Majority oppose US Government position on online poker

11/14/2007

On the eve of a House Judiciary Committee hearing on online gambling, the Poker Players' Alliance has drawn attention to a recent independent survey which shows that Americans are unhappy with the US government's anti-online gambling stance.

According to the poll, conducted by RT Strategies National Omnibus Poll, Americans, by a two to one margin (51 percent - 21 percent) oppose government attempts to ban Internet poker, and strongly support federal regulation of Internet poker as a means to control underage gambling and help problem gamblers.

Full details can be found at: http://pokerplayersalliance.org/pdf/PPA_Poll_102107.pdf

The survey took place between October 18-21, 2007 and involved a sample of 1 000 adults divided almost equally by Republican and Democratic political party preference. Margin for error was calculated at + 3.1.

Today's hearings (see previous InfoPowa report) will be moderated by Congressman John Conyers, chair of the House Judiciary Committee and in the past a proponent of a full Congressional study of the online gambling phenomenon. Diverse experts, including the PPA will address the committee when proceedings start in Washington mid-morning.

"Chairman Conyers hearing is an important step toward educating Congress about the folly of an Internet gaming prohibition," said PPA Chairman, former Senator Alfonse D''Amato. "[Such a ban] won''t work, and it is tremendously bad public policy. Only through proper regulation can we provide the proper safeguards for consumers and generate billions in additional, and much needed, tax revenue for this country."

Hearing Information:

Wednesday, November 14th at 10:00 AM

"Establishing Consistent Enforcement Policies in the Context of Online Wagers"

House Judiciary Committee, 2141 Rayburn House Office Building