FBI Concludes that Online Poker is Subject to Deceit and Manipulation

A high Federal Bureau of Investigation officer emphasized that poker in the Internet is subject to deceit and manipulation.

“There are several ways to cheat at Online Poker, none of which are legal,” Shawn Henry, assistant director for the FBI’s cyber division, inscribed in a correspondence to Representative Spencer Bachus of Alabama.

He also said, “Technology exists to manipulate Online Poker games in that it would only take two or three players working in unison to defeat the other players who are not part of the team,”

“The Online Poker vendors could detect this activity and put in place safeguards to discourage cheating, although it is unclear what the incentive would be for the vendor.”

The correspondence which was written in November 13 was set off today in an investigation on Internet gambling by a high ranking Republican on the House of Financial Services Committee. The bill is currently being observed.

Massachusetts Democrat Barney Frank, chairman of the committee, has placed a legislation to over throw the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act). At present the US government is reviewing the pros and cons of Internet poker and will have to examine if it can be regulated in the upcoming years.

The investigation today (December 3) has put forward the opinions of many gambling and technology institutions that they believe that illegitimate practices in internet poker is strictly banned. Other matters with regards to identity theft, money laundering and stopping minors from gambling are also being addressed.