On March 15th, the House Financial Services Committee passed a bill introduced by Representatives Jim Leach (R-IA) and Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) that would make it illegal for Internet gambling sites to accept financial transactions like credit cards, checks, wire transfers and electronic fund transfers.
The point of this bill is to stifle Internet poker, denying online rooms important conduits of money and essentially killing gaming sites at their root. The bill is headed to the House floor for debate and although there are no assurances that the bill will even make it to a vote, it's still a serious attack on the millions who view online poker as their recreational right.
This isn't the first time a bill like this has come before Congress. In fact, this isn't even the first time this particular bill has seen the House floor. Certain legislators have tried to ban Internet gambling (poker included) since 1997. So far they haven't succeeded, but as long as there is a moral perch to preach from, the attempts will continue.
There is something players can do to help preserve the game. Thanks to the Poker Players Alliance (PPA), all poker players now have a voice in Washington D.C. The PPA is a non-profit organization run solely on membership fees and donations, boasting a membership total of more than 20,000 players. The goal for the end of 2006 is to have 100,000 members, a number that would give the group serious clout when it's decision time on poker legislation.
I recently joined the PPA. After winning an online tournament, I was given the option of donating $25 of my winnings to the PPA. I was hesitant at first because I like my winnings, but after reviewing the PPA site
http://www.pokerplayersalliance.org and getting some answers to my questions, I believe the group is viable and important for the game's future..
