For Immediate
Release                                                  
Contact: Sharon White
June 19, 2007                                                                                         202-715-1507

US Sets
Dangerous Precedent by Ignoring WTO Commitments Relative to Internet Gaming 

Restrictions not equally applied to domestic
gaming operators  

Today,
former New York Senator Alfonse D’Amato, chairman of the Poker Players Alliance,
released the statement below. 

The
former Senator’s comments are in response to the European Union’s support of Antigua’s
ruling against the United States
and claim for compensation based on the U.S.‘s violation of its World Trade
Organization commitments.  

“Last
year Congress and this President moved in the wrong direction by approving the
Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act, which among others things, violates
the United State‘s WTO commitment on ‘gambling and
betting service’.   

“The
Poker Players Alliance believes there is a simple solution through the regulation
of  on-line gaming.  Rather than allowing this trade dispute to continue
to be played out on the world stage, the U.S. Congress should pass the Internet
Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act of 2007 introduced by U.S.
Representative Barney Frank (D-MA). 

“The
Frank bill provides enforcement of strict regulations and licensing of Internet
gaming and brings the United
States more into compliance with its WTO
commitments under the General Agreement on Trade and Service.  Regulation of this industry is the only
sensible public policy and trade policy solution.  Moreover, it will generate significant revenue
for the U.S. by simply  allowing
individuals a freedom they rightly deserve. If our government continues to
ignore its trade commitments we will threaten other U.S. industries, not related to
Internet gaming, that rely on consistent trade policy and we may be in jeopardy
of forfeiting a lead role among the WTO member community.”

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The Poker Players Alliance www.theppa.org  is a nonprofit organization advocating on
behalf of American poker players.

Author Contact Info: Poker Players Alliance