Washington state's law specifically bans online gambling, atop the federal Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). Signed into law by Governor Chris Gregorie, online gambling is no less than a felony.
This legislation affects over 800,000 Washington state citizens, including Lee Rousso.
The Poker Players Alliance’s (PPA) Washington State representative, Rousso will appear in court today to argue for the legalization of online poker. While he will be in the King Country Superior Court, PPA members will be outside the justice halls holding a rally in his support.
The constitutional challenge is based on the argument that the ban violates the Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution. It is congress only that can regulate interstate commerce, not states legislatures.
Also in the rally will be poker stars Andy Bloch and Barry Greenstein
Listen to a phone interview we held with Lee Rousso ahead of the court hearing.
