Debate: Are proposed laws good or bad for online poker?

[Al Schoonmaker]

Hi Everybody,

John Pappas is the Executive Director of the Poker Players Alliance. Its website is pokerplayersalliance.org. He argues that the UIGEA created serious problems for online poker that can be solved or mitigated by new laws such as the ones sponsored by Congressmen Frank and Wexler.

Incidentally, at their website you can download an article by David Sklansky and me called, “Poker is good for you.” Click on “News” and “Positive Aspects of Poker.”

Preston Oade is a distinguished attorney who has argued two constitutional cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, and he has tried many other cases about regulations in other federal courts. He believes that the proposed laws would do more harm than good.

I recently moderated a friendly debate between them. It will be broadcast on roundersradio.com at 9 PM EST on January 21. That show will be my first one on roundersradio.com. Previous shows were on holdemradio.com, which is currently down.

A few days after the broadcast the show will be available for downloading to your iPod or PC.

I hope you enjoy the show and discuss it on various forums, including this one.

Regards,

Al

[JPFisher55]

IMO the Wexler skills bill will aid online poker, but the Rep. Franks' bill the IGREA would not improve the status quo and would likely hurt matters. The PPA supports the both bills. However, my impression is that the PPA feels that the IGREA is more useful to reverse last year's negative momentum than a real solution like the skills bill.