John A. Pappas, executive director of the Poker Players Alliance (PPA), a leading poker grassroots advocacy group with 1.2 million members nationwide and more than 90,000 members in California, released the following statement today urging lawmakers to reject proposed amendments to AB 2863, a bill meant to authorize and regulate online poker. These proposed amendments would limit competition and make players dissatisfied. In addition, these amendments would make AB 2863 less likely to pass.

 

"We are extremely disappointed that Chairman Adam Gray has chosen to play politics according to the demands of his special interests. The proposed amendments threaten to destroy the iPoker Act, which we and our lawmakers have advocated for years. Since the Internet poker debate began in California nearly a decade ago, the PPA has been the only consistent voice urging lawmakers to authorize and regulate Internet poker. During this time, our message has been consistent: to protect consumers and promote competition. Unfortunately, some of Gray's proposals undermine this principle.

 

 

A last-minute introduction of the so-called "bad actor" amendment would, in reality, be nothing more than an anti-competitive step by which Amaya/PokerStars and their Californian tribes and cardroom partners would be barred from the regulated market. Furthermore, some argue that the bill is a temporary ban for five years, but review of the proposed amendments reveals that it is in fact a lifetime ban. This raises serious constitutional questions and raises questions about whether a bill with the phrase can be enacted, assuming it could pass clear dissent. Above all, they threaten to prolong the time for consumers waiting for regulated online poker in California.

 

In addition, the objectives of the amendments themselves were flawed. Excluding Amaya/PokerStars would be detrimental for a number of reasons. California consumers would be without one of the most trusted and popular online poker brands in the world. For years, California businesses have been waiting for PokerStars and its proven technology to return. Their presence in the marketplace has increased competition, raising the bar for all businesses to offer consumer-driven products. This is the latest in New Jersey. If the amendments become law, they would permanently be on the sidelines of businesses with the most experience protecting online consumers, from preventing underage access and mitigating problem gambling to anti-collusion and m  oney laundering measures. This would be a loss not only for consumers but for the entire state of California.  슬롯사이트 순위

 

We do not believe that PPA should grant anyone the right to operate Internet poker in California. We believe that certification for the operation of Internet poker is a privilege that must be acquired through a robust vetting process, and that questions of suitability should be left to independent California gaming regulators. Legislating the "bad actors" clause would prevent regulators from fulfilling such an independent role.

 

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