The land of the free, American poker players have once again been the target of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) with the closing of the most trusted internet poker sites namely PokerStars, FullTilt Poker and UB in the USA.

The Poker Players Alliance is not taking this issue of infringing on Americans right to play online poker lightly, the Poker Players Alliance (PPA) is a nonprofit membership organization comprised of poker players and enthusiasts from around the United States who have joined together to speak with one voice to promote the game and to protect poker players rights.

The PPA have released an email requesting that all poker players who feel that their right to play poker online has been violated should stand together and fight back as the action taken by the DOJ should be viewed as nothing less than a declaration of war against poker and the people who play the game, players need to inform U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder about their disappointment with his decision to shut down trusted Internet poker sites in the USA plus remind Congress and President Obama that now is the time to pass sensible legislation that licenses and regulates Internet poker in America.

The PPA have set up a webpage with detailed instructions on what action you as a poker player can take to voice your concerns. This issue will not simply resolve itself, now is the time to take action !

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Great poker news for USA players is that the Bush administrations UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) which was set to be enforced from 1st December 2009 is expected to be pushed back by a further six months until 1st June 2010.

Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) is expected announce tomorrow (Friday) or at the latest Monday, that the U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has agreed to delay the compliance date as set out by the Poker Players Alliance’s petition which aimed for a full years grace to be given a comprise was reached and a rumoured 6 month extension granted.

Under the UIGEA, banks and credit card processors are held responsible for ensuring that no “illegal” Internet gambling money transfers occur, which would severely dent the USA poker market as no Americans would be able to play for real money, if the law was enforced. It would also prove difficult to cash out their winnings.

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Rumors have it that PartyGaming is possibly interested in purchasing GigaMedia Limited in doing so the merger would substantially increase PartyGaming’s market share should the two well established online gaming firms merge into one large corporation, the traffic levels generated are expected to rival those of the current number two Full Tilt Poker in terms of busiest poker room online.

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Plans are currently underway at Obama’s administration to proceed with introducing internet gambling law for the USA, drafts of which can be expected as early as March 2009 which will be headed by Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) who currently chairs the US House Financial Services Committee, the new online gambling legislation is set to address the vagueness of the previously passed (UIGEA) Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.

Now that the $700 Billion bailout has been approved by the US Senate and the house of representatives, Washington can focus on internet gaming. Obama’s team will be looking for any means available to help fund the massive bailout package and what better source than taxing internet gaming operators an industry in the USA worth potentially billions of dollars in taxes to the US government.

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Barney Frank’s Payments System Protection Act has been voted through by the Financial Services Committee with 30 – 19 votes in favor of the bill. Great news for US players as this is a step forward for online poker to be legal, unless it is forbidden by state law like it is in Washington.

The bill was written to ensure that UIGEA regulations would not effect the bank systems or financial industry in the USA.

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