A month ago, the Poker Players Alliance moved its headquarters to Washington, D.C. The goal was to be as close as possible to lawmakers, who have the fate of the online gambling industry in the United States in their hands. The main lobbying group for the online poker industry just announced a Policy Conference, which will occur October 22-24. This three-day event marks the most aggressive campaign yet by the PPA, whose membership is quickly approaching the 800,000 mark on its way to one million strong. With such an important event in the works, the time to become involved is right now. An e-mail sent to PPA members stressed the importance of coming to Washington next month to make a stand for online gambling: “You will have a chance to meet with Members of Congress who will vote on this important issue, and mingle with many of the best poker players and pros from across the United States. In addition to a great conference, we will schedule a meeting with your Member of Congress and work with you to make sure they get the message that poker is a game of skill and that reasonable regulation is the best policy approach to Internet gaming. Members of Congress need to hear from their constituents. Without you, the poker prohibitionists will continue to make the rules. With you, we can protect games of skill from unfair government interference.”
The Policy Conference’s hub will be the Omni Shoreham Hotel and transportation will be provided to Capitol Hill. The event kicks off with a Welcome Reception at 6:00pm on Monday, October 22nd and participants are encourage to plan flights home the night of the 23rd or the morning of the 24th. If you plan to attend this historic event, send an e-mail to wash-fly-in@pokerplayersalliance.org in order to get a registration form. Discount hotel rates are available as well. You don’t even have to be a member of the PPA to participate. Just e-mail wash-fly-in@pokerplayersalliance.org and you can be a part of poker history.
With the new session of Congress convening after the Labor Day holiday, eyes will turn towards the discussion of internet gambling. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act calls for banks to halt transactions to offshore gambling sites. Congress will now have four major online gambling bills to examine. They include the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act, proposed by Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA). The bill calls for a framework for the United States to license offshore online gambling companies to do business within its borders. In addition, the Skill Game Protection Act, proposed by Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL), would provide an exemption from all existing legislation for poker, bridge, and other games of skill. Also, the Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Association has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Government to declare the UIGEA unconstitutional. A hearing is scheduled for next week.
The issue is about to come to a head and the Poker Players Alliance needs YOU in Washington to discuss and defend online poker. Please e-mail wash-fly-in@pokerplayersalliance.org with any questions or for registration information. Not a member of the PPA? You should be. Sign up at the PPA website. Completely free memberships are available.
