According
to recent information released by the Poker Players Alliance, more than a
million poker players, supporters and fans from all over the United States have
joined the group in an effort to revert the UIGEA and create a legislation that grants players their right to play poker. The PPA has also launched a voter
registration program that will keep its members informed about the electoral situation
and started a political action committee (PAC) that will hopefully work as a
bridge between the poker community and the Congress. The Poker Players Alliance
started as a non profit organization that advocates for the legalization of
poker in all its forms, the group is comprised by poker aficionados, lawyers and full
staff of experts in the area including professional poker players and
former congressmen.
“Reaching
one million members puts the PPA on par with such political powerhouses as AARP
and the National Association of Realtors, and will allow us to advocate even
more effectively on behalf of our members” said PPA Chairman Former Senator
Alfonse DAmato.
The PPA
also launched a voter registration campaign this week to accentuate the increasing
political interest and activism among poker players. This project is aimed to raise
consciousness and explain U.S poker players why being politically active is so significant
for poker, the objective of the “If you play, have to say” campaign is to
register at list 100,000 poker players as new voters. PPA affiliates can log in
at www.poker2008.org and fill out an online form in order to register to vote
in their states. In addition, PPA has also launched its political action
committee (PokerPAC) as additional reinforcement for the group’s legal efforts
on Capitol Hill.
“The creation
of the PokerPAC and the launching of the “If You Play, Have a Say” program sends
a clear message to elected officials in Congress and the state capitals that
poker players are paying attention to the laws they enact that impact an
individuals right to play poker. Our one million members voices will be heard”
said DAmato.
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