All indications are that the AGA will not back the legislation introducted by Congressman Joe Barton in response to Black Friday.  The strange thing is that the bills are fairly similar.  I get wanting to protect your interests above those of others, but there is something called biting off your nose to spite your face.  (Anyone remember Seven?)  It has to be in poker’s best interest (and gaming generally) to legalize poker (and gaming), and then later tweak it if necessary.  These internal divisions are killing us.

The American Gaming Association can be a powerful ally in the cause to legalize poker.  It is great news that it has stepped up its efforts and begun lobbying Congress to legalize poker.  So lend a hand and call your Congressperson, donate to a good cause, or just convince someone else to do one of these things.  The more help the better.

Some big things happening in the poker legal world. 

(1) Rep. McDermott (D-WA) unveiled a new bill that would tax online gambling.  8% of all deposits would be taxed with 6% going to state and tribal governments and 2% going to the federal government.  This is a tough call for poker players — pay the G-men and play legally or operate on the fringes and keep that 8%.  Here’s a thought that could help all poker players, the sites, and the government.  If this bill passes, maybe there will be more reload/deposit bonuses available.  That would enable individuals to minimize their taxable amount and the sites to increase the pool (and their rake).  And the government still to get taxes.  A win-win-win. 

(2) Pennsylvania is sending mixed signals.  On the one hand, the state is moving rapidly toward legalizing live poker and table games.  Yet on the other, a Pennsylvania appellate court just overturned by a vote of 2-1 a lower court’s decision, in the process ruling that poker is a game of chance, even if skill elements are involved.  This is not good.   Especially because it is another precedent future cases might site when looking to rule poker a game of chance.  How about these judges sit in a room with Ivey, Durrr, and Antonius for some PLO.  Then let’s see whether they think poker is predominantly a game of chance.

(3) The Kentucky iMEGA case takes another turn.  An appellate court has granted a motion that could return the case to the State’s high court very quickly.  The thinking is that the court wants to determine the standing issue (legal gibberish for whether the correct party is suing) in case the case ultimately gets sent to the U.S. Supreme Court.  Hard to tell how this will play out, but it’s probably good news for poker players since the last ruling hinted at siding with poker players on the merits of the lawsuit.  Then again, reading courts is almost as difficult as reading facial tells online. 

(4) The American Gaming Association (AGA) has changed its stance and now is “open to” legalized online gaming sites.  This is a powerful ally in the war to legalize poker.