Oregon Public Broadcasting

It's legal to play poker with buddies and in casinos. But wagering over the internet is illegal.

Thursday, online poker players rallied outside the Washington State Supreme Court. They're upset their hobby is classified as a felony.

Inside, the justices heard two challenges to Washington's ban on internet gambling. A company called "Betcha.com" filed one of the lawsuits.

George Telquist argued that company's side.

George Telquist: "The legislature was trying to prevent organized crime, and to save people's kneecaps and to prevent bookmaking. Trust me, there are no kneecaps at stake at Betcha.com."

Washington's attorney general is defending the stiff penalties against online gambling. The state argues it has a legitimate interest to protect its citizens from rip-offs and addiction to internet gambling.

The Washington State Supreme Court usually takes about six to nine months to decide its cases.