This past weekend, PPA participated in a conference hosted by the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) to discuss the outlook for licensed Internet poker with state lawmakers, lottery officials, and tribal leaders.The recent Department of Justice announcement regarding their interpretation of the scope of the Wire Act (please be sure to read the PPA statement on this important decision) has caused some states to start looking at the potential for licensing of intrastate online poker and other forms of Internet gaming. Therefore, it was important for PPA to share with those attending the conference the players’ perspective on the status quo and rationale for supporting a federal bill.PPA Executive Director John Pappas spoke on a panel with other experts to discuss, “Internet Gambling: Is doing nothing a worst case scenario?”. He discussed how the inability of lawmakers (state or federal) to establish rules of the road for Internet gaming has thus far left consumers vulnerable by preventing appropriate oversight of this multibillion dollar industry. Pappas also explained how proposed federal legislation to regulate online poker will actually enhance states’ gaming rights and not erode them. To see Mr. Pappas’ PowerPoint slides on this topic: click here.

Unfortunately, it is abundantly clear that the states’ sole interest in perusing licensing is to raise revenue, and that should be a concern for players. Public policy centered on maximizing government revenues will never produce positive outcomes for consumers. While revenue is a natural byproduct of regulation, it should first be about protecting players and giving adults the freedom to engage in a game of skill over the Internet, rather than about maximizing the rake by limiting competition.

That is why the PPA is a strong supporter of Rep. Barton’s H.R. 2366, the Online Poker Act. H.R. 2366 puts consumers first, while giving states the option of participating in licensed Internet poker.

It is important that we continue making our voices heard in our state capitals. We need to continue paving the way so that each governor makes the right decision here. Let’s all tell our governors and state elected representatives that we want the right to play poker in our own homes on our own computers and that we want them to support federal legislation to enable this freedom.PPA has made it easy. We just updated the automated, fully editable letter to state lawmakers to reflect the DoJ news and other recent highlights from our effort, so please click this link or the button below and send your email today. It takes just 30 seconds!