In many families and communities around the world, a friendly poker game is not an unusual activity. It's a time to enjoy each other's company in a competitive environment and maybe even make a little money--if folks have opted to play for real money--or gain bragging rights if they're sticking with chips as the medium of exchange.
And, for those of us who have been fighting the battle for regulation and legitimacy for the interactive gaming industry with governments around the world, being around policy-makers can often be frustrating given the level of posturing and politicking that often goes on in the halls of legislatures.
That's why a cold night in Bismarck, North Dakota, in early March was a refreshing change. It's a story I never thought I'd write.
As many folks know, the North Dakota legislature is considering a bill which will legalize the operation of Internet poker in the state. At the time of the visit, it had passed the House of Representatives and a hearing in the Senate was scheduled.
An educational night had organized to show key people in the state how Internet poker works. The scene was a hotel ballroom in the capitol city. The invitees included key legislators as well as pertinent folks from state agencies and state business associations. A dose of "locals" who just love poker came to meet one of the poker celebrities who came in for the event. Mix in the 13 or so "industry" representatives who were in town for the hearing and you'll get a sense of the interactions for the evening.
The setting included three large screens where several online poker sites were pulled up. Some local folks with knowledge of those sites were working the computers as policy-makers, business men and women and just plan fans of the game in the area tried their hands at "free play" on the sites. There were lots of smiles as people got a feel of the play and tried their hands at the online tables along with other players from around the world.
Across the room, three poker tables were going throughout the evening where locals and industry folks alike were having some friendly games for chips. With some occasional hoots and hollers drifting up from the tables, it was clear that this was a game that was known and loved in these parts.
Greg Raymer, last year's winner of the World Series of Poker main event, was busy getting his picture taken with North Dakota fans and signing autographs. When he sat down to play later in the evening, the crowds around the table got deeper. Allyn Jaffrey Shulman, an attorney whose family owns Card Player magazine, turned out to be the evening's chip winner as she closely edged out primary bill sponsor Jim Kasper for the evening's top honors.
It was an evening like I've never experienced in the 10 years of working in this industry. I had a chance to interact with legislators, folks from the Chambers and Economic Development organizations and everyday citizens like the young farmer/social worker who just loves to play poker and came to meet the reigning world champion and have a little fun with fellow aficionados.
Dakota is the Sioux Indian word for "friend." And regardless of the final outcome of the effort to legalize Internet poker in North Dakota, it was clear that the game and our industry were welcome in a manner to which we're unaccustomed.