Many online poker industry experts believe that the Sheldon Adelson-backed Restoration of America’s Wire Act (RAWA), which seeks to ban iGaming on a federal level in the US, probably won’t ever pass. However, Pala Interactive CEO Jim Ryan has a very different take on the matter. That said, let’s discuss what Ryan said along with why he thinks RAWA could actually pass in the future.
Republicans and money are the two main factors
Through an interview with PocketFives.com, Ryan discussed how there’s been some “positive momentum” with regard to iGaming spreading throughout the US. Aside from three states already legalizing online poker and casino games, other states like California, Illinois, Mississippi, Ohio and Washington are also looking into the matter.
However, the former Pala Interactive CEO was quick to caution that there’s a real threat at hand. “Now, we have a well-financed effort in a Republican-controlled Congress,” he said. “I think Adelson’s legislation has a good shot of passing.”
Promoting terrorism and underage gambling
Adelson and his cohorts want people to believe that iGaming promotes underage gambling and funds terrorism. But as Ryan points out in the following statement, halting regulated iGaming efforts would actually be the real culprit here:
“If they are successful in amending the Wire Act, the very things they seek to prevent, they’ll provide a catalyst to happen. They’re worried about underage gambling and terrorism. Why push it into the black market as opposed to regulating it? I would love to get involved in the debate when that point is discussed.”
Ryan continued this discussion by also pointing out that he’s “seen no credible evidence” to suggest that terrorists are using online poker sites to launder money. He also pokes holes in the underage-gambling theory by pointing out how New Jersey hasn’t reported a single underage case in their market yet.
What about Pala Interactive?
Aside from discussing RAWA and its objectives, Ryan also talked a little about what Pala Interactive’s plans are. This company originally wanted to enter California first, however, online poker legislation hasn’t happened there yet. So Pala entered New Jersey, and Ryan says that they’re busy fine-tuning their product in the real money market.
A state’s size and liquidity will be issues moving forward for whatever state Pala enters next. As Ryan contends, they won’t go to Nevada because the liquidity’s just not there, plus they only offer online poker. But bigger states like California, Illinois and Pennsylvania are definitely on the radar.