The same could be said about the gaming bill awhile back that is about to pass

My thoughts exactly

Holy christ, you dupes put an Illinois horse lobbyist in as state director?

We should disqualify someone with real connections and knowledge from volunteering?

If you don't like him volunteering, are you willing to volunteer?

A fox would gladly volunteer to guard a henhouse.

That doesn't make it a good idea to give the position to the fox. Even if the one pointing this out do not themselves volunteer for the position.

Rich is right, just because he lobbys for one industry doesn't mean he can't help with another. Having connections definitely helps. That is how this bill was sponsored and even how Pstars was added in to the legislation. Connections.

Also, I am not sure he lobbied for them when he was with PPA?

My post was more about the irony that he asked for "our opinion" and then a week later he was part of the negotiation to take Ipoker out of SB1739. Which was our best chance. Oh and that bill passed out of the Senate yesterday.

I will volunteer. PM me

Our state directors don't guard the hen house, though.

Based solely on his posts ITT, I hope the PPA seriously considers halsted's offer.

They did not

UPDATE ------------

Spoke with a sponsor this weekend:

1) The bill will be called in the Senate this week
2) He expects it to pass the Senate
3) He does not expect it to pass the House
a. He believes they will say "we were not allowed enough time to review it"
4) If it does not pass the house he will try and get it through during veto session (late oct/nov) - This is not likely to work
5) He believes the Gov will sign it, but from the look on his face he seemed about 60% certain of that


Cliffs:

Not great news, bummed. Looking like 10-20% chance now.

Appreciate the update, disappointed in the news. Thanks, anyways.

Outstanding work Sir!

About as much to be expected from IL, F this place im oughta here.

Does anyone know where I could get some "hard" numbers on how many online poker players/poker players play in Illinois? A solid reference?

Preferably 2010 ish data?

I am helping create a talking points/fact sheet for General Assembley

Halsted-

You cant make up stats like everyone else?

What is the hold up in the house? Anything that can be lobbied?

Few problems:

1) They will say they did not have enough time to review it
2) They will see it as "more gambling" expansion. Considering the casino bill will most likely pass both houses

I would really like to have a "real" study to show them..... Anyone?

Oh you mean the PPA isn't already working on that?

Could you expand? How do "they" not accept your offer to volunteer?

Hows this look?

Study from academia.edu click here

Cliff notes:

1) Illinois has a 5.78% market share of US poker revenue
2) Illinois is the 4th highest, of the 50 states, in market share for online poker revenue in the US
3) US online poker market is ~ 1 billion in revenue
4) Illinois contributed 56.2 million to offshore companies during the study
5) Illinois had 68,210 ACTIVE players during the study

The study only shows active players and did not count players who have accounts but did not play during the study, players who play for fun, or players who stopped playing do to the risks of an unregulated market.

Given the often sited and agreed to fact that there are 15 million online poker players players in the US , with a market share of 5.78%, Illinois has roughly 867,000 online poker players.

I would assume NY, Cal and FL are the only ones ahead?

Not Sure if PTR would help you out.

Let me rephrase that.

They did

Congrats!

halsted I sent you a PM with my contact information to discuss what the breakdown in the PPA not accepting your offer to help volunteer.

I look forward to chatting with you about this soon.

Proud to play,

Drew

Drew,

No one said no to Halsted very welcome offer to volunteer. He simply hadn't heard back, partly because I missed the post he made ITT.

I PMed Halsted yesterday and he replied today.