[Reel Deal]

I don't mean to be an ass and I'm sorry if you already know this but I will add this just for your information so you know that I am not an uninformed person basing my opinion on what other people are saying/writing: I'm a practicing attorney and an adjunct law professor and I have read this bill (twice).

Please point out the part that blocks access to the sites because (1) I did not see any such language, and (2) how in the world do you enforce that?

The real meat of this bill makes it illegal for people that are in the business of accepting bets and wagers to accept money from anyone in the United States. Now, the problem with enforcing that law is that the "people that are in the business of accepting bets and wagers" over the internet are all based outside the United States and are, therefore, not bound to comply with this law b/c they are outside the jurisdiction.

I just don't see this as being "very, very bad." When the dust clears I think there will be some things that will change but I wouldn't classify them as being "very, very bad." Here's how I think things will play out:

1. Numerous sites will still allow U.S. based players (Stars, UB, Bodog, and others), some sites probably will block U.S. based players (Party, perhaps Full Tilt since a number of their principals are based in the U.S., and others);

2. You won't see U.S. based pros endorsing sites and you'll see less advertising in the U.S. for on-line poker and sports books (however, they could still use the .net as a work-around);

3. You won't see U.S. based players as affiliates (sorry TP); and

4. It might be more difficult to fund a poker account and maybe more difficult to cash out from places like Neteller (if banks don't accept EFTs from Neteller), however, you'll still be able to get money out (eg, via a check in the mail) it just might not be as fast. I don't think there's anyway a business like Neteller goes away since they are located in the Isle of Man and are also outside the jurisdiction/enforcement of this law.

So, there will be some changes and some annoyances, but I just do not see this as the complete end of on-line real money poker for players in the U.S.