Online Gambling industry loses one of its finest

It’s a very sad time for the industry, we’ve certainly lost one of our pioneers in Jim Tabilio. Tabilio was the political strategist at the head of the Poker Voters of America (PVA) lobby group which has been credited as leading the charge for state-by-state regulation in the US.

At just 59 years young, Jim Tabilio has passed on after suffering a heart attack earlier this week. Tabilio had been instrumental in the formulation of the SB 45 bill being currently considered by the California legislature. Tabilio had a variety of talents, he served 25 years as a political consultant, and even wrote jokes for Tonight Show Host, Jay Leno.

It is our hope and the hope of everyone who worked with and knew Jim Tabilio that his efforts and vision as a pioneer in the online gambling industry will come to fruition.

eGaming Review quoted a telling statement from Poker Voters executive director Patrick Dorinson, who described Tabilio as a “tough, veteran political operative” who “created the vision of how we are trying to get internet poker legalised in the United States”.

As reported by eGaming Review, Dorinson said, “A fitting memorial to Jim Tabilio would be for California, his home state, to pass this law, and get this done. That to me is the most fitting memorial to someone like Jim. He put his heart into this, literally. I would encourage all participants in light of this tragic event to redouble their efforts…At the time of his passing, he was doing exactly what he wanted to do. The finish line is in sight, and we are going to make sure this comes across the finish line to honour Jim.”

Agreed.

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