FairPlayUSA Probably No Friend to International Online Poker Sites

Written by:
Patrick Flanigan
Published on:
Aug/05/2011
FairPlayUSA Online Poker

The newly formed grass-roots organization FairPlayUSA, with initial seed money from Caesars and MGM, may be viewed as a wolf in sheep’s clothing to those in the online poker sector, whether it be in Costa Rica or Europe.

The organization wants online poker legalized in the United States, but is clearly not acting in the best interest of those businesses currently targeting US players while operating offshore. 

The organization is led by Democrat Marisa McNee, co-founder of the firm Middle Coast.  She has left her post to head up FairPlayUSA.

Politico reported that the organization’s initial goal has more to do with quashing the online poker sector as it stands today.

The group’s first big ask: sign their petition calling on Congress to address offshore Internet gambling, create law enforcement tools to crack down on illegal sites and implement regulations that would ensure the integrity and safety of online poker.

Online poker rooms will need to have licenses to operate within the US.  In other nations that require licenses to operate and directly target citizens, the primary prevention measures seem to center on advertising restrictions (the UK is a perfect example).

The United Kingdom license is geared more towards the protection of players as recently seen with the government’s response in the wake of the Full Tilt Poker shutdown.

- Patrick Flanagan, Gambling911.com

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