Is Christine Gregoire Violating Her Own State Law?

Immediately following the passage of a new state law in Washington making it a Class C felony to place bets across state lines, Governor Christine Gregoire is alleged to have done just that. 

Gregoire publicly wagered on Super Bowl XL with Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell.

"Apparently it's okay for the Governor of the state to bet big and in the headlines," commented Betcha.com founder, Nicholas G. Jenkins, in his blog.  "But gamble on the Internet in Betcha's home state, or transmit information on the Internet that can be used for gambling -- do up to five years"

Jenkins is facing criminal charges for running a peer-to-peer betting exchange in the state of Washington.  He claims his platform was similar to that of eBay where customers place bets against each other, hence, Jenkins and his cronies do not actually accept the bets.  Gambling911.com, however, has questioned Betcha.com's policy of promoting online gambling in the state of Washington and Louisiana (where charges have also been filed) by offering such a platform. 

Gregoire's administration made betting online a Class C felony last year.  The punishment is equivalent to that of a child molester, meth dealer or someone who threatens the Governor with bodily harm.  Critics have pointed to State Senator Margarita Prentice's acceptance of donations from Indian casinos as a determining factor in passing the new law.   Prentice introduced the bill.

That bill passed unanimously in the Senate and with just five dissenting votes in the House. It was signed into law by Gov. Christine Gregoire on March 28 of last year. 

Lee Rousso, a lawyer in Washington and a representative of the PPA filed a case against Washington on the first day of the 2007 wsop Main Event. His lawsuit claims that Washington's ban on poker violates the constitution. He is seeking a ruling that the Online gaming ban is unnecessary and unconstitutional.  Rousso is also representing Mr. Jenkins. 

It appears that Jenkins may make the case that Gregoire has violated her own law by placing the "dinner" bet with Pennsylvania's Governor.  Technically, the bet was placed across state lines and could be classified as a "violation" of Washington's own law.  If that seems petty, consider Jenkins' claim that the bet made by Louisiana State Police yielded him a profit of less than a dollar.

And apparently that was not the only bet Governor Gregoire had placed.  Turned out she also made a $35 wager with North Carolina Governor Mike Easley on the 2006 NFC Championship game, according to Jenkins. 

" The value of that bet far outweighed the $35 wagered on Betcha.com by a Louisiana state trooper on which we are now wanted as accused felons in Louisiana. It dwarfs the seventy cents we grossed from those bets," Jenkins says.

Gambling911.com has actively discouraged Washington State residents from placing bets on local favorites over the past two years: The Seattle Seahawks (2006 Super Bowl appearance) and two heavily bet on American Idol contestants hailing from that state; Sanjaya Malakar and Blake Lewis. 

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Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com

Originally published October 16, 2007 11:04 am ET