French Parliament Members Prefer Playing Poker To Working

French MPs iPad

Members of the French parliament were caught playing online poker and vising iPad casinos during debates.

We all know that politicians need a well-deserved break from the crazy amount of work they face during the parliamentary sessions. Just kidding. There is not a day without an MP being caught sleeping, reading or playing during what is supposed to be decision making for their countries’ good.

Back in the days, they at least tried to hide newspapers in official-looking documents. Nowadays they shameless take out their tablets and play mobile casino games.

The recent scandal involving French MPs is all over the news. Photographers from the Assembly’s press balcony took pictures of MPs ordering wine, reading adult comics (It’s France, after all), flipping through online clothing catalogs and playing poker in an iPad casino.

They were using the free wireless internet connection provided by the parliament on tax payers’ money. Some French politicians of course blamed their peers for not concentrating on important issues if they only turn up to play cards they might as well stay at home. However, no decision has been made to ban smartphones and tablets.

In the UK, the ban on tablets has been lifted. Explanation? MPs might be more willing to spend time in the Chamber listening to debates if multi-tasking with handheld devices is allowed to them. Knowing the British passion for mobile gambling, we would not be surprised if similar news about wagering MPs would appear in the UK press.

It is also interesting to notice that the same people want to ban tablets from schools saying that their use during the lessons would distract students too much from listening to the class. Standards have to be maintained, after all.