The Poker Players Alliance (PPA), the largest pro legalization group in the U.S has congratulated and backed Democrat Senator Robert Menendez for introducing the Internet Skill Game Licensing and Control Act in the U.S Senate, a bill that would finally create the necessary legal structure to license and regulate online poker in the U.S.

The Poker Players Alliance is a Washington based group that advocates for the legalization of online poker, the group is supported by dozens of professional poker players, celebrities, former politicians and counts with more than one million members in the U.S. The PPA released a statement praising the New Jersey legislator for introducing the proposal called Senate 3616, which constitutes a big chance for the online gaming industry to operate in the U.S with out breaking any law.

In the declaration released by the PPA, Alfonse D’Amato stated the following:

“This action by Senator Menendez is yet another example that prohibitions on Internet gambling and specifically poker will not work to protect consumers. The PPA has long advocated for thoughtful and effective licensing and regulation of online poker as a means to protect vulnerable communities such as children and compulsive gamblers and provide appropriate controls to thwart consumer fraud and abuse. Senator Menendez's legislation is the right vehicle to achieve those goals.

The Internet Skill Game Licensing and Control Act would amend current laws to ‘provide for the licensing of Internet skill game facilities’. It defines an online skill game as an Internet-based game that uses simulated cards, dice or tiles in which success is predominantly determined by the skill of the players, including poker, bridge and mahjong. On behalf of the members of the PPA and online poker players nationwide, I would like to thank Senator Menendez on his leadership on this important issue. We look forward to working with him and his Senate colleagues to enact this sound public policy.”