With the regulation of online poker a hot topic this week in America, Poker Players Alliance (PPA) chairman Alfonse D'Amato voiced his opinion in support of poker players in the United States.

D'Amato, wrote an article on politico.com titled, On poker, are politicians listening? He spoke out about issues regarding the taxation of online poker.

The PPA chairman opened his editorial by highlighting the rise in popularity of poker and the support the game has received since the implementation of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA).

Vast amounts of poker players and enthusiasts, not just in the country but also around the world have rallied behind the PPA by calling, writing and emailing to show support. The PPA has even set up a pre-written letter to send to a person's corresponding Congressman.

The major implications and problems poker players have faced over the past couple of years has been when they try to deposit or withdraw their own money from online poker sites. However, D'Amato and fellow PPA chairman John Pappas have referred to the UIGEA as a "bump in the road".

D'Amato stated: "The fact that America has not already regulated Internet poker but has actually tried to prohibit it by deputizing U.S. banks to play the morality police is bizarre."

D'Amato, Pappas, and Barney Frank (House Financial Services Committee chairman) have all expressed the tax benefits the country would receive from the regulation of online poker.

As the country is in turmoil over its trillion-dollar budget deficit, it makes sense to regulate and tax online poker.

D'Amato echoed comments about the potential to tax online poker stating: "By refusing to regulate this industry, the federal government has also decided to refuse to tax it. That means that billions of dollars in potential tax revenue go uncollected."