Presidential Candidate Andrew Yang Encourages Online Poker Legalization
Andrew Yang, a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, has recently voiced his support of legalizing online poker in all 50 U.S. states.
The 44-year-old attorney, entrepreneur, and philanthropist believes that nationwide legalization of poker is in the country’s best interest.
Yang thinks the U.S. ban on internet poker in all but four states is only allowing illegal offshore sites to flourish.
He expressed his opinion on the matter in one of his tweets that said:
“Online poker is legal in four states. The state-by-state rules are variable and push many players to offshore sites. We should clarify the rules and make it legal in all 50 states. US players and companies would benefit and new tax revenues could be used to mitigate addiction.”
Of course, the tweet was received well by the online poker community. Some of the biggest professional poker players seemed to be supportive of Yang and his out-of-nowhere commentary.
Phil Galfond added to the Yang’s statement:
“Yes! & what most outside of poker don’t realize is that MANY sites still operate in the US, but because it’s outlawed, the ones remaining are those who ignore all regulations, including responsible gaming, security, anti-money-laundering, etc. Legal poker makes Americans safer!”
Bill Perkins encouraged Americans to put Yang in the White House:
“Holy sh**!! Show me one poker player who doesnt support Yang and I’ll show you a non poker player. We must so all the enrollment we can to get this guy in the Whitehouse.”
Daniel Negreanu, who’s been a supporter of the candidate even before he expressed his opinion on the topic, agreed:
“Ummm YES!!!! Poker players who want the freedom to play poker from home, this just might be your guy.”
Not to get all political, but Yang, however, has slim chances of to winning his party’s nomination, let alone the presidency.
For the vast majority of voters online poker isn’t exactly a key issue, however, if poker players had the last say in who wins the 2020 U.S. Presidential election, then Yang would win.