REID SPEAKS ON LEGALISED POKER BILL

Posted on 12/10/10 –

"This is good for Nevada and good for the country," says veteran senator
 
After a week of mainly reactive statements from members of his staff, Senator Harry Reid of Nevada issued a statement Thursday on his proposal to legalise online poker at the federal level. The senator's draft legalization has excited wide mainstream media coverage and political comment this week.
 
In a statement issued by his office, Senator Reid comments: “The online poker bill I am working on is good for the country and for Nevada. Internet poker is played by millions of Americans every day in an essentially unregulated environment, meaning no protections for minors, no respect for state law, no assurance that games are fair and honest, and no one to turn to if you’re defrauded.”
 
The Senator went on to reiterate that he continues to have serious concerns about legalising other forms of internet gambling, and stressed that he seeks nothing more than the legalization of online poker.
 
The statement included a brief summing up of the draft bill, which reflected provisions already reported widely in the media after the draft was circulated to politicians last week. The summary noted that when it comes to the issue of licenses the initial preference will favour states and native American tribes with a good operating pedigree.