PPA begins Massachusetts online poker campaign

The Executive Director of the PPA, John Pappas issued a statement to the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, urging the group to examine the option of introducing an intrastate online poker regime in the state, similar to the platform adopted in Delaware, Nevada and New Jersey.

In his statement, Pappas noted that a number of other states, including Iowa, California and Illinois are “now recognizing the potential for significant job growth and millions in added revenue, and are proposing their own legislation to regulate the online poker industry.”  He thus urges Massachusetts to at least consider the option of investigating its own online poker laws on the back of SB 101, which is being pushed by State Senatior Jennifer Flanagan.

While addressing many of the reasons why it makes sense to regulate and legalize online poker in Massachusetts, including economic viability, Pappas also addressed concerns such as safety issues.

“Today, in the U.S. and in regulated markets throughout the world, it is required that Internet gaming companies employ “best of breed” technologies that protect minors and problem gamblers, ensure that the games are fair, and that sites block players in prohibited jurisdictions,” he said. ”These mandatory safeguards are even more restrictive than those employed in brick-and-mortar casinos today.”

There are 22,000 registered PPA members in Massachusetts, and the grassroots group, with a total US membership of over one million poker players, has urged them to push lawmakers for the inclusion of online poker in SB101.