by Rich Muny / Poker Players Alliance, Oct 24, 2012 | 5:59 pm

The big news this week is the release of the draft of the legislation that, if passed into law, will license and regulate online poker in the U.S. This bill, officially titled the “Internet Gambling Prohibition, Poker Consumer Protection, and Strengthening UIGEA Act of 2012” but more often referred to as the “Reid/Kyl bill” after backers Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) and Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ), will potentially see introduction during the lame duck session of Congress (the session immediately following the November elections). I encourage everyone to read the draft here, and Chris Grove’s summary of the bill on QuadJacks Poker News here.

In addition to giving us licensed and regulated poker in the U.S., this bill provides for consumer protections, including mandated segregation of player funds, background checks of providers, and criminal penalties for cheaters. It also provides a real framework for the game. With a solid foundation upon which to build the game, rather than watching online poker degrade each year, we would once again watch our game grow and thrive year after year.

While the bill is largely in its final form, PPA is continuing to negotiate for further improvements. While no one party will get 100% of what they want in this bill, I believe the ultimate bill will meet the needs of the community. Polling on the Two Plus Two forums (here) shows the community strongly in favor of moving this bill forward.

If this bill does pass into law, states will have to opt-in to participate in this new poker market. PPA is prepared for this fight, but we cannot do it alone. I encourage you to keep an eye on the progress of this bill and to keep reaching out to your state representatives to ensure they know you want them to support your right to play!

The PPA has been in recent communications with the Department of Justice to inquire on the status of player repayments of their Full Tilt Poker balances. We have been assured that the Department is working diligently on this matter. In the near future the PPA will be meeting with the DoJ to assess their progress and provide further input and assistance for a streamlined repayment process. Full restitution for the players remains a top priority for the PPA and we are doing all we can to ensure that all players will be treated equitably. We will share more information as it becomes available.

According to US Gaming Survey:

43% of male respondents to the PPA survey reported they were financially ahead (+) lifetime playing online poker while only 24% of women stated the same when paneled. 25% of respondents in both genders acknowledged they were behind (loss) playing online poker.

Proof positive….women are more honest in evaluating their game than men! 🙂

source: The 2012 U.S. Online Poker Survey: Politics & Social Gaming Shape the Future©. Margin of Error (+/-1.74%). www.usgamingsurvey.com.

Upcoming Appearances:

• The Poker Advocacy with Rich Muny webcast on OnTilt Radio airs live Monday, at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT(listen live here). You can follow the program on Facebook at facebook.com/PokerAdvocacy, and on Twitter at @PokerAdvocacy. The show site is ontiltradio.com/ppa.
• Webcast: “PPA Weekly Update” airs live each week at 6:45 pm ET/3:45 pm PT on Fifth Street Radio (listen live here).

Recent Appearances:

• OnTilt Radio: “Poker Advocacy with Rich Muny.” I was joined by PPA Board Member Linda Johnson (10/22) (listen here or on iTunes here).
• Fifth Street Radio: I sat down with Mark Hoke for a great discussion. (10/21) (I come on around time point 0:58:30 of Part 1…listen here).
• Fifth Street Radio: I sat down with Mark Hoke for a great discussion. (10/14) (I come on at time point 0:46:45 of Part 1…listen here).

Interview Archives:

• Poker Advocacy with Rich Muny: show site, show archive, free iTunes download
• Fifth Street Radio PPA Weekly Update: site archive, free iTunes download
• Short Stacked Radio — prior PPA Weekly Updates: site archive