State of Washington Sued over Online Gambling Ban

The month of June could be known for two big events for all poker fans. Of course June is the month of the World Series of Poker and now it could be considered the month that internet poker got its day in court. On Friday, June 6th, Lee Rousso, an attorney, filed a lawsuit in the state of Washington in an all out effort to overturn its ban on internet poker from 2006.

Rousso is claiming in the suit that the law is a direct violation of the U.S. Constitution's commerce clause. Rousso said that this challenge should be the last one needed as he added, "I think my chances are darn good."

A spokesperson for the Washington Gambling Commission said today they have not seen the lawsuit yet and until they do they would not have any comment on the issue.

The Constitution's commerce clause forbids states from passing protectionist laws against other states business. Rousoo is arguing that the state measure to ban online gambling was passed to protect the in-state gambling industry and not to be in compliance with the federal wire act as the state claims, thus putting it in direct violation.