1) Poker is not gambling. Poker is putting your money at risk by choice, with the outcome being based partially on luck but mostly on skill. Poker is no different than playing the stock market. Some players, just like some brokers, have better track records and have more skill at their job.
2) If I wanted to train to be a nurse, I could choose to take courses online. If I wanted to become a lawyer, I could take courses online. I want to be a professional poker player. I want to have the choice to train in my profession as well as practice it online.
3) I am a stay-at-home-dad. I cannot go spend all night at a casino after I have my kids in bed. I can, however, in the luxury of my own home, sign onto my favorite poker game site and play. At home, I can avoid the smoke-filled casinos and the temptations of free alcohol and the beautiful women. Furthermore, I can responsibly be a better dad for my kids by being able to practice my hobby, my love and my future profession online, at my leisure.
4) I am aware of the fact that there are problem gamblers. I am also aware of the fact that there are problem drinkers, smokers, people addicted to food, sugar, caffeine, pornography - all kinds of "legal" pastimes. I am addicted to none of the above. It is not fair, therefore, to treat me as if I were some kind of addict - along with those who do have problems. Just as prohibition did nothing to solve alcoholism, banning online poker will do nothing to prevent gambling addiction.
I do not believe that the Congress of the United States or the states themselves have the right to limit how I choose to educate myself in my chosen profession.
I do not believe that prohibition works.
I do not believe that "gambling is gambling." There is an enormous distinction between games of skill and games of chance. The lottery is a game of chance. Roulette is a game of chance. A coin flip is a game of chance. A slot machine is a game of chance. Poker is a game of skill.
Addiction and problem gambling is far more prevalent in games of chance. Games that require skill - like poker - discourage first timers and passers by, because they cannot compete with more experienced poker players. Casual gamblers don't get hooked on poker like they do on simple, mindless games of chance.
Finally, poker is a form of gambling, yes, because there is some chance to the play. It is different from a game of pure chance, however, in that players bet with one another and keep the money in question. In a game of chance - the house collects the losses.
This is another huge difference between poker and games of chance. In poker, two willing participants are exchanging money as the result of a skills competition. In games of pure chance, the game is rigged, the house always wins, and the gambler only walks away with money by sheer luck.
Please consider these points as you consider legislation to regulate online gambling. I can see some need to regulate or control games of chance. Poker, however, is a game of skill and does not fall into that category.
Online poker is safe, people are not getting ripped off, the games are not rigged and the house does not take home the losses. Poker players, like me, want to continue to enjoy our hobby and, as in my case, my profession, online.
As a final note, I would like to point out that the Poker Players Alliance, of whom I am a member, have more than 1500 members in your district. I may be one of the more vocal members, but I represent the feelings of a large block of very motivated 6th District Pennsylvania voters.
David Willis
610.383.7553
stimpsonjcat@verizon.net