General
- Can Internet Gambling Be Effectively Regulated? Managing the Risks – Malcolm K. Sparrow (12/2/09)
- Who Plays Poker? – PPA (2009)
- Games of Skill and Games of Chance: Poker as a Game of Skill – PPA (2009)
Federal
- Talking Points: Regulated I-Gaming Provides Strong Consumer Protections and Federal Enforcement
- Talking Points For S. 1597, The Internet Poker And Games Of Skill Regulation, Consumer Protection, And Enforcement Act Of 2009 Introduced By Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ)
- Talking Points: The Benefits of Regulating Internet Poker and HR 2267
- Poker Players Alliance Response to the FBI Letter to Chairman Bachus – PPA (2009)
State
- Talking Points for California Regulation of Internet Poker
- Florida Regulation of Internet Poker
- What does “intra-state” Poker Mean for You as a Poker Player
General
Title: Can Internet Gambling Be Effectively Regulated? Managing the Risks – Malcolm K. Sparrow (12/2/09)
Excerpt:
This study was commissioned by Wired Safety, an Internet Safety and Educational charity. It examines a range of harms potentially associated with online gambling, and alternative methods for mitigating or minimizing them. Recognizing that the current U.S. prohibitionist regime with respect to online gambling is largely ineffective in achieving its aims, and provides no platform or opportunity for the implementation of most of the relevant harm-reduction strategies, we find that an alternative regime of legalization and regulation of online gambling would likely improve consumer welfare and protections.
Title: Who Plays Poker? – PPA (2009)
Excerpt:
Quick Facts: More than an estimated 55 million Americans play poker. Of those, an estimated 15 Million Americans play on-
line poker for money. And who are these poker players? A recent survey of PPA Members found:
- More than 72% of PPA Members have at least some college education.
- More than 75% of PPA Members are between 30-64 years of old.
- 47% of PPA Members earn more than $50,000 a year.
- More than 30% of PPA Members are Independents.
Title: Games of Skill and Games of Chance: Poker as a Game of Skill – PPA (2009)
Excerpt:
The Poker Players Alliance is a nonprofit organization whose members are poker players and enthusiasts from around the United States. The Alliance works to protect the legal rights of poker players and advocates rational gaming laws at the state and federal level. In this White Paper, the Alliance describes the role that skill plays in determining the outcome of a game of poker, and offers an overview of the scientific studies that address that question. This paper devotes particular attention to Texas Hold’em, the most popular poker game and the one to which the most study has been devoted.
Title: Talking Points: Regulated I-Gaming Provides Strong Consumer Protections and Federal Enforcement
Excerpt:
- Internet gambling and p2p online poker in the United States is common, despite federal and state laws aimed at combating it. For example, an estimated 10 million Americans played p2p online poker for money
- This federally unregulated activity takes place in the absence of any U.S.-established consumer protections, fair play standards and financial transparency.
- A recent study concluded that the legalization and regulation of online gambling would offer significant improvements to consumer welfare and protections related to key risk factors, including: gambling by minors; problem gambling; fraud by operators and players; money laundering by
operators and players; organized crime; violation of jurisdictional prohibitions.
Federal
Title: Talking Points For S. 1597, The Internet Poker And Games Of Skill Regulation, Consumer Protection, And Enforcement Act Of 2009 Introduced By Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ)
Excerpt:
- Millions of Americans play online poker every day.
- Poker has exploded onto the national stage. You can watch poker on several different television networks, including NBC, ESPN and the Travel Network.
- Implementing sound regulation means that law-abiding citizens won’t get caught up playing poker with organizations that are not regulated and not accountable.
- The current system has to change. Law-abiding citizens need to know that they can be protected from unscrupulous operators.
Title: Talking Points: The Benefits of Regulating Internet Poker and HR 2267
Excerpt:
- Internet poker is a worldwide phenomenon which has continued to grow for more than a decade. It is estimated that approximately 10 to 15 million Americans play Internet poker with some regularity.
- Internet poker has created thousands of online communities dedicated to discussing poker playing strategies, sharing news and information about poker and related games and other forums of free and open expression.
- Wagering on Internet poker is separate and distinct from traditional forms of casino gambling. In poker, individuals compete against each other based on their own skill levels, and not the house (as in roulette, bingo, or sports wagering). This is truly a peer-to-peer, almost social networking, environment.
Title: Poker Players Alliance Response to the FBI Letter to Chairman Bachus – PPA (2009)
Excerpt:
Shawn Henry, Assistant Director of the Cyber Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, recently sent a response to Congressman Spencer Bachus regarding Internet poker. The PPA takes issue with certain representations made by Mr. Henry, but believes that the larger point is the more important one: Mr. Henry’s letter makes a compelling case for licensing and regulation
of Internet poker as proposed in H.R. 2267.
State
Title: Talking Points for California Regulation of Internet Poker
Excerpt:
- Yes. Internet poker is a worldwide phenomenon which is already highly controlled through appropriate government oversight and regulation.
- Reputable regulatory regimes such as the United Kingdom, Alderney, Isle of Man, and Italy set a very high barrier to be licensed to operate an Internet poker site. Because of the unique characteristics of the internet space, regulation of online games can be accomplished thoroughly and
efficiently. In fact, this oversight is even more stringent and controlled than regulated brick and mortar casinos in the U.S.
- It is estimated that more than 1,000,000 Californians have active online poker accounts with operators who are regulated overseas. These residents would greatly benefit from the additional protections state regulation can provide.
Title: Florida Regulation of Internet Poker
Excerpt:
- Yes. Internet poker is a worldwide phenomenon which is already highly controlled through appropriate government oversight and regulation.
- Reputable regulatory regimes such as the United Kingdom, Alderny, Isle of Man and Italy set a very high barrier to be licensed to operate an Internet poker site. Because regulation of online games can be done so thoroughly and efficiently, this oversight is even more stringent and controlled than regulated brick and mortar casinos in the U.S. states.
- It is estimated that more than 600,000 Floridians have active online poker accounts with operators who are regulated overseas. These residents would greatly benefit from the additional protections state regulation can provide.
Title: What does “intra-state” Poker Mean for You as a Poker Player
Excerpt:
What does “intra-state” poker mean? Today, when you play online poker you compete with other individuals from across the United States and the world. Essentially you are part of a multi-million person global network of poker players. Under the “intra-state” model being pushed in states across the country, your play would be limited to only residents within the state you live. Ultimately, this means fewer players, fewer games, fewer stakes/limits and less opportunity for you to play poker how you want, when you want.
