Reacting to testimony by the vice chairman of the board of the Commerce Casino during hearings about online poker regulation in Congress, several top poker pros have taken on a protest of the card room.
During hearings in July in front of the House Financial Services Committee regarding HR 2267 – the bill Massachusetts’ Representative Barney Frank introduced called the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act – Tom Malkasian, who identified himself during his testimony as “an owner, board member and director of strategic planning of the Commerce Casino,” came out with a surprising opinion of the proposed law. In his testimony to the committee, he firmly stated, “I must testify in strong opposition to HR 2267 and urge Members of the Committee to vote against it, barring numerous and significant changes.”
Malkasian detailed in his testimony his opposition to the proposed law on several fronts. He first took on the proposed revenues that the law would bring in, saying that they were “built on false assumptions and conflicting representations.” He cites that some studies looked at the basis of operations for online gaming sites would be located in the United States, something that isn’t guaranteed in HR 2267. Malkasian looks at details demonstrating possible conflict regarding states opting in or out of the regulatory guidelines, leaving to question the actual revenues earned. Finally, Malkasian states that the regulatory framework is inadequate for the job at hand.
Malkasian’s testimony has riled many in the professional ranks of poker, to the extent of announcing a potential boycott of one of the top card rooms in California. The furor has reached a point that there is an actual website – called PlayersBeforeProfits.com – that people can visit to sign a petition. The site has also issued an “open letter” to the Commerce Casino to change its stance on HR 2267.
The letter states, “As dedicated poker players, both online and live, both professional and amateur, we are extremely disappointed in the position Commerce Casino has taken in opposition to federal legislation to license and regulate online poker. Your opposition puts your narrow corporate interests ahead of the interests of America’s poker players.”
The open letter goes on to tout the benefits of HR 2267, including the creation of “a U.S. regulated online poker framework in this country, requiring all online poker sites to measure up to strict safety and consumer protection standards – requirements that do not exist today. More importantly, this bill will create an open and competitive market, giving players a choice of many sites on which to play against others from across the country and the world.”
The statement finishes by saying, “It is disheartening that one of our own in the poker community is opposing good public policy that will keep players safe and preserve our rights to play poker online. We strongly urge Commerce Casino to support America’s poker players. Please change your position on HR 2267.”
The letter, which has been endorsed by nearly 1,100 people at the time of writing and signed by top pros such as former World Champions Doyle Brunson, Chris Ferguson and Greg Raymer, and players as diverse as “Poker After Dark” creator Mori Eskandani and online phenom Tom “durrrr” Dwan, has spurred reaction on several fronts. Through their Twitter feeds, several pros have also been ratcheting up the heat on the Commerce Casino to the point of a discussed boycott.
Poker News Daily guest columnist Annie Duke has been quite vocal over Twitter, saying “I and some other pros are boycotting them as well. I will give my business to a place that supports the players.” Rafe Furst sounded off on the controversy by Tweeting, “Tell @CommerceCasino to support poker players and change their position & support HR2267 – the online poker bill.” Daniel Negreanu waded into the waters as well by tweeting, “Boo @CommerceCasino testified against the online poker bill. Tell them to put players before profits & support HR 2267.”
Poker News Daily contacted the Commerce Casino and was told by an unnamed spokesperson that “a statement about the situation” would be forthcoming.