November 27th, 2009
By Poker Players Alliance
Washington, DC - The Poker Players Alliance (PPA), the leading poker
grassroots advocacy group with more than one million members nationwide, today
applauded the six month delay of the implementation of the Unlawful Internet
Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) regulations. The Federal Reserve and
Department of Treasury today extended the deadline for UIGEA enforcement until
June 1, 2010, which is the result of a petition
filed by the PPA, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and the American
Greyhound Track Operators Association. The groups filed the petition for
an extension in order to give lawmakers and financial institutions more time to
clarify definitions contained in UIGEA, as well as develop policies and
procedures to ensure compliance with the law.
"The PPA is extremely pleased with the decision by the Federal Reserve and
Treasury to grant the six month extension. This is a great victory for
poker, but an even greater victory for advocates of good and fair public
policy," said PPA Chairman and former Senator Alfonse D'Amato.
"These additional months are critical to provide legislators time to
clarify UIGEA and pass legislation to license and regulate poker early next
year. It is our hope that another extension would be granted should the
deadline approach before these pieces of legislation can be passed."
Concerns about the vague language contained in UIGEA, and the resulting
challenge of enforcing the law, have been raised by the banking and gambling
communities since the law was passed in 2006. PPA members have been, and
continue to be, contacting their members of Congress via phone, email and
visits to urge clarification of the UIGEA regulations. In fact, over 300,000
letters alone have been sent to members of Congress by PPA members.
Given the significant struggles of banks over the past few years, deputizing
them to enforce a poorly written and overly vague law would add to their
already heavy burden. To this end, several leading banks and financial
services groups also expressed their support of a delay with the Federal
Reserve and Department of Treasury.
Delaying implementation of the UIGEA regulations, which were pushed through by
the previous Administration at the eleventh hour, will give Congress time to
clarify the law to give clearer direction to the banks and those impacted by
UIGEA.
While pleased with the delay, the PPA remains committed to passing legislation
to license and regulate online poker. UIGEA does not provide protections
for underage and compulsive gamblers - the licensing and regulation proposed in
legislation such as Chairman Barney Frank's H.R.
2267 and Senator Robert Menendez's S.
1597 would protect these vulnerable communities. A hearing
will be held December 3rd in the House Financial Services
Committee on Chairman Frank's bill.
"PPA is continuing its efforts to urge members of Congress to implement
thoughtful and effective regulation of the online poker as opposed to outright
prohibitions, which history has shown do not work," said D'Amato. "We
are thankful to our co-petitioners the National Thoroughbred Racing Association
and the American Greyhound Track Operators Association and for the dozens of
members of Congress who voiced their support for this petition through letters
to Secretary Geithner and Chairman Bernanke. The PPA looks forward to
working with regulators and legislators to pass legislation that protects
consumers and the great game of poker."
Read the PPA Press Release on the Delay of UIGEA
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