It's a big week for poker in the United States as there are two poker-related hearings taking place which could have an impact on legalizing online poker. On Tuesday, November 15th, the Poker Player's Alliance's (PPA) vice president of player relations, Rich Muny addressed the American poker community expressing his excitement and hopes that the hearings will allow online poker to take yet another step towards its legal recognition.
Thursday, November 17th the Senate Indian Affairs Committee gathered for a hearing to examine the impact of internet gaming regulation on Indian tribes. The PPA Chairman and former Sen. Al D'Amato is also going to attend the hearing which started at 2:15 PM ET in order to testify for the PPA. The Alliance's Executive Director John Pappas joined the meeting as well.
“The Senate committee hearing is excellent news for the poker community, as this is not the type of hearing where the poker community would necessarily expect to be invited to provide testimony,” Muny said. “The invitation was due both to Sen. D’Amato’s esteemed background and to the activism of all of us in the poker community. Getting a hearing scheduled prior to the Thanksgiving recess was an accomplishment as well.”
Another hearing will take place just one day after, on Friday, November 18th. The U.S. House Subcommittee for Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade will hold an internet gaming hearing first thing in the morning – 9 AM ET. A strong online poker supporter Rep. Barney Frank is among those to attend the hearing.
“These hearings are hard evidence of the great work the poker community has been doing to ensure lawmakers hear from us,” continued Muny in his appeal to the American poker community. “I thank everyone for taking the steps necessary to ensure our elected representatives understand that we poker enthusiasts will not back down and will not simply go away!”
The PPA vice president of player relations also encourages poker players all over the country to support the Alliance by reacting to the latest news and events related to online poker legalization as well as letting their representatives in Washington know that millions of people in the United States are waiting for them to take action and pass the online gambling regulation bill.
You can find out all the latest information about the PPA's attempts to fight for poker legislation by visiting some of the biggest poker forums and communities available online – the Two Plus Two forum (http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/57/poker-legislation/thursday-action-lets-all-do-our-part-support-todays-senate-poker-hearing-1037109/), PocketFives (http://www.pocketfives.com/f10016/thursday-action-lets-all-do-our-part-support-todays-senate-poker-hearing-639192/), Deuces Cracked and The Donkey Farm. Muny also took the time to talk to Short Stacked Radio last Tuesday – you can listen to the whole interview in episode #51 of the show which also covered the 2011 WSOP final table.
You should stayed tuned to PokerWorks.com as well, for all the latest legal action concerning online poker in the United States and its progress in the aim of becoming a legal and regulated business.