Jason Somerville, a PokerStars sponsored pro with a massive following on Twitch, appeared on CNBC the other day for an interview and healthy debate against a member of the anti-online gambling coalition. Somerville gave a stunning and convincing interview and totally schooled Rev. James Butler,the executive director of California Coalition Against Gambling Expansion. Butler tried to spout gloom and doom about the evils of online poker, and Somerville intelligently crafted an excellent argument on why online poker should return to U.S. soil.
Jason Somerville is one of the most articulate pros in the poker realm. If you've ever watched his highly-popularTwitch stream, you instantly feel super comfortable and at ease. Jason Somerville is personable and super firendly. He has an amazing ability to explain high-end concepts and advanced strategy in very simple terms. He's also an amazing advocate for legalized online poker. The media savvy Somerville easily handled a live interview on CNBC in which he sang the praises of online poker and debated a staunch anti-gambling activist. Somerville pretty much pwned Rev. James Butler, otherwise known as the executive director of California Coalition Against Gambling Expansion.
The anti-gambling forces in America love to manipulate the religious right as their guard dogs. If it's a legal proceeding, or hearing, or MSM interview, the anti-online poker people willl happily trot out a preacher or some sort of persona affiliate with the religious community, because preachers are often eloquent speakers and no one ever thinks a preacher is lying to them or deceiving them. In this case, Rev. Butler used old-school scare tactics on CNBC's viewers by stating online poker will usher in "increases in crime, welfare, unemployment, and bankruptcy."
The Reverend harped on negative social consequences of online gambling and tried to spew fear-monger stats about states inevitably losing 3x as much money (as revenue earned) dealing with the economic impact of gambling. He even said that the state of California had over “one million” problem gamblers and that it's up to the government to prevent online gambling because those people will instantly harm themselves and society, while running up a nifty tab as well.
Jason Somerville
Plenty of people in life make bad decisions. As an American, we shouldn't be able to tell other law abiding adults what they can and can't do with their time and money. It's up to the government to enact responsible regulations and protections to make sure people don't hurt themselves too much.
The hosts at CNBC seemed more bemused with the Reverend's remarks than anything else and themain host stated that the U.S. is in a "distinct minority" with legalized online gambling. They gave poker pro Jason Somerville lots of air time to shoot down the Reverend's assertions. Along the way, Somerville hit on several strong points in favor of online poker and online gambling regulation.
“Poker has raised millions of dollars for good causes. Poker is a great vehicle of charity. It is a beautiful American social game of wits, wagers, and psychology."
When the Reverend kept hammering home the point that the government needed to help the populous from gambling, Somerville simply stated: "The government's perspective should be tax and regulate. Online poker exists in a regulated environment in the majority of countries around the world. It's great to see states like NJ take a forward thinking approach on this taxing and regulating it."
Somerville used his sugar daddy PokerStars as the perfect example of one of the rare gaming companies in full compliance with different governments. "PokerStars is the most licensed and regulated online poker site in the world. They are pushing for these regulations so there are no underage gamblers or problem gamblers."
Jason got the final word and explained to the panel how he's an online poker exile and has to play in Canada to make a living. He grew up in New York State and has multiple residences in New Jersey, Las Vegas, and Canada in order to be a professional poker player. Somerville mentioned his huge Twitch following and that the majority of them are Americans wondering why they can't play poker too. "I hear from Americans asking me, 'why can't I play a $1 tournament from the comfort of my own home while I am able to bet on horse races, buy lottery tickets, play daily fantasy (sports)?' Why isn't poker being treated the same as those industries that we're taxing and regulating?"
Watch the main interview here…
Here's an additional clip with Jason Somerville. "Let's bring poker back to America! Let's make poker great again!" Somerville ended his interview with a witty spin on one of the Presidential slogans.