Massachusetts Moves to Criminalize Online Poker While France Embarks on Legalization

Massachusetts is considering a bill that would criminalize online poker, while France has legalized online gambling, including poker, and opened its market to international competition.

Robert A. DeLeo, the speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, introduced a bill to license two land-based casinos and gaming machines at racetracks in the state, while also criminalizing all online gambling, including poker. The bill proposes fines of up to $25,000 or imprisonment for up to two years for those caught playing online poker or other online gambling games.

The Poker Players Alliance, a representative organization for American poker players, has stepped in to oppose the bill, aiming to remove the anti-poker language from the legislation. The French parliament approved new gambling legislation that legalizes online gambling, including poker, and opens the French market to international competition. The French legislation imposes a 2% tax on online poker and a 7.5% tax on sports betting.