Reid and Kyle proposing a few changes in the draft of their poker bill. This bill was made to allow for the legalization and regulation of online poker in the US.
Alfonse D’Amato seems to have worded his letter very well and began by commending the Senators for drafting the bill as it is and for their efforts in the online poker legislation project. D’Amato commended them for the draft stating that it had a “solid framework for states to regulate online poker” and said that he was “pleased with many aspects of the draft.”
It would establish licensed and regulated Internet poker in the United States and provide for strong consumer protections including mandated segregation of player funds, background checks of providers, and criminal penalties for cheaters… Not only would this protect players and vulnerable populations, it will bring this burgeoning industry onshore to create U.S. jobs, stimulate our economy, and generate much needed tax revenue without raising any existing taxes
It has been several months since Senator Reid introduced his online poker bill that would allow for legislation of US online poker. However, despite efforts to send this bill to the floor, there have always been glitches, obstacles or matter of just plain bad timing where all efforts to lobby for online poker were to no avail.
As a result, perhaps it would right in thinking that the changes proposed by Alfonse D’Amato would in fact make the bill have a stronger stance by itself and sort out any glitches.
Some of the matters raised were for interstate poker – “We encourage you, at a minimum, to restore provisions in the bill that allow for several states to enter the system as soon as regulations are complete.”
The next matter was to expedite the process and to allow for international play.
We urge shortening that time frame [of fifteen months] in the bill as much as possible without jeopardizing overall standards…We therefore encourage you to include a provision, as was included in earlier proposals, for the ability to allow for international play at an appropriate time in the future…
Other matters covered were equitable rights of the Native Indians and a logical solution to player win taxation.
The Poker Players Alliance or PPA has taken a very pro-active role in moving this forward. Director John Pappas has even met with the US Department of Justice and discussed the matter of Full Tilt Poker paying back its players.
