As of June 7th online Poker is the same offence as Child Porn or animal cruelty

At the beginning of June residents of the state of Washington who are caught playing poker or any other games for money prizes will be committing a class C, which is the same as possessing child porn or threatening the Governor.

Although the head of the state Gambling Commission says it is very doubtful that individuals will be targeted for arrest, but the new laws do carry stiff penalties, like up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

The new law taking effect on June 7th was passed by the state legislature without the public taking any notice. Once the word began to spread amongst the gamblers both online and in the card rooms were not pleased. "To say playing poker in card rooms is legal but that it's a felony to play online is insane," said a local man.

One man said he was thinking about sitting outside the state Capitol with a laptop on the day the law goes into effect and playing Poker online till he gets arrested.

Nobody really knows how many Washingtonians gamble online, but it is popular and growing, fueled by the growth of Texas Hold 'em in televised tournaments and multimillion-dollar events such as the World Series of Poker.