The Poker Players Alliance has published the results of its poll on how it’s over a million members feel about a wider and more liberal sports betting regime than is presently the case in the United States, and whether the Alliance should take up advocacy of sports betting along with poker.
Perhaps predictably, there was an overwhelming majority vote for both in the poll.
The PPA drive comes at a possible turning point in US sports betting history, where for several decades the federal Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act has restricted legal sports betting to just four US states, and single game wagering to just Las Vegas.
Following an initiative in New Jersey in recent years to circumvent or overturn the PASPA, there has been a sea-change in the way sports betting is perceived which has seen even the American Gaming Association support a wider and more liberal approach to the estimated $150-billion-a year business.
Currently the entire industry is awaiting a decision on PASPA from the US Supreme Court following its deliberations on the New Jersey case, with many states already positioning themselves to take full advantage of a possibly more open sports betting regime.
PPA president Rich Mony said in a press release announcing the poll results:
“The survey confirms that there is a solid cross section of the poker community who also enjoy wagering on sporting events. Moreover, there is considerable interest in advocating for sports betting legalization in the states, not only because survey respondents support the policy, but also because they believe that it would bolster efforts to pass legislation authorizing internet poker.”
He added that the poll provided valuable data which would be used to chart the future direction of the Alliance, pointing out that the PPA is in a unique position to help advance sensible sports betting policy at the state and federal level.
“One thing is clear; regardless of how the Supreme Court rules on the constitutionality of PASPA, there will continue to be vigorous debate about sports betting legalization, and consumer voices will be imperative to influencing lawmakers,” Mony said.
“While PPA has primarily fought for the interests of poker players, since 2013 — when iGaming advocacy turned into a state-by-state fight – PPA has advocated for broad-based internet gambling legalization in state capitals and defended against federal efforts to ban internet poker, internet casino gaming, and internet lotteries
“Though it certainly looks like the PPA wants to get involved with lobbying for legalized sports betting and the results of the poll seem to indicate member support, the organization has not made a decision if it will go for it.”
See the complete poll results here