November 15th, 2007
For Immediate Release
Congressional
Hearing Dispels Internet Poker Myths
~ Annie Duke delivers
impassioned testimony to the Judiciary Committee ~
Washington, D.C.
(November 14, 2007) – Yesterday the House Judiciary Committee, which has key
jurisdiction over Internet gaming matters, held a hearing to discuss the
inconsistencies with U.S policy. On behalf
of the Poker Players Alliance (PPA), Annie Duke testified along with experts on
international trade, age-verification technology and representatives from the
Departments of Justice and Treasury.
“At its most
basic level, the issue before this committee is personal freedom,” Ms. Duke
told the Committee. “More than any other value, America is supposed to be about
freedom. Except where one’s actions directly and necessarily harm another
person’s life, liberty or property, government in America is supposed to leave
the citizenry alone. Examples of Congress straying from this principle are
legion, but few are as egregious as UIGEA,” Duke added.
One key outcome
of the hearing was the acknowledgement by the DoJ witness, the Honorable
Catherine Hanaway, that it is not illegal for an individual to place a wager on
the Internet. This confirmation came
during questioning from Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA) and dispels a common
misconception that an Internet poker player may be committing a crime by
playing poker online.
Another myth
that was dismissed was the misguided belief that Internet gaming sites are
bastions for terrorist money laundering.
Congressman Howard Coble (R-NC) asked Ms. Hanaway if there was any evidence
of Internet gaming sites laundering money for terrorist financing. She responded unequivocally that there is no
evidence to that effect.
Finally, the
myth that it is impossible to provide protections to keep underage persons off
gambling Web sites was completely dismissed by Michael Colopy of Aristotle a
leading provider of verification services for child protection online. Colopy delivered compelling testimony
outlining a number of products and services available today that are nearly 100
percent effective in keeping children off age-restricted Web sites.
All of the witness’ written testimonies as well
as video of the entire hearing can be found on the Poker Players Alliance’s Web
site, www.theppa.org.
Author Contact Info: Poker Players Alliance
Tags: pressrelease2007
