PPA Speaks out on Absolute and UltimateBet Poker Scandal

Having recently recruited its one millionth member, the Poker Players Alliance has gathered momentum in the US. Now they have issued a statement regarding the superuser account scandals which have hit Absolute and UltimateBet in recent months.

Having recently recruited its one millionth member, the Poker Players Alliance has gathered momentum in the US. Now they have issued a statement regarding the superuser account scandals which have hit Absolute and UltimateBet in recent months.
Former senator Alfonse D'Amato, who is the chairman of the Poker Players Alliance believes it is one of the responsibilities of the Alliance was to protect poker players from ambiguous online legislation.
“The Alliance therefore feels obliged to speak out when its mission to legalise online poker in the United States is undermined by actions which present Internet poker in a negative light”, he said in a statement.
'Trust is paramount in poker,' D'Amato added. 'Sadly, this foundation has been undercut by admissions from two well-known online poker companies, Absolute Poker and Ultimate Bet, that cheating has occurred on their poker sites.
'The Poker Players Alliance condemns any and all cheating in poker no matter the forum in which it is played. Because of the current legal uncertainties and the lack of federal regulation and oversight [in the United States], it is especially troubling when cheating occurs in online poker.'
D'Amato also urged the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, as well as UB and Absolute, to provide a full account of the breaches to help rebuild the public’s faith in the industry.
'These recent cheating scandals underscore the need for U.S. licensing and regulation of online poker to help protect consumers,' D'Amato said. 'While even the most highly regulated industries are susceptible to fraud and abuse, regulation does provide assurances that when consumers are harmed they have recourse.
'These scandals will not and should not be the demise of a responsible government approach to Internet poker. Instead, this can be the pathway to understanding that regulation is the key to protecting citizens and the future of America's card game.'
Although both companies have been fined by the KGC, there is a general feeling amongst the poker community that the full details haven’t been disclosed – something which the PPA clearly feel needs to be redressed.