Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick is introducing legislation that turns his residents that place online wagers into felons. Two years in jail and a $25,000 fine are the suggested penalties not for running a gambling ring but simply for seeing an ad on ESPN for a poker room, putting $20 into an account, and wagering online.  The Boston Globe article doesn’t mention that these are felony charges but other outlets do.

Patrick is likely simply passing along with the wishes of the casino industry that is making a mad dash for their piece of the development of three casinos. The casino lobbyists probably wrote the legislation. But the fact that the Governor and his administration have no problem with criminalizing the actions of tens of thousands of their constituents is frightening to those who expect some thoughtfulness from their leaders.

The actions of Liberal Democrat Patrick illustrate once again that the effort to criminalize the actions of those who bet online instead of in a casino is bipartisan, and not limited to conservatives. Politicians see the potential for a flow of money and an increase in their power, and have no qualms about throwing you under the bus to get it.