Opposition no-show for U.S. online gambling debate

A no-show at an open debate on online gambling legalisation in Washington DC this week has left opponents of the concept vulnerable to jibes from the Poker Players Alliance, which spoke on behalf of the industry.

The debate, “Full House: Whose Got the Winning Hand?” was arranged as part of the annual Conservative Political Action Conference as an open forum debate on the issue, with Sheldon Adelson’s Coalition to Stop Internet Gambling expected to take advantage of the conservative undertones.

PPA executive director, John Pappas, was quick to take advantage of the situation, quipping:

“I guess when the rubber meets the road, prohibition supporters realize they can’t backup their fear-mongering PR campaign with actual facts.

”I was looking forward to an open and fair debate on the future of online gaming, and not just because the facts are on our side. Before Congress votes on any legislation that would impose a broad prohibition, like the Restoration of America’s Wire Act, I think American voters deserve to hear both sides clearly articulate how such a ban impacts consumers, states and the economy.

“The fact that the primary RAWA supporters refused to join this debate, after significant effort by the organizers, tells me that they want their bill rubberstamped instead of openly debated on the merits – a basic tenet of democracy.”

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