National Poker Week is July 19-25; the PPA Proclaims: Stand Up for Poker!

The Poker Players Alliance (PPA) proclaimed July 19-25, the week after the Final Table is set at the World Series of Poker (WSOP), as National Poker Week. The week is slated for a number of poker advocacy activities, including a poker support rally in Washington D.C, and a drive (using new websites) for asking politicians to legalize and regulate poker throughout the USA and to stop taking personal freedoms away.

The announcement came at a press conference held Monday June 22 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas Nevada, where the World Series of Poker (WSOP) is ongoing.

PPA Executive Director John Pappas opened the press conference. After short speeches by PPA Chairman Alfonse D'Amato and U.S. Representative Shelley Berkley (D-NV), and brief appearances by high profile PPA board members Linda Johnson and Greg Raymer, Pappas detailed some of the organization's activities, listed below:

NEW WEBSITES TO STAND UP FOR YOUR GAME

The American grassroots poker advocacy organization highlighted the launch of several new online sites to help poker players make their views known to politicians across the USA.

On one of the new sites, www.Nationalpokerweek.com, Barney Frank introduces himself as the member of Congress who introduced legislation [HR 2267] to repeal that "outrageous intrusion on personal freedom that would restrict people's ability to gamble on the internet including playing poker." He stresses how important it is to fight back and for average citizens to make their voices heard.

"I've never seen big money beat genuine public opinion," underscored Frank. He noted when average citizens are angry, they ARE heard. He again stressed how important it is to tell your Congressional Representatives and Senators that you want "that bill" [referring to the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA)] repealed.

On www.Nationalpokerweek.com, poker players and non poker players alike who wish to end UIGEA's infringement on their personal freedoms can sign a petition (or go directly to www.PokerPetition.com) telling President Barack Obama that Poker is NOT a crime. The petition will be delivered to President Obama on July 22, during National Poker Week. You can also submit your email address to receive ongoing alerts on National Poker Week activities regarding telephone and email promotions to increase the number and effectiveness of messages from poker players to members of Congress.

The PPA also invites poker advocates to visit www.MyPokerStory.com and submit a video telling why you love to play poker. By submitting a video, you are eligible for a chance to win a trip for 2 to Las Vegas.

"Our members - the poker players of America - are our best advocates to protect the future of poker," said PPA Chairman and former U.S. Senator Alfonse D'Amato.

RALLY & ACTIVITIES in WASINGTON D.C.

The PPA also announced that a PPA rally will be held in Washington D.C. where members can show their support for poker alongside dozens of high-profile professionals and over 30 state PPA representatives who aim to get their message to members of Congress.

In addition, a group of poker pros, including Howard Lederer, Andy Bloch, Annie Duke, Jan Fisher, Linda Johnson and Dennis Phillips, and PPA state Directors will meet with members of Congress to lobby for the legalization and regulation of online poker.

The PPA will also host a charity poker tournament on July 21, benefitting the USO and the Malone House at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Wounded servicemen and women will be playing alongside poker pros, PPA's State Directors, and members of Congress. All proceeds from the event go directly to the USO.

"National Poker Week, with events in Washington, D.C., and across the country, is the PPA's way to make it clear to my former colleagues in the U.S. Congress that poker is important to voters and is here to stay," said PPA Chairman and former U.S. Senator Alfonse D'Amato.

"Protecting Americans' right to play poker - whether online or around the poker table - is something everyone should support even if you don't play," Lederer said. "Restricting what we can do online in the privacy of our own home is a slippery slope, which is why I am coming to Washington for National Poker Week - to tell my members of Congress to protect my rights."

Read Related Articles: