated and protected marketplace.
Yesterday I was approached by press asking me what online players were feeling about the operational shutdown of the three major poker brands, and I did not feel at all qualified to answer, except to maybe related aspect of the conversations I have had with those that do. Still I thought the perspectives of real people that have had their careers taken away was one that is one worth telling, and one that might help drive the successful legislation of poker by federal and/or state governments, similar to what has been done recently in the District of Columbia.
I am also concerned that the federal government will do nothing to help people recoup their funds that are offshore, should payout be impeded. Even the bill draft floated around Congress by Harry Reid contained a specific plan, in the event the government passed the bill, and sites were shut down for \”blackout\”.
I tweeted asking for input, and I received an email from a Minnesotan online poker professional, Danielle Andersen, and am attaching her thoughts below.
If anyone else wants to relate about how this impacts their lives, as a player, media member, poker coach, or anyone in the poker industry, please email me at scar@scarletlv.com. I won\’t share anything unless you give me permission to do so.
Scarlet Robinson
@scarlet_lv
My name is Danielle Andersen and prior to yesterday, when the DOJ swooped in and essentially cut access to internet poker sites for American players, I played poker for a living. I started playing poker in college, for fun with friends. When it became apparent I had a natural talent, I deposited exactly $50.00 online. That was in 2005 and to this day, I haven’t deposited more than that initial $50.00
I played no-limit cash games online under the screen name “dmoongirl.” The income I made playing online poker allowed me to pay my way through nursing school. I graduated in May, 2010 as a registered nurse. My job as a poker professional also allowed my husband to complete his schooling. He will finish his teaching licensure in physical education this spring and was set to return to graduate school this fall to obtain his masters degree in health, but now I doubt we can afford it.
Right now I’m in shock and I’m not sure what my plan is. I will probably start applying for nursing jobs but the market is tough in the Southern Minnesota area I live in, and with no experience I’m not sure I’ll find anything right away. I could move to Vegas and play live poker, but I can’t bear the thought of taking my three year old away from the extended family whom he adores and leaving him is not an option. Right now some of my money is tied up in the poker sites and I’m not sure when or even if, I will ever get it back. I’m scared for my families future and I can’t help but feel very betrayed by my own government.
