Americans Want Legal Poker

May 22, 2025

The legalization of online poker has ranked near the top of a wish-list of US citizen policy proposals submitted to President Barack Obama last week.

A proposal to "boost American's economy with Legal Online Poker" ranked first among technology issues and 11th overall in the White House Citizen's Briefing Book, a compilation book of recommendations made to Obama.

At the beginning of Obama's presidency, citizens were asked to submit policy proposals through the Website change that would then be voted on. The poker proposal received 46,890 points, a result that won praise from pro-poker campaigners including the [directory/associationsandorganizations/pokerplayersalliance/|Poker Players Alliance].

"Poker players around the country are speaking with one voice to protect the game they love, and the White House is hearing that message," said PPA Executive Director John Pappas.

"We hope the Administration hears and acts upon the clear message sent via the Citizen's Briefing Book - keep online poker legal through thoughtful regulation," Pappas said, adding that the Poker community was ready to work with Obama and Congress to ensure the will of the people is acted upon.

The proposal, submitted by online poker player Aaron Huertas of Washington, DC, called for the online poker players to be allowed to "play legally and without fear of prosecution."

"Reform the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act to to exempt poker, a game of skill, from the law," it read.