Now that mandatory financial services industry compliance with the regulations of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) has been pushed back six months to June 1st, 2010, passing legislation friendly to the industry now becomes a top priority for the Poker Players Alliance (PPA). The 1.2 million strong lobbying organization launched its latest grassroots advocacy campaign, Tweet for Poker, in recent weeks to serve that very purpose. How can you Tweet for Poker? Let’s find out.

Many poker players use Twitter, updating their friends, family, and even opponents in 140 character bursts as to the latest news and events from their lives. The PPA is capitalizing on the vast use of social mediums like Twitter to contact members of Congress. Although it’s a bit new age, the PPA’s Tweet for Poker campaign has caught on like wildfire since its announcement and takes on an elevated level of importance in light of last week’s news that compliance with the regulations of the UIGEA would be put off six months.
PPA Executive Director John Pappas, who has seen the organization’s clientele grow to seven-figures, commented in a press release announcing Tweet for Poker, “Poker players are online, they’re active, and they’re weighing in on the policy battles that impact their right to play. Tweet for Poker is PPA’s most instant and dynamic tool for our members to directly contact their legislators in a way that engages the public in the debate. We’re proud of the instant success and look forward to hearing what our elected officials think of the legislation and this new advocacy program.”

A total of 1,100 online poker players sent Twitter messages to lawmakers on Capitol Hill in the first week that Tweet for Poker became a reality. Here’s how it works: First, visit the official website of Tweet for Poker and get ready for some high-tech interaction with your elected officials. Then, click on “House” or “Senate.” If you click on the former, you’ll be asked to enter your street address and five-digit zip code. For example, entering “460 Great Circle Road” and “37228,” the address for the headquarters of the Tennessee Titans NFL franchise in Nashville, Tennessee, will give you back a drafted Twitter message that reads as follows:

To Rep. Jim Cooper: License and regulate online #poker. Support HR2267. http://bit.ly/1EBcYd #TN #37228

In the process, you’ll be asked to log into your Twitter account, which you can set up for free if you don’t have one by visiting Twitter.com. If you enter the same address after clicking on “Senate,” you’ll get the following message:

To @SenBobCorker: Keep #poker legal! Please cosponsor S1597. http://bit.ly/1EBcYd #TN #37228

The difference between the two Tweets, other than their recipients, is the bill each seeks its intended lawmaker to support. Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA, pictured at right) introduced HR 2267, the House bill, in May. The bill is up to 63 co-sponsors on both sides of the aisle and establishes a full licensing and regulatory framework for internet gambling companies in the United States to solicit real money customers. It’s one of two measures that will be discussed this Thursday, December 3rd, as part of a House Financial Services Committee hearing. The other is HR 2266, which delays compliance with the regulations of the UIGEA by one year to December 1st, 2010. Whether HR 2266 is a non-issue given last week’s extension is unknown.

On the Senate side, S 1597 is the featured bill. Introduced by Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), the piece of legislation is dubbed the Internet Poker and Game of Skill Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act. Unlike HR 2267, S 1597 focuses on legalizing skill games like online poker, which is mentioned by name in its text along with mahjong, bridge, backgammon, and chess.

Visit TweetForPoker.com today to get involved.