Steve Martin Likes Online Poker, But Is Afraid Of The US Government
Famous actor Steve Martin told David Letterman a story in an interview about how he one night took an Ambien and played poker for money on the Internet. Martin admitted to liking the game of poker, but claimed that he has stopped playing when it became illegal.
The only problem is that online poker is not illegal in the US. Martin's perception of Internet gambling laws in the US is one that is shared by many people, even though it is incorrect.
The Poker Players Alliance has been fighting for years to have poker exempt from the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. The law prohibits all forms of gambling online in games of chance.
Poker is not a game of chance and therefore is not covered by UIGEA rules. While previously it had been the opinion of experts and poker players that the game was one of skill, there is now legal precedence.
Judges in both Colorado and Pennsylvania have ruled that the game of poker is one of skill. The judges each threw out charges against people who were being tried for illegal gambling involving poker. The judges' rulings have solidified poker players beliefs and have caused an increase in customers sign ups at popular online poker sites.
While Martin said in the interview that he would never again take Ambien, the good news for him is that if wants to take up Internet poker in the future, he can do so without the worry of doing anything illegal.
February 4, 2009
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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