Washington discusses online poker

Lawmakers could be pushing a legislation to legalise the industry this year.

US.- A Washington State Senate committee held a meeting this week to discuss online poker in the state. The lawmakers are trying to push for a possible legislation of internet poker and daily fantasy sports (DFS).

Washington state is currently under a law that prohibits online poker, and although they’ve been trying for more than 10 years to repeal it, the attempts always died before reaching an important stance. Even though they haven’t introduced a bill yet, the Poker Players Alliance attended the meeting and helped the Committee on Commerce, Labor & Sports by bringing their testimony on the subject.

According to John Pappas, PPA Executive Director, said that thousands of citizens from Washington already gamble on offshore sites that provide absolutely no local oversight or protection. “However, this committee can decide whether or not to protect these consumers online,” he added.

“Regulation of iGaming should not be viewed as an expansion of gambling in Washington State, but rather as an opportunity to protect consumers and add a new distribution channel for the state’s existing, and tightly regulated, gaming industry,” Pappas commented. Washington is not the only state trying to legalise online poker: Pennsylvania, New York, California and Massachusetts are also considering a legislation.