Poker Alliance Seeks to Sway Right Wing on Online Gambling

The organization wanted to make the point that traditional conservative thinking included libertarian ideals, which support the right to play at online gambling sites and poker rooms.

The Poker Players Alliance made sure it had a presence at the Conservative Political Action Conference this week. The organization wanted to make the point that traditional conservative thinking included libertarian ideals, which support the right to play at online gambling sites and poker rooms.

According to a story by the Washington Times, Greg Raymer, the 2004 winner of the World Series of Poker Main Event, was a big hit at the right-wing meetings. Raymer told the paper he was there taking a libertarian stand for the right to decide for oneself.

"I don't want the government telling me what to do unless I'm hurting you. I don't believe that adults should be protected from themselves by the government."

The right to play poker, and to visit Internet casinos, is defended by many famous Republican conservatives, including Alphonse D'Amato, head of the PPA and an ex-Senator from New York. Dick Armey, former House Minority Leader, has also been vocal about the need to legalize and regulate online gambling.

Many were receptive to the PPA, and admitted they too enjoy playing poker once in while. Even critic Gary Bauer, head of American Values, said he liked the game.

"The problem with online gambling is that it becomes almost impossible to make sure that children aren't accessing it. The average parent can't monitor every second that their child is on the Internet," said Bauer.

Internet freedom advocates said the world is full of situations that need parental awareness, but to propose banning anything that, if misused, could harm a child would leave the world empty. "Lack of good parenting is never an adequate excuse for censorship, " said spokesman Tyrone Hughdon.