It must feel quite insulting to know that some people are actually rejoicing over the fact that you’re resigning. Then again, that’s the risk one has to take if he insists on being a politician. Jon Kyl, enemy of poker players who want online poker to be regulated in the States, has just announced that he would be retiring from congress this 2012. Kyl was one of the biggest movers behind the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, the biggest barrier to the proper regulation of online poker.

His Views on Online Gambling

Jon Kyl is actually a pretty decent member of the congress. He’s active, he’s conscientious, and he’s not afraid to stand up for what he believes in. He’s also ultra-conservative, which is good for certain issues but terrible if you’re a poker player. Jon Kyl is the top gun when it comes to blocking online poker’s chances of getting regulated and properly legalized in the states. He alleges that online poker is so easy to get into and that it’s addictive – the combination of which makes it extremely harmful to the youth. This is, no matter how much we deny it, completely and utterly true. Online poker can be rather detrimental to kids who would otherwise be pursuing a more stable path. The slew of poker pros aged twenty something is certainly not sending out a good message, especially if you consider the actual odds. Then again, the question here is whether the rest have to suffer through unregulated poker because of this.

Implications of Kyl’s Retirement

The forums, of course, are abuzz with elation over Kyl’s departure. As mentioned, he’s one of the top opponents of the poker regulation act. With him gone, there’s a big chance that an act regulating poker would have an easier time getting through. Of course, we have to be realistic about this. Chances are that Arizona will pick another ultra-conservative republican to replace Kyl. We need a democrat who will support online poker, but Arizona has always been known to lean heavily on the other side. Kyl is very confident about republican dominance as well, and he mentioned that the lineup of possible republican candidates in Arizona is very strong, while the democrats are pretty much just so-so.

Still, there’s nothing wrong with holding on to a bit of hope, is there? Kyl’s retirement is still big news, and definitely a development, so let’s not let too much pessimism bog us down.

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