Poker Players Alliance Executive Director Heating Up Internet Legalization Talk

Online gambling has certainly seen developments occur so far in 2013, and if the Executive Director of the Poker Players Alliance, John Pappas, has any more to say about it, that will continue, and then some.

Pappas is currently spending time with the World Series of Poker in Rio, the latest of his many trips, talking with officials and tournament players about his plans for the future in terms of the angle he plans to attack from in trying to legalize online poker in the United States.

His timing might be perfect as well, with two potential bills that might actually reach a vote by July, before the Congressional recess that is scheduled. The problem though is that legal Internet gambling sites are not at the top of the priority list, so it's very likely that there will be a continued delay in the process, at least on Capitol Hill.

The gambling bill that was introduced by Rep. Peter King from New York a couple of weeks ago made headlines, but Pappas sees one big problem with its potential passing. The fact that is blankets all gambling on the Internet, and doesn't limit it to poker could hinder its chances of getting through. Of course Pappas is more of an advocate for poker as it is, but he believes that King's bill won't get very far, although he said he certainly wants to see a resolution take place at the federal level.

Pappas has been flying all over the country in his efforts to lobby for online poker legislation, and believes that California and Pennsylvania are the two states that will be next in line to do so by 2014.

“Once you get some of these bigger states, that are not viewed as a traditional gaming state, then momentum can build,” Pappas said to the Associated Press. “There are those in Congress who are concerned about the expansion of gaming. Doing nothing, however, could lead to a bigger expansion of gaming.”