October 13th, 2006
PPA, Poker Pros and Average Americans Express Their Outrage
WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ — President Bush today signed into
law a ban on online wagering, impacting 23 million Americans who enjoy the
game of poker on the Internet. By including this legislation in the SAFE
Port Act, Congress and the President bluffed the American people who
overwhelmingly oppose federal efforts to ban online poker.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061013/DCF009A )
“Today is a dark day for the great American game of poker,” said
Michael Bolcerek, president of the Poker Players Alliance, a grassroots
advocacy organization of more than 110,000 poker enthusiasts. “Twenty-three
million Americans who play the game online will effectively be denied the
ability to enjoy this popular form of entertainment, even in the privacy of
their own homes.”
Michael Bolcerek, president of the Poker Players Alliance, a grassroots
advocacy organization of more than 110,000 poker enthusiasts. “Twenty-three
million Americans who play the game online will effectively be denied the
ability to enjoy this popular form of entertainment, even in the privacy of
their own homes.”
Bolcerek added, “Congress had a real opportunity to create good public
policy by licensing, regulating and taxing Internet poker. Yet, they chose
prohibition. This decision will prove to be detrimental in the long-run and
leaves more than $4 billion in annual tax revenue on the table.”
policy by licensing, regulating and taxing Internet poker. Yet, they chose
prohibition. This decision will prove to be detrimental in the long-run and
leaves more than $4 billion in annual tax revenue on the table.”
In late September, in a move of political gamesmanship, leaders of the
U.S. House and Senate hi-jacked the vital port security bill and added the
Internet gambling prohibition language.
U.S. House and Senate hi-jacked the vital port security bill and added the
Internet gambling prohibition language.
Living poker legend Doyle Brunson said, “As a lifelong poker player, I
can’t believe the underhanded way this new bill restricting online poker
was passed through Congress. What does Internet poker have to do with the
Safe Port Bill? We Texans don’t like this kind of trickery. Texas is a
state where you can see an enemy coming, a friend is a friend, and you look
someone straight in the eyes.”
can’t believe the underhanded way this new bill restricting online poker
was passed through Congress. What does Internet poker have to do with the
Safe Port Bill? We Texans don’t like this kind of trickery. Texas is a
state where you can see an enemy coming, a friend is a friend, and you look
someone straight in the eyes.”
The legislation contains specific exemptions for Internet wagers on
horse racing, state lotteries and fantasy sports. The PPA hopes that
Congress will evaluate objectively the skill game of poker and afford it
similar treatment.
horse racing, state lotteries and fantasy sports. The PPA hopes that
Congress will evaluate objectively the skill game of poker and afford it
similar treatment.
“Internet poker is a great source of enjoyment and allows me to compete
on an equal playing field with people from around the world,” said Ethan
Ruby, an amateur poker player who was paralyzed in a traffic accident five
years ago. “I can’t understand how President Bush would take this game away
from me and millions of other Americans.”
on an equal playing field with people from around the world,” said Ethan
Ruby, an amateur poker player who was paralyzed in a traffic accident five
years ago. “I can’t understand how President Bush would take this game away
from me and millions of other Americans.”
The Poker Players Alliance / is a
nonprofit organization advocating on behalf of American poker players.
nonprofit organization advocating on behalf of American poker players.
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Author Contact Info: Poker Players Alliance
