Getting Online Poker exempt from Legislation
Online gambling has not been banned from the Internet, but restrictions on online casinos limiting money transactions can make it difficult to find a casino online with gambling options. Some of the bigger online poker sites are pulling together and presenting a bill to congress that could ultimately exempt online poker from the recently passed legislation that prohibits banks from making certain transactions to players residing in the United States.
Poker has been under attack in the recent months. Antigambling activists, even in states that allow bingo and lotteries, are scrutinizing online casinos on a regular basis. Charitable online poker tournament are even being scrutinized. It has been a moot effort of the federal government to curb online gambling from the Internet. The passed legislation prohibits banks from making certain transactions to players residing in the United States. However, there was no warning of this bill being passed into law and no time to voice opposition to the government’s actions. The process in which the bill was passed has been in question and debated.
The impact already done has caused many unhappy people to lose a lot of money. The largest, most popular online poker sites have closed their doors to US poker players because they have stockholders to answer to and they currently cannot risk upsetting them. There are still many reputable poker sites still available for US players, but recent actions to close down payment methods and to restrict banks are making it more difficult for the online casinos to offer such services to them. The big poker companies are sure that these restrictions by the US government will not completely curb online gambling, and in fact, will only make matters worse as US players sneak around and find unregulated methods for payments. Even worse, it will not take long and the US government will learn just how much money it is losing to these alternate methods and international companies.
The primary goal as of now is to exempt online poker from the new law. Members of the Poker Player’s Alliance have been working with lawmakers and others to get support for legislation that would provide a “skill game” exemption for poker. This would be a positive development for the game of poker in general. They have been on the defensive for so long, now it is time to go on the offensive.
The plan from here is to take the issue directly to the members of congress in their home districts, which will make the issue national. They have already had tremendous response from members about becoming grassroots for the effort on state and regional levels. Soon, they will be announcing their positions across the country and engaging US representatives and senators where they used to feel safe from facts and spirited debate.
While the primary goal as of now is to exempt poker from the legislation, they plan to continue on and get eventual regulation for online poker. This is the only proven public policy for online gambling. Licensing, regulating, and taxing online poker is technically feasible and the sensible and fiscally responsible thing to do. The Alliance is working with people in Washington to move congress in that direction. One important thing they need to remember is to rely on active participation, but also on active support to achieve their goals. The more people they can bring to congress to present the issue, the more they will likely be listened to.
