The Poker Players Alliance is hoping to convince Congress to legalize Internet poker games.

The organization counts 1.2 million members. One of its lobbyists, former Congressman Jon Porter of Nevada, testified before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee last Thursday.

"We need to move from the Wild West of Internet gaming to current Las Vegas-style oversight," Porter said in his written testimony.

Tribes have been wary of Internet gaming but some are opening up to the idea as a way to protect their land-based casinos and to generate more revenues in the face of increased competition.

Get the Story:
Tribes fear that legalizing online poker would hurt casinos (McClatchy Newspapers 7/30)
Tribes want feds to start regulation of Internet gaming (The Riverton Ranger 7/29)
INFOGRAPHIC: The American Casino Gaming Market (Business Insider 7/27)

Committee Notice:
OVERSIGHT HEARING on Regulation of Tribal Gaming: From Brick & Mortar to the Internet (July 26, 2012)

TRIBAL ONLINE GAMING ACT OF 2012:
Summary of SCIA Internet gaming bill | Draft of SCIA Internet gaming bill

Related Stories:
NIGA calling for more consultation on SCIA's online gaming bill (7/27)
Tribes support role of NIGC over regulation of Internet gaming (7/27)