SUPPORT HR 5767, SAYS P.P.A.

27 June 2008

Important that poker players urge their political representatives to support anti-UIGEA bill


The Poker Players Alliance strongly supported the attack on the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act represented by HR5767 this weekend, urging its one million plus members to contact their political representatives and urge them to support the move.

Launched by Congressmen Barney Frank and Ron Paul in April this year, HR 5767 is a bi-partisan bill that seeks to halt the implemention of supporting regulations for the UIGEA, widely condemned for its lack of precision and practicality, and the enforcement burden it places on the US banking industry. The proposal has so far attracted support from 20 Representatives across both political parties.

Alfonse D'Amato, the PPA Chairman emailed the membership over the weekend, advising them that the bill will go before the House Financial Services Committee for markup and possibly amendment on Tuesday June 24, and urging them to contact their political representative and ask that it be supported.

"Unless Congress takes action, regulations to implement the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) will soon take effect. These regulations threaten to snuff out, once and for all, your right to play the great game at the time and place of your choice," D'Amato wrote.

"In order to get this bill out of Committee and onto the House Floor, we need your help. PPA strongly supports H.R. 5767 and the King amendment, but this important bill and amendment won’t pass without your help! As a former Senator, I can't emphasize enough how important it is for you to contact your elected Representative on this issue.

"Call Rep. Ron Klein today, at (202) 225-3026. A staffer will answer your call. Tell the staffer your name, and that you are a constituent, voter, and poker enthusiast. Ask your Representative to vote in favor of HR 5767, and the King amendment at the Financial Services Committee.

"Here's why: The UIGEA regulations will demand that banks block "unlawful internet gambling" but there is no definition of this vague term. Banks will be forced to block millions of transactions that are not in fact illegal. As a result, you may not be able to play poker or any other game of skill online.

"HR 5767 will prevent this regulatory nightmare. The King amendment will force the regulatory agencies to define "unlawful internet gambling" through a formal rulemaking, with due process and opportunity for input from affected parties.

"Call Rep. Ron Klein at (202) 225-3026 now. Tell your Representative that Congress should not censor the internet and or allow bureaucrats to ban transactions they haven't defined. Ask them to support HR 5767 and the King amendment. Remind them that poker is a game of skill. And tell them that Poker Is Not a Crime!"

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