Online Petition: Allow for Licensed Poker Rooms in Canada

Dixon Hill

Hello!

I've started the petition "Canadian Federal Government: Allow for Licensed Poker Rooms in Canada" at change.org and need your help to get it off the ground.

Will you take 30 seconds to sign it right now? Here's the link:

http://www.change.org/en-CA/petitions/canadian-federal-government-allow-for-licensed-poker-rooms-in-canada

Here's why it's important:

Real money poker is a popular and fun diversion currently available to most Canadians in four main venues: online; in casinos; in underground (illegal) clubs; and in private homes.

Many people love playing poker and would also love the opportunity to play "in-person" in a safe, local and regulated environment. Unfortunately, Canadian federal legislation makes it a criminal offence to establish and operate a poker room. To do so is a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment for a term of up to two years. Being caught in a poker room is also punishable as a criminal offence.

So if you are a straight shooter and want to play poker, other than online (which is arguably an entirely different game than live poker), in a depressing casino poker room (assuming you wouldn't have to drive for at least 2 hours just to get to one, like most of us), in an illegal establishment (where you could get a criminal record) or in your basement or garage, then you're pooched.

These options are not satisfactory. The Canadian federal government needs to amend the Criminal Code to provide for licensing and regulation of privately owned and operated poker rooms offering just poker. Not slots. Not blackjack. Not roulette, or any other casino game. Not bingo or betting on the horse races. A venue that just offers poker. Dealers, tables, chips and cards. A venue that is legal, safe, local and fun. A venue where you can sit face to face with other like minded people and just play some poker.

As with other similar arrangements between federal and provincial governments (e.g. casinos, lotteries, horse race betting), the federal government could explicitly address the activity under the Criminal Code allowing provincial governments to be accountable for licensing and regulating the activity within the provinces. In Ontario, for example, regulation of poker rooms could be made to be within the authority of the Alcohol and Gaming Commision of Ontario (AGCO) or the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG).

Not only does it make sense from a consumer demand perspective, it would also foster entrepreneurship, create jobs, contribute to government coffers and bring our legislation up to date by acknowleding that "live" (and not just "online") poker is totally mainstream and not an underground criminal activity.

You can sign my petition by clicking here.

Thanks!
Dixon Hill

Bill Efremidis

Hello Dixon. I commend you for your initiative and will try to support you in your
efforts. Look me up. Obviously I don't agree with the present law and I'm dying to bring a test case against the government. Maybe we can help each other.

Peaceful civil disobedience can lead to a progress of civilization.

Milo

Just one issue I can think of . . . despite what the feds may do, wouldn't this be better addressed on a province by province basis? At least from a legal standpoint?

Dixon Hill

Milo;377596 wroteJust one issue I can think of . . . despite what the feds may do, wouldn't this be better addressed on a province by province basis? At least from a legal standpoint?

Well, the provinces would definitely be responsible for regulating the activity within the province, which would involve revising relevant provincial legislation. But a provinces can't determine to regulate an activity that is prohibited by federal legislation such as the Criminal Code. So the first step is to amend the Criminal Code.

Dixon Hill

Bill Efremidis;377595 wroteHello Dixon. I commend you for your initiative and will try to support you in your
efforts. Look me up. Obviously I don't agree with the present law and I'm dying to bring a test case against the government. Maybe we can help each other.

Peaceful civil disobedience can lead to a progress of civilization.

Thanks for your support Bill. Please sign the petition and send it to everyone you know! Let's get this thing off the ground. Here's the link:

http://www.change.org/en-CA/petitions/canadian-federal-government-allow-for-licensed-poker-rooms-in-canada

DrTyore

If we do sign,

Does this guarantee some LARP from Patrick Stewart? I mean, this is all somewhat misleading.

Mark

Dixon Hill

DrTyore;377601 wroteIf we do sign,

Does this guarantee some LARP from Patrick Stewart? I mean, this is all somewhat misleading.

Mark

Hi DrTyore,

Thank you for your message.

I would welcome some debate on the appropriate use of pseudonyms on the internet, but I suspect this is not the proper forum. I would encourage you to read the petition and, if you agree and want to support the cause, then sign. If you do not agree, for whatever reason, then please do not sign. Thanks!

Bfillmaff

I like the cause but I think the message could use a bit of re-wording, no?

To: Canadian Federal Government

Allow for Licensed Poker Rooms in Canada

Sincerely,
[Your name]