We are against the Frank and McDermott bills. “ If domestic card casinos do not defend themselves from offshore interests, we stand to lose not only revenue but also the loss of jobs. We support the passage of federal and state legislation that will provide California poker players with a safe, secure, and well-regulated online playing environment.”
Malkasian, who testified in front of the House Financial Services Committee in July during hearings for HR 2267 (the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act), continued to defend his stance by saying in the statement, “Federal and state regulation of online poker is coming and we can either fight to ensure that poker players’ interests are protected or allow illegal foreign operators, who are siphoning millions of American dollars out of this country, to dominate the U.S. America’s poker industry should be united in opposing the Frank and McDermott legislation and keeping American dollars at home.” In the statement, Malkasian defended the position he made during testimony by saying, “ The Poker Players Alliance is ignoring the grave threat that the federal and state legislation poses to everyday poker players. Amid the furor of poker players regarding his testimony in front of a Congressional committee, Commerce Casino board member Tom Malkasian responded late yesterday to Poker News Daily about the brewing controversy.