Poker Players Alliance Speaks Out Regarding Anti-Gambling Bill

US poker advocacy group the Poker Players Alliance has come out in opposition to a new bill introduced by two US politicians that would effectively ban all forms of online gambling in America.

The PPA issued a statement and had its Executive Director come out against the legislation, saying that the bill tramples on the rights of states.

The statement read: “These bills trample on the rights of states, but of greater concern is the fact that they will deny consumers any meaningful protections that can only be achieved through responsible state or federal regulation."

"Today, three states are safely and effectively regulating Internet poker. This misguided attempt at prohibition will turn back the clock in those states and destroy the opportunity for others to gain the economic and societal benefits of offering its citizens a safe and regulated place to play online.”

To date, thousands of PPA members have sent letters and emails to their elected representatives stating their support for legal online gambling.

PPA Executive Director John Pappas also commented on the bill, saying: “We hope Senator Graham and Congressman Chaffetz and the other supporters of these bills will sideline any political motivations and choose to support what’s in the best interest of American consumers by reconsidering these bills.”

“For years, the PPA has fought to provide players with a safe and regulated environment to play poker online across the nation. These bills amount to a prohibition, plain and simple, and they deny the realities of today’s online world. If enacted, they would only serve to expand an unregulated market that protects no one."

"Instead, Congress should focus on corralling the unregulated marketplace and turning it into a system that is safe for consumers and accountable to regulators and our government. Online poker licensing and regulation is the only way to ensure consumers are protected with clear laws and strong enforcements, and poker players deserve this right.”