In the confirmation hearing this week regarding Sen. Jeff Sessions’ appointment as Attorney General, a brief exchange between Sessions and Sen. Lindsey Graham piqued the interest of the online poker world.

Early in the eight-hour confirmation hearing, Graham asked Sessions for his thoughts on the Department of Justice’s 2011 interpretation of the Wire Act, which allows states to license and regulate online poker, lotteries, and other casino games on the Internet.

In 2011, the Department of Justice reversed its long-held position on the federal Wire Act of 1961, stating that the Act only covered sports betting, thus paving the way for states to offer online gaming.

In response to Graham’s question, Sessions said he was “shocked” at the memorandum handed down by the Justice Department and criticized it at the time.

“Apparently, there is some justification or argument that can be made to support the Department of Justice’s position,” Sessions said. “But I did oppose it when it happened and it seemed to me to be an unusual…”

Before Sessions could finish, Graham interrupted to ask, “Would you revisit it?”

“I would revisit it,” Sessions said. “And I would make a decision about it based on careful study … and I haven’t gone that far to give you an opinion today.”

The Poker Players Alliance was quick to respond to Sessions’ comments Tuesday, stating their opposition to any efforts to the reverse of the Justice Department’s 2011 decision.

“States around the country are doing their jobs by effectively regulating Internet gaming,” PPA Executive Director John Pappas said in a statement. “The next Attorney General should not usurp the rights of states. A de facto federal prohibition of internet gaming will undermine the ability of states to protect consumers and will lead to an unaccountable and completely unregulated black market.”

In an interview, Pappas said he was expecting Sessions to be asked for his opinion on the Wire Act during the hearing, but acknowledged that he was surprised it happened so early — within the first two hours of the hearing.

“Of all the issues facing the Federal judiciary, is this really one that rose to be one of the first questions out?” Pappas said.

If Sessions is confirmed as Attorney General, and if he elects to move forward with revisiting the 2011 interpretation of the Wire Act, Pappas believes there has been a strong case established against reversing the ruling. The partnerships PPA has established with conservative groups, such as The American Conservative Union and Americans for Tax Reform, as well as others, will be helpful in defending the current interpretation of the Wire Act, according to Pappas.

“I think we’re as well positioned with a Republican Congress, a Republican President, and a Republican Attorney General as we could be,” he said.