Online Poker Benefiting From US Rulings That It Is A Game Of Skill
A judge in the state of Colorado has become the latest in the past few weeks to rule the game of poker one of skill, not luck. For the second time in less than two weeks, a poker player has been acquitted on charges of illegal gambling activity relating to poker.
"The PPA is pleased with the outcome of this case. It is further confirmation that poker is indeed a game of skill, not chance. At the same time, the not guilty verdict cements the rights of Colorado citizens to enjoy the American pastime of poker and will allow law enforcement to use its scarce resources to investigate real unlawful activity in the state, not poker games," said Colorado State Director of the PPA, Gary Reed.
Prosecutors in the Colorado case were trying a man for organizing bar poker games with his friends. While the man did not think he was breaking the law, he was still arrested. That is where the PPA stepped in and paid for an expert witness to tell testify that the game of poker is one of skill.
"We never believed we were doing anything wrong whatsoever. It's entertainment. Some people play golf, I play poker,' said Kevin Raley, the person acquitted of the gambling charges.
The PPA has been trying since 2006 to convince members of Congress that poker is a game of skill. Their goal was to keep the game out of Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. With the legal ruling piling up around the US, their mission may soon be accomplished.
Last week, a Pennsylvania judge ruled that poker was a game of skill, and in Kentucky, an Appeals Court took away Governor Steve Beshear's self proclaimed right to seize online gambling domain names.
January 28, 2009
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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