April 24th, 2012
By Poker Players Alliance
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Weekly Update from Rich Muny, VP of Player Relations
Six years ago, the Department of Justice’s December statement on the scope of the Wire Act as not applying to online poker would have resulted in a mad dash on Capitol Hill to see who could be first to expand the Wire Act legislatively to explicitly ban the game. Black Friday would have resulted in a rush to pass anti-poker legislation as well if it happened in 2005. For a refresher on that sad time for poker rights, check here and here for how things were on Capitol Hill prior to poker players organizing and fighting back.
So, what’s different now? Why aren’t anti-gaming forces lining up against us? Why are bricks-and-mortar casinos now willing to take a chance at advocating for online poker legislation, rather than seeking a ban on all online gaming? Why did three more lawmakers just sign onto HR 2366, the Online Poker Act? It is because the poker community stood up, organized, and fought back, that’s why! I’m proud we are fighting together and am looking forward to our ultimate victory.
With the DoJ determination of the Wire Act’s limited scope, it is very likely that either the federal government and/or individual states will move to authorize online poker in the near future. If we all keep pushing for our rights, we will help our case here both in getting legislation passed and in getting player-friendly provisions added to it.
So, let’s all keep up the pressure on the Hill. Let’s keep telling lawmakers that they cannot stop us and that they need to move on legislation!
Take Action
Let’s keep telling lawmakers to support our rights and make sure they know we’ll never fold in this fight:
- Let’s sent prefilled, editable tweets in support of New Jersey’s proposed legislation to license and regulate online poker within that state (S 1565) HERE and HERE. Let’s also post to Governor Chris Christie’s Facebook wall with pro-poker posts HERE. If you are a resident of New Jersey, be sure to mention that when commenting.
- Let’s thank three new cosponsors of HR 2366 on Facebook! Rep. Mark Amodei R-NV HERE, Rep. Frank LoBiondo R-NJ HERE, and Rep. Adam Smith D-WA HERE.
Full Tilt Poker Update
There has been much speculation regarding a deal for PokerStars to purchase Full Tilt Poker. Pokerfuse has a good article on the rumor here. PPA’s position has been and continues to be that any deal for Full Tilt Poker must mandate full reimbursement of player funds. We are optimistic that any deals going forward on this matter will include this key provision and are encouraged by PokerStars’ prompt repayment of its players in the aftermath of Black Friday.
PPA is attempting to gather as much credible information as possible. We will keep everyone informed of any and all new developments.
iGaming Conferences
PPA’s mission to ensure that the players’ voices are heard is not limited to the halls of Congress and state capitols. It is essential that all Internet gaming stakeholders understand the perspective of the consumer. To help ensure that potential U.S. operators, regulators, and others know what is important to the player, PPA attends and actively participates in select gaming conferences.
PPA Executive Director John Pappas is attending GiGse, the Global iGaming Summit and Expo, in San Francisco, CA this week. He is joined by other leaders in the gaming industry, including executives from all the major U.S. casinos and gaming vendors, state lottery commissioners, tribal government representatives, and European regulators. Nearly 700 people have gathered to discuss topics important to the poker community, including: taxation of iGaming; player safeguards, age-verification and geo-location; state and federal legislation; and, the impact of the December 23rd DoJ decision. Throughout the week, PPA will be delivering a strong pro-consumer message to these important decision-makers in the iGaming field, showing them that we are organized and that we expect player-friendly provisions.
Interviews
Upcoming Appearances:
- Webcast: “Poker Advocacy with Rich Muny” airs live each Monday at 8:30 pm ET on OnTilt Radio (listen live here)
- Webcast: “PPA Weekly Update” airs live each Tuesday at 9:30 pm ET, now on Fifth Street Radio (listen live here)
Recent Appearances:
- OnTilt Radio: “Poker Advocacy with Rich Muny,” with G. Douglas Dreisbach, General Manager of Southern Gaming and Destinations Magazine, and poker pro Robert Williamson III to discuss the 2012 Derby Poker Championship, followed by Doug Tirola, director of All In, The Poker Movie (4/23) (Part I, Part II)
- PocketFives Podcast, with PPA Executive Director John Pappas and Rich Muny (4/21) (read here; listen here)
- WFTL 640 AM (South Florida): “Poker Action Line,” with guest PPA Board Member & 2004 WSOP Champion Greg Raymer (4/18) (listen here)
- “House of Cards,” with guest Rich Muny (4/18) (podcast site)
- “House of Cards,” with guest John Pappas (4/17) (podcast site)
- Pokerfuse: “The US Legal Landscape One Year After Black Friday,” with PPA Board Member & Litigation Support Network Director Patrick Fleming (4/15) (read here)
Past Interviews:
- Poker Advocacy with Rich Muny: click here
- Short Stacked Radio PPA Weekly Update: click here
Thank you for your continued support!
The PPA wishes to keep active members like yourself updated on the latest poker advocacy news by periodically sending out select events and headlines. We hope you find it informative and thank you for your continuing support.
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The Poker Players AllianceDedicated to Protecting America’s Favorite Card Game The Poker Players Alliance is a nonprofit membership organization comprised of poker players and enthusiasts from around the United States who have joined together to speak with one voice to promote the game and to protect poker players’ rights. Visit us at theppa.org
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