Republicans Hold Field Hearing on Online Gambling Bill

Led by Rep. Jim Leach (R-Iowa), with an appearance by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) the meeting featured speakers who opposed the online gambling ban, as well as those who were in favor of the bill, known as House Resolution 4411, and called the Internet Gambling Prohibitition and Enforcement Act (IGPENA). The meeting has no bearing on the pending Senate version of the bill, however, because it is simply a fact finding tool for use by the House.
 
NFL Issues

Sources said Merton Hanks, the National Football League ‘s (NFL) senior manager of football operations and a former University of Iowa football player, testified at the hearing, voicing concerns about the impact of the popularity of online gambling with college athletes.

However, Rep. Jon Porter (R-Nev.) sent a letter to Rep. Leach – opposing the bill. That missive was read by an aide to Rep. Leach during the hearing.  Rep. Porter said a ban of online gambling would be ineffective, and that a committee should seek to study Internet gaming before Congress acts to pass any laws for or against it.

Others voiced opposition to the bill too, including Michael Bolcerek, president of the Poker Players Alliance (PPA), a grassroots organization of more than 100,000 members. Bolcerek said Congress should focus on more vital issues – like lowering gas prices for consumers.

"The Poker Players Alliance supports an open dialogue to discuss this issue,” said Bolcerek. “At the same time, while millions of poker players across the country care about this issue, we do not believe that Internet poker is of critical importance to the average Iowan. Field hearings focusing on high gas prices, quality education and healthcare, or the escalating war on terror would be a much more appropriate and productive use of taxpayer dollars.”

According to Bolcerek, there are legitimate concerns with underage gambling and problem gambling. But, the prohibition sponsored by Rep. Leach does nothing to address those social concerns. “As it stands the bill makes exemptions for Internet wagers on horse races, lotteries and fantasy sports. This fact is inconsistent with the supposed desire to ban online gambling,” said Bolcerek.  “Americans learned long ago that prohibitions don't work. In fact, prohibiting online poker will only drive the industry underground, essentially creating unregulated online 'speakeasys' for people to play this game of skill.”

 

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Sensible Approach

Bolcerek said a “more sensible” approach is to license, regulate and tax this skill game here in the United States, much like we already do with 'brick and mortar' casinos and card rooms.

A recent study sponsored by the PPA reveals that more than $3.3 billion in tax revenue could be raised by the federal government by regulating Internet poker. An additional $1 billion could be gained by the 50 American states.  “Some of this money could be wisely spent on public education about the proper age to gamble and programs to treat problem gamblers, said Bolcerek.