Speak Up -- Professional poker superstars Greg Raymer, Chris Ferguson and Howard Lederer assembled on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Tuesday evening for a round table discussion to voice their opposition to bills before Congress that would prohibit online gambling. The panel was put together by the Poker Players Alliance, a grassroots organization of more than 20,000 American poker players that is opposed to online poker prohibition. The players met the night before a House Judiciary Subcommittee held a hearing on Rep. Bob Goodlatte's prohibitory online gambling measure. Ferguson was spotted at the hearing wearing his trademark black hat.
EC Action -- The European Commission has sent letters of formal notice to Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Hungary that they must open their markets to private online gambling operators or face legal action. Such action has been anticipated for several months. The countries have received the letter because they maintain state-owned gambling monopolies and allow the promotion of gambling services while at the same time prohibiting access to their markets by foreign gambling providers. Such a policy is thought by many to violate EU free trade laws.
Digital Debate -- The Wall Street Journal this week published a digital debate between U.S. Rep. James Leach, author of a federal I-gaming prohibition bill, and David Carruthers, CEO of BetonSports.com. The entire debate was conducted by an initial statement submitted by Leach, followed by a rebuttal from Carruthers, followed by a rebuttal from Leach and so on. The debate is available online at WSJ.com.