PPA conference....and trouble in Kentucky

[jetset]

WASHINGTON CONFERENCE FOR PPA

More aggressive campaign for poker to be classified as a game of skill

Under the new leadership of Washington-based John Pappas, the 760 000 member poker advocacy group Poker Players' Alliance is stepping up the pressure on US politicians to classify poker as a game of skill, moving it out of the range of anti-gambling moves by the US government.

The PPA has arguably become the main lobbying group for the online poker industry in the United States, and it's next major project is a policy conference, scheduled for Washington DC between October 22-24. In an email to members, the PPA says that this will be the most aggressive initiative yet by the organisation, and urges poker players everywhere to get involved in the action.

“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," the email informs. "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 conference will be centred on the Omni Shoreham Hotel and transportation will be provided to Capitol Hill. The event kicks off with a welcome function at 6:00pm on Monday, October 22nd and participants are encouraged to plan flights home the night of the 23rd or the morning of the 24th.

Those who wish to attend are urged to send an e-mail to wash-fly-in@pokerplayersalliance.org in order to get a registration form. The event is not confined solely to PPA members, but is open to anyone who wants to add support to calls for legal poker.

The PPA reminds members that the new session of Congress convenes after the Labour Day holiday, again placing legislative proposals to regulate and license US online gambling centre stage. Congress has four online gambling bills in the works, such as the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act, proposed by Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) and the Skill Game Protection Act, proposed by Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL). Other proposals deal with taxation issues and a move to initiate a proper and independent, bipartisan study of Internet gambling (see previous InfoPowa reports)

The legal action against the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act by the Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Association will also be front-and-centre as the American political machine heads into the final quarter of the year.


KENTUCKY ACTIVITY FOR PPA

Legalise poker in the commonwealth, urges poker pressure group

The Poker Players Alliance is stepping into a Kentucky state political wrangle over poker to help raise support for the game after Governor Ernie Fletcher took up an anti-gambling and anti-poker stance during his re-election campaign.

In a press release, the Washington-based PPA announces its initiative thus: "In response to Governor Ernie Fletcher's election-year change of heart with regard to allowing Kentuckians to vote on gaming in the commonwealth, the Kentucky members of the 760 000-member Poker Players Alliance have kicked off an advocacy campaign in support of poker."

The PPA's Kentucky State Director Rich Muny will head the campaign, and has urged Kentucky voters to contact the governor and other local and state politicians to express strong opposition to anti-poker efforts by the state.

"Governor Fletcher is running not on his achievements of the past four years, but on a campaign of distraction," Muny said. "In the process, Fletcher has demonized the good folks who enjoy the game of poker."

Early responses to the campaign are reported to be encouraging, with several hundred e-mails already sent to the governor, and many more forthcoming according to the PPA.

"Tell him you'll vote for your freedom and for Kentucky," Muny said.

The governor's political opponent, Steve Beshear, is promoting a public vote to allow limited expanded gambling to help provide revenue for state necessities like improved education and health care.

The PPA points out that currently states such as Indiana have casinos with cardrooms deliberately located close to Kentucky's borders, taking the business and revenue from the state, and proving that there is a strong Kentucky appetite for gambling recreation. Each year hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians cross the state's borders to other states where gambling is allowed.

It is estimated that if Kentucky allowed expanded gaming within the state, it could generate revenues exceeding a billion dollars.