The Poker Players Alliance fires back

[Fonzi]

Washington, DC (October 1, 2007) ? Earlier today, the Department of the Treasury and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System announced the release of a joint proposed rule to implement the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. While the Poker Players Alliance (PPA) is still fully reviewing the proposed rule a cursory review reveals that the NPRM continues down the misguided path set forth by the Unlawful Internet Gambling and Enforcement Act signed into law last year. The PPA has released the following statement:

"Poker players, the American banking community, and anyone who values Internet and personal freedoms should be troubled by this intrusive rule. Deputizing private U.S. financial institutions to determine what are lawful and unlawful transactions will lead to the monitoring and blocking of the personal and lawful financial transactions of many of their customers who wish to play games of skill, like poker, on the internet. This seems more like the actions of Iran than the USA. We are hopeful that sensibility will prevail before these rules are finalized," said PPA Chairman, former U.S. Senator Alfonse D'Amato. "Congress should act immediately to pass legislation which will effectively regulate Internet poker and provide the proper safeguards to prevent minors from participating in Internet gaming, preserve states' rights and ensure privacy and security of online transactions," he added.

The PPA encourages anyone who is concerned by this government overreach into our personal decisions to voice their concerns during the 90 comment period provided under the rules. Comments can be made by going to https://pokerplayersalliance.org/new...le.php?DID=293