PPA 11-24-08 Update

Poker Players Score Big In the Elections

The Poker Players Alliance (PPA) played an important role in the national elections this year by supporting pro-poker candidates for Congress all across the nation. While the voters casted their votes based on a number of important issues it is clear that poker players made a significant difference in several key races.

The PPA was successful in helping to unseat a number of anti-poker U.S. Representatives; we also achieved our goal of electing many pro-poker candidates. Of the 54 candidates PokerPAC, the political action committee of the PPA, endorsed (12 of which were challengers) 46 won their elections on November 4, 2008. Moreover, we are pleased to announce that more than 40 of our lowest rated Members of Congress will not be returning to Washington next year.

The PPA’s advocacy efforts have come a long way since successfully unseating then Iowa Congressman Jim Leach, who was the author of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) in 2006. With your continued help, we can have an even greater impact in future elections.

Please visit our Election Results page to learn how all PPA rated Congressmen and Senators fared in this past election.

The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) was resuscitated last week in a last ditch effort by the Bush administration to implement this flawed law before he leaves office in January.

President Bush pushed through “midnight” regulations that require UIGEA to go into effect on January 19, 2009, one day before President-elect Barak Obama is sworn in to office.

One way that PPA members can help effect change this coming year is by going to President-elect Barak Obama’s transition website and submitting comments on the importance of undoing the UIGEA when he takes office and why he should seek to license and regulate Internet poker.

Please tell Mr. Obama:

• That you’re a proud poker player, a voter and want your rights protected.
• To repeal UIGEA because prohibitions do not work, especially ones that put undue burden on the financial sector by deputizing banks to subvert the rights of adult Americans.
• That the best way to protect children and families from any perceived harm from Internet Poker is by licensing and strict regulation; it will also generate billions in federal and state revenue.
• That poker is a game of skill and not a game of chance, and as such should be protected.
  
  The drama continues in Kentucky’s effort to seize Internet poker domain names to block its citizens and perhaps the world from accessing the most popular online poker sites. This erosion of our freedoms and right to play poker has not gone unchallenged.
  
  In the wake of Judge Wingate’s wrongful decision many groups have filed for appeal. An appellate court hearing is set for December 12, 2008 to hear oral arguments in the attempt to overturn the ridiculous ruling.
  
  To assist in this effort, the PPA filed an amicus brief outlining the fact that poker is indeed a game of skill under Kentucky law. In addition, other pro Internet freedom organizations such as the Electronic Freedom Foundation and the Center for Democracy and Technology have filed briefs in support of the appeal and warning of the severe impact this decision will have on the future of e-commerce should Judge Wingate’s decision be upheld.
  
  To review the PPA brief and others and to also get the latest news and info about the Kentucky case visit the PPA KY webpage.