The Bismarck tribune
Rep. Jim Kasper, R-Fargo, wants poker played
over the Internet to be defined in the state Constitution as a game of
skill rather than gambling.
"I submit to you that poker is much
different than gambling," Kasper told the House Judiciary Committee
Tuesday. "The skill is what you do with what you are given."
Kasper
is hoping that if Internet poker is excluded from the definition of
gambling, it could entice hundreds of Internet poker businesses to
North Dakota, creating hundreds of millions of dollars of revenue for
the state.
"This could potentially match the whole revenue stream that the state has now," Kasper said.
His proposal is contained in House Bill 1509.
Internet
poker companies currently locate in other countries because they fear a
1961 federal law that prohibits gambling over the wire.
Kasper
wants to allow operations of the sites in North Dakota and fight the
federal government in court if the federal officials block state law.
Some
committee members were skeptical if North Dakota could win a case
against the federal government, while others were wary of changing the
definition of gambling.
"It's hard for me to look at this bill and say this isn't really gambling," Rep. Lois Delmore, D-Grand Forks, said.
Rep.
Lawrence Klemin, R-Bismarck, said that if the bill passes, the state
could have to pay for costly legal fees if the federal government
challenges it.
Rep. Mark Dosch, R-Bismarck, supported the bill, saying that North Dakota needs to take a chance.
"I
believe that for the people of North Dakota and for the state, we need
to be strong and take on this challenge and not be afraid to step out
of the box," Dosch said.
Former Gov. Art Link, a longtime
opponent of gambling, testified against the bill. Link said that since
the state allowed charitable gambling years ago, other forms of
gambling have grown.
"I made the statement then that gambling has an insatiable appetite that can never be satisfied," Link said.
Kasper said the bill does not expand gambling because people can already legally play poker in casinos and on the Internet.
Kasper
said the bill could bring up to $500 million of new revenue to the
state because the profits would be taxed and each player would pay a
$10 annual registration fee.
Kasper said Internet poker
companies want to be regulated because their customers would have more
trust that the games are not rigged.
The bill is accompanied by
a resolution that would require a vote of the people in 2006 asking
them to change the definition of gambling in the North Dakota
Constitution.
Under his plan, Kasper would use 60 percent of the
poker revenue for property tax relief, 20 percent for public education
and 20 percent for the state's general fund.
Link said the state should not rely on gambling for revenue.
"Are we so bankrupt in North Dakota that we have to depend on the whims of people who wish to play gambling games?" Link said.
The committee didn't immediately take action on the bill.
