The Poker Players Alliance (PPA) spent Monday working its magic during the 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP). At a press conference, the one million member strong organization unveiled National Poker Week, a first of its kind grassroots effort to get the ball rolling for legalized and regulated online poker in the United States. The festivities will occur between July 19th and 25th. The news comes just a few weeks removed from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York’s seizure of over $30 million in online poker payment processor funds. As part of National Poker Week, the PPA has released a laundry list of activities that concerned players from the United States can partake in. For those in Las Vegas, make sure to visit the PPA’s booth located by the Amazon Room, the home of the 2009 WSOP.
What’s your poker story? What makes the game so attractive to you? How does poker affect your livelihood? The PPA is seeking input from concerned poker players on “why poker is so important to them and why they believe the government should keep poker legal,” according to a press release distributed by the organization on Monday. A total of 16 amateurs have sent in videos to MyPokerStory.com, the PPA’s hub for submissions. Those who have lent a few minutes include PPA Chairman Alfonse D’Amato (pictured at left) and Republican Congressman from Texas Joe Barton. In addition, three professionals have submitted videos: Full Tilt Poker pro and longtime PPA supporter Howard Lederer, World Poker Tour (WPT) Legends of Poker runner-up Kenna James, and WPT Host and PartyPoker ambassador Mike Sexton.In addition, an online poker petition will be delivered to President Barack Obama on July 22nd. The petition concludes, “Please: 1) exempt poker from the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) and 2) license and regulate internet poker in the U.S. 3) Respect the rights of law-abiding Americans who love to play this great game of skill.” The petition alludes to legalization of online poker coming in as the number one technology issue as part of the Citizens’ Briefing Book, which was hosted on the official website of the then-President elect. Over 10,000 concerned citizens have signed the poker petition, which requires first and last name, e-mail address, and mailing address in order to be included. The petition represents a unique opportunity for the entire community to speak directly to the President.
The PPA will fly in over 30 of its State Directors from around the country. Along with a half-dozen poker pros, they’ll invade the halls of Capitol Hill meeting with Congressmen and drumming up support for legislation like Congressman Barney Frank’s (D-MA, pictured at right) HR 2267, the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act. The bill, which is similar to a measure introduced during the last Congress, establishes and full licensing and regulatory framework for the internet gambling industry in the United States and has attracted 34 co-sponsors. In addition, Frank has introduced HR 2266, the Reasonable Prudence in Regulation Act, which delays the enforcement of UIGEA regulations until December 1st, 2010. Both were unveiled to the world on May 6th.Poker pros that will be a part of National Poker Week include Lederer, Full Tilt Poker pro Andy Bloch, PocketFiver Annie Duke, Jan Fisher, Linda Johnson, and one of the inaugural members of the WSOP November Nine and current PokerStars pro, Dennis Phillips. More brand name players will be introduced in the future. Several are scheduled to take part in a charity tournament on July 21st benefiting the USO and the Malone House at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Wounded servicemen, the PPA’s State Directors, and Congressmen will all be in attendance. The PPA is covering the administrative costs of the event.
PPA State Director for Kentucky, Rich TheEngineer Muny (pictured at left), told PocketFives.com, “We’re expecting a very strong showing for National Poker Week. We’re excited to have all of the State Directors together brainstorming and getting energized for the effort going forward. Congress has learned that there are a lot of concerned poker players out there and has been hearing from its constituents.”As evidence of momentum building for internet gambling and online poker legislation on Capitol Hill, Congressman Spencer Bachus (R-AL), a staunch opponent of internet gambling in the House Financial Services Committee, recently told Politico, “It’s going to be an uphill battle to stop [internet gambling legislation] this time. We caught them off guard last time. This time, they won’t be off guard.” Bachus represents Alabama’s Sixth Congressional District, which includes the suburbs of Birmingham.
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