PPA Lashes Out Against Passed Port Security Legislation

Opponents of Internet gambling have added language to port security legislation that further translates to the prohibition of online gambling. The port security bill that had the Internet prohibition language incorporated on it passed the U.S. House and Senate late Friday, Sept. 29. The bill is only waiting for the President's signature before becoming law.

"This last minute deal reeks of political gamesmanship. The American people should be outraged that Congress has hi-jacked a vital security bill with a poker prohibition that nearly three fourths of the country opposes," said Michael Bolcerek, president of the Poker Players Alliance.

"Allowing this bill to become law would run contrary to public opinion and would damage an already fractured relationship between government and the electorate. The millions of Americans who enjoy playing this great game will have the last voice in this debate come Election Day."

"Congress has an opportunity to regulate and tax online poker leading to potentially billions of dollars in annual revenue for the federal government and the states," added Bolcerek.

"If the goal of Congress is to protect people from the possible dangers of gambling, a prohibition is the worst way of achieving it. All it will do is push poker underground, essentially creating online speakeasies, which will provide no protection for youths, no services for the problem gambler and leave only the most unscrupulous operators in the game."