Maryland governor against federal online poker legislation

[The Buzz]

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley said this week he opposes federal legalization of Internet poker because he fears online gambling could destroy his state's lottery.

In a letter to Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas, co-chairs of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, O'Malley said the regulation of online poker would "diminish significant sources of revenue for the states when we have already had to endure significant revenue reductions."

From the GPWA:

O'Malley said federalizing Internet poker would widen state budget deficits and threaten any economic recovery.

"Historically, states have had the right to make their own decisions about whether to offer gambling and how to regulate the industry," O'Malley said. "These proposals would strip states of those rights."

[EugeneK]

Oh yeah, lottery and poker are almost the same things.

[Buddy M]

Here is a Mini Bio on him and information on where we can voice our opinion:

Governor O’Malley currently serves as Chair of the Democratic Governors Association and co-Lead on Homeland Security for the National Governors Association Public Safety Task Force. He was appointed to the nation’s first-ever Council of Governors by President Obama on January 11, 2010.

He can be reached at:

By mail:
100 State Circle
Annapolis, Maryland
21401-1925
By telephone:
410.974.3901
1.800.811.8336