New law in Greece

fable · Post by **fable** » Fri Sep 06, 2002 8:39 am

@Demis, it sounds like this law is more of a thing to be embarassed over, rather than worried about. I suspect it will be thrown out by your courts at once. Hard to believe that any legislature could turn out something so blatantly ludicrous. Usually, politicians try to keep from making asses quite that obviously of themselves.

Demis · Post by **Demis** » Fri Sep 06, 2002 11:45 am

I'm pretty embassased too, i still can't believe that they voted for such a law.
Anyway i'll try to keep the members here informed of what it is to happen with this.

Weasel · Post by **Weasel** » Fri Sep 06, 2002 11:51 am

All governments makes mistakes...there will never be a perfect government, but as long as the people of the government has a voice in the running of the government, it can correct its self.

Demis · Post by **Demis** » Fri Sep 06, 2002 11:54 am

Originally posted by Weasel
All governments makes mistakes...there will never be a perfect government, but as long as the people of the government has a voice in the running of the government, it can correct its self.

I agree, but this is huge and i can't wait to see it fixed

Bloodmist · Post by **Bloodmist** » Fri Sep 06, 2002 12:08 pm

Oh, thats just nice! Forbid games....
Who in the world came up with the idea?! And now it gets carried out in practice! What would i do without computer games. I have been playing games since i was, what six.(not that im that old

) Without games like BG2 and other rpgs i wouldn't be nearly as good at English as i am. (and im danish) Games like Soldier of Fortune and Quake might be violent, but that doesn't make me go out and shoot my classmates. (only on the web) You have to be a bit sick before playing the games, if you go out and draw a gun at your friends.

Xandax · Post by **Xandax** » Fri Sep 06, 2002 11:55 pm

Originally posted by Bloodmist
Oh, thats just nice! Forbid games....
<snip>
You have to be a bit sick before playing the games, if you go out and draw a gun at your friends.

The problem with this law, is that it wasn't made to prevent violence in connection with violent computer games, but the fact that it was to hinder gambling via the computer.
It is overkill like shooting greek legislators with 12 inc. haubitzers (no - computer games didn't make me violent

- 'twas the army

)

Ode to a Grasshopper · Sun Sep 08, 2002 2:04 am

That's harsh, alright.

Originally posted by Xandax

Hmm - comparing laws against computer games to stop gambling (or something) with laws against drugs hardly seems plausible.

Actually, the parallel is oddly apt, seeing as the beginnings of the criminalisation of marijuana was done in no small part as an extension of the Prohibition against alcohol.

Xandax · Post by **Xandax** » Sun Sep 08, 2002 4:58 am

Originally posted by Ode to a Grasshopper
That's harsh, alright.
Actually, the parallel is oddly apt, seeing as the beginnings of the criminalisation of marijuana was done in no small part as an extension of the Prohibition against alcohol.

.... and opium and morphine was once legal to use - and outlawed - still it is not plausible to compare the outlawing of drugs with the banning of gaming (computer games et all) in greece.

fable · Post by **fable** » Sun Sep 08, 2002 8:54 am

Remember, gaming has been banned by legislators who were actually seeking a way to control gambling. The connection between playing a computer game (often a solitary occupation, and almost never one that involves betting) and gambling (a social activity) is extremely tenuous. The connection between alcohol and drug use is very plain, since acohol *is* a drug. And alcohol/drug abuse was an endemic problem at the time--still is, in some cultures, such as Russia. There's no perception by the Greek government of a zealous need to stamp out gambling or gaming; it's just a desire to keep gambling under government control, given its primary importance as a source of ready, taxable income.

Of course, there are always the right wing religious fanatics out there who want to outlaw gambling and computer gaming, but I don't think we need to worry about their influence in this regard.

Ode to a Grasshopper · Tue Sep 10, 2002 12:30 am

Originally posted by Xandax

.... and opium and morphine was once legal to use - and outlawed - still it is not plausible to compare the outlawing of drugs with the banning of gaming (computer games et all) in greece.

Not, I have to agree, with the outlawing of all drugs, however as Beldin points out the parallels between marijuana in particular being outlawed to stop alcohol (and later heroin) use and video games being outlawed to stop online gambling are quite fitting.

I fail to see how banning internet-incapable consoles such as Game Boys et al helps stop online gambling at all, mind you.

Weasel · Post by **Weasel** » Tue Sep 10, 2002 12:47 pm

Good news

Court allows Greek gamers to play on

Demis · Post by **Demis** » Tue Sep 10, 2002 5:47 pm

Good news indeed

.

Best part(IMO):

The court, in its ruling, said the law was unconstitutional.

Tybaltus · Post by **Tybaltus** » Tue Sep 10, 2002 5:49 pm

Indeed. That is quite an understatement.

Glad to see everything worked well over there, and it was done quickly too.

Demis · Post by **Demis** » Tue Sep 10, 2002 6:02 pm

@Tybaltus

Well it's not over yet, i don't know how these things work but i assume that the law will be altered, if not canceled, after this. Let's just hope that not the same person/s will do the chances.

Tybaltus · Post by **Tybaltus** » Tue Sep 10, 2002 6:06 pm

Originally posted by Demis
@Tybaltus

Well it's not over yet, i don't know how these things work but i assume that the law will be altered, if not canceled, after this. Let's just hope that not the same person/s will do the chances.

As long as people have common sense and listen to the population, this thing will be over and dealt with I think. But this is the gov't that we're talking about, so who knows how long it will take.

NCT · Post by **NCT** » Wed Sep 11, 2002 1:05 am

Would someone ellucidate me on this?
What law are you people talking about?Anti gambling law?With casinos cropping about all over the place?
It seems you had a slurp in one of the bars around here!!!

NCT · Post by **NCT** » Wed Sep 11, 2002 1:08 am

Re: Good news

Originally posted by Weasel
Court allows Greek gamers to play on

It seems Ubik has used his influence upon you.No other plausible xplanation exists.

Weasel · Post by **Weasel** » Wed Sep 11, 2002 1:10 am

Re: Re: Good news

Originally posted by NCT
It seems Ubik has used his influence upon you.No other plausible xplanation exists.

Give me time and I can come with a pile.

NCT · Post by **NCT** » Wed Sep 11, 2002 1:20 am

After tedious reading of all the posts here,I really marvel at the way information is spread and digested,without being properly researched and CROSS-CHECKED.Not to mention that some of the things discussed have almost insulted me,being a Greek and a proud one as well.
Very quickly then:
1no such law has passed
2.the job of any goverment is to protect the citizens.
3.The law as it is being drafted,deals with illegal methods of robbing players or using methods that are not allowed by gambling laws anywhere.
4.the furor caused has nothing to do with election periods!!!!!!!but because various ministers and parliament members were in the thick of flinching money off the innocent,and I for one would try to stop barefaced larceny.

I wonder if anybody will have the guts to apologize.

NCT · Post by **NCT** » Wed Sep 11, 2002 1:22 am

Re: Re: Re: Good news

Originally posted by Weasel
Give me time and I can come with a pile.

True,but do try to avoid the smelly kind