Frank Fahrenkopf Jr. Speaks to QuadJacks and the Online Poker Community QuadJacks » The Gaming World
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Head of the most powerful gaming industry lobby explains the view from Capitol Hill and the American Gaming Association’s vision for federal online poker legislation. AGA President Frank Fahrenkopf Jr. talking to QuadJacks from his office in Washington D.C. In 1995, in response to a proposed tax increase for casino revenue nationwide, the imperiled operators opted to momentarily put competition aside and band together to form the American Gaming Association and defend their interests. Its founder, Frank Fahrenkopf Jr., a seasoned gaming attorney who had also been Republican National Committee chairman for most of the 1980′s, volunteered to serve as the CEO of the trade organization for a period of one year. In 2012, he is entering his 17th consecutive year. The AGA’s position on online gaming, which for years has mirrored the one taken by most of the casino industry, has gone from one of explicit disapproval (“The AGA is opposed to all forms of Internet gaming because we do not believe the technology exists to properly regulate it with appropriate law enforcement oversight.”) to one of active support and lobbying for federal online poker legislation today. Although much of the work it is doing is ultimately for the benefit of American poker players, the AGA is primarily a lobby for gaming companies (it represents over fifty of them), without a grassroots element. Mr. Fahrenkopf’s appearance on The Gaming World on March 21, 2012, marks the first time the American Gaming Association has addressed the online poker community so directly and extensively since the events of Black Friday. Listen to Frank Fahrenkopf Jr.’s 3/21 interview on The Gaming World Right click save as to download Subscribe in a reader Subscribe to QuadJacks » The Gaming World by Email A FEDERAL MODEL WHICH RESPECTS STATES’ RIGHTS IS THE BEST SOLUTION The perception that the American Gaming Association, along with its mainstream casino clients, wants a fully nationalized regulatory framework is false, says Fahrenkopf. As a lifelong Republican, Fahrenkopf says he is a strong supporter of the 10th amendment and states’ rights, and under an ideal federal model, licensing and regulation would and should be the responsibility of the states almost entirely. Why, then, is there a need for a federal presence? A very important reason, says Fahrenkopf, has to do with tribal support, which is necessary for the success of any legislative step forward. “There has to be a federal involvement for a number of reasons. We must remember that we’re talking about all aspects of the legal gaming community in our country. This involves Native Americans. Tribes, in their just defense of sovereignty, will never agree to be subject to a state for licensing and regulation.” As for interstate compacts, Fahrenkopf reminds us that even these require federal approval, and he is concerned with “whether or not the Commerce Clause is broad enough in its scope, because these signals cross state lines, regardless of the Justice Department’s opinion.” Could the federal government and the states co-exist on online poker?...
Head of the most powerful gaming industry lobby explains the view from Capitol Hill and the American Gaming Association’s vision for federal online poker legislation. AGA President Frank Fahrenkopf Jr. talking to QuadJacks from his office in Washington D.C. In 1995, in response to a proposed tax increase for casino revenue nationwide, the imperiled operators opted to momentarily put competition aside and band together to form the American Gaming Association and defend their interests. Its founder, Frank Fahrenkopf Jr., a seasoned gaming attorney who had also been Republican National Committee chairman for most of the 1980′s, volunteered to serve as the CEO of the trade organization for a period of one year. In 2012, he is entering his 17th consecutive year. The AGA’s position on online gaming, which for years has mirrored the one taken by most of the casino industry, has gone from one of explicit disapproval (“The AGA is opposed to all forms of Internet gaming because we do not believe the technology exists to properly regulate it with appropriate law enforcement oversight.”) to one of active support and lobbying for federal online poker legislation today. Although much of the work it is doing is ultimately for the benefit of American poker players, the AGA is primarily a lobby for gaming companies (it represents over fifty of them), without a grassroots element. Mr. Fahrenkopf’s appearance on The Gaming World on March 21, 2012, marks the first time the American Gaming Association has addressed the online poker community so directly and extensively since the events of Black Friday. Listen to Frank Fahrenkopf Jr.’s 3/21 interview on The Gaming World Right click save as to download Subscribe in a reader Subscribe to QuadJacks » The Gaming World by Email A FEDERAL MODEL WHICH RESPECTS STATES’ RIGHTS IS THE BEST SOLUTION The perception that the American Gaming Association, along with its mainstream casino clients, wants a fully nationalized regulatory framework is false, says Fahrenkopf. As a lifelong Republican, Fahrenkopf says he is a strong supporter of the 10th amendment and states’ rights, and under an ideal federal model, licensing and regulation would and should be the responsibility of the states almost entirely. Why, then, is there a need for a federal presence? A very important reason, says Fahrenkopf, has to do with tribal support, which is necessary for the success of any legislative step forward. “There has to be a federal involvement for a number of reasons. We must remember that we’re talking about all aspects of the legal gaming community in our country. This involves Native Americans. Tribes, in their just defense of sovereignty, will never agree to be subject to a state for licensing and regulation.” As for interstate compacts, Fahrenkopf reminds us that even these require federal approval, and he is concerned with “whether or not the Commerce Clause is broad enough in its scope, because these signals cross state lines, regardless of the Justice Department’s opinion.” Could the federal government and the states co-exist on online poker?...