For the past few days the PPA has attended and participated in two of the largest annual conferences of the gaming industry.  On Sunday, the PPA helped to arrange a keynote speech delivered by Congressman Joe Barton, author of the Online Poker Act of 2011, at the International Association of Gaming Advisors in Las Vegas.  Influential gaming attorneys, industry executives and key state and tribal regulators crowded the room to hear Congressman Barton deliver a candid view on the prospects of federal legislation.  In short, he expressed optimism that a deal could be struck over the next six months and that several opportunities will present themselves in which to include Internet poker legislation.  First and foremost being the newly created Deficit Super Committee which will need to make recommendations to Congress before Thanksgiving.  Further, Congressman Barton said he believes his bill (H.R. 2366) will be given a hearing in the House Energy and Commerce Committee in the coming weeks.  This is welcomed news and provides us a great forum to explain the merits of appropriate regulation in a public setting.  Please stay tuned for more information on the exact timing of a hearing on Joe Barton’s H.R. 2366.

On Monday, the PPA attended a full day of meetings and panel discussions at the Global Gaming Expo’s iGaming Congress.  The fact that the Global Gaming Expo which is sponsored by the American Gaming Association (a coalition of U.S. brick and mortar gaming interests) has dedicated a full day of its conference to discuss Internet gaming, and primarily Internet poker, represents a huge evolution in support for this online game of skill.  The PPA plays an important role at these meetings to ensure that the viewpoints of the players do not get lost in the discussion of how gaming companies can best monetize their interests in cyberspace.  Gaming operators cannot credibly talk about potential revenues and business opportunities until they fully realize that the consumer will ultimately drive the Internet marketplace.  The PPA will continue to provide the players a voice at these conferences and others.  And, we will continue our advocacy efforts in Washington D.C. and elsewhere so that lawmakers understand the importance of the player in the larger debate about regulation of Internet poker.

 

 

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.