Reactions from poker celebrities, law maker Barney Frank, one of the eleven defendants, and more:
Greg Raymer, 2004 WSOP Main Event Winner
Only a few months ago, Greg Raymer was a member of Team PokerStars and, since 2004, Raymer has had ties to the business-side of the industry as a poker evangelist and spokesman. Raymer is a former patent attorney.
On Black Friday, Raymer commented that he doesn’t think online poker is federally illegal, or even in New York state, where the indictment was filed. Raymer believes that poker is a “skill game” and falls outside of the gambling category populated by table games, slots, and games where players play against the house. Raymer commented, “It’s really just a money grab I think. I would estimate the Department of Justice and the FBI has literally put tens of thousands of man hours and therefore millions of dollars into their investigation leading up to this indictment. They could have spent all that time and money getting people who are actually doing evil in the world.”
Barney Frank, U.S. House Rep. Massachusetts
In an interview with The Hill, Rep. Barney rank said plainly: “What an incredible waste of resources.” Frank mocked the indictment as “protecting the public from the scourge of inside straights.” He wondered vocally why the DOJ was prosecuting online poker sites rather than those responsible for the 2008 financial crisis or other more pressing matters.
“Go after the people responsible for empty houses, not full houses,” Frank wryly joked. “I’m not saying violate the law, but to give this priority in law enforcement over some other things I think is a terrible idea and I think the administration is wrong on this.”
Frank has attempted multiple times to repeal the 2006 law banning the funding of online gambling, describing the process as “exasperating.” Frank said, “I know the GOP is under a lot of pressure to back off on this.”
Poker Player Alliance:
The Poker Player Alliance (PPA) announced that it had received more than 65,000 e-mails, phone calls, and letters addressed to the Department of Justice (DOJ), members of Congress, and the White House, calling for access to their online real money accounts. PPA executive director John Pappas said in a press release: “The poker players have spoken, and it seems the U.S. government has heard their cries. But players are still in pain. While [Wednesday’s] action allows players on two of the three online poker sites to access their funds, this is just a small victory in the ongoing fight to protect Americans’ rights to player poker online.”
PPA chairman Alfonse D’Amato said, “On behalf of the millions of poker players across the country, we are shocked at the action taken by the U.S. Department of Justice against online poker companies and will continue to fight for Americans’ right to participate in the game they enjoy. Online poker is not a crime and should not be treated as such.”
Phil Galfond, American professional poker player
Phil Galfond wrote over this past weekend the following: “Everyone is panicking too much (tho I understand). We are extremely likely to be paid our $. I’ll guarantee $1M in payouts from FTP/Stars. If they somehow don’t pay, I’ll figure out a fair way to disperse it, and send out all the gelt over Hanukah 2012. However I think we can’t expect to get paid right away,” he continued. “It’ll take a few months at least. Focus your worry/energy on planning around that.”
Tom Dwan, American professional poker player
Tom Swan agreed to match Galfond’s $1 million offer. He said, “Odds are way lower than 10% of FTP not paying. Would strongly assume Stars is the same.”
Doyle Brunson, the Godfather of Poker
“The DOJ must not have anything much to do. They just indicted 11 people from Full Tilt, UB, and PokerStars.”
Bradley Franzen, indicted online poker payment processor
“Not guilty, your honor,” said Bradley Franzen to U.S. Magistrate Judge Frank Maas in a Manhattan court on Monday.