It appears that Senator Majority Leader Bill Frist's attempts to attach anti-online casino gambling legislation to the FY 07 Defense Department Authorization Bill is stirring up more than disagreement and opposition. According to U.S. Army Sargeant, Felix Gutierrez, he was outraged when he first heard the news about how Frist was trying to underhandedly attach a bill to an entirely unrelated bill, knowing that legislation regarding funding for the Department of Defense would very likely pass. Additionally, if the bill was allowed to be attached, it is probable that some Senators would not even take an examination of its contents, assuming that if it was attached to legislation for the Department of Defense, it would be relevant to such legislation.

However, the Internet Gambling Prohibition and Enforcement Act (drawn up by Bob Goodlatte and Jim Leach) has nothing to do with the DOD, although one excuse its supporters are giving is that online casino gambling is a major source of money laundering and funding for terrorist activities (despite offering no proof of the aforementioned). Sargeant Gutierrez, who is the President of the Screaming Eagle Poker Association (SEPA), has since addressed a letter to Senators John Warner and Duncan Hunter of Virginia and California, who both serve as the Chairmen of the House and Senate Armed Service Committees. Expressing sentiments of opposition to the shameful tactics being used by Frist, Gutierrez urged the Senators to likewise oppose his agenda.

As for SEPA, they bring together hundreds of servicemen and women stationed in Iraq and the Middle East to play in free Texas Hold'em poker tournaments. With strong support from the Poker Players Alliance (who has donated chip sets and various items to be used as prizes), the poker tournaments, not to mention SEPA itself, have received a good deal of attention and support. The games are have been serving as a vehicle for improving and keeping the welfare and morale of troops stationed in such a hostile area at high levels. Airmen, Army troops, Marines and even DOD civilians all come together every week at base recreation and welfare centers to keep each other company and have fun.

The opposition of SEPA to the attempts of Senator Frist to attach the Internet Gambling Prohibition and Enforcement Act to the FY 07 Defense Department Authorization Bill is good news for supporters of the online casino gambling industry, for SEPA's newfound popularity and support will assuredly have some sway in Congress. The House and Senate Armed Services Committee have not commented on the memo sent by Sergeant Gutierrez as of yet, but are expected to do so within this week or next.