With Congressman Frank’s new HR 2267 bid to legalise and regulate online gambling in the United States now launched and active, the Poker Players Alliance reminded players this week that their voices have been heard by the Obama administration.

The reminder refers to a project instituted by then presidential candidate Obama in which a website was made available so that Americans could flag and vote on issues they felt were important that the incoming president address (see previous InfoPowa reports).

This information was then transformed into a presidential brief titled White House Citizen’s Briefing Book.

This week the PPA, which boasts over a million members nationwide, applauded the release of the publication, noting that the compilation of voter-led policy proposals includes as one of its top items the licensing and regulation of online poker.

“Poker players around the country are speaking with one voice to protect the game they love, and the White House is hearing that message,” said PPA Executive Director John Pappas. “The popularity of online poker continues to grow, and the fact that poker is the top technology issue – and the 11th issue overall – proves that this is not a niche issue, but a national public policy that this Congress and this president should advance this year.”

The number one technology item in the White House Citizen’s Briefing Book was “Boost America’s Economy with Legal Online Poker,” which received 46 890 points.

Crafted by online poker player Aaron Huertas of Washington, D.C., the submission reads as follows:

“Boost America’s Economy with Legal Online Poker, 46890 points

“Let online poker players in the United States play legally and without fear of prosecution. Reform the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act to exempt poker, a game of skill, from the law.

“Boost the economy by letting American companies and American players make money and pay taxes instead of sending online poker businesses offshore.

“Protect online poker players by regulating the industry to ensure that no one is ever cheated.”

Pappas observed: “We hope the Administration hears and acts upon the clear message sent via the Citizen’s Briefing Book – keep online poker legal through thoughtful regulation. The poker community stands ready to work with President Obama and Congress to make sure the will of the people is acted upon.

“There is a very vocal community out there…through our website last year, over 80 000 letters were sent to Congress in support of licensing and regulating internet poker,” he said, adding that in the first quarter of 2009 the organisation spent $430 000 on lobbying, up $80 000 from the same period in 2008.