Casinos - dead and gone w/ new policy?

IMHO there is a natural alliance between the new and the old world… and the European instincts are to stand shoulder to shoulder with it, despite the current administration… the problem was the tone … we hate to be preached at… that’s all. There isn’t any anti-Americanism here, only a deep dislike of those elected, and of the elephant in the china shop diplomacy they favor. You don’t tell your allies “who isn’t with us is agonist us”. IMHO Iraq was a misadventure however one sugar coats it. The place is broken and cannot be put back together again…. And worse of all, it put Iran on the map; it transformed it from a backward unimportant player into a regional power broker. But, better times are ahead under President Hillary Clinton.

Considering the entire Middle East is a mess left over from the French and the British, how can any there there ever be fixed?

As far as President Hillary, no thanks, 16 years of socialist presidents has been enough. We don't need her elected.

.

theres nothing like the idea of having a future president
who on the one hand said they were against the war in Iraq,
but who supported and voted for Bush's phony war on Iraq anyway ...

it certainly does look good on her resume that she supported
our Commander in Chief .... if nothing else
.

You have to admit it will be ironic in many ways if she is elected.

Bush - Clinton - Bush - Clinton

father - husband - son - wife

It really would be warped just simply form how small the group is the office holder's come from.

Im fairly confident whichever president we get they will be more liberal than Bush - and just as much into big government.

The political parties are geared up to give us that, at the moment.

Considering the entire Middle East is a mess left over from the French and the British, how can any where there ever be fixed?

As far as President Hillary, no thanks, 16 years of socialist presidents has been enough. We don't need her elected.

From the blog, Linden just added a new policy on gambling in SL. Does this mean that all casinos in SL will be vanishing for good? If so, huzzah!

Edit: Added the official FAQ at the bottom of the post

The new policy is as follows:
---------------------------------

Policy Regarding Wagering in Second Life

It is a violation of this policy to wager in games in the Second Life© environment operated on Linden Lab servers if such games:

(1) (a) rely on chance or random number generation to determine a winner, OR (b) rely on the outcome of real-life organized sporting events,

AND

(2) provide a payout in

(a) Linden Dollars, OR

(b) any real-world currency or thing of value.

This includes (but is not limited to), for example, Casino Games such as:

o Baccarat
o Blackjack
o Craps
o Faro
o Keno
o Pachinko
o Pai Gow
o Poker
o Roulette
o Sic Bo
o Slot machines

It also includes Sports Books or Sports Betting, including the placing of bets on actual sporting events against a book-maker or through a betting exchange.

Linden Lab will actively enforce this policy. If we discover gambling activities that violate the policy, we will remove all related objects from the inworld environment, may suspend or terminate the accounts of residents involved without refund or payment, and may report any relevant details, including user information, to authorities and financial institutions.





Wagering Games FAQ

1. Does this policy mean that all simulated gambling in Second Life(R) is illegal? Have I broken the law by gambling in Second Life? Can there be any retroactive consequences?

Linden Lab’s policy is not intended to identify which gambling activities may be legal where you live, and we cannot provide legal advice to you. Because gambling activities may be controlled by the law where the bettor lives in some places, and in others affect the operators of wagering games, we have decided to take a broader approach by prohibiting all games that meet the criteria in our policy.

It has been a basic tenet of Second Life that all Residents are legally responsible for their own activities and for complying with the laws of the local jurisdiction in which they reside. If you are violating our policy, or if you are otherwise concerned that you may be engaging in illegal gambling, you should stop.

2. Is this a blanket ban — i.e. is this simply a ban on simulated casinos or all types of gambling?

The wagering games described in the policy will not be allowed in Second Life. It applies to objects and games whether or not they are in a building that you may call an inworld “casino.”

3. What kind of wagering games are affected?

The policy applies to gambling games which:

(1) (a) rely on chance or random number generation to determine a winner, OR (b) rely on the outcome of real-life organized sporting events,

AND

(2) provide a payout in

(a) Linden Dollars, OR

(b) any real-world currency or thing of value.

4. Does the policy apply to all games based on real-life sports activities?

The policy prohibits Sports Books or Sports Betting, including the placing of bets on actual sporting events against a book-maker or through a betting exchange. However, the policy does not prohibit “fantasy sports” leagues if the rules and operation of those games comply with all applicable laws.

5. Does this policy apply to “skill contests?”

This policy only applies to wagering games that meet the criteria listed above. If your game or contest does not meet the above criteria, it is not restricted under this policy, but applicable laws and local practice may impose additional requirements on you. This policy does not give you guidance on what your legal obligations are – as noted above, that is your responsibility to determine.

6. How will you enforce this measure? How can you detect these games?

Our staff will review, investigate and respond to appropriate notices. We may retain additional staff or services to conduct this activity. When we discover objects or games within Second Life that meet the policy’s definition, we will remove them from Second Life.

7. What will the consequences be for those who continue to play or operate games that fall under this policy?

Any user who consistently violates the policy or our Terms of Service will be suspended, and may be terminated. Linden Lab may also comply with validly issued subpoenas in connection with law enforcement investigations and legal actions.

8. I live somewhere where online gambling is not illegal. Does this policy apply to me?

This policy applies to all use of Second Life. It isn’t intended to describe what is or isn’t legal for any particular resident or in any particular place. It describes what Linden Lab believes is appropriate to maintain its business requirements and to operate Second Life.

9. Will this take effect immediately? How will it work procedurally to shut down? Will there be reimbursement involved for virtual casino owners?
* It will take effect immediately.
* Second Life Residents are responsible for their own behavior and compliance with the policy.
* There will be no reimbursement if Linden Lab removes objects or activities that violate this policy.

I seem to remember that there was a buget surplus under president Clinton. What is the situation after 8 years of Bush?

So can American burglars, it's a big myth that you can do anything you like to defend your property in the states, people have been prosecuted for it.

Speaking of regularly scheduled... It strikes me as kind of funny that the forums were quiet for the last few days before this announcement. Now they are busy as heck .

I seem to remember that there was a buget surplus under president Clinton. What is the situation after 8 years of Bush?

I know, and it makes a lot of sense that one has to use reasonable measures of self-defense and can't just shoot the mailman. Nonetheless, German law doesn't seem to know the word "self-defense" at all.

Ahhh this US vs EU dicussion leads to nothing.

I am -sorry- just PISSED OFF that I can't play poker in SL anymore!

It was really fun and very profitable. So many fish!

For real amounts I play elswhere anyways. PKR-dotcom e.g. is also a 3D pokerroom.

i'm curious since california has a state lottery can we have lotterys?

i'm curious since california has a state lottery can we have lotterys?

If it is your desire to live in an armish paradiese, fine.
Since your retarded chistian fundamentalist are in power, the whole world laughs about you. OK some poor bastards in Iraque maybe not. I dont care.

From the very first paragraph of the Terms of Service, which surely you have read: