[Steve Ruddock]

The Poker Players Alliance (PPA), and its 1,000,000 members will be pushing congress hard this session: With plans to spend upwards of $3 million to help repeal the current legislation against internet poker.

At issue is the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, which Congress passed at the end of 2006.

At least half the $16 billion Internet gambling industry, which is largely hosted on overseas sites, is estimated to be fueled by bettors in the United States. The PPA believes the government should legalise and regulate the industry.

In the last congressional session, the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee pushed unsuccessfully to repeal the ban. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass. Frank plans to reintroduce the legislation during this session of congress.

The PPA's biggest opposition could come from the NFL, which feels legalized gambling would destroy the integrity of their games. Last year, the league hired a full-time lobbyist and started a political action committee to make campaign donations.

PPA Chairman Alfonse D'Amato, said he had no problem with letting leagues ban betting on their games, but argued that online poker should be legal.

[Steve Ruddock]

[KRE8R]

Wow. Good stuff. Hope they have success!

[youngplayer9]

Get sued by steve-o from jackass and have to change your name?

I hope something happens with this..

[Pinguaq]

Thanks for this Steve. Interesting developments especially in these times of recession. Why not tap into this source of revenue, and provide to legitimacy to what your citizenship is going to do anyway.