Annie Duke, Rep. Robert Wexler, and others appeared in front the Judiciary House Committee meeting on Internet gaming yesterday, and it featured more of the same from the opponents (Internet gambling destroys families, fear of a federal regulatory system), as the proponents hammered home the civil liberties issue, sharing studies with the committee on the extremely low occurrence of problem gambling.
The Poker Players Alliance (PPA) placed selected clips of the hearing on the site, and they're worth a listen for people who are interested in this issue. Some of the highlights include:
Rep. Bob Goodlatte, one of the main opponents of Internet gambling:
"The U.S. Trade Representative – given the fact that this is widely regarded in the United States … as a morals issue and not something to be dealt with in terms international trade – determined to withdraw it. Now, when you withdraw something from the WTO [World Trade Organization], it is no small matter, by no small means."
Annie Duke, professional poker player;
"The issue I have on the morally question, meaning no disrespect to Mr. Goodlatte, is that I, personally, as an American, am very offended that we would take a morality stance on gambling. It's legal in 48 states. I don't understand why it would be more immoral to gamble on the Internet that in would be to walk into the Bellagio in Las Vegas and gamble there."
Rep. Robert Wexler, sponsor of a bill that would label poker a skill game:
"Just to give people a sense of the environments in which we operate: More Americans watch professional poker on television than NBA basketball, so more Americans are watching Ms. Duke and her colleagues play poker than are watching Shaquille O'Neil and DeWayne Wade.
"The Fact of the matter is, poker's been played for decades in the White House [and] played in the halls of Congress. And don't get me wrong, I'm all for it, and I suspect it's been played at the Supreme Court. And, more importantly, it's played in millions of kitchens across America, millions of dining rooms across America. The fact is, poker is America's pastime game, and it's a game of skill."
Arizona Congressman Trent Franks, ranking member on the Constitution Committee, and Internet gambling opponent.
"I think, with all the citing and statistics, that most people understand in their heart, no matter how intellectually good they are presenting the statistics, that gambling, in general, in our republic, has tended to damage the lives of people. Gambling essentially produces one thing, and that is the loss on the part of someone."
Tennessee Congressman Steven Cohen, addressing Tom McClusky, vice president of government affairs for the Family Research Council.
"So, if it's restricted or unrestricted, you're against it. Is there any fun that you're for?"
