Cardrooms Charged for....Pulling out of the U.S. Market?

The latest developments with PartyGaming really get me. There are plenty of online poker rooms that still operate in the U.S., even after the UIGEA, and yet the government targets those who pulled out of the market when it was implemented. The U.S. has what is called an ex post facto law, wherein they can press criminal charges against an individual for committing a crime that was not actual a crime when it was committed. Yes, you understand me correctly… that’s like saying that I could be arrested for playing the national lottery today, if it were suddenly declared illegal tomorrow.
Obviously, because of the severity in nature of this law, it is very seldom used in the U.S….and yet for something as miniscule as online poker; the government has seen fit to prosecute PartyGaming. Why? Because of a $3 million settlement.
Ex post facto can sometimes be used in reverse, in that it will pardon a crime on the same basis, however this is usually only implemented when it comes to the military, or something else that benefits the country. I tell you, the hypocrisy, the hypocrisy! It’s insane, it really is.
Well, any way, the poor shmuck that has come into question, for some reason instead of trying to fight it, has pleaded guilty and agreed to pay the money.
At the same time, an appeal is being heard to overturn a ruling in Kentucky that sought to seize internet gambling domains.
At the same time, anti-gambling officials have been caught using an unfair advantage in the stock market, they’re being charged with gambling offenses of their own, etc.
I’m beating a dead horse here, though.
And yet, the shady online poker rooms that have become the online means for gambling for some U.S. players, they remain open, unopposed by the government, and its victims have no help or arbitration from the U.S.