AGA Chief: Online Poker in US Close

AGA seeks its own online poker bill This week the American Gaming Association Chief, Frank Fahrenkopf Jnr, addressed the audience at G2E in Las Vegas, making an important and optimistic assessment – that properly regulated and legalised poker in the USA, which certainly has the Association's support, may be close at hand, but that it should not come in shape of the legislation proposed by Texas Representative Joe Barton and Massachusetts veteran politician Barney Frank. On the contrary, the AGA wants to take part in the new legislation, which would let individual states decide whether to allow online poker… solely. In a statement given to reporters, Fahrenkopf assessed: "We're perhaps closer to federal legislation than we've ever been. There's a buzz in Washington about the need for action. "The fact is that, despite the (indictments), millions of Americans are still betting billions of dollars a year on foreign poker websites, sites outside the reach of US law enforcement, leaving US players vulnerable," he said, adding that he and his staff “have been working to meet with more than 100 newly elected lawmakers, most of whom haven't addressed online or offline gambling before.” In regards to Frank's and Barton's proposals, he stated that they are objectionable because they either go beyond the current state framework, or lack elements the industry seeks. He concluded stating that the AGA wants a six-point code of conduct included in any legislation. Apparently, the code would involve regular audits of poker software, tight technological controls to prevent underage or problem gambling and procedures to prevent money laundering. At the same venue, a vice president of reputable land-focused gambling supplier Bally Technologies, Tom Doyle stated that fears that legalized online gambling would cannibalize land-based venues exaggerated. According to him, the solution to this concern is quite easy, as the US land casinos and their suppliers will already have the appropriate products in their offering, which has already begun orienting towards online activity with the current trend of having “free-to-play" internet games "on-premises." Many a company is now anticipating the new movements in the future of online gambling in the States, so many of them are building up their presence in the market, either by indicating interest in potential Nevada license, or by opening interactive divisions, etc.