Reason Magazine's Radley Balko Testifies on Online Gaming

[53foodserver]

This guy voted for John Kerry in 2004. If you're down with that , then Balko is your man. Me I'll pass...

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[styler19721]

3:00 - Hmm you mean fastest increase in foreclosures and economic decline

[healthhavencom]

A potentially great speech that falls apart at the moment Balko implies that taxing winnings are somehow a benefit to society.

[nabbelol1]

And why is not taxing winnings a benefit to society?

[healthhavencom]

If a free society, why would YOUR winnings belong to other people?

Answer: They would not.

[EngineerMK2004]

it would be, but taxing something that is supposedly immoral is immediately an endorsement of that activity. It, in effect, endorses that activity. However, in our supposedly free society, all things should be legal and no federal government should be able to take anything from you at any time except after due process by an objective court.

We should be free to make bad choices.

[nabbelol1]

I don't get you, are you some kind of christian anarchist? why is gambling immoral and why shouldn't a government be able to regulate society. I'm sorry, but we simple can't take care of ourself we need structure and order. Taxing of profit making entertainment or sport is done in numerous countries. You belong to society, and you need to contribute! Except if you believe you are complete master of your destiny, then you are just stupid.

[EngineerMK2004]

I am the Master of my Destiny! I didn't say gambling was immoral. Also, don't call me stupid. That's something you call someone who doesn't read and goes along with the rest of the sheep while the wolves lead you to your slaughter. The government has no right or power of law to take anyone's wages, no matter how earned, away; except the power of coercion which they will be more than happy to use. I wouldn't mind taxation so much if it were all excise tax, at least then I would have choice.

[JerryGing]

I'm a believer in human freedom. I have the right to do as I please (so long as it does not interfere with another's right to do the same). While I, personally, choose to keep gambling to a minimum, others may choose differently. As for addiction, we must recognize that freedom has a price. I support the Second Amendment, but recognize that guns may be intentionally or accidentally misused. I will not trade my freedom for security, as the Republicans and the Democrats want me to do.

[ProBanOnlinePoker]

Poker uniquely American? 'Don't gamble then' I wonder what kind of gambling debt he just cleared by giving these statements because I can assure you this is not honesty. I wouldnt be suprised if he received a large paycheck from online gaming operations for giving this speech. Online poker is bringing on a new breed of gamblers(especially young) which the majority of are living in total and utter misery. Destroying not just themselves but those around them. Gambling is a disease and kills people

[Epimpin101]

lol u must have busted ur pokerstars account?

too many bad beats right? it's not ur skill level.

[loncummings9242]

Very cool video.I will vote for it!

[yahoovisitor]

In the western countries its a big source of tax earning and the gamblers are now turning their move towards the east where due to lack of education and literacy its easy to fool a poor man and get funds released on the name of awards.USA and its allies who for want of funds for destruction of peace on globe encourage the internet gamblers to commit this blunder. As USA is already destroyed as regards its economy and it can be an indirect source of earning money for this purpose.

[yahoovisitor]

Spam emails announcing a free lotto award or acquiring the funds of some deceased customer of any bank around the globe are being received at a very high pace. If the person concerned agrees with the thought of the mail sender, he is financially destroyed and when he expresses his inability to pay a single penny the emails stop. This is a very famous form of internet gambling. Western countries are earning a huge amount of tax by this gambling later on used for destroying the global peace.

[Whoo69]

Barney Frank got a chairman seat from the Democratic majority leaders?? HA HA HA!  Are you kidding? "I wouldn't even use you as a golden retriever."

[BrianGarceau]

Finally, someone with reason speaking before congress. I can't believe in the land of the free, congress and the President made it illegal to gamble with your own money. Thank you Radley Balko, for speaking in behalf of the reasonable people in this country.

[roostersport]

Mr Balko may we take your time to view video reponse of humane roostersport and consider liberties of small farmer poor breeder in the rural areas. live and let live.

[roostersport]

Mr Balko, pls watch video response and consider the liberty also of poor farmer breeder. The humane invention if implemented will help rural farmers self employment in breeding, feed stores, and related construction. Casino are for the rich..pls consider the poor small farmer breeder.

[GenericGene]

Radley Balko - Well done Jady Davis

[2beeeornot2beee]

he is dam right but the government are afraid it will reuin the economy

[texanpilot23]

lol ruin the economy... it cant get any worse.. gambling will now ruin the economy.. we have gambling.. las vegas is the fastest growing city, all forms of gambling is prosperous.. online gambling is simply another arena in which to gamble

[alex777tm]

Stupid US government ... I am happy I live in UK.

[geekgalvideo]

interesting!

[8x56R]

God bless Ron Paul and Reason magazine.

[lucretius78]

Did someone say Ron Paul?

Go Ron Paul!

GoRonPaul(dot)com

[Booyah2U]

It is not about kids or addicts its plain and simply about the right people getting their cut of the action.

[Booyah2U]

Bottom line is no domestic companies are making money off online poker and their lobbiest want to make sure when congress does decide to make it legal they will be in line with their new software to accomodate all the players. They missed the boat and were sorry they did, so they paid off the politicians as always to outlaw it until such time as they can get their hands on it and the government can get its cut too.

[Booyah2U]

The politicians have no problems what so ever if I go blow my entire pay check at the local casino. Why do they care if I bet a small percentage of my check (the small part they allow me to keep after they get their cut in taxes) playing poker from home. If anything it could be considered a global warming initiative in that I do not burn any fossil fuels playing poker online, but I have to drive my V8 to the casino.

[762ForFreedom]

"what about the children???"

That's the same rediculous mantra that brought us the War on Drugs. In order to "save the children" every US citizen has become a suspect, and 2 million ADULTS are in prison. Government doesn't give a f#$% about you or the children. They care only to increase their budget and power, and now they are trying to control the net. Online gambling and child predators are used to stir up emotional reactions.

Keep the Internet Free!

[batmanthe]

How can anyone with a brain argue reasonably against this guy's speech? I doubt they can. That Act is total bullshit.

[CaptainFluffyMcFluff]

Victimless crime?? What about the thousands of children that die each year from neglect and while their parents spend all day online with their gambling addiction!?!

What are the kids doing while poker-junkie mom is fixated, trance-like on her straight draw?? Maybe on THEIR computer flirting with PEDOPHILES and maybe even touching themselves!!!?

FREEDOM?? What about the children?? THE CHILDREN!!!

[Budvb]

Flufman you think stopping them gambling online stops that. Our High Taxes do that same thing. What are those Kids doing while Parents have to work 24 - 7 to pay the Taxes I mean come on We are a Free country. Heck you don't even have to play Poker just online you can go the local casino and do the same. So your crying here is useless. Do something better with your time and Go and help those with a problem like Gambling! haha

[tfboyle]

Yeah F freedom, we want authoritarian government. Government should control every aspect of our lives, freedom is overrated.  CaptainfluffyMcfluff is right, slavery is awesome.

[prattleon]

online gambling is a victimless crime. neglecting your children to the point of harm however, is a crime that clearly has a victim. there is a huge difference. when you combine the two, you neglect the fact that many people can responsibly take part in online gambling.

[KIDiotequeA]

read the constitution.