email from the PPA (poker players alliance)

[catrina m]

Dear PPA Members,

We have accomplished so much in so little time! Our membership has grown more than 500% since the first of the year, to over 600,000 members -- thanks in no small part to you telling your fellow poker enthusiasts to join our cause. We are well on our way to our One Million Member target, and I again ask for your help by encouraging your family, friends and tablemates to join the PPA.

In Washington: Things are moving and moving fast. There are 4 bills pending in the House of Representatives that are helpful for on-line poker and our members. We are strongly supporting two of these bills: Congressman Barney Frank's H.R. 2046, the "Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act" and Congressman Robert Wexler's H.R. 2610, the "Skill Games Protection Act".

Other bills include Congresswoman Shelley Berkley's H.R. 2410, which calls for a study of Internet Gaming, and Congressman McDermott's H.R. 2607, which amends H.R. 2610 with a revenue component.

In all, we have a lot of momentum, but we still need your help. I just returned from the World Series of Poker, where PPA hosted Congressman Wexler. We saw first-hand the growth and grandeur of the sport of poker, and we asked the WSOP players for their support. They responded in droves, proving that poker enthusiasts are dedicated activists.

As you know, we are a membership-driven organization and we need your support. We lobby on Capitol Hill and in state capitols to defend poker, but these efforts are not without cost.

We know you agree that poker is not a crime...but we need your help to prevent the coming of the day when the law says it is. Can you assist with an ante up of $5 or more and donate to the PPA, or can you upgrade your membership from an introductory membership to a full membership or even a supporting membership? If you are already a full member, can you consider donating an additional amount for the 2007 campaign?

Please also note we have a store where you can purchase merchandise from PPA hats and t-shirts, to PPA poker tables. Proceeds from these sales go directly to fund our campaign for poker and keep us going strong. Please spare what you can -- think of it as putting in your Ante to say you're Proud to Play Poker!

Regards,

Senator Al D'Amato
Chairman of the Board
Poker Players Alliance

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[jetset]

TOP WASHINGTON LOBBYIST HIRED BY P.P.A.

Campaign to legalise online poker goes up a gear

The U.S. pressure group Poker Players' Alliance, which seeks to legalise online poker through regulation or securing a "carve-out" from current prohibitionary laws in America has upped its game with the appointment of the registered Washington DC lobbying and law firm Barnes & Thornburg.

The Politico reports that according to a filing with the Senate secretariate Barnes & Thornburg is providing "general government representation including, but not limited to, legislative and regulatory initiatives involving internet gaming."

The appointment is further evidence of an increase in momentum from the PPA, which earlier this year took on the experienced government liaison executive John Pappas as a vice president and first permanent employee in the Alliance's D.C. office (see previous InfoPowa report).

Barnes & Thornburg's other clients include various local boards of commissioners as well as the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. In 2006, lobbying revenue totaled more than $2 million.

[jetset]

BIG CHANGES AT PPA

Bolcerek steps down, and a move across country to Washington DC

The poker pressure group Poker Players' Alliance has announced some far-reaching moves just ahead, with President Michael Bolcerek resigning to concentrate on business interests in San Francisco.

He will be succeeded by John Pappas (see previous InfoPowa reports) in an executive director capacity whilst former Senator Alfonse D'Amato remains chairman.

In concert with these changes, the Alliance will be moving its centre of operations from San Francisco to Washington DC, better positioning it to continue the fight to legalise online poker and protect the rights of players.

Pappas recently became full-time Vice President of PPA's government affairs, having previously worked with the Alliance as an external consultant.

Announcing the changes, D'Amato said that the PPA has become an influential force which had built wide support and momentum in the U.S. Congress to enact sensible legislation to regulate online poker and provide the necessary safeguards to all players.

"It is vital that the PPA centralise its efforts in D.C. so we can best serve the interests of our over 660 000 members,” he said.

“Michael [Bolcerek] has been a strong leader and under his tenure we have seen tremendous growth in PPA. We are thankful that he has brought us to this point and are excited for the next evolution of this organisation in Washington,” the PPA chairman continued..

Bolcerek said that it was the right time for him to step down as part of the PPA move. “I am happy to have helped the cause of American poker players and expect to see continued success from the efforts of Senator D’Amato and our new Executive Director, John Pappas,” said Bolcerek.

The PPA is a non-profit body comprised of poker players and enthusiasts from around the United States who have joined together to speak with one voice to promote the game, ensure its integrity, and protect poker players' rights. The PPA will make a formal announcement with new contact information once the transition is completed.

[Tdoggy]

Let the US Players play!!!!! Stop taking away our FREEDOMS!!!!! BOOOOOO

Tax it at the very least if you have to

[jetset]

P.P.A. RAPPROCHEMENT WITH MAJOR ONLINE POKER PORTAL

2+2 member to join PPA board

The new operational head for the national lobbying organisation the Poker Player’s Alliance, John Pappas has wasted little time in building support for the group, pragmatically restoring bridges with the top online poker portal 2+2 with an initiative aimed at healing past differences and building strength.

Pappas posted a communication on the portal introducing himself and addressing past accusations that the PPA had been unresponsive and lacking in positive activity for the players. Pappas gave an undertaking that there would be a marked improvement and went on to announce that a prominent 2+2 member, Rich Muny had been offered, and had accepted, a seat on the PPA board.

"No one expects these steps alone to completely mend the negative attitudes each group might still harbor toward the other, but it’s a reasonable first step in a process of cooperation that will be essential for either group achieving their larger shared aim of bringing legal, regulated poker to the internet," the 2+2 webmaster commented.