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Update From PPA on Bill Status and Discussion RE "Freeze"

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  1. PPABryan PPABryan is offline

    Washington, DC
    United States

    Posts: 82
    Joined: Dec 07

    Dec 9th, 2010 (12/9/2010 8:59pm)

    * THIS IS BEING SENT AS AN EMAIL BLAST TO OUR FULL MEMBERSHIP.

    Dear Fellow Poker Player,

    I wanted to update you on the status of Congressional efforts to pass legislation which would license and regulate online poker in the U.S. While it remains an open question whether a bill will succeed during the “lame duck” session happening now, I want you to know what we are doing to protect your right to play online poker.

    The PPA has been and continues to work night and day on this issue. While many have speculated that the “Tax Bill” would be a likely vehicle for iPoker legislation, because of recent political developments with respect to the tax bill it has become complicated to predict whether that bill is a viable path. I still maintain, as I told the Wall Street Journal yesterday when the rumors circulated that the bill was dead, that nothing is dead until Congress adjourns.

    Let me assure you that we have heard and strongly considered the concerns a number of our online poker playing members have raised, specifically regarding the 15 month “blackout period” contained in the draft bills that have circulated in recent days. The blackout period means that upon enactment of the proposed internet poker law there would be fifteen months where NO licensed Internet poker would be available to U.S. players. In all likelihood, some of the web sites where you currently play would leave the market so they can go through the process of obtaining a U.S. license and then re-enter the market after the 15 month blackout period.

    Frankly, the proposed blackout period is absurd and the PPA opposes it. And we have fought – and continue to fight – tooth and nail against it. But it is a reality. There will likely be a blackout period of some length included in any legislation that is passed, whether it is in this Congress or future Congresses. Our opponents have been throwing their weight around to get a lengthy blackout period included and, unfortunately, I fear they are winning.

    That being said, upon significant analysis, review and reflection, we believe that the long- term benefits of this bill to the poker community make the blackout period a bitter pill we have to swallow. Our goal is to establish a permanent, safe and regulated U.S. online poker market, similar to the European regulatory markets. While many think the status quo works and is fine, it is not a long term solution and cannot last.

    Without Federal licensing and regulation, individual states could – and have started – to license play within their borders only, setting up monopolies that will not provide you with the playing experience you’ve come to expect. Or they will ban online poker altogether, like Washington State has done. That is why the PPA encouraged you earlier this week to contact your Senators and voice support a Federal bill before the end of the year.

    We believe that the trade off for getting regulated, permanent US online poker market is worth a temporary blackout of some sort. It’s not what we want, either, and it’s not what we pushed for in Congress, and we don’t even like it. But when viewing this from the perspective of maintaining a sustainable Internet poker market the 15 month period is short-term pain for a long-term gain.

    This has been a very tedious process and seems to change from moment to moment. As Congress considers bills throughout the remainder of the lame duck, we will continually update you on our progress.

    Thank you, as always, for your support and we welcome your thoughts and feedback..

    Proud to Play,

    John Pappas
    Executive Director
  2. acecatcher26 acecatcher26 is offline

    AR
    United States

    Posts: 4,355
    Joined: Jan 06

    Dec 11th, 2010 (12/11/2010 10:07pm) in reply to PPABryan

    lol its a bitter pill to some, to others its like the total devistation of our lives. When you have house payments, car payments, wife, and kids at home. 15 months isn't just a "bitter pill" imo, 2 months would be a bitter pill..
  3. Skallagrim Skallagrim is offline

    Portsmouth, NH
    United States

    Posts: 96
    Joined: May 07

    Dec 12th, 2010 (12/12/2010 4:22pm) in reply to acecatcher26

     
    Originally Posted by acecatcher26 View Post

    lol its a bitter pill to some, to others its like the total devistation of our lives. When you have house payments, car payments, wife, and kids at home. 15 months isn't just a "bitter pill" imo, 2 months would be a bitter pill..

    There is no question this is true. And the PPA fought and fought to make the blackout period shorter. In the end all we could get for folks like you was a 60 grace period before the blackout went into effect.

    Grinders like yourself (and I do not use that word in any negative way) need to understand just how precarious your position is. This whole thing should be a wake up call to all of you: the status quo will break someday, states will pass laws that will hurt you someday, and/or another bill with a "bitter pill" (maybe even a worse one) may move through Congress someday.

    I hate to say it, but you guys really need to start preparing for your ability to earn at current levels to be hurt at some point within the next few years, and it may come a lot sooner than you think (I hope not, but that is the reality).

    Skallagrim
  4. jonmon101 jonmon101 is offline

    Mount Pleasant, MI
    United States

    Posts: 117
    Joined: Dec 10

    Dec 14th, 2010 (12/14/2010 5:44am) in reply to Skallagrim

    Think I'd rather just continue playing 'illiegally' tbh...
     
  5. gemi9 gemi9 is offline

    Friendswood, TX
    United States

    Posts: 18
    Joined: Nov 06

    Dec 14th, 2010 (12/14/2010 11:06pm) in reply to jonmon101

    I hope they don't pass this piece of bill , 15- months absurd plus the state where I live is not even opt in so even after 15-months Texas is not opt in then I still can't play online. There is no casinos in Texas so screw this Harry Reid bill.
  6. danwin22 danwin22 is offline

    Paragould, AR
    United States

    Posts: 4
    Joined: Dec 10

    Dec 15th, 2010 (12/15/2010 12:38am) in reply to gemi9

    I live in Arkansas and though we have a lottery now, I think poker games are illegal in Arkansas (if I read the laws correctly). Can anyone tell me how this bill could possibly change my ability to play poker online in Arkansas after the 12 to 15 months is up?
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