I have (and so have many) noticed a recurring theme in letter responses from Senator’s and House Representatives who oppose Internet Wagering, Internet gambling has become too easily accessible to minors and it violates state laws.
This, when these letters are received needs to be addressed in an immediate reply, both by e-mail and printed and mailed. I received the same initial response from one of my Senator’s and my Congressional representative citing this same uninformed reply.
Now, how to counter this is simple and easy.
1. Point out (if your state is one) that skill games violate no state law. Cite the code. This can be found at
http://www.gambling-law-us.com/State-Law-Summary/
2. Point out how America Online, MSN, YAHOO and others on their games site allow children to play WHILE on the same page as children’s games, skill based competitions / cash competitions are offered as well and card games and THEY seem to have no problem preventing minors from playing real gambling / wagering games.
3. Pont out even in free play .net sites the minimum age is 18 and great care is taken to prevent minors from playing as opposed to the children’s games marketed next to adult games for cash. By the above referenced ISP’S. Provide the relevant link in e-mail, PRINT the page and attach to mailed responses.
4. Show who is really marketing gambling to children; Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Walgreen’s and others.
EXAMPLES FROM THESE ONLINE STORES:
Wal-Mart Poker Chips:
http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_constraint=0&search_query=poker+chips&ic=48_0
Click anyone of these sets, the suggested age range stats at 8.
Walgreen’s:
http://www.walgreens.com/store/productlist.jsp?CATID=302398
Age suggested starts at 10
K-Mart
http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_10151_10104_1010000001547064P?keyword=poker+chips&sLevel=0
NO Minimum age listed
So, who is REALLY marketing to children, NOT licensed poker sites that offer skill based games to adults that do not violate your state law anymore than does AOL, YAHOO, MSN and others.
These companies are though offering wagering on skill games right next to adult games and there is NO outrage or even efforts to stop THIS activity.
Department stores are selling wagering games to children and there is no outrage here nor efforts to curb this.
When taking my (your) thoughts into consideration, please consider this accurate information rather than the inaccurate information you have been provided and led to believe to be accurate.
obg
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We must not be afraid to be free...
Justice Hugo Black