Online Poker Advocates Try Another Hand

Online poker advocates in Washington are renewing efforts to legalize the game in the United States in the wake the indictment of the owners of three of the largest internet gaming companies. In April, the Justice Department charged the owners of PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, and Absolute Poker with bank fraud and gambling charges, The Washington Post reports.

Since the indictments, the Poker Players Alliance has renewed a push to legalize the industry in America. The group, which receives backing from overseas gaming interests, has garnered increasing support from Nevada casinos. The alliance is highlighting the potential billions in tax revenue that legalization would bring, the Post reported.

Poker Players Alliance’s John Pappas said, “We’re trying our best to make lemonade out of the lemons. I think now more than ever, people realize that the status quo is not going to work. We need legislative clarity so that there is a U.S. regulated marketplace for poker,” the Post reported.

Internet gambling essentially was barred under 2006 legislation that prohibits banks or other financial institutions from processing online gaming transactions. The companies involved in the April 15 indictments are offshore, the Post reported.