The American Gaming Association, also known as AGA launched a strong campaign today that was done in an effort to urge the U.S. Congress to pass legislation for online poker. Their goal is to urge U.S. Congress into legalizing and licensing online poker. The actions of AGA urging U.S. Congress into legislation was done for online poker specifically, not for online casinos. Unless the U.S. Congress approves this and provides congressional action, Anyone who engages in online gambling and lives within the United States is at risk. This includes gamblers that enjoy online casinos, gambling addicts, and gaming patrons. U.S. Congress has been very hesitant to support any type of legalization act toward online gambling, but AGA is pushing hard to introduce and pass a bill that would also include an informational video. This video would be in effort to educate lawmakers and stakeholders, as well as to gain attention on social media websites and increase awareness around the issue.
Just last December, the Department of Justice was able to release an opinion that covered the 1961 federal wine act. This opinion only supports sports betting and not other types of online betting, and that is why states across the country have been doing things in order to establish online gambling operations. AGA says that states should have the ability to license and support online poker, but unless the federal government steps in to support some type of minimum standard, this will likely never happen. It also puts all of these gamblers that enjoy online gambling at risk, knowing that there is certain legality issues that are going to affect them. Passing the bill would mean that there is no longer risk and the federal government would support licensing and regulating online poker. After all, poker is a game of skill, it is not necessarily a game of complete gambling. The states that move forward to support the bill would be able to license it, provided that the people vote for.
Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., is president and CEO Of AGA, he released a statement that said, “Without swift congressional action, the U.S. will soon see the largest expansion of legal gambling in its history. And without any federal guidelines in place, the result will almost certainly be inadequate oversight that creates a world of unnecessary risk and problems for law enforcement and U.S. consumers.”
The informational video that is expected to be released will be titled “Stop the Clock.” It is actually available now and you can find it on the AGA YouTube channel. This video promotes the legalization and legislation of online poker and it also promotes the AGA stance on the issue. AGA has actually released a draft of what they want the bill to be, this is titled “The Internet Gambling Prohibition, Poker Consumer Protection and Strengthening UIGEA Act of 2012.”
Further comments from Frank- “Congress must establish federal minimum standards that address consumer protection, prevent underage gambling, promote responsible gaming and provide help for those with gambling problems. It must also provide a regulatory structure allowing for Native American casino operators — who will never agree to be regulated by the states — to be involved, and clarify and restore federal law so that law enforcement communities have the tools necessary to prosecute illegal online gambling operators.”