Poker Players Alliance to host fundraiser event during the Democratic National Convention

Last Tuesday, the Poker Players Alliance (PPA) announced that they will be present in Denver on August 26th, during the 2008 Democratic National Convention set to begin on August 25^th. The Convention will officially announce the Illinois Senator Barack Obama as its nomination for President of the United States.

The PPA will organize a fundraiser for paralyzed war veterans at Coors Field in the Mile High City. Confirmed to appear at the fundraiser are the Hollywood celebrity Ben Affleck and poker pros Barry Greenstein and Andy Bloch. The three, and others in attendance, will play in a charity poker tournament in where the winner will take home a seat at the 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event in Las Vegas.

“PPA is honored to host this charity poker tournament and looks forward to raising a lot of money for these American heroes. This is a great opportunity to harness the popularity of the game of poker in order to raise much needed funds for those who have fought to protect our country and our individual freedoms – paralyzed vets.” said the PPA Chairman Alfonse D’Amato in a press statement released on Tuesday.

A reception act will officially kick off the evening on the club level of Coors Field, home of the MLB team the Colorado Rockies, at 9:30pm. The tournament will begin at 10:00 pm. There are four levels of sponsorship packages which allow its purchasers to be able to play in the tournament which are managed by the Herald Group, PPA’s public relations firm. Individual spectator seats at the event start at $250.

“In addition to advocacy, one of the most important things that the PPA does is help raise funds for worthy causes. We are able to leverage the popularity of poker in order to help raise thousands of dollars for charities like the Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Prevent Cancer Foundation, and Hortons Kids, while at the same time highlighting the generosity of the poker community. I think this broadens the public’s perception of online poker and puts poker players in a very positive light.” said the PPA Executive Director John Pappas.

The PPA decision to organize a charity tournament during the Democratic National Convention will definitely help the PPA to gain support members of party in the United States. Right now, both the House of Representatives and Senate are controlled by the Democrats, a situation that will also benefit the PPA in its fight to legalize online poker. The entire House and one-third of the Senate are all looking for re-election on November 4^th.