Rep. Barton Introduces Internet Poker Bill

We have great news to report!  The much anticipated legislation sponsored by Congressman Joe Barton (R-TX) was introduced earlier today.  His bill, HR 2366, the Online Poker Act of 2011 will restore your online poker rights by allowing licensed companies to offer Internet poker with real-money play to U.S. residents.  The bill is a huge leap forward for the poker community in the aftermath of April 15th.  While much still needs to be done to ensure that players’ funds on Full Tilt Poker, Absolute Poker, and Ultimate Poker are returned, the Barton bill provides the legislative pathway for safe, reliable and regulated Internet poker in the U.S.  Click here to view the PPA press release praising Congressman Barton. 

Rep. Barton at WSOP on Saturday!

We are also pleased to announce that Congressman Barton will be at the World Series of Poker TOMORROW, Saturday June 25th.  The PPA has arranged for him to tour the WSOP and he will also announce the ceremonial “Shuffle Up and Deal” for event #43, No Limit Hold’em starting at noon (Pacific Time).  If you are at the WSOP, be sure to seek Mr. Barton out and thank him for protecting your right to play.  Also, stop by the PPA booth and send a customized email to your member of Congress urging him/her to support the Barton bill.  Next week, all PPA members will be issued a detailed action alert to support H.R. 2366.

 

As was reported in the “Top News” section of today’s PPA member alert, online poker legislation has been introduced into Congress!

This is due completely to the hard work of the poker community and the PPA, so some congratulations are in order. I thank everyone who took to the time to contact Congress, to write to a newspaper, to join the PPA, or to do any of the other actions that brought attention to our cause. Had we done nothing in the aftermath of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006, we would still be in that same sad place – losing Congressional votes by margins of 3 to 1 or worse. Fortunately we did not stand for that, which is why we remain on offense in this fight.

That being said, this is just the start of the fight. To make progress, it will be up to each and every one of us to let our elected representatives and the media understand that we demand that Congress pass legislation in 2011 to license online poker.

You will receive a detailed alert from the PPA next week with specific steps you can take to support this important bill. I ask that we all participate in these actions to stand up for the game. Can I count on you to stand with your fellow poker enthusiasts?

For additional actions you can take to stand up for the great game of poker, please check out my daily Fight for Poker Rights action plan. Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX), sponsor of the new online poker bill, cited Facebook posts that were generated by this action plan, so we know it works:

 

Getting player money back from the sites is a very high priority for PPA. As I mentioned last week, I have funds locked up on Full Tilt Poker. This is a shared fight and it is one I personally take very seriously.

PPA has issued statements demanding that Full Tilt Poker, Ultimate Bet and Absolute Poker repay players’ balances. Additionally, PPA representatives have made statements in several interviews with various poker media sources with demands for repayment. PPA does not accept the Department of Justice fund seizures as an excuse. Sites have an obligation to safeguard player money.

PPA’s legal team has been actively reviewing options for the organization and for the players in this matter. I was personally part of a two-hour conference call with PPA attorneys on this, in fact. PPA is reviewing every option, including ones where PPA seeks to get money directly from the federal government for use in reimbursing the players. Unfortunately, thus far our options appear to be limited in terms of what we can do directly.

PPA plans to put out an informative guide on the subject covering all options for players who are still owed money. I expect this guide to be out sometime next week.


Yes. In fact, I am directly responsible for PPA’s poker media outreach. I feel this open dialog is key to success in this fight for our rights as poker players. Additionally, I personally feel it is of great value to the poker community for PPA to come before poker media to take on the tough questions, as these are typically representative of the issues in which our members are most interested.

Here is a partial list of PPA’s interviews with poker media since mid-May. This list does not include the hundreds of articles where PPA provided a quote or two, of course: 

I again thank you all for your continued support in this fight for our rights as poker enthusiasts and as Americans!

 

Proud to play,

Rich Muny

 

The PPA wishes to keep active members like yourself updated on the latest poker advocacy news by periodically sending out select events and headlines. We hope you find it informative and thank you for your continuing support.