The constant battle against legalizing online poker in the United States continues. In March, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham and U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz decided to push for the restoration of the Wire Act, a move that could shutdown all forms of internet poker, if approved.
The Poker Players Alliance has voiced its displeasure with the new campaign against banning online poker. John Pappas, PPA Executive Director released a video calling for the poker community to come together in a show of support to fight the new bill that is being proposed.
During the last 12 months, the push to legalize online poker in the United States has picked up. Currently Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware have legalized online poker and there are another 10 states who are in discussions for lifting the ban on online poker. The PPA are concerned that if the poker community do not come out in a strong show of support, that online poker could be officially banned across all of the United States.
The push to ban online poker has gained a lot of momentum ever since Sheldon Adelson decided to campaign against the legalization of online poker. Adelson, billionaire and casino boss of the Las Vegas Sands Corp has a lot of influence and is also a huge donor to the Republican party. Now, with the support of U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz and U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, the campaign to ban online poker is getting stronger with time.
Adelson has clearly stated that he will spend whatever money it takes and use all his influence to see that online gambling is completely banned in the U.S. The PPA is fighting Adelson by saying that one of the main reasons for his campaign is because he is afraid that the online gambling industry will eat into the profits of his brick and mortar casino business.
The PPA has also highlighted how much revenue online gambling brings to each state along with the number of jobs it creates. The PPA is looking to network with likeminded groups and players in order to form a strong alliance that can campaign successfully for the legalization of online poker. The PPA is currently trying to network with the likes of the Coalition for Consumer and Online Protection group and the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).
The NCSL recently sent a letter to U.S. Sen. Lindsey and U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz voicing their displeasure about the proposal to restoration of the wire act and said that the sovereignty of each state must be respected along with their decisions to ban or legalize online gambling.
