John A. Pappas, executive director of the Poker Players Alliance (PPA), a leading poker grassroots advocacy organization with 1.2 million members nationwide and more than 90,000 in California, issued the following statement today urging lawmakers to reject the proposed amendment to AB 2863, a bill aimed at licensing and regulating online poker. These proposed amendments would limit competition and make players unhappy. In addition, the amendments would make AB 2863 less likely to pass.

"We are extremely disappointed that Speaker Adam Gray chose to play politics on a demand of special interests. The proposed amendments threaten to ruin the iPoker bill, which we and our lawmakers have supported for years. Since the internet poker debate began in California nearly a decade ago, the PPA has been the only consistent voice calling on lawmakers to authorize and regulate internet poker. During this time, our message has been consistent: protect consumers and promote competition. Unfortunately, some of the amendments proposed by Speaker Gray undermine this principle.

A last-minute introduction of the so-called "bad actors" amendment would, in reality, be only an anti-competitive measure to keep Amaya/PokerStars and their Californian tribes and cardroom partners out of regulated markets. While some have argued that the bill is a temporary five-year ban, a review of the proposed amendments reveals it is in effect a lifetime ban. This raises serious constitutional questions about whether a bill with the phrase could be enacted, assuming it could pass clear dissent. Above all, it threatens to prolong the time for consumers to wait for regulated online poker in California.

In addition, the purpose of these amendments was flawed. Excluding Amaya/PokerStars will be detrimental for several reasons. California consumers will be left without one of the most trusted and popular online poker brands in the world. For years, California companies have been waiting for PokerStars and its proven technology to return. Their presence in the market has increased competition, raising the bar for all operators to offer consumer-led products. This is the latest in New Jersey. If the amendments become law, they will be permanently left on the sidelines by the most experienced operators who have protected online consumers, from preventing underage access and easing problem gambling to anti-collusion and anti-money laundering measures. This will be a loss not only for consumers but for the entire state.

The PPA believes that no one should be qualified to operate Internet poker in California. We believe that certification for operating Internet poker is a privilege that should be obtained through a strong vetting process, and questions of suitability should be left to an independent California state game regulator. Legislating the "bad actor" provision would prevent regulators from playing such an independent role.    동행복권파워볼

We urge Speaker Gray and other members of Congress to pass a bill that would authorize Internet poker. We want an iPoker market that is strong, safe, open, and competitive. It is the best outcome for California consumers."