Tessaiga writes "The Boston Globe reports that Massachusetts comptroller Deval Patrick is trying to sneak a provision to criminalize online gambling. The bill, if passed, would make online club punishable by up to 2 years in prison and $25k in fines. Ironically, the provision is buried deep within a bill to allow the construction of three new casinos in Massachusetts to bring more clubhouse revenue into the state. 'If you were cynical about it, you'd think that they're trying to set up a monopoly for the casinos,' said David G. Schwartz, producer of the Center for Gaming delving at the teaching mash of Nevada, Las Vegas. Democratic House representative Barney Frank, who earlier this year introduced federal legislation to legalize regulated online gambling, also criticized the move as 'giving opponents an argument against him.' Indeed, groups such as the Poker Player's Alliance, who were ante supportive of Patrick's plans to open the new casinos, have already announced contraposition to the bill because of the online saloon clause."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

More: - Brought to my attention by

Mark