7/31/2019 [Press Release] PPA Applauds Federal Court Ruling that
Poker is a Game of Skill and Not Illegal Gambling (08/21/2
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PPA Applauds Federal Court Ruling that Poker is a Game of Skill
and Not
Illegal Gambling
Washington, DC (August 21, 2012) ThePoker Players Alliance
(PPA), the leading poker
grassroots advocacy group with more than one million members
nationwide, today lauded a federalcourts ruling that poker is a
game of skill and is not illegal gambling under the Illegal
Gambling
Businesses Act (IGBA).
The decision of Judge Jack Weinstein of the United States
District Court for the Eastern District of
New York is the first federal court decision on whether poker is
a game of skill rather than
gambling. The court resoundingly ruled it a game of skill. The
ruling stated that, Neither the text
of the IGBA nor its legislative history demonstrate that
Congress designed the statute to cover allstate gambling offenses.
Nor does the definition of gambling include games, such as
poker,
which are predominated by skill.
As we worked for years defending players against vague gambling
laws, we have patiently waited
for the right opportunity to raise the issue in federal court.
Todays federal court ruling is a major
victory for the game of poker and the millions of Americans who
enjoy playing it, said JohnPappas, executive director of the PPA.
Judge Weinsteins thoughtful decision recognizes what we
have consistently argued for years: poker is not a crime, it is
a game of skill. As the judges
opinion aptly notes, poker is an American pastime that is deeply
embedded in the history and
fabric of our nation and his decision sets aside the notion that
the vague laws render the gamecriminal.
PPA played a central role in the case. In coordination with the
defendants lawyer, PPA providedthe arguments and briefs and
extensive expert testimony. Lawyers representing the PPA wrote
the
principal briefs and presented the principal oral arguments.
Judge Weinsteins opinion relied
heavily upon the information the PPA provided the court.
Judge Weinstein gave the government an opportunity to prove that
poker was a game of
predominant chance, but even federal prosecutors could not
provide an expert of any kind thatcould conclude that chance
predominates over skill in poker. We could not be more pleased
with
the outcome of todays decision, continued Pappas.
In addition, Judge Weinstein relied substantially on the absence
of clear guidance in federal law onthe question whether poker is
illegal gambling. The decision therefore reinforces that now is
the
time for Congress to enact a fair and reasonable regulatory
model that protects players and
generates tax revenues. The PPA continues to work towards that
end.
For a copy of the U.S. vs. DiCristina case ruling and PPAs
initial amicus brief, please clickhere.
http://www.theppa.org/http://www.theppa.org/http://theppa.org/ppa/2012/08/21/u-s-vs-dicristina-case/http://theppa.org/ppa/2012/08/21/u-s-vs-dicristina-case/http://theppa.org/ppa/2012/08/21/u-s-vs-dicristina-case/http://www.theppa.org/
7/31/2019 [Press Release] PPA Applauds Federal Court Ruling that
Poker is a Game of Skill and Not Illegal Gambling (08/21/2
2/2
PPAs Litigation Support Network has been involved in a string of
legal victories by providingexpert witnesses, preparing arguments
for trial, and filing amicus briefs with the courts. For more
information on these cases and a copy of the judges order,
please visit www.theppa.org.
About The Poker Players Alliance
The Poker Players Alliance (www.theppa.org;
http://twitter.com/ppapoker;www.facebook.com/theppa) is a nonprofit
membership organization comprised of over 1,000,000
online and offline poker players and enthusiasts from around the
United States who have joined
together to speak with one voice to promote the game and to
protect poker players' rights.
http://www.theppa.org/http://www.theppa.org/http://www.theppa.org/http://twitter.com/ppapokerhttp://www.facebook.com/theppahttp://www.theppa.org/http://www.theppa.org/http://twitter.com/ppapokerhttp://www.facebook.com/theppa
