Following the swearing in of the 112th Congress, key figures of America’s Poker Players Alliance are ready to resume discussions on the legal nature of their namesake game. After last year’s relatively close brush with regulation, poker continues to grow with unprecedented speed.
Executives across the gaming landscape are appealing to those sensitive to the cause, encouraging players to email and call their representatives with requests to move forward with this important legislation.
“Though I am disappointed in Congress’ failure to act on the licensing and regulation of online poker last year,” says PPA Chairman and former Senator Alfonse D’Amato, “I look forward to the opportunity to educate our country’s newest members of Congress on the vast benefits such legislative action would provide.
“It is vital that the 112th Congress recognise the valuable consumer protections and economic benefits of licensing this thriving industry. In the weeks and months ahead I anticipate many robust discussions on how best to implement this important consumer protection issue.”
PPA Executive Director John Pappas expressed similar optimism.
“On behalf of millions of American online poker players, the PPA advocacy team will remain hard at work in educating lawmakers on the importance of establishing sensible laws that provide players a safe, regulated environment in which to enjoy the game of poker.
“A dedicated proponent of legislation for over five years, PPA remains a strong defender of online poker on behalf of our members. But, we also need the active support of the players by reaching out to their Congress members on why the status quo is simply not acceptable and outlining their demands for change. Given that the over 100 new members of Congress represent nearly 300,000 PPA members across their districts, Congress cannot afford to overlook this growing constituency.”