Ban online gambling online Poker carve out

Senator Harry Reid of Nevada is all set to prohibit online gaming. He also plans to dispose of the Wire Act in 2015.

At the same time, he plans on carving exclusion – online poker. The Senator is a former chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission and has never been in support of internet gambling however supports the thought of legal online Poker. He prepared a bill – Reid/Kyle Bill in the year 2012, however failed to push it through.

Reid told the Las Vegas Review-Journal this week that there will be a new push for a federal ban in the year 2015. He suggested that there may be steps taken to legalize Poker. He is of the view that online gaming is bad for children and an invitation to cyber crime.

Industry observers suggest that the political alliance between Reid and Sheldon Adelson Las Vegas Sands Chairman may push the Restoration of America’s Wire Act RAWA , legislation. To this Reid stated there will be no push for the legislation in the lame duck session of Congress.

Poker Players Alliance PPA lobbied for the interest of the American Poker players once supported Senator Reid’s campaign to establish exclusion for Online Poker. They have now revised their stand and would oppose such legislation, as they believe that the success of Online Poker is based on other forms of internet gaming. If there is a ban on internet gaming Poker will not thrive let alone survive. PPA executive Director John Pappas also stated that investment as well as interest in online gaming would shrink the US market considerably. If the interest of Poker players is to be protected they shall fight for it. However, the online gaming model based on ‘Poker-only’ in US will not benefit players in the long run.