If opponents of online gambling in the United States thought yesterday’s congressional hearing would place the budding industry in a bad light, they are sadly mistaken. The State of Online Gaming hearing went quite well and seemed to be, for the most part, positivity toward the option in the United States. The star of the show was John Pappas, the Executive Director for the Poker Players Alliance, who was well prepared and shined during the congressional hearing.
During Pappas’ testimony, he spoke about the PPA and how the group is a strong advocate for consumer protections and accountability with the online gaming industry. Pappas stated the PPA is a supporter of the H.R. 2666 bill which was created by Congressman Joe Barton. Pappas also went after those who are against online gambling, especially those who are advocates for online poker bans.
The PPA Executive Director provided facts to show how regulation and technology can help to provide a safe environment for online gamblers. Solutions were show for four main issues that advocates for an online poker ban speak out about:
Children’s safety
Identity verification assurance
Problem gambling protection
Deterring criminal activity
Another proponent of online gaming, Geoff Freeman from the American Gaming Association, was at the hearing and stated that online gaming prohibition has not worked and will not work. He testified that American citizens have spent $3 billion on illegal online gaming sites in 2012.
On the opposite side was Andrew Abboud, of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation. Abboud was of course representing Sheldon Adelson of the Sands and testified that Congress should ban all forms of online gambling. Abboud stated that the option is a target to children, is insufficient when it comes to consumer protection and is a resource for problem gamblers.
When Abboud began to speak, many subcommittee members were able to place a rebuttal towards his claims, making a point to state that mobile devices are already being used at properties in Las Vegas operated by the Las Vegas Sands.
Jan Schakowsky is a member of the subcommittee and she pointed out that Abboud was being hypocritical. Joe Barton quickly followed up with how the mobile devices used at the Venetian in Nevada are only slightly different to what he has proposed in his legislation. The difference is only with the geographical area.
The hearing was a success overall, if you are in favor of online gaming in the US. The witnesses, especially John Pappas, were able to spread a positive outlook on the industry.
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