FairPlayUSA For American Online Poker Players
July 28, 2011 8:53 amA new lobbying organisation has arrived on the scene, with the aim of helping in the struggle to legislate and regulate online gaming in the US, while also educating lawmakers as to the failings of the current laws.
FairPlayUSA is based in Washington D.C., and the lobby group is comprised of interested parties from across the whole spectrum of the online gaming industry, including law enforcement officials, consumer protection experts, poker players and commercial gaming companies.
Already listed amongst their members is the former Governor of Pennsylvania Tom Ridge, the 2004 WSOP Main Event winner Greg Raymer, and the Executive Director of online safety organisation WiredSafety.org, Parry Aftab.
The new lobby group’s website can now be found at www.FairPlayUSA.com, and also houses a petition in which supporters are encouraged to call on Congress and make their thoughts known. The website is seen as key in helping to galvanise the coalition and as Executive Director of FairPlayUSA, Marisa McNee explains:
“The website and online petition will be the focal point for recruiting and organizing supporters who will actively engage and make their voices heard by members of Congress. Outreach will be directed toward law enforcement officials, those who support Internet consumer safety, and online poker’s strongest asset – the millions of Americans who enjoy online poker.”
Interestingly, a list of ten principles are presented on the site that FairPlayUSA holds crucial for the advancement of online gaming.
As well as the introduction of a ‘regulatory framework for licensing and enforcement of online poker’ other principles listed are more concerned with consumer protection and include ensuring players’ deposits are held in escrow accounts, and technological safeguards are put in place to ensure games are fair and honest.
One of the principles suggested even states that licensed operators should be required ‘to offer state-of-the-art problem gambling controls that give players the option to limit their wagers, deposits, losses, and playing time.’
In the meantime, the Poker Players Alliance has added their support to the formation of FairPlayUSA, and the two lobbying groups are now likely to pool their resources in the future.