Poker Players Succeed in Tripping Massachusetts Gambling Law

March 24 - The Massachusetts poker public proved this week that a strong unified front can deeply impact the political landscape of their state. Strong protests, led by the vocal Poker Players Alliance and other interest groups, were held against Governor Deval Patrick's bid to legalize casino gambling in the state on the one hand, but outlaw online poker and casino wagering on the other.

As a result, the Massachusetts poker groups scored a victory this weekend after a Democratic-led House voted 108 to 46 to reject Governor Patrick's bid, and instead chose to send it to a special study committee - essentially removing it from debate for at least a year.

Furious poker players expressed their opposition to the new law that would have made it a felony for them to take their favorite form of entertainment online, and have them face a steep fine and prison time. They were determined to ensure that the Massachusetts poker laws would not become a reflection of the recent legislation of a similar nature passed in Washington State.

Governor Patrick's proposed law drew the wrath of other politicians, including fellow Republican Barney Frank who himself is actively trying to garner support for his counter legislation to the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act on a national level. When asked to comment on Patrick's law, he said: "Why is gambling in a casino ok and gambling on the internet is not? He [Patrick] is making a big mistake. He's giving opponents an argument against him.

Deval Patrick's defeat in his first major legislative initiative was embarrassing to say the least. A prominent Boston University professor of social sciences said: "Patrick is the big loser here, in the sense that politically he really needed a victory. He comes across here as being a real amateur. This was his first big test as a governor and, frankly, he failed it."