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Opponents of the proposal fear that Barton’s controversial bill — which has lingered in the U.S. House for more than a year may find movement now that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
has sought to push the measure forward in the lame duck session of congress.
“We see this bill as the camel’s nose under the tent — a beginning point for gambling online,” said Jack Ballou, a board member of the anti-gambling Stop Predatory Gambling-Texas group and an Arlington resident.
“Poker is the all American game and Texas Hold’em is a natural for Texans to play,” Barton said. “In fact, I learned to play in Boy Scouts. It is a game of skill, not one of chance.”
Barton’s proposal has drawn a variety of sponsors form both parties as well as support from the poker-playing industry.
Recently, Reid has talked about a bill that would ban all types of online gambling except for Internet poker. His proposal also would let state and tribal lotteries sell online tickets
something else gambling critics oppose.
The Stop Predatory Gambling-Texas group sent Barton a letter this week asking him to back off the bill.
“The reality is that Texans, and Americans broadly, will continue to play online poker whether federal lawmakers pass legislation or not.
That won’t change,” said Matt Allen, Texas’ assistant state director for the Poker Players Alliance. “What can change is passage of thoughtful legislation to protect consumers
both those who play, like the tens of thousands of Texans who enjoy online poker, and those who shouldn’t be playing, like problem gamblers and minors.
SOURCE
has sought to push the measure forward in the lame duck session of congress.
“We see this bill as the camel’s nose under the tent — a beginning point for gambling online,” said Jack Ballou, a board member of the anti-gambling Stop Predatory Gambling-Texas group and an Arlington resident.
“Poker is the all American game and Texas Hold’em is a natural for Texans to play,” Barton said. “In fact, I learned to play in Boy Scouts. It is a game of skill, not one of chance.”
Barton’s proposal has drawn a variety of sponsors form both parties as well as support from the poker-playing industry.
Recently, Reid has talked about a bill that would ban all types of online gambling except for Internet poker. His proposal also would let state and tribal lotteries sell online tickets
something else gambling critics oppose.
The Stop Predatory Gambling-Texas group sent Barton a letter this week asking him to back off the bill.
“The reality is that Texans, and Americans broadly, will continue to play online poker whether federal lawmakers pass legislation or not.
That won’t change,” said Matt Allen, Texas’ assistant state director for the Poker Players Alliance. “What can change is passage of thoughtful legislation to protect consumers
both those who play, like the tens of thousands of Texans who enjoy online poker, and those who shouldn’t be playing, like problem gamblers and minors.
SOURCE
