Regulated online gambling may be in the cards for Americans in the very near future at least when it comes to Poker.  Representative Barney Frank’s Bill, The H.R. 2267 Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act, brought to Congress in May now has 47 co-sponsors and the number is growing.

In recognition of National Poker Week (July 19 to July 25), members from the Poker Players Alliance is lobbying for poker to be exempt from the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.  This act prevents banks and other financial organizations from allowing credit, electronic transfers, or checks to be used for gambling payments from online sources.  The Poker Players Alliance insists that Poker is much more than gambling; it is a game of strategy and skill much like chess.  More than 50 members of the PPA descended upon Washington DC to make their wishes known.

The chairman of the Poker Players Alliance is Alfonse D’Amato who is the former Republican Senator from New York.  He supports legislation submitted by current Massachusetts Democratic Senator and House Financial Services Committee member -  Barney Frank.  This legislation would allow online poker sites to receive payment from credit cards, electronic transfer or check payments and to regulate the activity.  The federal government froze approximately 30 million dollars in winnings for online poker and the PPA is asking that this money be released to winners who mostly reside in the United States.  Interestingly enough, most online poker websites are hosted outside of the US and participants from other countries usually have no problem receiving their winnings.

The Poker Players Alliance coordinated a charity tournament bringing in $25,000 that benefited the USO and Walter Reed Army Medical Center.  Participants in this tournament were members of PPA, 10 wounded soldiers, and 10 Congressional Representatives.  The PPA is also lobbying and meeting with members of Congress in an attempt to relieve regulations for online poker players residing in the United States.  They have set up about 100 meetings where they will give a petition to President Obama containing 350,000 signatures including those of famous poker players like Andy Bloch and Annie Duke.  The organization receives funds from its members and the Interactive Gaming Council based in Vancouver, British Columbia.

The main objective of the PPA is to pass legislation to license and regulate online poker.  They have been meeting with Congress, congress staffers, and other organizations during the week to demonstrate how poker could be regulated.   Members of this panel included Dr. Parry Aftab, Executive Director of Wired Safety, Stuart Doss, VP of Cigital, and Paul Matthews, former manager at International Game Technology.  They spoke on their experience and plausible ways online poker can be regulated.   Opponents were concerned about underage gambling and the easy access to online poker sites.  Proponents have a great deal of support from the one million members of the PPA and the general public.  In a short period of time (from July 20th), there have been almost 200,000 letters and/or emails sent to Representatives and Senators that support this issue.

Related posts:

1. Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation Also Offering Regulated Online Gambling
2. Nova Scotia Gambling Industry Regulated
3. Bodog Getting License From Gambling Commission of the United Kingdom
4. Gambling Experts Still Thinking of the Need for U.S. Online Poker Bill
5. Traffic to Online Gambling Websites Doubled