03.06.07
PPA On the War Path…Are they going the right way?
Ending a dry spell of interesting news in the build up to the Bridge Nationals in St Louis (starting on Wednesday March 8th), we have some good news to share about the rumblings with the PPA and the general lobbying effort to put an end to the Unlawful Internet Gambling Act of 2006, fondly referred to as UIGEA.
We mentioned in February, like most other poker sites, that the former senator, Alfonse D’Amato, was set to be the chief lobbyist for the PPA; a voice for the online poker interests in the United States.
Despite receiving the news with something less than enthusiasm, major newspapers have started to run with the story, giving it yet another touch of truth. The New York Times, for example, commented on D’Amato’s rise to become the major online poker advocate; perhaps the first advocate with power in his punch.
Although the PPA is criticized for being pretty tightlipped about their battle plans, they are expected to organize an exclusive interview with D’Amato, for some poker journalist who’s also a member of the PPA Board.
Despite this anticipated unveiling, the PPA president, Mr. Bolcerek, is “inexplicably tight-lipped about the PPA’s anticipated savior and mum as to its next major steps”.
The only circulating quote from former-Senator D’Amato “John Smith, maybe he doesn’t have the financial means or the ability to travel to a casino…The poor guy at home can’t bet $50 because we pass this law.”
Although the Poker Players’ Alliance reports 160,000 members, there’s still a lot of work to be done before John Smith will be safe to bet his $50 online.
What seems to be going on in Washington is a subtle game of dissembling. While plenty of Congressmen and women are apparently happy to say they have nothing against online poker, they also point out that the so called “brick and mortar operations”, casinos and such like, aren’t all that keen about online poker and gambling efforts. These activities draw punters away, or at least that’s the feeling.
One strategy the PPA might consider: ally with the casinos and make online poker produce income for them. Money talks and it’s money that ultimately runs the country.
And why the cynicism? Take the new details in the already bizarre story about the girl who was apparently ‘lost’ in a poker game. Hmm. The uncle of the girl – the primary culprit named by the girl and her mother – has said that no such poker game ever occurred. Ok, so what else is the guy going to say? But nothing is every as simple as it seems.
If you want to play poker, you have to accept that everyone’s in it for the money.
Tags: Poker Law, Poker News, Real Money, US Gambling Law, Us Poker Industry