Online Poker Players Are Against Prohibation

Published: Wednesday, April 05, 2006 Online-Casinos.com

ONLINE POKER PLAYERS ARE AGAINST PROHIBITION

Poker Players Alliance points to new research

The Poker Players Alliance, a non-profit, grassroots organisation of more than 20,000 American poker players, renewed its objection to online gambling prohibition this week, highlighting a new survey by ICR market research that finds nearly 75 percent of Americans oppose moves by Congress to ban Internet poker.

"The new poll results are a clear illustration of the public's feelings on this issue. Simply put, people don't want their member of Congress telling them what they can and cannot do in their own home -- especially when it comes to a game that's as all-American as jazz or basketball," said Michael Bolcerek, president of the Poker Players Alliance.

Three of the biggest names in poker -- Howard Lederer, Chris Ferguson and Greg Raymer -- and Radley Balko of the Cato Institute joined Bolcerek on a discussion panel, each explaining why efforts to ban online gambling are misguided.

"We are here today to speak about the growing threat to poker as it relates to the online game," said Bolcerek. "We are here to defend the game and express our opposition to Congress' efforts to kill the sport and restrict our civil liberties."

The panel noted the research findings presented on March 29, 2006 by ICR, an independent market research supplier located in Media, PA.

The results reflect a randomly selected group of 964 adults. Those selected were read a series of questions and asked to respond with "yes," "no," or "I don't know." The results of the survey are listed below.

Question #1: "Should the federal government prevent Americans from playing poker?" 90 percent voted "No"

Question #2: "Should the federal government prevent Americans from playing poker in Las Vegas?" 90.7 percent voted "No"

Question #3: "Should the federal government prevent Americans from playing poker in Casinos on Indian Reservations?" 86.6 percent voted "No"

Question #4: "Should the federal government prevent Americans from playing poker for charitable fundraisers?" 86.9 percent voted "No"

Question #5: "Should the federal government prevent Americans from playing poker on the Internet?" 74.2 percent voted "No"

Question #6: "Should the federal government prevent Americans from playing poker in the privacy of your own home?" 94.7 percent voted "No"

Question #7: "Do you believe the federal government should be managing Americans gambling behaviors on the Internet?" 66.1 percent voted "No" and 26.9 percent voted "Yes"