Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has displeased many gamblers in his state.  He has proposed legalizing gambling in the state, but banning all online casinos and poker rooms.  Gamblers are infuriated that Patrick would attempt to kill the billion dollar industry associated with online casinos in favor of local casinos. 

Patrick’s proposed legislation threatens gamblers at online casinos with felony charges.  Similar laws are already in effect in Washington State.

A group of displeased gamblers led a march last week in favor of online casinos.  They viciously protested the planned legislation.

The protest included a Harvard Law professor and several of his poker-playing students.

“I don’t think filling our expensive jail cells with poker players is what Massachusetts voters had in mind when they elected Deval Patrick,” said Professor Nesson.

The new legislation would hold fans of major sports teams criminally liable.  It would put a bleak end to betting on local teams like the Patriots, Red Sox, and Celtics; at least for the fans in the actual home town.

Patrick’s bill does not overtly outlaw online casinos.  Patrick still has aims of allowing three casinos in the state.  Barney Frank, the leading US Representative in the fight to license and regulate online casinos in the nation, disagrees with Patrick’s policy on online casinos.  Frank blasted Patrick for attempting to punish actual gamblers while in the same breath allowing particular casino operators the opportunity to establish themselves in the state.

“Why is gambling in a casino OK and gambling on the Internet not?” Frank criticized  

“He's making a big mistake. He's giving opponents an argument against him.”