CQ TODAY ONLINE NEWS
– POLITICS
Aug. 20, 2008 – 6:44 a.m.
Poker Lobby Wants New Deal From GOP
By Bart Jansen, CQ Staff
The Republicans’ last two national party platforms opposed Internet gambling. Online poker players want a new deal at this year’s convention next month.
The Poker Players Alliance, which spent $1.2 million lobbying during the first half of 2008, aims to legalize virtual versions of the game now played under the table. Dozens of people listing poker as their profession have contributed $353,802 to federal candidates this election cycle. And the group will sponsor events at both conventions.
But so far the deck has been stacked against the group, which claims 1 million members nationwide — including a few Republicans in their off hours.
“This shouldn’t be a partisan issue. It should be a personal-freedom issue,” said John Pappas, the alliance’s executive director.
The Republican platforms of 2000 and 2004 included the following language: “Millions of Americans suffer from problem or pathological gambling that can destroy families. We support legislation prohibiting gambling over the Internet or in student athletics by student athletes who are participating in competitive sports.”
Members of the poker alliance met with staffers for the convention and with McCain’s campaign, and are using the Republican platform committee’s Web site to urge removal of the language opposed to Internet gambling or perhaps even support for such wagering.
“My point is simple. Is the Republican Party no longer the party of personal freedom and individual responsibility?” wrote Greg Raymer, a professional player who won the 2004 World Series of Poker. “Why has this party, that used to protect my rights, now become the party that wants to create a nanny-state?”
The alliance contends that Internet gambling is an estimated $15 billion a year industry, with perhaps one-third attributed to poker, and should be regulated in the United States as it is in dozens other countries. American gamblers now play through offshore Web sites, and technically could be prosecuted under federal law (PL 109-347).
The alliance has been lobbying on behalf of a few bills that Democrats have introduced to allow Web-based poker.
House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank of Massachusetts proposed a bill (
Rep. Robert Wexler of Florida, an early supporter of presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama , proposed a bill (
And Rep. Shelley Berkley of Nevada proposed (
All of those bills have languished in subcommittee.
Poker Lobby Wants New Deal From GOP
Republicans in both chambers have introduced into the Congressional Record letters opposing the Frank bill from governors, 45 state attorneys general and a handful of sports-league officials.
“I urge my colleagues to oppose the Frank bill or any similar proposals that would create a permissive federal licensing scheme for Internet gambling,” Minority Whip Jon Kyl , R-Ariz., said on the Senate floor.
“A lot of Republicans have a love-hate relationship with the poker community,” said John Feehery, whose namesake communications firm represents the alliance.
“A lot of Republicans play poker, but the Christian right wants to ban poker playing,” said Feehery, a high-profile Capitol Hill figure during six years as spokesman for former Speaker J. Dennis Hastert , R-Ill. (1987-2007).
Comments
Outstanding! Americans don't want or need the federal government to police the Internet for people daring to choose to play poker in their own homes with their own money. LOL at the GOP selling out any remaining remnants of belief in limited government to the big government social conservative wing of the party. And, LOL at the GOP nanny-staters for running young, swing voters out of the GOP! It's hard to believe they think they don't need our votes for their other priorities.
If you wish to add a comment to the GOP Platform website, visit http://www.gopplatform2008.com
lol GOPaments...
The economy and the American people are struggling right now. Why won't Congress tax and regulate online poker? It would provide some much needed relief while not taking anyone who didn't play.
Those who are against internet "gambling" have a lack of understanding of the majority of players that are responsible and play for the competition, ranking, and social enjoyment. Compared to Bowling cost...shoes, balls, league fees, tournament entries. (nothing free here !) Adult sports team...team fees, shirts, and if you have a phisical job a 6-8 week injury could be devistating to your financial stability. Vidio games....initial set up, new games and updated versions...(never ends) And God forbid someone that goes to the expense to have a game room in their home, that is probably on credit, if something happend to their job, they could loose the living part of the house ! Now... online poker, always free software, never have to send any money, can win some in free rolls, have forums that you can join for free and play forum games, both free and small buy-ins, and against other forums. the attitude of these players including myself, are playing a free roll for 3 hrs. with the max. to win maybe $7.50 not for the hourly rate, but to maybe move up a few notches in the forum rankings. There are threads in most forums that I have visited that talk about bankroll management. There are over 8,000 registered members and about 2,500 active in the forum I play for, and in the last forum chalange there were over 40 forums competing. That's a lot of responsible players enjoying good competition. Yes, there are people who can afford to plunk $500.00 down on a site and never play a freeroll, but these are the same type players that also play live Track and Casinos. And not everyone is responsible with their money, but we don't outlaw owning a car because some people drink and drive. You want to make a good law, ban parking lots from bars !!! I have been playing almost 2 years and my "major" expense has been the 8-10 books I have purchased. (I've also read more in the past year than in the last 10 yrs.) I am currently ranked 18 in my forum. If all this were taken away, my only alternative would be to visit our local dog or horse track, or Hard Rock to play the game I enjoy, and probably spend more in 1 or 2 visits than I've spent in 2 yrs online. I've never played a live poker game or tried to keep track of how many chips are in the pot or being bet, The computer displays that, and if anyone thinks poker is gambling, doesn't understand hand situational hand requirements, or pot odds. If this is a game of chance, how come the more I read and the better I play, the higher I move up in the rankings !!! ELF-M
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