Poker Hearing: Lots of Talk, Little Accomplishment | IXGAMES

Yesterday’s hearing to discuss the future of Poker turned into one major debate regarding the potential legalization of the Poker industry. Various experts took the stand to testify, some were for the regulation of Poker which others were against it. During the course of the hearing, no real progress was made with regards to dissecting the actual text and details included in the two bills up for discussion. Barney Frank made a compelling opening statement in saying “The notion that this Congress should tell millions of adult Americans that we know better than they what they should do with their own money on their own time on their own computers seems to me to be a grave error,” Frank said in his opening statement. Minority member Spencer Bachus responded with an argument against the legalization of gambling stating that “No amount of regulation can begin to protect against this particularly predatory and abusive intrusion into American homes and the harm it is causing our youth,” he said. Despite the minimal progress of the hearing, John Pappas, Director of the Poker Players Alliance feels as though the hearing was a good start. “I think what this hearing did was lay a foundation of record for the issue. The proponents of Internet gambling did a good job. I really think we got the much stronger and compelling arguments. If that’s the best (the opposition) can bring to the table, I feel pretty good about it.” A number of experts in online gambling were given the opportunity to speak including:

• Robert Martin – from the Morongo Band of Mission Indians (tribal chairman)
• Parry Aftab – Executive Director from WiredSafety (non-profit business that protects children from risks on the internet)
• Malcolm K Sparrow – expert brought to testify by WiredSafety
• Keith Whyte – Executive Director from the National Council on Problem Gambling
• Jim Dowling – experience in anti-money laundering previously worked with the IRS Criminal Investigation Division
• Samuel Vallandingham – CEO and VP of The First State Bank
• Michael Brodsky – Executive Chairman from youbet.com