Legislative Update
2012 is shaping up to be a critical year for the future of online poker. With the Department of Justice’s change in position last December there is a heightened sense of urgency in Washington and there is a greater sense of opportunity across the states. This is good news for poker players who want US-based online poker. But it also underscores growing tensions between a federal and state solution. The PPA has long advocated for a federal bill much like Rep. Joe Barton’s H.R. 2366. This bill would create a competitive market and allow multiple states to share customers, giving players the greatest opportunity to compete in a variety of games and at a variety of stakes. It also will establish a single set of standards rather than a patchwork of state-by-state regulations for online poker.
We believe the prospects for a federal bill in 2012 are quite good. There is growing bipartisan support on Capitol Hill, and the PPA and others have worked to cultivate a number of external allies such as the traditional gaming companies (MGM, Caesars, Boyd, etc), Indian tribes, law enforcement and those in the banking industry who want a clear set of rules and regulations. Our biggest challenge is the general paralysis of Congress to enact any legislation – not just poker legislation. While this is a big obstacle, we do believe there will be opportunities in the near term to include Internet poker legislation (and in the longer term after the November elections) in larger bills moving through Congress. That is why your voice is so important and we appreciate all you have done to contact your elected officials and remind them that you want a bill THIS YEAR.
While a federal bill is far superior, we cannot ignore the momentum building at the state level. California, Iowa, New Jersey, and Nevada (to name a few) are pushing to get INTRA-state online poker enacted this year. Each of the proposals in those states has their pluses and minuses. The PPA has ramped up its state efforts to ensure that any bill that becomes law puts the players’ interests first. In some cases we have retained local lobbyists to help with state lawmakers and in others we have employed our own grassroots network to advocate for player-friendly bills. Fortunately, we have a strong
team of State Directors who are serving as our eyes and ears and helping PPA HQ in Washington monitor these bills.
There is no question that the efforts of the PPA and our active members are paying off. It is hard to believe how much we have changed the perception of lawmakers across the country in just a few years. Let’s not forget that in 2006 the U.S. Congress misguidedly voted to ban Internet poker, and now we are on the precipice of restoring your freedom to play and establishing a safe and regulated market. We will continue to update you on our progress and we hope to have good news to share in the coming weeks and months.
New PPA website feature: State Director Index
We’ve made it easier for PPA members and poker enthusiasts to find and communicate with their respected State Director. The PPA State Director Index can be found under the “About Us” tab at the top of our home page (
www.theppa.org). We’ve listed each State Director’s name, hometown and their PPA emailing address to better serve you.
If you live in a state that currently doesn’t have a State Director listed, please consider applying to become the State Director. Simply click on the blue “Position Open” button. Please take a few moments and check it out!
/state-directors/
State Director Spotlight — Kansas, Stephanie Harris
Stephanie Harris lives and works in Independence, KS, where she is an avid recreational poker player. She plays regularly with friends and family and she also enjoys playing in charity no-limit Hold’em tournaments in her community. Over the years she has become a staunch advocate for the poker community in Kansas, advocating for the repeal of UIGEA and supporting PPA’s efforts to federally license and regulate online poker.
As State Director, Stephanie has traveled to Washington, D.C., to help lobby the Kansas Congressional delegation for a federal bill that would license and regulate online poker. She has been instrumental in alerting the national PPA office regarding poker-related legislation at the state level and has led several grassroots activities to raise awareness in the state.
Stephanie has served as the Kansas State Director for just over a year and is always looking for poker activists to volunteer to help spread the word about the PPA. To reach Stephanie you can email her at
[email protected].
Are you coming to DC?
Spring has sprung in the nation’s Capital and the cherry blossoms are almost blooming. This means that millions of tourists will flock to DC this spring and summer – will you be one of them? If so, contact the PPA and we can help arrange a meeting with your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators. This face-to-face interaction with lawmakers and their staffs is one of the best ways to advocate for your poker rights. The PPA and its professional team of lobbyists can help you every step of the way.
Email the PPA at least 2 weeks in advance of trip. We hope to see you here.
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.
