"Lobbyists, and their clients, “special interests,” often get a bum rap.

Lobbyists rarely give bundles of cash to corrupt politicians. Their main goal is to persuade legislators and regulators on behalf of their clients. They do this by providing information that no one else can.

For example, lobbyists for tribes with casinos have done a good job of educating members of Congress on the meaning of sovereignty.

As President Roosevelt noted, lobbyists also have to get politicians to act.

Today, organizations like the Poker Players Alliance (PPA) are arguing that millions of Americans want their favorite past-time made legal. This provides political cover.

And lawmakers also need to get reelected. I personally like the implied threat in the name of the leading advocacy group in California: Poker Voters of America.

Advocacy groups can influence regulators as well as elected officials. The PPA, with horse and dog track associations, filed a petition with the Federal Reserve and Treasury, successfully extending enforcement of the regulations for the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) until June 1, 2010."

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I. Nelson Rose: In Defense of Lobbyists (Poker Player 1/10)