Wexler New Online Poker Legislation As 'Palatable'

The word 'palatable' is defined as "acceptable or agreeable" - this is how US Congressman Robert Wexler, a Democrat from Florida, has described his proposed legislation (HR 2610) to declare poker a 'game of skill', not chance or luck. This legislation would allow for mature US citizens to play poker games over the Internet.

Wexler's Bill, HR 2610, "The Skill Game Protection Act", seeks to define poker as a game of skill, and thereby 'carve out' an exception for online poker from the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006. HR 2610 is one of four legislative proposals, set forth by four separate public officials, each aimed to oppose the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA).

The UIGEA was past in October of 2006 when the Republican Party held a majority of the control, whereas the Democratic Party has since gained the upper hand in the House of Representatives and is seeking to undo what the Republicans so frivolously deployed. According to Wexler, "In essence, it's the newest form of prohibition."

"The prohibition is consenting adults cannot play poker over the Internet. Ironically, the Congress - the last Congress - said you can gamble on horses over the Internet and you can play State lotteries over the Internet. I thought as really a matter of personal freedom more than anything else, Congress should not be telling consenting adults in America what games they can play on the Internet. I was motivated to file legislation once the Democrats got control of the Congress. I knew there would be a more amenable environment to do this type of thing."

Wexler's decision to 'carve out', rather than going so far as to oppose the UIGEA altogether, was brought about by his belief that politics is an art - analyze the situation and set achievable goals. In Wexler's opinion, his proposed legislation is more likely to pass because "there are some people that have a moral or ethical issue with gambling of any sort.

"I would suggest they were a bit hypocritical when they voted for [UIGEA], because the Bill that is currently in effect allows gambling on the Internet for lottery and for horses. However, I thought it would be most palatable if we said '...games of skill such as poker are American institutions, poker is an American institution just like baseball.' When put in that context I thought it would be a more palatable political issue for many people."