Re: Which Groups *DO NOT* Deserve a Seat on the PPA Board?
Well Bluff, it seems that this is the issue: " It is that longer term where it is *critical* to work on mulitple initiatives, like B&M and intra-state online at the state levels, which will heighten the visibility of the poker issue and help legalize online poker. But with a board majority who not only doesn't benefit from B&M and intra-state online poker, but whose interests can be harmed by legalization of same, then they are in fact harming the longer term chances of online poker. "
This is a debate over tactics, and a stretch in my opinion. Right now, even under the UIGEA, intra-state online poker is possible, yet it does not exist. It does not exist because it is not economically feasible for the private sector, and except for TuffFish's initiative, does not appear on the radar of any state legislature. You have to have access to a large pool of players. An in-state poker site could only do that in a large state (CA or NY) and even then would have to ban their residents from playing at any other site... That is not in my interest at all (not to mention that it would be a blatant violation of the WTO).
Although you are right that increased exposure to poker helps the cause, nothing increases this exposure more than the WPT, HSP and WSOP, nor will it.
So, as much as I appreciate your bringing up these points, I cant agree on this one. IMHO the PPA would be wasting time on this kind of initiative.
And yes, its clear that this year will not bring success legislatively. But it took our opponents over 10 years to get the highly flawed UIGEA. I still believe that through the kind of effort put out by the Engineer, especially now that he will be an actual part of the PPA, we will achieve that success at some point, probably after January '09 when there is a new president and a substantial change in the congress that reflects the diminished power of the moralist right.
B&M poker issues are vastly different form online poker issues. I am most concerned with the online issues. The PPA is fighting that fight, and I still havent heard a good reason not to join them in it.
Skallagrim
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