Legalise and regulate online poker now, says FairplayUSA

04/15/2012 : ACTIVIST BODY USES BLACK FRIDAY ANNIVERSARY TO MAKE A POINT
 
Legalise and regulate online poker now, says FairplayUSA.
 
Sunday marks the first anniversary of the Department of Justice's Black Friday action against online poker sites operating in the United States, and the day has been seized by action group FairplayUSA to make a point to Congress – legalise and regulate online gambling with federal laws.
 
The group's spokesman, former FBI chief Louis Freeh said in a message to Congress that despite the passage of a year and the severity of the DoJ action, many illegal offshore internet poker sites continue to operate in an unregulated and unsafe United States market.
 
He claimed that it was therefore essential that a federal law was passed to protect players, regulate the industry and put a stop to illegal operators.
 
“Congressional action is required to restore the Wire Act and provide law enforcement with the tools necessary to effectively patrol a borderless Internet that is fraught with rogue online gambling sites outside the reach of U.S. law,” Freeh said.
 
“We must provide strict, uniform national standards for online poker that protect adult consumers and prevent minors from gambling.”
 
Former world champion poker player Greg Raymer also issued a statement this week, supporting FreePlayUSA.
 
“Black Friday showed us why we need new laws to clarify what is legal and what is not," the statement said. "Players need to be able to play safely online; companies need to be held accountable for any wrongdoing; and law enforcement needs the tools to protect adult consumers and prevent minors from gambling.
 
"We need Americans like you to tell your friends about the current status of online poker, and tell them why we need clear, common sense regulation now.”