One of the most vociferous opponents of the US online gaming legislation,
the Poker Players' Association has vowed that it will keep up the
fight to persuade legislators that online poker is a game of skill
and not one of chance, and is therefore perfectly legal for its millions
of players.
Reports on Monday indicated that the PPA had managed to contact leading
Republican politicians behind the new US law and had expressed its
outrage at the manner in which the law had been pushed through late
on Friday, and the interference in financial channels to online poker
sites that it implied.
President Michael Bolcerek said: "We continue to demand
that poker receive separate treatment from other forms of gaming.
It is a game of skill, where performance is merited, and a community
game, where the house is not your competition. These are real and
significant differences.
"Our desire is to achieve the same type of exemption from legislation
that other interests have received (Horseracing, Lotteries, and Fantasy
Sports). We will continue to push forward to obtain this separate
treatment when Congress comes back from the elections and into the
next legislative session. Between now and when the new bill becomes
effective (3 to 6 months) poker has an opportunity to achieve the
same exemption. This is our most immediate short-term goal: License,
Regulate and Tax.
"Regulation is the best public policy solution for both the federal
government and the American poker player. Prohibition of on-line poker
will only drive the game underground and build distrust and misunderstanding
amongst the 70 million Americans who enjoy the great game of poker.
"I spent the better part of the year engaging members of the
House and Senate about the idea of regulating Internet poker. This
has raised interest from both Democrats and Republican’s alike.
There has even been legislation introduced that seeks to establish
a Congressional commission that would examine the best way to regulate
this industry.
"Early this summer the PPA commissioned an economic analysis
of the potential tax revenue that could be raised through regulation.
Members of Congress have been receptive to this study and the $3.3
billion that could be raised annually for the federal government.
This is our ultimate goal and the PPA will drive this agenda."
Bolcerek followed this with a recommendation to his 110 000 members
that could strike a chilling chord with some politicians:
"What should you do know? First, every member of the PPA
should be registered to vote in the upcoming state and federal elections.
If you are not yet registered there is still time, click here to find
out about how to register in your state. https://ssl.capwiz.com/congressorg/e4/nvra/
"Second, be sure to vote on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 7th.
We must put our vote where our voice is and establish a poker voting
block.
"While the Port Security Act which included the prohibition legislation
was passed near unanimously in both the House and the Senate, the
House did have a clean vote on the poker prohibition in July. A list
of how House members voted in July is available on our Web site too
at www.pokerplayersalliance.org."
Bolcerek concluded by urging poker players to recruit more members,
aiming for a membership of 1 million by 2007.