Surprise inclusion on the RAWA witness list

Political observers were this week speculating on the surprise inclusion of R-Street executive director Andrew Moylan on the official witness list for Wednesday’s hearing on the Restoration of America’s Wire Act in the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations.

Several experts opined that the inclusion of Moylan, a strong advocate for states’ rights, was a move to calm widespread criticism of the original witness list, which was heavily biased against online gambling, and in some quarters was described disparagingly as a dog and pony show. (see previous reports).

Poker Players Alliance executive John Pappas said Monday he was pleased with the inclusion of Moylan, who has worked with the Cato Institute, the National Taxpayers Union, and now the civil liberties body R Street, where he is the executive director.

“Andrew Moylan and R Street are a strong and credible voice in holding Congress accountable on matters of federalism and the 10th Amendment,” said Pappas. “Given RAWA’s serious implications for the rights of states to authorize and regulate internet gaming, Mr. Moylan will be a welcome voice on the panel.”

The official witness list is now a more balanced affair and features John Kindt, professor at the University of Illinois’ School of Law; Les Bernal, National Director of the Stop Predatory Gambling Foundation; Mike Fagan, professor at Washington University’s School of Law; Andrew Moylan, Executive Director at R Street, and Parry Aftab, Executive Director at Wired Safety.  The last two witnesses are likely to give the more objective views on online gambling.

Pappas has confirmed that arrangements are well in hand for the online gambling technology demonstration scheduled in Washington DC just hours before the RAWA hearing is set to start .

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