PokerStars, FullTilt and Absolute shutdown by FBI?? uh oh.

[Nerre]

I imagine the argument could be made that the food and alcohol would be sold with or without the games, and it's direct profit that is forbidden. Just talking ex rectum, but I imagine that to be the case.

Here in Sweden it is "arranging gambling for profit" that is illegal, thus even if you get the profit from sellind food and drinks it's illegal.

It's also illegal to arrange gambling for the public, but a playing with your friends is legal.

At leat that is the current situation, but there are a few cases in the supreme court right now so things might change. The big issue is whether poker is luck or skill, and if I recall correct the supreme court has at least concluded that tournaments involve skill.

[OldWestGambler]

Its just your friendly big government making way for the B&M companies in the US to take over the industry once they push through the legalization / regulation and of course TAXATION for online play in the US.

If I'm Harrah's, MGM, or another big player in the B&M gaming busienss and I'm footing the bill to push legalization legislation in the US, I'd want to know the big boys off their online monopoly too.  Less competition = easier profit margins when I enter the game.  Especially since I'll be sharing the rake with the same government that pushed out my competition.

Its a win-win for everybody.... oh, except for the innovators that started the whole sector and the poor saps that got caught with real $$ on the line when the DOJ decided to hold their money hostage.

I think it was more the fact that the industry was so blatantly and shamelessly skirting the UIGEA. From what I gather the government didn't have to spend a long time making their case and the accused did little to nothing to hide the fact that they were breaking the law. I mean the legislation was delayed until December if I'm correct.
Apparently the money was too good to let go.

I don't agree with the UIGEA at all but if you don't cover your a$$ then you can bet the government is gonna take a chunk out of it.