Home / Poker News May 2009 / The American People Have Spoken: Legalise Poker!
The American People Have Spoken: Legalise Poker!
Posted by: James Carter. - Wed, 2009-05-13 08:03
When the then President-Elect opened up the Citizen's Briefing Book, it was with the hope that America would speak, telling President Obama what they wanted and what they needed. In total more than 1.5 million people from across the Untied States voted on various different topics and recommendations, and online poker was one of the things they were talking about.
When the final copy of the White House Citizen's Briefing Book was finally put together and presented to the President's staff online poker was at the top of the Technology category with nearly 47,000 points, which placed it overall at 11th on the list of things America cares about most. Of all the entries dealing with online poker, it was this entry, by Aaron Huertas, that got the most attention:
Let online poker players in the United States play legally and without fear of prosecution. Reform the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act to exempt poker, a game of skill, from the law. Boost the economy by letting American companies and American players make money and pay taxes instead of sending online poker businesses offshore. Protect online poker players by regulating the industry to ensure that no one is ever cheated.
The presentation of the final copy of the book to the President and his staff more or less coincides with the introduction by Rep. Barney Frank, who has been tirelessly fighting the ban, of his new bill which is currently waiting in committee. John Pappas the Executive Director of the Poker Players Alliance commented with regard to the Citizen's Briefing Book:
Poker players around the country are speaking with one voice to protect the game they love, and the White House is hearing that message. The popularity of online poker continues to grow…this is not a niche issue, but a national public policy that this Congress and this president should advance this year
