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WASHINGTON, D.C. - John Pappas, executive director of the Poker Players Alliance (PPA), the leading poker grassroots advocacy group with more than one million members nationwide, issued the following statement in response to the National Fraternal Order of Police’s letter urging Congress to oppose a Federal ban on Internet gambling. The letter notes that, “a Federal prohibition is irresponsible and will severely hinder our efforts to combat unlawful activity on the Internet.”
“The Fraternal Order of Police’s letter clearly demonstrates to Congress that a licensed and regulated online poker market is undoubtedly more effective than prohibition as a means to protect consumers from fraud, identity theft or criminal activity. A federal ban would only serve to drive online poker and other forms of online gambling underground where law enforcement has no authority to protect consumers from corruption.
The states have already proven that online gaming can be appropriately regulated and in fact have greater controls than brick-and-mortar casinos. It’s time for Congress to either step up and create a safe and regulated online poker environment for all Americans or step aside and allow the states to precede in doing so for their respective citizens.”
