New FairPlayUSA Members Add Governmental Experience, Credibility

FairPlayUSA, an organization that is working to advance the regulation of online poker at the federal level in the United States, has announced some new prominent names that will be supporting their cause, further bolstering efforts to push forward online gambling legislation.

The new additions to the organization are both individuals who held prominent positions in governmental security and law enforcement. Former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and former FBI Director Louis Freeh are both well-respected in Washington, D.C., and both believe that regulation is the correct path for the US government when it comes to online poker.

"The fact is there are millions and millions of people playing the game today," said Ridge. "Prohibition hasn't worked, criminalization doesn't make a lot of sense. The alternative is to encourage Congress, with the right input from the law enforcement community, consumer protection advocates, child safety advocates, professional players, to develop a regulatory scheme to enable law enforcement to oversee lawful Internet poker."

FairPlayUSA joins the Poker Players Alliance as prominent groups attempting to work for passage of a federal-level online poker bill in the United States. While the PPA primarily represents poker players and their interests, FairPlay USA is an industry-founded group. Organized by Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts, the group is likely to favor an online poker bill that would include protections that allow American companies to operate online poker rooms in the USA. While some have questioned whether FairPlayUSA would have the best interests of players in mind when lobbying, most observers seem to feel that in this case, the interests of the industry and players are well-aligned.

Several different online poker bills have been proposed, and many members of Congress have expressed interest in supporting such legislation. However, no bills have reached the floor of either house for a full vote.