Boasting 66 co-sponsors on both sides of the political spectrum is Congressman Barney Frank’s (D-MA, pictured at right) HR 2267, the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act. The measure, which was introduced last May, could be a saving grace for the online poker industry. HR 2267 calls for the legalization and regulation of the internet gambling industry in the United States and could reverse many of the ill effects of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). However, no markup in the House Financial Services Committee has been announced.

We’re now halfway through March and while no markup is scheduled of HR 2267, the Poker Players Alliance (PPA) has been quite busy around the United States at the state level. The PPA recently distributed its monthly newsletter to its one-million members detailing the organization’s endeavors throughout 2010 and began by lauding the $1.5 million raised by the poker community for victims of the massive earthquake that struck Haiti in January. More than 50,000 online poker players donated a total of $750,000 and with dollar-for-dollar matches from sites, the total contribution exceeded $1.5 million.
Meanwhile, the PPA has been hard at work in Florida, where calls for intrastate online poker are growing louder day by day. PPA Executive Director John Pappas testified in front of the Florida Senate Regulated Industries Committee in mid-February. He told PocketFives.com that the process of educating local lawmakers about the ins and outs of the online poker industry is far from a simple task: “It’s an educational process. I think they need to have a greater understanding of how internet poker works because there’s a misconception that you can just build an internet poker site and all players will start playing. That’s not how it’s going to work.”

Competition in the Northeast United States seems to be picking up steam. In late January, Delaware lawmakers approved an initiative to introduce table games, including poker, in the state’s casinos. The PPA’s latest newsletter welcomed the addition in the “First State” with open arms: “By signing this legislation, Governor [Jack] Markell has set in motion an implementation process that will provide expanded opportunities for poker players to play the game they love and will create over 700 good paying jobs.” Earlier this year, Pennsylvania also approved the expansion of table games.

In the great state of Alaska, the PPA has been fighting an uphill battle to show that charity poker tournaments do not constitute illegal gambling. The PPA mailer outlined the unique dilemma that the industry faces: “Rich Markgraf, our Alaska State Director, has sent a letter on behalf of PPA members requesting the State’s taxation department to reconsider their ban on allowing charitable organizations from hosting free poker tournaments.” A Fur Rendezvous poker tournament was canceled and then reinstated after legal questions abounded over whether the event was legal under Alaska state law.

Last Month, Pappas appeared in California in front of the Senate Governmental Organization Committee to address proposed intrastate online poker. The ability to play online would be limited solely to those inside the state’s boundaries, leading Pappas and company to question its competitive merits. The PPA explained, “Ultimately, this means fewer players, fewer games, fewer stakes/limits, and less opportunity for you to play poker how you want, when you want.” However, legalized intrastate online poker would bring the game out of the gray zone for California’s nearly 40 million residents.

Videos of Pappas’ appearances in Florida and California are available on the PPA’s website. If you’re not yet a member of the lobbying organization, you should be. Visit ThePPA.org today to get started. Free memberships are available.

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