PPA reaction to Democrat victory

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POKER PLAYERS' ALLIANCE COMMENTS ON DEMOCRAT VICTORY

"We believe this will be a more favorable environment moving forward," says Bolcerek

The president of the 120 000 member Poker Players' Alliance, Michael Bolcerek is optimistic that the changes in the US political system which brought the Democrats to power in Congress this week will create a more favourable environment for his association going forward.

Referring to the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, Bolcerek pointed out that horse racing is among those forms of gambling granted exemption from the Act, which specifically attacks the transfer of private money for the use of gambling. He believes that his association stands a better chance of achieving a similar exemption with the Democrats than was the case with the Republicans.

"We believe this will be a more favorable environment moving forward," said Bolcerek. "A fresh perspective is needed, and we are hopeful that the new congressional leadership will objectively consider the skill game of poker for an exemption from Internet gambling prohibitions passed this year and create good public policy by licensing, regulating, and taxing Internet poker in the U.S."

"The old environment wasn't helpful so we're hoping we have a fresh look at exemption for poker and regulating and licensing poker in the U.S.," Bolcerek added.

As for what this shift in government could mean for the future of the gaming industry, Bolcerek said the alliance is, for now, adopting a wait-and-see approach.

"We're going to assess what that change does to our lobbying strategy and hopefully we'll find more people to enter into a dialogue with us about regulating and licensing Internet poker in the U.S. and following good public policy," he said.

Meanwhile, the Poker Players Alliance is continuing with plans to build a larger membership base and engage U.S. politicians in debate over UIGEA .

Last month, Bolcerek visited New York with poker pros Annie Duke, Mike Sexton and Barry Greenstein to raise awareness of UIGEA's implications in the online gaming industry. The trip, Bolcerek said, helped raise public awareness of the bill.

"It was very effective. I think we got our perspective across, and generally the mainstream media is supportive of our position," he said.

This issue and other casino-related subjects will be among the topics discussed next week at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) at the Las Vegas Convention Center from Monday through Thursday. The industry's biggest trade conference has grown in recent years and this year is boasting a 35 percent increase over last year in pre-conference registration and is taking up 14 percent more of exhibit space in the main show room. The conference is not just limited to American casino companies and suppliers as there's a 20 percent increase in international exhibitors.

In all, 750 companies will have exhibits in the 320,000 square feet of exhibit space (nearly the size of six football fields). And there will be at least 150 new products making their debut. Full information, including how to register, can be found at globalgamingexpo.com.

However, after the treatment meted out by US Justice officials to executives from BetonSports and Sportingbet recently, it is unlikely that many offshore online gambling leaders will risk entering the States for this gathering.