American grassroots poker advocacy group will lobby members of Congress from July 19 to 25 and is asking players for their help.
Friday 3rd July 2009
In America, the Poker Players Alliance (PPA) advocacy group has announced that it will begin a major push in two weeks’ time to show lawmakers just how many people throughout the nation support legislation to regulate and license the game online.
The PPA will hold its National Poker Week from July 19 to 25 and is asking its membership to send messages to lawmakers voicing their support for a game that is played online by over ten million Americans.
In addition, over 30 of the PPA's state directors alongside half a dozen professional poker players will travel to Washington and meet with members of Congress to ask them to support legislation regulating and licensing the game online. One such proposed piece of legislation is Congressman Barney Frank's recently introduced Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection And Enforcement Act, which would establish a Federal regulatory and enforcement framework that would allow online gambling operators to obtain licenses.
The PPA also revealed that it would deliver a petition to President Obama seeking his support and asking for an exemption for poker from the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006.
'Our members, the poker players of America, are our best advocates to protect the future of poker,' said former Senator Alfonse D’Amato, Chairman for the PPA.
'National Poker Week, with events in Washington and across the country, is the PPA's way to make it clear to my former colleagues in the US Congress that poker is important to voters and is here to stay.'
The PPA will be organising telephone and e-mail campaigns to Congressional offices throughout the week and players should visit NationalPokerWeek.com to learn more.
'Protecting American's right to play poker, whether online or around the poker table, is something everyone should support even if you don't play,” said professional poker player Howard Lederer.
“Restricting what we can do online in the privacy of our own home is a slippery slope, which is why I am coming to Washington for National Poker Week; to tell my members of Congress to protect my rights.”
