Spring Break
Poker still loved after online ban
Gambling expert warns of risks from frequent play
By: Ian Cross
Issue date: 9/4/07 Section: News
In spite of a recent legislative ban on online gambling, college students across the nation are still virtually holding 'em and folding 'em for fun and profit - some of them at the risk of serious addiction.
According to a 2005 report from theAnnenberg Public Policy Center in Philadelphia, 15.4 percent of college students in the United States reported that they play cards at least once a week.
"I've seen actually an arc in popularity of poker," said Jake Fey, a business senior and an avid poker player. "I think we've already passed the pinnacle. We reached it last year."
Although poker may be weaning from the height of its popularity, some attribute the decline to the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006, which blocks direct payment to any online gambling site, making it illegal for anyone in the U.S. to gamble online.
Since the act makes it more difficult to play poker online, many have stopped playing, according the Web site.
That is not to say online gambling is impossible.
"For a while I didn't play online right after Bush put the legislation in because they made it such a pain in the ass," Fey said. He added that he still plays online through a third-party system of depositing money on a prepaid credit card.
"You have to pay $5 for every $100 you load on," Fey said. "It's a pain to basically pay money to lose money."
Fey said that he plays poker for about 20 hours a week on average. In addition to online poker, he also plays live games at the casino and home games with friends.
He said in one sitting at a casino in Atlantic City, N.J., he won $600.
"Over the long run, I would say I don't make enough to quit my job," he added. "There have been months where I've made several hundred and been comfortable for that month and the next one.
According to a 2005 report from the
In the brain there are various
chemicals and electrical impulses that control everything we do. For whatever reason, the act of gambling triggers those impulses.
-Don Hulen,
Arizona Council
on Compulsive Gambling
"I've seen actually an arc in popularity of poker," said Jake Fey, a business senior and an avid poker player. "I think we've already passed the pinnacle. We reached it last year."
Although poker may be weaning from the height of its popularity, some attribute the decline to the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006, which blocks direct payment to any online gambling site, making it illegal for anyone in the U.S. to gamble online.
Since the act makes it more difficult to play poker online, many have stopped playing, according the Web site.
That is not to say online gambling is impossible.
"For a while I didn't play online right after Bush put the legislation in because they made it such a pain in the ass," Fey said. He added that he still plays online through a third-party system of depositing money on a prepaid credit card.
"You have to pay $5 for every $100 you load on," Fey said. "It's a pain to basically pay money to lose money."
Fey said that he plays poker for about 20 hours a week on average. In addition to online poker, he also plays live games at the casino and home games with friends.
He said in one sitting at a casino in Atlantic City, N.J., he won $600.
"Over the long run, I would say I don't make enough to quit my job," he added. "There have been months where I've made several hundred and been comfortable for that month and the next one.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
pokerplayer
posted 12/25/07 @ 1:42 PM PST
I did notice a fall in the traffic in some of the poker sites that I won but after 3 months things started to get better. I think that people will always try to get a bit scared at the beginning of things like that but i their are passion about it they will find a way of playing. (Continued…)
poker
posted 2/26/09 @ 5:57 AM PST
College students are still addicted to playing online poker and according to a research reports majority of traffic to poker sites flow during college hours. (Continued…)
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