With the presidential election heating up early, and several congressmen sponsoring bills that legalize and regulate internet gambling in some way, Gambling911.com thought it would be prudent to get former New York Senator Alphonse D’Amato’s take on the pending legislation and the quickly changing climate in Congress with respect to online gambling. Senator D’Amato served as a United States Senator from 1981 through 1999. He recently assumed the position as chairman of the Poker Player’s Alliance, a non-profit organized formed to fight for the rights of poker players in America
We started off our discussion with the Senator by asking him about the current bills working their way through Congress. There are at least three bills currently in committee, one sponsored by Barney Frank (D-MA) and Dr. Ron Paul (2008 Presidential Candidate), one sponsored by Robert Wexler (D-FL), and one sponsored by Jim McDermott (D-WA).
Gambling911: Is there any sort of back-up plan should any of the proposed legislation fail to pass in Congress? It is well generally recognized that all three bills face an uphill battle despite the recent favorable momentum surrounding online gambling.
Senator D’Amato: “This will undoubtedly be a battle, but momentum is on our side. It is remarkable that four pro-Internet gaming bills have already been introduced in this Congress. We feel strongly that our message of regulation over prohibition is sinking in and that Congress will enact good public policy. It might not be tomorrow, but to paraphrase Winston Churchill, the U.S. always does the right thing, but not till after exhausting all the alternatives.”
The mere fact that there are ANY bills favoring legalization and regulation of Internet gambling is astounding given that a bill virtually banning the activity passed just last winter. There is no doubt that the tide is turning and it is only a matter of time before level heads prevail.
While speaking with Ron Paul at his Pennsylvania Presidential rally, we had a chance to ask him about the difficulty these bills would face. Dr. Paul indicated that it was difficult to round up support for any bills involving the internet because it tended to label one “pro-porn” or “pro-gambling”. We thought that addressing this issue with Senator D’Amato was important.
Gambling911: Do any politicians, aside from John Kyl, stand in obvious support of the UIGEA or any other restrictive legislation?
Senator D’Amato: “It is difficult to gauge how they feel about UIGEA. As you know the UIGEA act was passed in the middle of the night and was tacked on to a must-pass port security legislation without so much of a hearing or debate in the U.S. Senate. Clearly we have our opponents; however, supporters are growing by the day.”
Gambling911: Speaking of Senator Kyl, word circulated a few months ago that he had sent a letter to the President urging him to ensure enforcement of the UIGEA and to make sure that the banks comply. Is Senator Kyl still working against the PPA (he also stressed the need for enforcement of the UIGEA during Alberto Gonzales’ hearing) and other pro-online poker politicians or are you confident that some type of compromise can be reached?
Factoid: At age 70, Alfonse D'Amato has announced he is going to be a father again. The vibrant D'Amato is sure to be around for his child's High School graduation at age 88 we predict. He already has four grown children and 14 grandchildren, ranging in age from 3 to 21, from his first marriage to Penelope D’Amato. In 2004, he married Katuria E. Smith, a lawyer, who is 41.
Senator D’Amato: We have gotten tremendous positive response in our Congressional outreach and the more than 600,000 PPA members have voiced their concerns to their Members of Congress. It’s evident that as the number of co-sponsors sign on to Representative Frank’s legislation that there is support for an alternative approach around the UIGEA.
Gambling911: What is your opinion on the WTO decision favoring Antigua's case against the US related to Internet gambling? Won't something have to give at some point if the US wants to be taken seriously in the world of free trade and especially since they have their own concerns over what is happening in China with bootlegging and patent infringement?
Senator D’Amato: The United States is setting a very dangerous precedent among the WTO community and is jeopardizing the intellectual property rights of software companies like Microsoft and Apple, music labels and the entertainment industry. Our American companies are at stake here. These companies are giving birth to innovation every day and we are putting these companies in jeopardy. If the US can say certain rulings by the WTO do not apply in one area, what’s to stop other countries from claiming that they have no obligation to obey their commitments or similar ruling?
Card Player Magazine interview with Alfonse D'Amato. A good video
Gambling911: China and other countries have been backing Antigua and criticizing the United States for ignoring the decision. How does the WTO decision play into everything the PPA is trying to get accomplished?
Senator D’Amato: I think that the U.S. is being very hypocritical during this process claiming that it made a mistake and thus the Antigua dispute is not a valid trade issue for WTO to enforce. The US continues this pattern of hypocrisy by having this President sign the UIGEA in to law while allowing horseracing, fantasy sports betting and lotteries. It’s also hypocritical of the US to pursue an intellectual property dispute against China while seemingly not taking seriously the potential of Antigua seeking an intellectual property concession.
Gambling911: Has the press surrounding the NBA "rogue" ref and to a lesser extent, Michael Vick's pitbull gambling ring, hurt your organization's efforts in any way to get online poker legalized since the UIGEA covers a much broader spectrum than just poker? Or is it possible that these cases further magnify the need for regulation?
Senator D’Amato: We have been successful in divorcing those issues from poker. It would be incredulous to compare dog-fighting with two adults competing in a game of skill. Sports betting creates a host of political and policy issues even without the recent scandal, but I don’t think it will harm our efforts on behalf of poker.
Factoid: On June 12, 2007 the three-term Senator endorsed Senate colleague Fred Thompson for the Republican nomination for president in 2008. In explaining his endorsement of Thompson, former Senator D'Amato called Thompson "a real conservative," not a candidate who adopted conservative positions in preparation for an election. D'Amato added, "Fred Thompson is the kind of candidate our party can unify behind and support wholeheartedly."
Gambling911: Surely you have spoken to the organizers of the WSOP. Do they really believe their own hype that they are more concerned with quality over quantity? Have they accepted the real money losses from this year's event now that it is over?
Senator D’Amato: I was in Las Vegas with Congressman Robert Wexler for part of the WSOP and the energy and enthusiasm was simply amazing. Sure, numbers were down this year and UIGEA played a part in that, but the passion for the game and the competitive spirit of the WSOP is strong and will only get stronger.
Gambling911: How do you feel about North Dakota's Representative Kasper's position that the legalization of online poker is a states' rights issue - not a federal issue?
Senator D’Amato: This is an American issue. Poker is one of America’s favorite past times. This is an issue about protecting your civil liberties and not having the government determine what you can and can not do in your own home. I applaud his efforts at a state level, however, the U.S. government has clearly made this a federal issue and we are focusing our fight in Washington.
Gambling911: Presidential candidate Ron Paul is a firm believer that the internet should not be government regulated. What are your thoughts on this, and how can it be applied to repealing the federal legislation passed thus far?
Senator D’Amato: The government should focus on making it safer for Americans to play on-line poker with the safeguards in place to provide secure financial transactions, prevent identity theft, and enforce the use of software to prevent underage gambling and provide assistance to problem gamblers. Representative Frank’s legislation will ensure that all of these safeguards are in place.
Gambling911: The recent crackdown on online sportsbooks has frightened many online poker operators - many have withdrawn from the U.S. market. How have these recent arrests affected the PPA's efforts to legitimize the poker industry?
Senator D’Amato: The Poker Players’ Alliance has more than 630,000 members and it is growing. We have not seen any negative effects to our grassroots movement at the local or federal level rather we have grown in numbers and will keep growing and become even more active in expressing our concerns to Members of Congress at the local and federal level.
Gambling911: It has been rumored that the recent efforts of the federal government to eliminate online gambling from the U.S. market amount to nothing more than "intimidation tactics". The publicity surrounding these events have caused many American citizens to fear playing poker online? What should the average poker player be cognizant of when looking to play poker on the internet?
Senator D’Amato: It is a common misconception that playing poker is now illegal. It is not! But, because of an overreach of government power -- essentially turning U.S. financial institutions into “gambling cops”—the ability of U.S. citizens to play poker on the Internet is diminishing. That is why every American, whether you play poker or not, should contact their elected officials and let them know that they oppose government sponsored censorship of the Internet. And those who love the game of poker should insist that their lawmakers support sensible regulation of Internet gaming, so that they can continue to enjoy this great American pastime in the venue of their choosing.
We were truly honored to get a chance to speak with such a well-respected and outspoken supporter of the American poker movement. One thing was very evident from our discussion: Senator D’Amato is passionate about this cause and truly believes that this country will see poker regulation sooner rather than later. The Poker Players Alliance is lucky to have such an influential, energetic person at its helm, and with the help of its members and the American public at large, the UIGEA will soon be an unpleasant memory.
Stay tuned for Part II of our discussion that will be released next week and be sure to visit the Poker Players Alliance website here to offer your support. After we concluded our interview with Senator D’Amato, Gambling911 got the inside scoop on the odds of the current online gambling legislation passing, and learned a great deal about the process and timeline these bills face on their way to a congressional vote.
Factoid: At age 70, Alfonse D'Amato has announced he is going to be a father again. The vibrant D'Amato is sure to be around for his child's High School graduation at age 88 we predict. He already has four grown children and 14 grandchildren, ranging in age from 3 to 21, from his first marriage to Penelope D’Amato. In 2004, he married Katuria E. Smith, a lawyer, who is 41.
Factoid: On June 12, 2007 the three-term Senator endorsed Senate colleague Fred Thompson for the Republican nomination for president in 2008. In explaining his endorsement of Thompson, former Senator D'Amato called Thompson "a real conservative," not a candidate who adopted conservative positions in preparation for an election. D'Amato added, "Fred Thompson is the kind of candidate our party can unify behind and support wholeheartedly."