Originally Posted by DeaconMike

Deac from Missouri says "SENT"

It's ok if I want to ride the donkey down to the local mini mart and spend $500 on lottery tickets, but try and deposit or withdraw money from an online poker site, where I feel like I actually have a decent chance of winning something and I'm treated like a degenerate gambler that needs big brother controlling me. It's ridiculous that we as adults can't spend or access our own money in the "LAND OF THE FREE"

Thanks for all your hard work Engineer

Thanks for the kind words and for sending the PPA letter. Your comparison of lotteries to poker is apt, especially here in Kentucky where our governor thinks online poker competes with the lottery!

Everyone: thanks for the kind words as well. I'm glad we're all working together to secure our rights.

sent

Here's the lastest: 35,258 letters sent by 10,915 people.

I got some feedback that i figured i would share, not everyone I sent to has responded yet, but it hasnt even been 24 hours and i already got some feedback:

Greg,
You can count on my support.

Jim
The Honorable James Brochin
Maryland Senate
11 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401

and

Dear Mr. Olson:

Thank you for that information. I'm sorry, I did not understand exactly what the bills contained. I have forwarded your letter to Delegate Frank, and as soon as he tells me his thoughts on the bills' regulations, and how he feels about it, I will get back to you.

Sincerely,

Betsy

Betsy Hamilton
Legislative Assistant to
DELEGATE WILLIAM J. FRANK
District 42
410-841-3793

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, September 09, 2009 12:55 AM
To: Frank, William Delegate
Subject: Re: Support Sensible Poker Legislation

Dear Mrs. Hamilton:

Thank you for your fast response. I am aware that the bills I brought up are
federal; however, they contain a provision that will allow individual states
to opt in or out of the regulation. These federal bills respect states'
rights by allowing each state to choose whether its citizens can
participate. With Congressional action on these bills expected in the near
future, there is no better time than now to prepare for our states decision
to opt in. Passing up the opportunity to license and regulate online poker
would mean Marylanders would miss out on the much needed revenue that this
program would generate.

Sincerely,

Greg Olson

-------------------------------------------------
From: "Frank, William Delegate" <William.Frank@house.state.md.us>
Sent: Tuesday, September 08, 2009 11:14 AM
Subject: RE: Support Sensible Poker Legislation

Dear Mr. Olson:
Thank you for your e-mail. However the bills you are writing about are
Federal, not state. Delegate Frank does not vote on this bills. They are
voted on by your Senator and Congressman.

Sincerely,

Betsy Hamilton
Legislative Assistant to
DELEGATE WILLIAM J. FRANK
District 42
410-841-3793

 

Originally Posted by greggo430

I got some feedback that i figured i would share, not everyone I sent to has responded yet, but it hasnt even ...

Awesome! Nice getting fast, positive feedback. I'm glad you responded quickly to clarify the expectation of your state delegate, too.

I discussed this on this week's podcast @2:45:
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td>

</td><td valign="middle"><a rel="nofollow" href="javascript:playPodcast('4670506',%20'/pocketfives/p5_siteandpodcast');">
</a> </td></tr></tbody></table> P5s Podcast, Sep 10, 2009 Thur, 10 Sep 2009 12:00:00 EST

sent

I just updated the letter to make it even more clear that we're asking for state action.

As a constituent, voter, and proud poker player, I am writing to ask for your support regarding specific actions our great state will be required to take if legislation in the U.S. Congress becomes law. Specifically, two bills to license, regulate, and tax online games of skill like poker have been introduced in the Congress. If either passes into law, our state will have to make a choice. EVEN THOUGH THESE ARE FEDERAL BILLS, THE FINAL DECISION WILL BE MADE BY EACH INDIVIDUAL STATE. We can either participate in the program or opt out of the provisions of the bill. I ask that you support keeping our state in this important program.

U.S. House Bill H.R. 2267 and U.S. Senate Bill S. 1597 provide for sensible licensing, regulation, and taxation of Internet poker. They mandate rigorous, verifiable safeguards against underage participation while providing consumer protections for the millions, including many in our state, who play online poker every day. These bills also include dedicated funding to establish and implement programs for prevention and treatment of those with excessive gaming habits.

Both bills benefit our state economically. According to an economic study conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers in April, tax revenues from these bills will provide billions of dollars to the U.S. Treasury and to the states in the program. Additionally, the Senate bill provides for revenue-sharing with participating states, bringing even more much-needed funds into our state's coffers. Both bills allow American companies to participate in the world's Internet poker market, bringing needed jobs to our state as well.

Solutions like H.R. 2267 and S. 1597 provide the most rational approach to controlling this industry and preserving it for adults who choose to engage in games of skill like poker. An unenforceable, unpopular prohibition provides none of these benefits. All prohibition can do is drive players underground or overseas while limiting my personal freedom.

What's most important to me is your support for my rights. Please respond to this letter and let me know if you will support keeping our state in this important program. I hope that I, along with my over one million fellow Poker Players Alliance members can count on your support.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

sent

Sent! Here is the response I received from my representative:

<SPAN class=Normal-H>Dear Mr. Miller:</SPAN>

<SPAN class=normal-p-H><SPAN class=normal-h1-H>Thank you for contacting me about </SPAN><SPAN class=normal-h1-H>I</SPAN><SPAN class=normal-h1-H>nternet gambling </SPAN><SPAN class=normal-h1-H>regulations</SPAN><SPAN class=normal-h1-H>. As Central Kentucky's advocate in Washington, D.C., your views are extremely important to me, and I appreciate the time you took to share them.</SPAN></SPAN>

<SPAN class=normal-p-H><SPAN>H.R. 2267, the </SPAN><SPAN>Internet</SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN><SPAN>Gambling</SPAN><SPAN> Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act, </SPAN><SPAN>would enact </SPAN><SPAN>administrative and licensing requirements for </SPAN><SPAN>I</SPAN><SPAN>nternet</SPAN><SPAN> betting </SPAN><SPAN>and would include safeguards against compulsive Internet gambling and underage gambling</SPAN><SPAN>. </SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN><SPAN>This legislation is currently pending before three House Committees: Judiciary, Energy and Commerce, and Financial Services. </SPAN><SPAN>I believe it is important to </SPAN><SPAN>protect our freedoms while also providing</SPAN><SPAN> consumer protection, especially those consumers susceptible to Internet predators</SPAN><SPAN> and scam artists</SPAN><SPAN>. </SPAN><SPAN class=normal-h1-H>Please rest assured I will closely monitor this issue and keep your thoughts in mind. </SPAN></SPAN>

<SPAN class=normal-p-H><SPAN class=normal-h1-H>Again, I value your input on the issue of </SPAN><SPAN class=normal-h1-H>I</SPAN><SPAN class=normal-h1-H>nternet gambling. I hope you will stay in touch, and please feel free to visit </SPAN><SPAN class=hyperlink-h1-H>http://chandler.house.gov</SPAN><SPAN class=normal-h1-H> and sign up for my e-newsletter keeping you up to date on issues affecting Central Kentucky in the 111th Congress</SPAN><SPAN class=normal-h1-H>.</SPAN></SPAN>

<SPAN class=Normal-H>I appreciate the time you have taken to contact me about this matter.</SPAN>

<SPAN> Sincerely,
<ZZZIMG src="http://chandler.house.gov/media/documents/chandlersig.jpg">
Ben Chandler
Member of Congress</SPAN>

sent

 

Originally Posted by kamikazzee63

I sent this on Sept. 8th and today I recieved a response in the mail (not email). I was very suprised and it made me feel like my efforts were worth my time. The letter was from Karla Bingham a Minnesota State Representative.

I dont feel like typing the whole letter but it basically mentions the new legislations that Rep. Barney Frank is proposing to congress. One of them would create an exception for poker to the UIGEA. The other bill would delay the full implementation of the UIGEA until 2010.

It also mentions that if the states have an "opt in" or "opt out" option in this bill it will surely prompt discussion and debate at the Minnesota Legislature. In that event and I quote Karla Bingam; " I will listen closely to constituents who contact me about online poker, and weigh the pros and cons of all arguments that are raised".

**We are being heard! Keep it up!** and thanks for your work TheEngineer.

That's really awesome! I'm glad we're being heard. I think this is important foundational work for the upcoming fight at the state level.

sent!

Done