A controversial law enacted last year that makes online gambling a Class C felony in Washington State is now being challenged in a court of law by a Renton attorney.
Lee Rousso filed suit against the State of Washington on Friday, alleging that SB 6613, the bill signed into law last year, is unconstitutional.
Calling it a direct violation of the U.S. Constitution’s commerce clause, Rousso said the first legal challenge to the state law also should be the last.
“I think my chances are darn good,” he told the Seattle Post Intelligencer, which itself had concerns over featuring poker related articles that made mention of online poker domains (a la professional player Daniel Negreanu’s popular column that would often feature a link to his own Internet ventures).
The ban, which took effect last spring, specifically prohibited the type of Internet-based card games such as Texas Hold ‘Em that poker players in Washington — Rousso among them — have used to qualify for the annual multimillion-dollar tournament. Rousso said that Washington residents who qualified for the event likely did so through Internet-based tournaments even though it now is a felony to do so.
Susan Arland, spokeswoman for the Washington Gambling Commission, said commission lawyers have not seen the lawsuit and would comment only after they had read it. “We don’t have anything to say just yet,” she said.
Rousso said the state law is flawed. In his complaint in King County Superior Court, he argued that the state measure was passed not to put the state in compliance with the federal wire act — something it does not do anyway, he said — but instead to protect the in-state gambling industry, including card rooms and casinos.
This, he said, puts Washington in clear conflict with the Constitution’s commerce clause, which forbids individual states from passing protectionist laws against other states’ business.
Individuals sentenced for playing online poker in the state of Washington faced prison time usually reserved for child molesters and repeat drug peddlers.
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(Sunday, July 8th)
Final Score: Detroit 6, Boston 5
Detroit, MI - Gary Sheffield had three hits, including a solo homer, and knocked in two as the Detroit Tigers held on to defeat the Boston Red Sox, 6-5, sweeping a three-game series at Comerica Park. Sheffield also had a pair of doubles and scored two runs and Carlos Guillen drove in a pair for the Tigers, who have won five in a row and six of their last seven. Nate Robertson (5-6), got the win, going 6 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on four hits, while striking out two and walking four. Julio Lugo went 3-for-3 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored for the Red Sox, who have now dropped six in a row and seven out of their last eight on the road. Daisuke Matsuzaka (10-6) struggled in the loss, surrendering six runs on 10 hits over five innings. The right-hander struck out four and walked one.
Final Score: NY Yankees 12, LA Angels of Anaheim 0
Bronx, NY - Alex Rodriguez, Hideki Matsui and Robinson Cano all hit three-run homers as New York blitzed the LA Angels of Anaheim, 12-0, in the rubber match of a three-game set at Yankee Stadium. Rodriguez finished 2-for-5 with four runs batted in for the Yankees, who have won three of four games but are a disappointing 42-43 at the All-Star break. The star third baseman, who announced he will play in the All-Star game despite a sore hamstring, leads the major leagues with 30 home runs and 86 RBI. Chien-Ming Wang (9-4) threw 6 1/3 scoreless innings to earn the win. The Taiwanese star battled through a blister problem and allowed just five hits while walking two and fanning three. Garret Anderson was 2-for-3 for the Angels, who have dropped four of six heading into the break. Ervin Santana (5-10) was touched for nine runs on seven hits in just three innings of work en route to the loss. The struggling right-hander has now lost four consecutive decisions.
Final Score: Toronto 1, Cleveland 0
Toronto, ON - Alex Rios came through with an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth, giving the Toronto Blue Jays a 1-0 win over the Cleveland Indians in the rubber match of a three-game set at Rogers Centre. Cleveland’s Paul Byrd and Toronto’s Josh Towers were locked in a duel, with Towers flirting with perfection into the sixth. Towers twirled eight masterful innings, yielding just three hits with four strikeouts and no walks for the Blue Jays, who have won three of four. Byrd (7-4) was nearly as good, allowing just four hits and no walks over 8 1/3 innings. He gave up a one-out double to Reed Johnson in the ninth, though, and was charged with the loss when Rios hit the game-winning single off his replacement, Rafael Betancourt, in the next sequence.
Final Score: Chicago 6, Minnesota 3
Chicago, IL - Jim Thome went 3-for-4 with a home run and Javier Vazquez pitched a complete game to help the Chicago White Sox best the Minnesota Twins, 6-3, in the conclusion of a four-game set at U.S. Cellular Field. The White Sox lost both games of a series-opening doubleheader on Friday by a combined score of 32-14, but rebounded to win the last two games prior to the All-Star break. This was Vazquez’s (6-5) second complete game in a row, this after going almost a year since his last one. He allowed three runs on eight hits with eight strikeouts and no walks. Right after the game, it was announced that the White Sox and left-hander Mark Buehrle had agreed on a four-year extension. Buehrle, who was due to become a free agent at season’s end, had heard his name come up in trade discussions over the past week after it was reported over the weekend that talks between he and the team regarding an extension had broken down. The 28-year-old hurler is 6-4 this season with a 3.03 earned run average. Carlos Silva (6-10) allowed six runs — five earned — over five innings for Minnesota, which has dropped six of nine. Justin Morneau went 2-for-4 with a homer and two RBI in defeat.
Final Score: Kansas City 12, Tampa Bay 4
Kansas City, MO - Tony Pena went 3-for-5 and knocked in four runs as Kansas City blew the game open with a six-run eighth inning and defeated Tampa Bay, 12-4, in the finale of a three-game set. Emil Brown, Ross Gload and Alex Gordon each knocked in a pair of runs for the Royals, who took two of three from the Devil Rays and own a 38-50 record at the All-Star break. Jorge De La Rosa (7-9) was the recipient of the run support. The left- hander gave up two runs on five hits through 5 2/3 innings, striking out seven and walking three to pick up the win. Jonny Gomes went 4-for-4 with a home run, three RBI and a run scored for the slumping Devil Rays, who have lost 13 of 14 heading into the break. Tampa Bay owns a 34-53 record, the worst in the majors. Scott Kazmir (5-6) was tagged for five runs — four earned — on seven hits through five-plus innings.
Final Score: Texas 2, Baltimore 1
Arlington, TX - Kenny Lofton went 2-for-2 with a home run and scored both runs for Texas, as the Rangers edged the Baltimore Orioles, 2-1. Kevin Millwood started for Texas and pitched six innings of one-run ball. Millwood (6-7) gave up five hits while striking out four and walking three. Eric Gagne pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to notch his 12th save of the season. Marlon Byrd knocked in the other run for the Rangers, who won two of their last three games heading into the All-Star break. Baltimore starter Daniel Cabrera (6-10) absorbed the loss after allowing two runs on six hits while fanning eight and walking five. Chris Gomez went 3-for-4 with a double while Nick Markakis knocked in the lone run of the game for the Orioles, who lost three of their last four games before the break.
Final Score: Seattle 7, Oakland 3
Oakland, CA - Raul Ibanez’s bases-loaded double in the seventh inning gave Seattle the lead and ignited a benches-clearing shoving match, as the Mariners held on to beat Oakland, 7-3, in the finale of a four- game set. Trailing 3-2, the Mariners scored four runs in the seventh inning to take the lead as both benches cleared. Seattle loaded the bases on three straight singles by Jason Ellison, Ichiro Suzuki and Jose Lopez. Raul Ibanez followed with a double to deep center field, clearing the bases. The trouble started when shortstop Bobby Crosby’s throw home got past catcher Jason Kendall. The ball rolled near Suzuki in the on-deck circle and A’s starting pitcher Joe Blanton shoved him out of the way to get to it. Ellison took exception and shoved Blanton as both benches cleared. Blanton, who had to be restrained, exchanged words with Mariners pitcher Miguel Batista. Both players were ejected from the game and Santiago Casilla took over for Blanton. Lopez went 3-for-5 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored for the Mariners, who took three of four from Oakland and own a 49-36 record at the All-Star break. Seattle starter Ryan Feierabend gave up three runs on five hits through four-plus innings, while Sean Green (2-1) pitched 1 2/3 shutout innings to pick up the win. Eric Chavez homered for the Athletics, who have dropped five of seven to fall back to .500 (44-44). Blanton (8-5) was tagged for six runs — five earned — on 12 hits through six- plus innings.
Final Score: Cincinnati 4, Arizona 3 (11 innings)
Cincinnati, OH - Scott Hatteberg’s run-scoring single in the 11th helped the Cincinnati Reds complete a three-game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks with a 4-3 victory at Great American Ball Park. Jose Valverde started the 11th inning for Arizona and walked Edwin Encarnacion. Alex Gonzalez then popped out and Encarnacion stole second as David Ross was issued a free pass. Norris Hopper then grounded into a fielder’s choice before Hatteberg sliced a base hit down the left-field line to win it for the Reds. The victory went to Kirk Saarloos (1-4) while Valverde (0-3) took the loss. Aaron Harang started for Cincinnati and scattered just six hits and one run through eight innings while striking out eight and walking one. Hatteberg and Ross each hit home runs for the Reds, who have won four straight and five of their last six games heading into the All-Star break. Yusmeiro Petit started for Arizona and went five innings, allowing three runs on five hits. Petit also fanned eight and walked four. Chris Young homered for the Diamondbacks, who have dropped five straight and eight of their last nine games overall.
Final Score: Washington 7, Milwaukee 2
Washington, DC - Ryan Zimmerman’s two-run homer sparked a six-run rally in the sixth inning as the Washington Nationals downed the Milwaukee Brewers, 7-2, in the finale of a three-game set at RFK stadium. Felipe Lopez also homered and Ronnie Belliard had three RBI for the Nationals, who took two of three in the series. Washington starter Tim Redding (1-1) won for the first time in nearly three years, allowing two runs on five hits over six innings. Ryan Braun went 3-for-3 with a run scored and Prince Fielder drove in both runs for Milwaukee, which has lost five of six. Brewers starter Chris Capuano (5-6) was tagged for seven runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings.
Final Score: Pittsburgh 6, Chicago 2
Pittsburgh, PA - Jason Bay hit a two-run homer run and knocked in four runs and Shane Youman tossed six solid innings as the Pittsburgh Pirates clipped the Chicago Cubs, 6-2, in the finale of a three- game set. Youman (2-0) in his second start of the season in place of the injured Zach Duke, gave up just two runs on six hits for the Pirates, who have won five of six heading into the All-Star break. Mark DeRosa and Angel Pagan each knocked in a run for the Cubs, who have cooled off after winning 10 of 11, losing three of their last five. Carlos Zambrano (10-7) was the hard-luck loser after pitching seven strong innings. The hard-throwing right-hander, looking for his 11th win of the season, yielded three runs on four hits with five strikeouts and three walks.
Final Score: Houston 8, New York 3
Houston, TX - Chris Burke hit a two-run homer and scored three times as the Houston Astros defeated the New York Mets 8-3, to split a four-game set at Minute Maid Park. Morgan Ensberg chipped in with a two-run single and Hunter Pence finished 2- for-5 with a triple, RBI and run scored for the Astros, who ended an 11-game homestand 7-4 heading into the All-Star break. Roy Oswalt (8-5) got the victory, only his second since May 12th. The right- hander gave up three runs on seven hits while striking out five and walking one over seven innings of work. Carlos Beltran hit a two- run homer and Jose Reyes had a pair of hits, an RBI and two stolen bases for New York, which followed up Saturday’s 17-inning 5-3 win by ending an 11- game road trip 5-6. Reyes now has 46 stolen bases this season. Dave Williams (0-1), who was making his first start of the season after being activated from the 15-day disabled list prior to the game, struggled, giving up eight runs on 10 hits over 3 1/3 innings. The left-hander struck out two and walked four. Williams had surgery for a herniated disc in his neck on January 31st.
Final Score: St. Louis 7, San Francisco 0
St. Louis, MO - Chris Duncan went 2-for-3 and knocked in three runs, as the St. Louis Cardinals avoided a three-game sweep against San Francisco with a 7-0 victory at Busch Stadium. St. Louis starter Todd Wellemeyer (3-1) pitched five scoreless innings and gave up just two hits. The Cardinals bullpen kept the shutout intact with four scoreless frames. Ryan Ludwick had three hits, including two doubles, and knocked in a run for the Cardinals, who ended a two-game slide and head into the All-Star break with a record of 40-45. Barry Zito (6-9) started for San Francisco and continued to struggle, allowing six runs — five earned — on eight hits in four-plus innings. Zito is now 0-4 over his last six outings. San Francisco slugger Barry Bonds went 0-for-3 with a strikeout and remains at 751 career home runs at the break, four shy of Hank Aaron’s all-time record.
Final Score: Philadelphia 8, Colorado 4
Denver, CO - Pat Burrell and Shane Victorino both hit homers as the Philadelphia Phillies downed the Colorado Rockies, 8-4, in the finale of a three-game set at Coors Field. Jimmy Rollins had three hits and two RBI for the Phils, who won for just second time in six games. Philadelphia starter Adam Eaton (8-5) went six innings allowing four runs on eight hits. Ryan Madson pitched three scoreless innings in relief, earning his first save of the season. Kaz Matsui and Todd Helton homered for the Rockies, who had a five-game winning streak snapped. Colorado starter Aaron Cook (5-6) surrendered a season-high 12 hits and five runs.
Final Score: Los Angeles 9, Florida 3
Los Angeles, CA - Russell Martin finished 2-for-2 with three RBI and three runs scored as Los Angeles topped Florida, 9-3 to salvage a game in the finale of a three-game set at Dodger Stadium. Andre Ethier hit a three-run homer and Ramon Martinez drove in a pair for the Dodgers, who erased a four-game losing streak by pounding out 16 hits. Rafael Furcal, Juan Pierre, Luis Gonzalez and Nomar Garciaparra all ended with two hits in the onslaught. Towering left-hander Mark Hendrickson (3-4) allowed four hits and two runs over five innings, with six strikeouts and a walk. Florida starter Scott Olsen (6-7) lasted only one full inning, charged with five hits and three runs before leaving with a stiff back. Wes Obermueller then allowed six runs on six hits with four walks in three innings of relief. Hanley Ramirez, Dan Uggla and Jason Wood drove in a run each for the Marlins, whose two game win streak came to an end.
Final Score: Atlanta 5, San Diego 4
San Diego, CA - Kyle Davies threw six strong innings and Brian McCann homered and drove in four runs, as the Atlanta Braves held on to defeat the San Diego Padres, 5-4, in the finale of a three-game series at PETCO Park. Kelly Johnson also homered and Andruw Jones recorded just his second three-hit game of the season for the Braves, who enter the All-Star break having won nine of 13 games to pull within two games of the NL East-leading New York Mets. Davies (4-7) allowed one run on four hits, striking out six and walking two, picking up his first win in five decisions over his last six starts. Jones also scored a pair of runs, registering his first three-hit game since May 29. The struggling center fielder, who entered the game hitting just .204, now has 14 hits in his last 13 games as he looks to turn around a poor first-half performance. Mike Cameron went 1-for-4 with an RBI for the Padres, who have lost three of four and finished a seven-game homestand just 3-4. Michael Barrett had two hits, an RBI and scored a run and Milton Bradley recorded two hits and scored a run for San Diego, which goes into the All-Star break with just a one-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers for the top spot in the NL West. Former Braves pitcher Greg Maddux (7-6) started the game for the Padres and was hit with his second straight loss and third in four starts. The right-hander allowed five runs on six hits, striking out two and walking two, in five-plus innings of work.
