The president of the 120 000 member Poker Players' Alliance, Michael
Bolcerek is optimistic that the changes in the US political system
which brought the Democrats to power in Congress this week will create
a more favorable environment for his association going forward.
Referring to the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, Bolcerek
pointed out that horse racing is among those forms of gambling granted
exemption from the Act, which specifically attacks the transfer of
private money for the use of gambling. He believes that his association
stands a better chance of achieving a similar exemption with the Democrats
than was the case with the Republicans.
"We believe this will be a more favorable environment moving
forward," said Bolcerek. "A fresh perspective
is needed, and we are hopeful that the new congressional leadership
will objectively consider the skill game of poker for an exemption
from Internet gambling prohibitions passed this year and create good
public policy by licensing, regulating, and taxing Internet poker
in the U.S."
"The old environment wasn't helpful so we're hoping we
have a fresh look at exemption for poker and regulating and licensing
poker in the U.S.," Bolcerek added.
As for what this shift in government could mean for the future of
the gaming industry, Bolcerek said the alliance is, for now, adopting
a wait-and-see approach.
"We're going to assess what that change does to our lobbying
strategy and hopefully we'll find more people to enter into a dialogue
with us about regulating and licensing Internet poker in the U.S.
and following good public policy," he said.
Meanwhile, the Poker Players Alliance is continuing with plans to
build a larger membership base and engage U.S. politicians in debate
over UIGEA .
Last month, Bolcerek visited New York with poker pros Annie Duke,
Mike Sexton and Barry Greenstein to raise awareness of UIGEA's implications
in the online gaming industry. The trip, Bolcerek said, helped raise
public awareness of the bill.
"It was very effective. I think we got our perspective
across, and generally the mainstream media is supportive of our position,"
he said.
This issue and other casino-related subjects will be among the topics
discussed next week at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) at the Las Vegas
Convention Center from Monday through Thursday. The industry's biggest
trade conference has grown in recent years and this year is boasting
a 35 percent increase over last year in pre-conference registration
and is taking up 14 percent more of exhibit space in the main show
room. The conference is not just limited to American casino companies
and suppliers as there's a 20 percent increase in international exhibitors.
In all, 750 companies will have exhibits in the 320,000 square feet
of exhibit space (nearly the size of six football fields). And there
will be at least 150 new products making their debut. Full information,
including how to register, can be found at globalgamingexpo.com.
However, after the treatment meted out by US Justice officials to
executives from BetonSports and Sportingbet recently, it is unlikely
that many offshore online gambling leaders will risk entering the
States for this gathering.