BTW, this is the press release from the Poker alliance:
Poker Players Alliance Applauds Chairman Frank on Introducing
Sensible Internet Gambling BillGroup Says Legislation Provides a Better Alternative than Outright Ban
Washington D.C. (April 26, 2007) – The Poker Players Alliance (PPA),
a grassroots organization of more than 400,000 poker-playing members,
supports House Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank’s
introduction of sensible Internet gambling legislation.“Congressman Frank’s bill is a common sense approach to Internet
gambling,” said Senator Alfonse D’Amato, PPA Chairman of the
Board. “Licensing and regulation will allow us to sort out the most
responsible sites—those who are good corporate citizens—from those
engaged in unscrupulous activities and practices. This legislation
creates common sense public policy that establishes real safeguards,
protecting minors and problem gamblers while allowing the majority of
adults to enjoy poker and other games online.”Chairman Frank’s bill will define a set of criteria by which banks
and financial institutions will be allowed to process funds to and
from Internet gambling sites that meet strict licensing and
regulations. Such criteria would include requirements that sites
operate state of the art age verification software, programs to help
problem gamblers, and other technological requirements. In addition,
companies would be subject to affirmative monetary controls to detect
and stop money laundering activities.“Americans have played poker throughout history. Playing poker on
the Internet is simply an example of an American tradition evolving
into the 21sttcentury,” continued D’Amato.“The age verification technology that exists today to keep kids off
of poker sites was non-existent years ago. The time is now to license
and regulate operators and allow U.S. poker sites to compete with off-
shore ones. The Internet poker genie is out of the bottle; you
cannot put it back. The United Kingdom successfully regulates
Internet gambling and with this bill we can too.”Last October, Congress approved and the President signed the Safe
Ports Act, legislation that included the Unlawful Internet Gambling
Enforcement Act. As a result of the plan, banks and credit card
companies are required to monitor all financial transactions of its
customers and block payments to online gambling sites. In addition,
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are forced to deny access to gaming
sites all together. While outlawing Internet poker, the legislation
exempts other forms of online gambling such as horse racing, fantasy
sports, and state lotteries.Michael Bolcerek, President of the PPA adds, “As opposed to driving
the entertainment activities of millions of Americans underground,
which the ban unintentionally does, Chairman Frank’s legislation will
add greater visibility to this area and better address social and
financial concerns.”