March 2nd, 2008
By PPA
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PPA & Mass. Poker Players Help Stop State Internet Poker Criminalization
The Tuesday after St Patrick’s Day the Massachusetts State legislature voted down a bill which intended to establish three licensed brick and mortar casinos while at the same time creating stiff criminal penalties for playing poker and other games on the Internet.
The PPA does not oppose the establishment of casinos in MA, especially if those casinos are outfitted with poker rooms, however, we have fundamental concerns with any limitations or criminalization of the right for adults to play poker on the Internet.
Over the past several months the PPA has feverishly worked publically, behind the scenes and at the grassroots level to get this onerous provision from the casino bill removed. Our efforts culminated with a successful “Poker Rally” on the State House steps. Several dozen MA poker enthusiasts gathered to tell state lawmakers that “POKER IS NOT A CRIME”. Special thanks to PPA State Director Randall Castonguay, Harvard Prof. Charles Nesson, the Global Poker Strategic Thinking Society, and all the dedicated PPA members for your hard fought efforts. More information about the rally can be found by clicking here.
Due to PPA’s involvement this bill did not make it out of Committee and into law. The PPA will remain vigilant to ensure that if the casino bill moves again it will not include any limitations or criminalization provisions for online poker players. We will continue to monitor the situation in MA and to continue to work with lawmakers to ensure that your poker voice is heard loud and clear!
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A charity poker announcement intended for a select group of nearby states and was accidentally sent out to the national membership. We have resolved the issue and we apologize for the inconvenience.
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Are You A Lawyer? Poker Players Need You!
This week the Poker Players Alliance launched its Litigation Support Network. We are asking PPA members and non-members who are attorneys to join this network of lawyers who are willing to assist PPA members in need of counsel in civil and criminal poker related matters. Recruitment has already begun and the PPA has run this ad in leading legal publications. If you are a lawyer with expertise or interest in gaming law become part of our referral network today!
The PPA has appointed PPA New Hampshire State Director Patrick Flemming (aka Skallagrim) to serve as the Litigation Support Director. Through our legal page on the Web site, PPA members who are in need of poker related legal advice can ask Mr. Flemming. He will be able to provide top-line advice and then refer members to lawyers in their area who are part of the Litigation Support Network.
The Litigation Support Network is just another example of how the PPA is serving the needs of the poker community.
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The PPA has some exciting changes in the coming weeks that we think you are going to love. A new Web site and new membership incentives are on their way! Stay tuned and we will update you.
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PPA Renews State Director Initiative, Program Will Focus on Grassroots
The PPA is proud to announce that more than 50 of your fellow members have been selected to serve as volunteer State Directors for their respective states. In January of this year we asked interested members to apply to be State Directors and the response was overwhelming. We narrowed our candidates down from an exceptional field of more than 1,000 applications.
To find out who your State Director is click here. In the coming days the State Directors will send PPA members in their state a note telling you how you can get more involved in the PPA.
Remember that the PPA forums are a great place to communicate with your fellow members. Please be active to help make the PPA forums THE place to discuss important issues facing the poker community.
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It’s easy to add PPA widgets to your website or receive email alerts on local and national poker news. Stay informed and help keep others aware.
Click here
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Federal Update: Congressional Hearing on UIGEA
On April 2nd the House Financial Services Committee is holding a hearing to discuss the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). Click here for information on watching the live webcast. As you know, UIGEA was tucked into a “must-pass” Port Security bill and was signed into law in October 2006. UIGEA has been roundly criticized, not only by the poker community, but also by the financial services industry and leading civil libertarian organizations. The PPA is working with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to ensure that the significant problems with UIGEA are discussed at this upcoming hearing.
To that end, the Chairman of the Financial Services Committee and the leading Republican on the committee issued this joint letter which calls on Congress to undo UIGEA.
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We have a YouTube channel where you can find news clips, interviews, and more. Make your own video about poker and send it to us.
Click here
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Washington State Director Lee Rousso
 Lee Rousso has been fighting Washington state’s law criminalizing online poker for over a year. Under the law, playing online poker will be committing a Class C felony, equivalent under the law to possessing child pornography, threatening the governor or torturing an animal, as well as carrying stiff penalties: as much as five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. This April he will finally have his day in court to fight for poker player rights.
“I have obtained a hearing date of April 25 at 11:00 a.m., Kent courthouse, for my constitutional challenge to Washington’s law governing internet gambling…I hope Washington state poker players will come to the hearing and show their support.” Check out the history of the case and updates at the PPA website.
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Author Contact Info: PPA
Tags: newsletter, pressrelease2008
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