Online Poker Ranked As Top Tech Issue By Americans
Americans have voiced their opinions on important issues via the White House Citizen's Briefing book and legalizing online poker was voted as the top technology issue by the American people.
The President Barack Obama is known to have a penchant for a casualpoker game and after over 100 days into his presidency, he will be
faced with the issue of legalizing online poker.
Americans have been asked to voice their opinions on important issues
through the White House Citizen's Briefing Book and the issue of
legalizing online poker ranked as the top technology issue by the
American people. In the grand scheme
of all categories and issues, which include the environment and health
care, legal online poker was ranked 11th.
The final copy of the White House Citizen's Book was released on May
12. There were over 44,000 policy proposals submitted by approximately
125,000 users on the Change.gov website and more than 1.4 million votes
were registered. The entry that ranked poker so high was written by an
online poker player Aaron Huertas from Washington D.C., as he submitted
the following:
"Let online poker players in the United States play legally
and without fear of prosecution. Reform the Unlawful Internet Gambling
Enforcement Act to exempt poker, a game of skill, from the law. Boost
the economy by letting Americas companies and American players make
money and pay taxes instead of sending online poker business offshore.
Protect online poker players by regulating the industry to ensure that
no one is ever cheated."
PPA Executive Director John Pappas commented:
"Poker players around the country are speaking with one voice
to protect the game they love, and the White House is hearing that
message. The popularity of online poker continues to grow, and the fact
that poker is the top technology issue - and the 11th issue in overall
- proves that this is nota niche issue, but a national public policy
that this Congress and this president should advance this year."
The UIGEA currently makes it illegal for financial institutions to handle money transactions between US citizens and online gambling sites. Massachusetts Democrat Barney Frank has proposed the new bill that will try to reverse this act and so open the online gaming world. With the Americans voicing their support to this cause, Obama and his Administration will find it hard to move forward before solving the issue.
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