"Through our efforts on Capitol Hill during National Poker Week, the tides are turning and support for licensing and regulating Internet poker versus infringing on Internet freedom is growing. The PPA is pleased that Senator Menendez chose to introduce his bill to license and regulate Internet poker and include additional consumer protections. His continued support for protecting the Internet freedoms of poker players specifically, and Americans generally, is greatly appreciated." said PPA Chairman and former Senator Alfonse D'Amato.

Key provisions of the bill include the creation of a registry of unlicensed online gambling operators that will strengthen enforcement efforts of truly unlawful gambling; the mandatory implementation of technologies to protect against underage gambling and to monitor and detect individuals with excessive gaming habits; dedicated funding to develop and implement prevention and treatment programs for problem gamblers; mechanisms to collect the billions of dollars in tax revenue that is currently being lost; and clarification of the Wire Act to create consistency in how online gambling activities, such as horse race betting, are treated under Federal law.

"Today's action by Senator Menendez is yet another powerful step towards protecting Internet freedom, protecting consumers and protecting online poker. On behalf of the members of the PPA and online poker players nationwide, I thank Senator Menendez for his leadership on this important issue," added D'Amato.