Poker Players Decry Attempt to Sneak Internet Gambling Legislation Into DoD Bill

WASHINGTON, Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to reports that Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) is attempting to add Internet gambling prohibition legislation to the Department of Defense (DoD) Authorization bill ("US lawmakers seek online gambling bill compromise," Reuters, Sept. 21), Michael Bolcerek, president of the Poker Players Alliance, a grass roots organization of more than 110,000 members, released the following statement:

"We are strongly opposed to the Internet gambling legislation being included in the DoD Authorization bill. The prohibition bill is tremendously bad public policy, and the way in which some members of the Senate have decided to move it through reeks of political gamesmanship. The issue of Internet gambling has not been given a hearing in the Senate, it has not been debated, in fact, there isn't even a bill introduced. This effort to attach this very controversial and non-germane issue to vital DoD authorization legislation is a disservice to the American public and the men and women in our Armed Forces.

"Prohibitions don't work and the American people know this. That is why a vast majority oppose a ban on online poker. The game of poker is mainstream and enjoyed by millions of Americans. It is 2006 not 1920, the Internet is a part of our daily lives. Let's practice good government that actually protects the family and establish strict regulations and safeguards for on- line poker."

The Poker Players Alliance http://www.pokerplayersalliance.org is a nonprofit organization advocating on behalf of American poker players.

News Added: 24 September, 2006

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