Poker Supporters Skeptical About Tax Hearing’s Effectiveness
Written by Roger S | Sunday, May 23rd, 2010
The poker industry received the summary of the House Ways and Means Committee special hearing on tax proposals on the internet gambling industry with lukewarm reactions. Groups who represent the poker world believe that while it is good that the subject is being discussed on higher levels, not much resulted from the hearing and its effectiveness is questioned.
Good words were given on the ‘performance’ of pro poker speakers who attended the hearing in a bid to present the case of a legalized and regulated online poker industry.
“I thought it went fairly well,” said the Executive Director of the Poker Players Alliance, John Pappas, referring to the hearing. “There’s some debate that needs to be had on what the tax structure ought to look like and that’s positive debate.
Pappas even had good words to say about the lone Congressman to attend the hearing with blatantly anti legalization sentiments, Goodlatte.
“To his credit, I thought Goodlatte did a good job of defending his position,” said Pappas.
Less positive about the outcome of the hearing was Joe Brennan, Chairman of the Interactive Media Entertainment and Gaming Association (iMEGA) who noted: “Nothing happened. It was yet again another opportunity for sides that have already been heard to make a public airing of what their position was and for the IRS to come down and say they can tax and investigate internet gambling.”
Indeed, nobody can deny that aside from 2.5 hours of positive talk, nothing much else came out of the hearing. The Committee did not schedule a follow up hearing to discuss the issues more and no mark up occurred, although this was clearly expected.
The question remains to be seen whether the hearing had any effect on the current situation that will see the regulations of the UIGEA implemented by the beginning of next month.
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· Written by Roger S · Filed Under Poker Gossip · Comments Off
