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Man does not represent Poker Players Alliance
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Poker
Players Alliance Reacts to Washington State Supreme
Court Rally - 28th May 2010
On
Thursday, the Poker Players Alliance (PPA), the industry’s
one million member strong lobbying force, staged a
rally on the steps of the Washington State Supreme
Court. Inside the building, PPA Washington State Director
Lee Rousso was suing to declare a law that criminalizes
online poker to be unconstitutional.
In
comments released shortly after the hearing, PPA Chairman
Alfonse D’Amato stated in a press release, “The
PPA is pleased that the Washington State Supreme Court
agreed to hear this case and today’s arguments
have provided the court compelling reasons to reverse
this ridiculous law. This law is not about the legislature
protecting the state’s citizens, but rather about
protecting special interests and tribal casinos from
competition.” The state has legal card rooms
and casinos.
Rousso
is suing on the grounds that the statute, which makes
playing online poker a Class C felony, violates the
Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution.
Scheduled to flank Rousso and D’Amato at the
hearing were PPA Executive Director John Pappas and
Full Tilt Poker pro Phil Gordon, a former World Poker
Tour (WPT) champion and Washington native.
D’Amato
was pleased with the number of concerned poker players
who turned out to support Rousso during Thursday’s
hearing and rally: “I was amazed by the turnout
of poker players who joined us this morning on the
steps of the Supreme Court. These Washington poker
enthusiasts are doctors, lawyers, auto mechanics,
and school teachers, not hardened felons. The Poker
Players Alliance is grateful that the local poker
community is so dedicated and I hope local lawmakers
know that these voters care deeply about their freedoms.”
Two
days prior to the hearing, the PPA released the results
of a poll showing that 79% of 400 randomly selected
Washington State voters oppose the law making criminals
of online poker players. A total of 54% of respondents,
or over half, stated that they strongly disagreed
with the statute. Playing online poker, even for pennies,
can result in up to five years behind bars and a $10,000
fine. A Class C felony is also given to those who
possess child pornography and illegal substances like
heroin.
Polled
voters didn’t just oppose the status quo in Washington
State; they wanted it changed entirely. Poll results
revealed, “A majority of voters (54%) believe
playing online poker in Washington should be legal
if the government would ‘regulate and tax online
poker and use what could be millions of new tax dollars
to fill holes in the state’s budget.’”
The PPA has 20,000 members in Washington State.
According
to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer newspaper, the Washington
State Supreme Court is likely to take six to nine
months to offer up a ruling. Rousso told the media
outlet that the case may end up in the U.S. Supreme
Court “because he thinks it’s a cutting
edge issue across the country.” The law was passed
in 2006 prior to the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement
Act (UIGEA). Washington State legislators have since
explored online gambling options like keno.
On
a national level, the PPA and its one million members
are anxiously awaiting mandatory industry compliance
with the regulations of the UIGEA, set to come on
June 1st. No last-minute delay appears to be in order
and what the landscape of the internet gambling industry
in the United States will be come Tuesday is anyone’s
guess. Government offices are closed on Monday due
to the Memorial Day holiday.
The Poker Players Alliance (PPA) is a non-profit membership
organization comprised of online and offline poker
players. Our membership consists of enthusiasts from
around the United States who have joined together
to speak with one voice to promote the game and protect
the right to play poker in all its forms.
The
PPA’s mission is to establish favorable laws
that provide poker players with a secure, safe and
regulated place to play. Through education and awareness
the PPA will keep this game of skill, one of America’s
oldest recreational activities, free from egregious
government intervention and misguided laws.
The
Threat Is Real
Even as public support for poker grows and interest
in the game expands through televised celebrity matches
and other events, several states and localities are
making changes to laws that encroach on poker players’
abilities to play online, at home, in bars or taverns,
and even at charity events across the country. Moreover,
some at the federal level have dedicated themselves
to putting an end to interactive poker. In 2006 Congress
passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement
Act a law which seeks to keep you from playing poker
over the Internet. This misguided law can be curtailed,
and the PPA is working right now with Congress to
establish new laws that clarify the legal status of
poker and establish licensed and regulated Internet
poker in the U.S.
The
PPA understands that over-zealous, big government
policies start out as seemingly small, insignificant
steps. But if left unchallenged, such policies would
guarantee that poker players from Bakersfield, California
to Bangor, Maine, would be at risk of losing their
freedom to play poker.
Playing
Our Best Hand
The Poker Players Alliance is committed to defending
the rights of poker players. On behalf of our broad
membership, we will promote and protect poker through
advocacy work in Washington, D.C., and throughout
the nation. The Poker Players Alliance will work with
key lawmakers to ensure a thoughtful and productive
dialogue that represents everyone who enjoys and wants
to protect the game.
But
the Poker Players Alliance’s most powerful resource
is its membership base, the players. Through our Web
site, www.theppa.org,
and through direct contact with our members, the Poker
Players Alliance is empowering poker players and enthusiasts
to deliver positive messages about the game and why
it should be protected to federal, state, and local
elected representatives.
PPA
Membership
As a member of the Poker Players Alliance, you will
be given the necessary tools to become an advocate
for poker. Your concerns are important to your elected
officials. Through your Poker Players Alliance membership,
you will be able to deliver the positive message about
poker and why it should be protected directly to your
federal, state, and local elected representatives.
You will also be updated with the latest news about
the threats we face as poker players, as well as with
interesting information about key issues that impact
our ability to play.
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Win
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