FairPlayUSA discussion

[TheEngineer]

Originally Posted by permafrost

Why couldn't a state get intrastate online poker on their own if they opted-out? Would a fed bill take away state powers over gambling? Wouldn't this fed power grab be hard to pass Congress?

I would not be surprised if legislation were to preclude intrastate online poker. As the main reason for a state to opt out in favor of its own site would be for higher site taxes, that would probably not be a bad outcome for us.

[permafrost]

Originally Posted by FairPlayUSA

Just wanted to take a moment to introduce ourselves. We’re FairPlayUSA, a coalition of poker players, law enforcement officials, consumer protection experts, and companies in the commercial gaming industry. Our goal is to educate policymakers and the public on the need to regulate online poker. Most importantly, we believe it’s time for Congress to make clear that online poker is legal in the U.S., and ensure rigorous consumer protections for the millions of Americans who responsibly enjoy the game.

You mention a "need to regulate", then declare that Congress should make it clear that online poker is already U.S. legal. I don't know of any U.S. legal online poker, but if there is some, I am convinced it is already regulated.

Also, if there is U.S. legal online poker, why do we need Congress to point to it...wouldn't the sites be advertising heavily? Maybe you can subvert the system and just tell the players where to find this site(s).

Elsewhere is a sentence "The status quo is unacceptable. Americans who want to play poker online deserve a strictly regulated, safe industry here in the United States." And we are advised to demand Congress act. Why won't Congress just ignore that and point out, like you asked above,that the status quo includes legal, regulated U.S. online poker?

I'm don't support your "coalition" doing tasks like educating policymakers if you don't make more sense than this. What do I not get?

BTW, how many poker players are in the "coalition"? What is needed to sign up? Fees? Requirements?

[SamuraiPlaya]

I for one would like an open free world market that aligns itself with all other economic trends of the modern world. All modern conventional wisdom says that we are in a "global" economy where it's strength come from interdependency.

Yet with regards to online poker all the proposed legislation seems to close US sites/players off to themselves.

The political hypocrisy of all of this just makes me sick !

[Doc T River]

I have looked all over the FP site and there doesn't seem to be any kind of privacy statement. To what purposes are our email addresses going to be used for?

Also, there doesn't seem to be a way to become a member of FairPlay USA.

[FairPlayUSA]

Originally Posted by permafrost

You mention a "need to regulate", then declare that Congress should make it clear that online poker is already U.S. legal. I don't know of any U.S. legal online poker, but if there is some, I am convinced it is already regulated.

Also, if there is U.S. legal online poker, why do we need Congress to point to it...wouldn't the sites be advertising heavily? Maybe you can subvert the system and just tell the players where to find this site(s).

Elsewhere is a sentence "The status quo is unacceptable. Americans who want to play poker online deserve a strictly regulated, safe industry here in the United States." And we are advised to demand Congress act. Why won't Congress just ignore that and point out, like you asked above,that the status quo includes legal, regulated U.S. online poker?

I'm don't support your "coalition" doing tasks like educating policymakers if you don't make more sense than this. What do I not get?

BTW, how many poker players are in the "coalition"? What is needed to sign up? Fees? Requirements?

I think you may have misread the statement. We are stating that it is "time for Congress to make clear that online poker is legal in the U.S., and ensure rigorous consumer protections for the millions of Americans who responsibly enjoy the game." Not that it is currently legal. Our point is that the current laws are ambiguous.

There are no fees to sign up, simply sign the petition or sign up for email updates if you would like to.

[mpethybridge]

Originally Posted by Doc T River

Also, there doesn't seem to be a way to become a member of FairPlay USA.

I'm not sure why this surprises you; as a rule, grass roots organizations don't want new members.

[PokerXanadu]

Originally Posted by LetsGambool

Players have their own risk tolerances. We can all play on Bodog right now. They've never stiffed a player. They take players from all states. My statement is factually correct.

Bodog announced today that they will be leaving the US market at the end of this year.

[FairPlayUSA]

Originally Posted by mpethybridge

I'm not sure why this surprises you; as a rule, grass roots organizations don't want new members.

We are recruiting supporters - by supporting you have basically become a member of the FairPlay community. You can either sign the petition or join by filling in the top right sign up form.

http://www.fairplayusa.com

[permafrost]

Originally Posted by TheEngineer

I would not be surprised if legislation were to preclude intrastate online poker. As the main reason for a state to opt out in favor of its own site would be for higher site taxes, that would probably not be a bad outcome for us.

Another reason to opt-out would be to save paying the fed an unearned portion of the fees which might leave our outcome the same, except for having regulators nearer at hand and more responsive.

Would this power grab also "preclude" other state online gambling? How about B&M gambling; still state or now fed; and do they get to pay a new fed fee? If this new fed gambling regime wouldn't surprise you, that means enough states want this already; can you explain why they have been so quiet about their desire to relinquish gambling control?

[LetsGambool]

Originally Posted by PokerXanadu

Bodog announced today that they will be leaving the US market at the end of this year.

Bodog brand, only difference to players is it will be called Godob or whatever instead of Bodog. Justin came on and clarified.

[PokerXanadu]

Originally Posted by FairPlayUSA

We are recruiting supporters - by supporting you have basically become a member of the FairPlay community. You can either sign the petition or join by filling in the top right sign up form.

http://www.fairplayusa.com

Oops! I didn't realize that you were going to claim me as a member when I filled out the top right form to "join your email list". I got played.

[DrewOnTilt]

Guys, give them a chance. There are bound to be a few kinks for any recently-launched organization. They are in here soliciting feedback and responding, and for that I give them good credit.

[LetsGambool]

Would also be interested if the PPA would give their views/answer my Qs on whether games should be beatable/pro players possible is necessary to support legislation.

Think the answer is yes, but not certain.

Thanks in advance.

(Feel free to break out into PPA forum if more appropriate)

[Lovesantiques]

I'm with DrewonTilt with this. Too many people in this thread seem to be concerned with how high the rake is going to be! And similar type stuff. Which won't be learnable until legislation (which almost certainly won't detail rake) is passed.

After that, competition and supply and demand will shake out those sites that are good for players from those that aren't.

Let's worry about making on-line poker clearly legal in this country first! Then the rest of the stuff will follow.

Thank you.

Lee

[mpethybridge]

Originally Posted by DrewOnTilt

Guys, give them a chance. There are bound to be a few kinks for any recently-launched organization. They are in here soliciting feedback and responding, and for that I give them good credit.

Why? It's not like they have provided any actual information. We've just been treated to a stream of empty PR-speak platitudes.

I can't help but feel a little sorry for them, though. They came in here with Caesar's typical contempt for players assuming we'd be all "zomg! Greg Raymer! our saviors!" welcoming and they got outed as corporate shills almost immediately.

[ ] FPUSA is a grassroots organization
[ ] FPUSA was ready to deal with 2+2