Gambling News - October 2006 Edition

Poker Players' Association Argues Online Poker is a Game of Skill not Chance

In a move calculated to persuade legislators that online poker should be legalized, members of the Poker Players’ Association are trying to distance themselves from the general online gambling industry by arguing that poker is a game of skill rather than chance and, therefore, should be made legal on the net.

The Poker Players’ Association (PPA) have been amongst the most vocal opponents of the U.S. online gaming legislation and further underscored this position when they managed to contact leading Republican politicians behind the new online gambling law and voice their anger at how the legislation had been pushed through at the last minute. The PPA said the new legislation would significantly interfere with financial channels to online poker sites.

President of the PPA, Michael Bolcerek, had the following to say:

“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”.

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."

Mr. Bolcerek concluded these comments with the following suggestions to other members of the PPA: “What should you do now? First, every member of the PPA should be registered to vote in the upcoming state and federal elections.  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.”

Mr. Bolcerek also encouraged other members of the PPA to recruit more members so that the organization could reach its target membership for 2007 of one million.

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