It’s a bit late in the game, but the PPA has stepped forward with a new plan to move poker out of the cross hairs of the UIGEA.

That’s the word from PPA head John Pappas. In a video released this week, Pappas outlined a new plan by the PPA to help the online poker industry dodge the impact of the UIGEA: a petition to exempt online poker (and other peer-to-peer wagering games) from the law.

The petition is simply the latest in a series of twists and turns involving the UIGEA. Originally signed into law in 2006 as part of a broader measure dealing with port security, the act was the subject of delays and controversy, existing in a legislative limbo until 2009. It was in December of that year that enforcement of the act was to formally get under way, a deadline that the PPA fought off by lobbying successfully for a six-month extension.

That extension expires June 1st, and analysts have been generally skeptical about the PPA’s ability to further stave off the act. It’s a bit early to speculate on the chances of this latest strategy, but with only 22 signatures and less than a month before enforcement begins, Pappas seems like he’s certainly fighting an uphill battle.

Judge for yourself – below is the video where Pappas talks about the petition and the impact the UIGEA will have on poker if his group fails to win an exemption:

Note that Pappas goes out of his way to clarify a couple of key points – first, that even without an exception, nothing about the UIGEA makes playing poker online illegal. Second, and perhaps more critically, nothing about the UIGEA is designed to prevent players from withdrawing from online poker sites.

The big question has been, and still remains, the degree to which depositing will be impacted by the act.

For more answers to frequently asked questions regarding the UIGEA and the possible impacts of June 1st, read our UIGEA Summary and FAQ article.

To learn more about the PPA and to offer your support, visit their home page.

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