Please sign this petition

[Mikeymike]

The Greek government has OUTLAWED the use of electronic video games. I can't even begin to say how stupid and reactive this is, but it doesn't matter because it is simply just wrong.

Petition
http://www.petitiononline.com/comp5932/petition.html

News.com story
http://news.com.com/2100-1040-956357.html

The Greek government introduced the law in an attempt to prevent illegal gambling. According to a report in the Greek newspaper Kathimerini, Greek police will be responsible for catching offenders, who will face fines of 5,000 to 75,000 euros (about $4,980 to $74,650) and imprisonment of one to 12 months. "The blanket ban was decided in February after the government admitted it was incapable of distinguishing innocuous video games from illegal gambling machines," the report said

The Greek government is worried that people are losing their money to online gambling. God forbid the good people of Greece lose their hard earned money to gambling, that money could be much better spent lining the pockets of Greek politicians who pass asinine laws.

 

[Gizmo]

The Greek authorities have had a long running problem with illegal gambling that has sidestepped the law by switching from straight gambling machines (ie, fruit machines) to 'Skill Games' where the little drums of fruit move slower so you can judge when you want the drums to stop... these new machines are legal, but are also fitted with a switch that, when activated, make the drums spin back at their normal higher speed.

With no way to regulate the difference between the two systems, as the illegal machines are technically legal until the switch is activated, the Greek government has no choice but to impose a blanket ban.

However this ban should only refer to machines that pay out a cash prize. A wider ban seems utterly nonsensical.

 

[BigBlue]

hmmm. What will happen when gameboy's become more advanced? I mean they are already capable of sending IR signals, why wouldn't you be able to create a gameboy game which gambled real money against someone else via IR. . . Wouldn't that fall under their desire for a lack of true gambling?

Yes, a blanket ban seems absurd to you and I, but I can see their reasoning to a point, if gambling is a real problem over there. Perhaps it will drive more gamers into magic. At any rate, true organized crime folks will create underground backalley casino's which will pay off police to keep themselves running. . . Kinda like the prohibition was here in the 20's. Creating a need for crime, creates criminals. Gambling and Drinking have been happening for all of recorded time, they are nearly impossible to stop.

 

[Mikeymike]

With no way to regulate the difference between the two systems, as the illegal machines are technically legal until the switch is activated, the Greek government has no choice but to impose a blanket ban.

However this ban should only refer to machines that pay out a cash prize. A wider ban seems utterly nonsensical.

?? - I share your confusion. What does a $#%@ing Gameboy have to do with a gambling rig?

From the same article quote
The blanket ban was decided in February after the government admitted it was incapable of distinguishing innocuous video games from illegal gambling machines

What a crock of BS. Beyond the fact that it doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out the difference of gaming systems, you are the freaking national government - hire a consultant who can figure it out so you don't piss off millions of people. I'm simply dumfounded by this.

 

[EricBess]

Just out of curiosity, what are you trying to accomplish with a petition? Very few of us, if any, are in a position to actually have any influence on Greece. I won't be voting in their next election, so anything I sign will be absolutely meaningless to them.

 

[Mikeymike]

Then don't sign it.

My signature might not have much (if any) affect on this law being ammended, but it can't hurt. Maybe the support of 20,000+ people might help to convince the Greek (Grecian?) lawmakers that this is not the away to address this problem. However petty this may seem in contrast to other issues throughout the world, its still an injustice to the people. If this law were passed in the States I would be appreciative of any support an American petition received from non-Americans.

I don't like it at all, so I'll support a movement against it.

 

[EricBess]

I'm not saying a petition is a bad thing. I'm just saying that in order to have an effect, it needs to be directed from the right people to the right people.

I suppose it is possible that the government could be impressed by the support for their cause. If I were directly involved in this, I would want to know what type of government exists in Greece, who makes these decisions, and how do I make my voice heard.

The other problem you have with online petitions is that there is no control on them. It is very easy for the same person to effectively sign multiple times. No one is putting addresses (I certainly wouldn't), so there is no way to verify any signatures.

You are probably correct that it won't hurt. And I certainly think a ban on all electronics is very silly. But if the people behind the petition really want to make an impact, they are going to need to find out how to get it done through their system. Do they have supporters in government? Do they have an electoral process that they can use to pressure the constituants? Stuff like that. I just hope they are not expecting the petition alone to convince anyone, that's all.

 

[BigBlue]

Eric, I think it would hold as much credence in Greece as a petition signed by 100,000,000 arabs condemning the actions of the US in the middle east.

I think it is a stupid idea on their part as well (the Grecian gov't, not the petitioners). I can't fathom their reasoning unless they are having to spend a good deal of resources investigating fraudulent gambling operations.

I particularly like the idea of slot machines with **slow** drums, which turns slots into more of a game of skill rather than chance, which incidentally have a switch to rever to chance at the exit of the investigator, er drop of the hat.

Taken out of context, this law seems incredulous and petty, but I'm sure it had the best intentions.

And on the subject of silly, this seems to be a Monty Python skit, rather than reality.

 

[Ura]

I don't know, a complete ban on all electronic gaming mediums? Its a prime example of human stupidity at its finest. Especially considering that people are still allowed to own dice, cards, and several other "board" games that have been used for gambling for centuries long before the existence of Nintendo, Midway, Atari, and their kin.

Yes its true that gambling is a problem for some people just like drugs, smoking, alcoholism and many other addictions. But there are ways to help people who are addicted gamblers and regulate the industry like we do in Canada and the U.S.
Banning all electronic mediums not only misses a large part of the gambling industry but is akin to shooting a person with a broken leg to get rid of the broken leg. Sure, they're dead now and don't have to worry about the leg anymore, but they're DEAD and they never cured the problem.
Much like prohibition on alcohol in the US didn't work many years ago, its highly unlikely that a ban on electronic games will work in Greece. It will just create an underground network of gambling dens, video arcades, and nintendo parlors where alot of other more hazardous illicit things also crawl, like drugs.

I also find it somewhat personally insulting because my new job is working as a Pit Boss in a casino thats opening here where goodness forbid, we support, regulate, and offer full gambling facilities. By this kind of law I'd be a wanted criminal in Greece because of what I do for a living. With 225 slot machines in our building, that would be what, a thousand years in jail or some such rubbish. Thats not even including the card tables and other non-electronic games.

If they'd smarten up and learn the difference between a slot machine and a gameboy they wouldn't have this kind of overzelous response to the problem. What are they going to do, break down peoples doors to take away all their game systems, dvd players, and then banish the internet from working in greece. Or better yet, lets just ban computers and get rid of online gambling, internet porn, and copyright infringing music downloads. They can all go back to driving around in chariots too since they can't have any cars because you can gamble on a car race. Oh what? You can bet on horse racing too, well then we'll just have to ban animals and walk. What a second, we can bet on foot races too so lets just shoot ourselves to prevent that. Oops, now we're all dead.
"Greece, gambling free, population 0."

Sounds pretty ridiculous doesn't it?

 

[MrXarvox]

In the name of all that is good in the world! That is pathetic! Can't tell the difference between an innocuous game and a gambling machine my <nether region>! And how exactly are they going to enforce a ban on online gambling? Ban computers? Or maybe just ban the internet? The fools! The idiots!

...so stupid... so very stupid...... >slaps forehead<

 

[train]

I think they should be next on the list to be steam-rolled over by W. for having such a dumb idea.

They could instead have a consultant like MM said and have certain games banned. When the release of new games comes about the law could simply state that all electronic games are illegal unless otherwise stated by our "consultant"... Man I'd love that job - get paid to play games just to see if they involve gambling.

Other than that - this law is as thin as crepes are... The current Parliament or congress or reps, whatever, won't be elected officials for much longer - let them have their law for now, but the younger voices will be compelled to vote and make decisions ousting these idiots!!!

A petition is not a bad idea, but more importantly is how strong the feelings are by the youner generation of Grecians. That is all the power they need - the vote deciding who elected officials will be.

 

[Spiderman]

Are electronic games banned anywhere else in the world? Or are they allowed and Greece is the only one which has taken steps to ban them?

 

[Shiro, Time Devourer]

Here's my name on the list to cancel this weak Greek blanket ban on electronic games.

 

[Spiderman]

A judge declared the law unconstitutional when some gamers were brought to court. This might lead to the law being overturned, who knows.

The Story

 

[EricBess]

Interesting that in Greece, they go to a cyber cafe to play "chess".

 

[Spiderman]

Greek Ban Overturned