Online poker: Federal crackdown is a bad bet

[Commentary] Who wants to bet that the recent federal crackdown on Internet poker sites won't stop Americans from playing poker online for money?

US authorities are swimming against a powerful tide of contrary policies overseas — online gambling is a multibillion-dollar business welcomed by several countries, including England and Ireland. And trying to fence off America from a popular part of the Internet only invites people to find new ways around the law. Nor does it help matters that US laws are wildly inconsistent on the subject of gambling, with different jurisdictions outlawing different types of wagers. In fact, lawmakers in California and a handful of other states are seeking to legalize — and tax — online betting within their borders, which will only add to the confusion. Rather than encouraging a bustling underground economy for U.S. bettors, Congress should repeal the 2006 law in favor of a legal but tightly regulated online gambling industry.