The Poker Players Alliance have got the numbers to legalize online poker. And
numbers are exactly what it will take. At over 800,000 strong, the PPA is a
force to be reckoned with. The more individual voices there are, the louder the
collective voice will be. If enough U.S. politicians hear they are going to piss
off enough of their constituents to not get reelected, they are bound to listen
up.
But the PPA's recent trip down to Washington DC was not about instilling
fear. Moreso, it was a sincere effort to educate the U.S. House and Senate about
the necessity and feasibility of regulating online gambling...err, online poker.
It certainly makes sense that the Poker Players Alliance would want to legalize
online poker. I just hope they don't use the "differences" or "lack of
skill" associated with online casino gambling to justify their own agenda.
Considering the progress the PPA made on Capital Hill, this doesn't
necessarily seem to be the case. Apparently, several members of Congress have
already pledged support for two distinct bills aimed at legalizing online poker
and online casino gambling. From what it sounds like, the PPA made some serious
waves in DC. They held some kind of policy conference, and I don't know whether
it was during the conference or over the course of the three days they were
there, but apparently the PPA was able to sit down and offer their case to 48
members of Congress.
Their agenda included showing that online poker is not a game of chance, but
that it requires a level of skill and sportsmanship to succeed in playing it.
They also contend that the UIGEA is a fundamental violation of civil liberties,
or as they might say "digital liberties". And the real cruncher, if you ask me,
is that the UIGEA is ineffective. Prohibitions do not work. That's exactly why
the numbers of Americans going online to gamble has not dropped since the
passing of the ban. Furthermore, 75% of American's opposed the ban against
online gambling. Is the U.S. a democracy or not?