One of the last acts of the 109th U.S. Congress was to pass the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, prohibiting banks in the U.S. from transacting directly with online gaming sites.
Since then, members of the 110th Congress have been working to rectify this matter, with efforts including the introduction of the Skill Game Protection Act.
What is the Skill Game Protection Act?
The Skill Game Protection Act is H.R. 2610, introduced to the House of Representatives by Florida Democrat Robert Wexler in 2007, one of several bills designed to protect certain online games for American gaming enthusiasts.
What Does the Skill Game Protection Act Say?
The act says in effect that there are a number of games, including backgammon and poker, which are played online by millions of Americans. That these Americans compete in these games for monetary stakes, not only to increase their enjoyment of the game, but for many, as their main source of income. That when these games are based primarily in skill, even if there is an element of chance involved, Americans should not be prohibited from participating.
What is the Future of the Skill Game Protection Act?
Like other pro-internet gaming bills, the SGPA will have to get through several committees and be voted on by the House and Senate before it can be considered as law. However, organizations like the Poker Players Alliance are pushing for this kind of legislation and Congress is responding, so the outlook for the SGPA and other acts like it seems bright.
Who is In the Poker Players Alliance?
The Poker Players Alliance consists of over a million concerned citizens who do not believe the right of those who are of legal age to play poker should be restricted. Anyone can join, and their board of directors includes former Senator Alfonse D'Amato and world poker champions Chris Ferguson and Greg Raymer.
What is the Mission of the Poker Players Alliance?
The PPA's stated mission is to encourage the government to create laws that will protect the rights of poker players to play in a safe, regulated environment, whether in a live setting or in the online gambling world. The PPA objects to the UIGEA as unfairly restricting the rights of online and live poker players and suggests it may lead to even more restrictive laws against live and online poker.
Who Can Join the Poker Players Alliance?
Anyone can join the Poker Players Alliance. If you are a poker player interested in joining, you may wish to look for information on your favorite online poker site. Some sites offer an introductory freeroll for new PPA members. Otherwise, you can go to the PPA website at PokerPlayersAlliance.org to sign up.
