WASHINGTON CONFERENCE FOR PPA

28 September 2007

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.

Online Casino News courtesy of InfoPowa