Arizona stops online wagering

[Turbulator]

Originally Posted by kiltman

Well I just got notified that I can no longer wager over the internet due to a law that just went into effect at midnite 18 Sept. Arizona HB2694 has stopped
online wagering for horseracing.

Is it just (specifically) horse racing? Washington state passed a similar law (they were the first) about a year ago, but everybody I know still gambles online up there.

I just funded one of my online poker accounts, and I can still play the horses, so in reality the law has little teeth.

This could be completely different, I don't know. I'd like to hear more.

[kiltman]

The bill is HB 2694 and it looked to me like it is just horseracing it was slipped through in March and became law last nite the 18th at midnite. It seems to have passed by a large majority only 9 votes against. I am sure it was backed by the OTB sites in Arizona. Never was anthing in newpaper here that I ever saw as I read the daily newspaper. When the folks dont know what is being put forth in the legislatures from city to federal things can be slipped in and no one is the wiser until the axe falls and it effects you personally.

[Turbulator]

Originally Posted by kiltman

became law last nite the 18th at midnite. It seems to have passed by a large majority only 9 votes against.

In Washington, it was unanimous. It was also slipped in and happened very quickly.

Yet, people still play poker and the horses online. It's my understanding that poker is considered illegal because the sites themselves are illegal--offshore, crossing state lines, etc. Horse racing is legal so that's still OK.

So I don't know what effect it really had other than to make a stand or scare people. In Arizona, from my understanding, the ADWs were forced to give notice to Arizona customers that they would no longer be taking their business. This hasn't happened in Washington State.

It appears that in Arizona they were pressured by the OTBs and race tracks to change the law. That hasn't happened in Washington.

One suggestion I could make is to establish a PO or UPS box in a neighboring state and use that as your "legal" residence as far as the ADWs are concerned. No one knows exactly where you are when you're using your computer--and even if they did it shouldn't matter.

[azbacks]

I did a Google and found a little more on this.

The HR deals with parimutuel betting. One can only place bets with state approved horse or dog tracks. This includes the OTB's for both. This is a class 6 felony.

Turf Paradise supported the resolution and the state's Dept. of Racing opposed the bill.

Politics as usual I guess.

Pete

[uncleroughy]

I used to use Betehorse for computer betting (in Costa Rica) after NJ prevented me from betting in the Pennsylvania setup, however, NJ finally got on the ball and setup a very good computer betting system within NJ which works great. Maybe Arizona would consider following the Jersey way.

[ray lopez]

Youwager.com and Betmaker are also good offshore sportsbooks.Person-to-person through Moneygram or Western Union is the best way to make a
deposit and they'll give you a bonus and they're honest and fast when you
want to make withdrawals....they also cover the fees if you send at least
$250...

[froggy]

To legally place a bet in the state of Arizonia I would now have to drive to Kingman (about 35 miles one way) and enter thru the rear door of a low class bar/chinese resturant into a very dark smoke filled room with a bunch of drunks. I can't even bring in my own bottle of water as it has to be ordered from the bar. That is how I got thrown out the last time I was there over five years ago.

I can go to the book at the Riverside(only minutes away) and it is not a bad place. They thru me out because I had a laptop and you can't use them or cell phones in a Nevada Sports book.

Below is the love note I got from Youbet.


Wagering Suspended for Arizona Residents



Dear Mike,

A new Arizona state law (House Bill 2694 amending A.R.S. 5-112), allegedly prohibits residents of Arizona from wagering on races outside of an approved racing enclosure in Arizona.

While Youbet views this law as clearly unlawful, unconstitutional and protectionist, and is reviewing the situation with its attorneys, for the time being, Youbet is suspending your ability to wager.

As a courtesy, you may continue to use the Youbet.com website to follow your favorite horses, tracks, and features and Youbet will be suspending your subscription fee until further notice. If you want to withdraw the funds in your account, please access the "Withdrawal Feature" under the "Account" menu or contact Player Services 1-888-YOUBET-8 (1-888-968-2388).

Thank you for your understanding and support. If you have any questions about why you, a resident of the state of Arizona, are being deprived of your right to participate in pari-mutual wagering when and where you choose feel free to voice your dissatisfaction with

Arizona Department of Racing Phone: (602) 364-1700
Office of the Attorney General Phone: (800) 352-8431

Youbet.com regrets having to take this action and thanks you for your patronage and support. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you, our valued account holder.

Sincerely,

Youbet.com Team

Youbet.com supports responsible gaming.

[froggy]

I can't put into words my anger, resentment and disappointment in the actions of my elected officials.

It was already illegal to bet online any race that took place inside the states boundaries, now they have made it illegal to bet on races outside the states boundaries.

All this is intended to increase the sales of admission, hot dogs and beer at the track, not to mention the small increase in profit buy eliminating the ADW's.

Since very few people can walk to the track this would increase the consumption of oil by driving and revenue of mass transit.

All this does is eliminate us senior citizens on fixed incomes and limited physical mobility and puts barriers in the way to attract new and younger computer literate horseplayers.

Saturday I signed a contract to sell my home at a loss and am going to another state this week to find a place to buy in a more friendly environment.

My name address and number and voting district is available on request.

Froggy

[jms62]

Froggy... This is not about increasing track attendence.. It is 100% about the "MORAL" extreme right wing shoving their values down our throats whilst violating morals as they see fit. Senator Kyl from your fair state has been after Internet Gambling for quite sometime..

[froggy]

jms62,

This action is State not federal and Senator Kyl had no vote in it. He may have been for it but has no say in it.

It was done at Turf Paradise's urging.

Quote:
"Eliminates a current step in the transmission of wagers and allows wagers to be transmitted directly to the track that conducts the live race."

When the republicans put the axe to internet poker a month before the election where they lost their power in the Congress and the Senate nation wide by less than 45,000 votes total, they blamed it on a half dozen different reasons.
Never on the silent and therefore considered voiceless and unimportant voters.

There were an estimated 25,000,000 internet poker players in the US cut low by their underhanded and in the dark of the night action.

How many Republicans and Independents as myself voted democratic as a result?
Of those 25 million angered poker players does 45,000 sound like a reasonable number.

Getting elected to office is not a sign of intelligence.

Froggy