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WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Poker Players Alliance (PPA), the leading poker grassroots advocacy group with 1.2 million members nationwide and more than 25,000 PPA advocates in Pennsylvania, today applauded the state’s Senate for introducing SB 900, legislation which would allow the licensing and regulation of online poker for state residents.
As part of a larger state gaming package, the online gaming provisions would require that any licensed online poker and casino operator implement strong consumer protection measures including technologies to identify and restrict underage and problem gamblers, as well as geolocation services to ensure players are in the state. The bill would also authorize the state to collect much needed revenue from licensed operators, which is not being collected in the current unregulated market.
“Today the Pennsylvania Senate took an important step toward bringing the great game of poker into the 21st Century and ensuring residents are protected by the most sophisticated online consumer technologies,” said John Pappas, executive director of the PPA. “As the Internet increasingly becomes an integral part of all of our daily lives, Pennsylvania lawmakers are clearly recognizing that more and more Pennsylvanians want the option to enjoy the game of poker online.”
“We do, however, have serious concerns with a provision that requires ‘in person’ registration at a land-based casino in order to play online. This completely undermines the value of the online market to attract new customers that may not visit a brick and mortar casino. There should absolutely be ways for a person visiting a casino to sign up for an online account, but cutting off safe and proven online registrations would be a major barrier to entry for adult players and ultimately damaging to the new industry,” Pappas continued.
The bill’s in-person registration provision does not apply to residents living more than 20 miles away from a land based casino raising further questions about the justification for the provision and the process for enforcement.
“We look forward to working with Pennsylvania legislators to ensure residents can enjoy the benefits of a safe, fair and accessible online poker market in the near future,” Pappas said.
