VALLEY STREAM, N.Y., Feb. 12, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Face Up Entertainment Group, Inc. (OTCBB:FUEG), a Reality Gaming Social Network company, sees shift from federal to state legislation in fight to legalize on-line poker play.
According to Poker News (http://www.pokernews.com/news/2013/01/online-poker-lobbyists-will-shift-focus-from-federal-14115.htm) beginning in 2013, the States on an individual basis, will be leading the charge to legalize on-line poker play. This marks a dramatic change from the last few years when these efforts were being spearheaded at the federal level.
The state race is already underway, with Nevada, Delaware and possibly New Jersey expected to have intrastate Internet Poker operating sometime this year. Other states have been waiting to see what happens at the federal level.
The proposal last year from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and now former Senator Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) would have regulated Internet poker while prohibiting other forms of online gambling to get support from liberals and conservatives. This proposal was the best chance for legislation at the federal level. Reid's office claims there might still be an opportunity to pass the bill this year, but passage will be difficult without Kyl in office to deliver Republican support. Poker lobbyists aren't going to completely abandon Capitol Hill, but it's become clear that their focus is better placed elsewhere.
"I think the tables have flipped, where it used to be a 70-30 focus on federal, and I think now it will be more like 30-70," said John Pappas, executive director of the Poker Players Alliance. "The PPA is really looking at the state opportunities for 2013 and making sure we are in a position to impact any bills moving at the state level."
States that Pappas considers most likely to pursue online poker legislation this year are California, Illinois, Massachusetts and Iowa. Others, like Pennsylvania and Maryland, may emerge.
Felix Elinson, the Company's CEO, commenting on the Poker News release stated "with states like New Jersey and others that are cash strapped, leading the way and aggressively pursuing the legalization and regulation of online poker play, it makes good sense for other Governors and state officials, to lead the charge to get online poker legalized. We have been following activity in various states, including California for movement on this issue."
The Company's game proprietary platform (www.FaceUpGaming.com) is being used in creating a vast global gaming network consisting of games from every region of the globe, supporting native languages as well as cross language functionality. Logical additions to the platform include global staples in gaming such as Backgammon, Poker, Chess and Checkers and many others. Face Up Gaming is a legal non-wagering online gaming platform (www.FaceUpGaming.com).
Face Up Entertainment Group, Inc is committed to responsible game-play and is not a gambling site. "Our goal is to maintain the thrill of online games while keeping it safe for everyone. "Our social networking functionality provides the user base with the ability to grow their circle of friends beyond those they physically reach day to day. Our users sit down to play a game and more often than not leave making a connection with a stranger which is then maintained via our social network functionalities," stated Mr. Elinson.
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