Anti Internet Gaming Bill Introduced in U.S. Congress - Don't Let the Sky Fall on Poker Again

Since January a draft bill proposing a federal ban of Internet gaming backed by Adelson has been circulating and there have been frequent reports of imminent introduction of the bill in U.S. Congress. This has now become a reality as Congressman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) and U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) yesterday introduced their bipartisan legislation, Restoration of America’s Wire Act,  “to restore long-standing United States policy that the Wire Act prohibits all forms of Internet gambling” (with the single exception of horse-racing).

From the very start of the online gaming regulation process in the U.S. we have been witnessing a mobilization of its opponents, championed and generously funded by the casino magnate Sheldon Adelson. Adelson established the Coalition to Ban Internet Gambling and vowed to do anything in his power to prevent regulation.

Whether or not his vehement attack on online gaming has more to do with manic obsession, with some secret personal feud, or is driven by straightforward business interests, it should not be taken lightly.

One person who cannot, and will not, take this lightly is @Danielle Moon-Andersen, aka dmoongirl, star of the Bet, Raise, Fold documentary that told the pre- and post-  #BlackFriday story of online poker in the United States.

She knows what it is to wake up and find your whole world changed overnight, your funds frozen, your livelihood taken away. Because to Danielle, a young mother of a 6-year old son, “It’s not just a game, it’s my livelihood,” and it’s been that way ever since the day she left her job at a local shoe store and dropped out of college to pursue poker full-time.

"BTW: for those that just don't give a shit about online poker, that's totally fine and understandable. But, don't get caught up in the logistics of WHAT the government is interfering with. Focus on the fact that they continue to interfere more and more on personal freedoms. It might not be your life or interest that's directly impacted this time, but it could be next time.

I'll stop ranting now. For a little while anyway…"

Poker players and industry professionals in Europe should not brush aside the latest developments in the U.S. as we are equally concerned if we ever want to see something like the online poker boom of the 2000s again. The American market is key to worldwide industry growth not only in terms of sheer numbers of potential paying players but also in view of the huge power of the American entertainment & media arsenal.

I, too, will stop ranting now on this final note: #FreeOnlinePoker :)

Stay on RankingHero and read more about Danielle and Sheldon Adelson or share your own #BlackFriday story!