According to Poker Players Alliance Executive Director John Pappas, the draft billscirculating from Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Representative Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) that would ban online gambling in the US would also put an end to the existing regulated sites in Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware. However, compromises could be made as the bills, which were dropped on Wednesday, are advanced through Congress. Read the Graham bill.

Will see any movement on the bills, which seek to restore the Wire Act of 1961 to say that it applies to all internet gambling sans horse racing, which received a carve-out? “The idea that these bills would go through the regular process is unlikely,” Pappas told PocketFives in an exclusive interview. “The more concerning issue is that these bills could spark discussion among leaders about pushing them in a larger package. That’s something we need to be very vigilant of.”

You’ll recall that the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, after being passed by a wide margin in the House, was tacked onto an unrelated port security bill in order to become law. At the end of the last Congressional session, rumors flew that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) was trying to push through legislation legalizing online poker by adding it to a must-pass bill. However, his plan failed to come to fruition.

“If these bills become law, all of the drafts I’ve seen would not provide any provisions for states with gambling sites already up,” Pappas warned. “Ultimately, if these bills were to move, compromises would likely be made. One of the first might be that the three states with regulated gambling would be allowed to stay up. The bills would, however, cripple Nevada, Delaware, and New Jersey from being able to expand player pools beyond their borders.”

You’ll recall that Nevada and Delaware have already formed a compact to offer interstate internet poker. Whether that agreement, which is expected to take effect in mid-2014, will be permitted if the Chaffetz/Graham bills were to pass remains to be seen.

We should point out that the comments from Pappas run somewhat in opposition to those made by Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval (pictured), who was recently quoted as saying, “I would question whether Federal law could come in and supersede our state’s laws.” The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported on Wednesday that no grandfather clause exists for states with regulated i-gaming sites like Nevada.

“People recognize that if these bills proceed, they are going to have to make accommodations for those three states,” Pappas forecasted. “I don’t think we’re looking for compromise, though. The PPA’s position is that these bills should be defeated.”

Pappas added that we’d likely see “a lot” of Congressmen come out against these bills: “I would imagine the delegations from New Jersey, Nevada, Delaware, Illinois, Georgia, and other states with major online lotteries that would be impacted would be opposed.” The Democratic Governors Association has already come out in opposition to the bills.

Finally, we’ve seen Texas Governor Rick Perry (pictured) voice his concerns about legalized internet gambling in the US. The article PocketFives published about Perry, a former Republican Presidential nominee, earlier this week received more than 20 comments from readers.

Pappas noted about Perry, “He is essentially hedging his rhetoric so that he doesn’t offend pro-gaming interests and is able to appease Sheldon Adelson. The intent of his letter is quite clear, though: he is supporting the bills being introduced.”

Adelson has been at the forefront of the fight to ban internet gambling in the US in recent months. His casinos include the Venetian and Palazzo in Las Vegas and Sands Bethlehem in Pennsylvania. Many players have voiced their intent not to spend money at those properties.

Stay tuned to PocketFives for the latest poker legislation news.

Want the latest poker headlines and interviews? Follow PocketFives on Twitterand Like PocketFives on Facebook. You can also subscribe to our RSS feed.