OK, so it's about time somebody took an opinion stand on all the cold, hard facts that have been circulating the poker table since the United States effectively outlawed online poker by passing the Unlawful Internet Gambling Act of 2006 on Friday 27th September. After all,  what's the game without a little banter?

First things first: the facts in brief, in case you've missed out on the slew of stories, reactions and official statements that have revitalised poker news in the last two weeks of turbulence.

The bill was passed after being pushed through to the attention of the US Congress, and attached to a bill concerning port security in America. Since then, share prices at major online poker rooms such as Pokerstars, 888, Bodog (and others) have been under serious scrutiny and some, quite simply, have plummeted.

Now, the agencies are claiming every type of reaction that could be expected from those in the bright spotlight of mainstream press attention, from denying forthcoming changes in the business landscape to the silent treatment.

And here we are, once again.

Now, a number of important minor facts spring to life, sporting whiffs of hypocrisy and underhanded play.

Firstly, and in as blunt terms as are possible: the United States government has taken a decision to tell people what they can and cannot do on the Internet, the most fabulous of un-governable media. Cyberspace is free, and the effects of removing the liberty of the medium for citizens of any country to publish, play and read what they please will be nothing short of the suicide of the self-respect of the nation's online players .

Michael Bolcerek, president of the Poker Players' Alliance has stated his case, in what is perhaps the eagle-eyed figure's 15 minutes of fame. In his statement, he points out that prohibition of online poker in America will only drive the 70-million-strong game underground. It has been seen before. Regulation and taxation, he claims, are a better way to address the issue.

So let's face the issue behind what the United States really up to: them Benjamins. Taxation.

Instead of following Italy's recent example to legislate online gambling for a (deservedly fat governmental cut, of course, which struggling European players will be happy to pay), the United States has stepped into a moral shadow by passing the law, which, de facto, bans online poker playing.

Mind the distinction between online gambling and online poker. Sure, stripmall America is full of beerhouse video poker and gambling units which not only rob the majority of players of their hard-earned wages, but rob the reputation of poker as a game of skill. And the same phenomenon spills over into the plethora of Internet gambling sites. Yes, America, there is a danger in these waters.

But we're talking about poker here, not reckless gambling. A game with (at least) 180 years of history and major land-based and online league systems, as well as an online following in the US of 75 million.

Using a backdoor congressional loophole to outlaw a game which is enjoying a burgeoning economic rise and is firmly entrenching itself in popular consciousness is one thing, but deliberately blaming a morally ambiguous (and ill-reputed) backdrop of "gambling" is something that suggests the United States government has another thing in mind.

So call it a hunch, but don't be surprised if sometime in the next year or two, the United States governmental authorities begin providing licenses to select agencies to operate payment in online poker halls for a disproportionate amount of money; more than they could make if they simply legislated the game now.

Today's date is October 8th, 2006. Too bad we missed George Bush's birthday this year: We could have pitched in for a poker set. I believe he plays...

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