Big Guns Come Out in US for Online Poker

FairPlayUSA, an organization launched earlier this summer to build support for legal online poker, revealed two major signings this week - former FBI director Louis Freeh and former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge.

Boosting online poker's cause

The industry-backed coalition introduced the two men at just the right time. With the aftermath of Black Friday is still in the air and allegations about Full Tilt Poker dominating headlines, Freeh and Ridge will help put the case that federal regulation of online poker is good for consumers and authorities.

Ridge pointed out at a press conference in Washington, DC, that there are already millions of people playing the game in the United States today. He said, "Congress in 2006 decided to prohibit all Internet gambling. Was it well intentioned? Yes. Has it been effective? With respect to those who thought they were doing the right thing by banning it, the answer is unequivocally, 'no'."

Fair play for all

Fair PlayUSA is a strong coalition for legal online gambling, with funding from rival Vegas casino companies Caesars Entertainment Inc. and MGM Resorts International. FairPlay officials say they are building a coalition of all groups in favor of federal legislation to define online gambling and to provide protection they say won't be possible if each state enacts its own laws.

We wish them good luck!