Internet Poker Licensing Bill Introduced In Senate

U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) introduced a bill to establish licensed Internet poker in the U.S. and provide American consumers with the vast benefits of a clear regulatory system.

The bill, S. 3616, is the first to focus primarily on poker. According to the Poker Players Alliance, S. 3616, is landmark legislation for the poker community and sets the stage for the next Congress and new Administration to enact sound public policy in the area of Internet poker.

The Poker Players Alliance (PPA), with more than one million members nation-wide, commended Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) for introducing S. 3616, the Internet Skill Game Licensing and Control Act.

“This action by Senator Menendez is yet another example that prohibitions on Internet gambling, and specifically poker, will not work to protect consumers,” said PPA Chairman and Former Senator Alfonse D’Amato. “The PPA has long advocated for thoughtful and effective licensing and regulation of online poker as a means to protect vulnerable communities, such as children and compulsive gamblers, and provide appropriate controls to thwart consumer fraud and abuse. Senator Menendez’s legislation is the right vehicle to achieve those goals.”

Key provisions of the bill include:

* Thorough vetting of potential licensees;
* Mandatory implementation of technologies to protect against underage gambling and to monitor and detect individuals with excessive gaming habits;
* High standards to thwart fraud and abuse of customers;
* Regulation to prevent money laundering; and,
* Processes to prevent tax avoidance.

The full text of the bill can be found at http://www.pokerplayersalliance.org/.