Fairplay USA formation

A new organization whose mission is to project poker players who play online announced its formation this week

FairPlayUSA said in a press release that its primary mission is to educate policymakers and the public on policy interests that are raised by current laws in the US that have led Americans to play online but often illegally.

The ambiguous laws also led to the government shutdown of all online poker play in the U.S. on April 15. The coalition intends to support Congress in defining what illegal gambling really is and providing strong law enforcement tools to ban it. In addition, the group supports the formation of a strict regulatory framework for online poker.

On its website, the coalition features a petition that calls on Congress to address the problems associated with offshore internet gambling, among other things.

“The website and online petition will be the focal point for recruiting and organizing supporters who will actively engage and make their voices heard by members of Congress,” said FairPlayUSA Executive Director Marisa McNee. “Outreach will be directed toward law enforcement officials, those who support internet consumer safety, and online poker’s strongest asset – the millions of Americans who enjoy online poker.”

FairPlayUSA is particularly concerned with making sure that Americans who play online poker are playing with law-abiding operators. It therefore supports the formation of licensing and regulation channels that will ensure Americans are protected when playing online.

“Americans are passionate about online poker. I respect their right to play games that are fair and on sites that are strictly regulated,” said professional poker player Greg Raymer. “I’ll do everything I can to support efforts that protect our rights to play this quintessential American game and to make it clear that every adult has the legal right to play poker online.”