Posts Tagged ‘poker players alliance’

Poker Players Raise Money for Haiti Aid and State Online Gambling Updates

Monday, March 1st, 2010

PPA Applauds Poker Players’ Efforts to Aid Haiti

The PPA commends the generosity of poker players in contributing to support relief efforts in Haiti. As of January 25, 2010 more than 50,000 online poker players donated, and more than $750,000 has been raised. With the dollar for dollar match, the donations on behalf of the online poker community have exceeded $1.5 million.

“Like the rest of the world, the poker community is eager to do anything it can to aid Haiti in the wake of the devastating earthquake. I applaud PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and Cake Poker for providing poker players across the globe an easy way to make a contribution,” said former Senator Alfonse D’Amato, chairman of the PPA.

A 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated Haiti on January 12, 2010 leaving thousands dead and countless lives destroyed by its affect.

STATE UPDATES

Florida

Tuesday, February 16, 2010 – PPA Executive Director John Pappas testified in front of the Florida Senate Regulated Industries Committee on the possible “intra-state” licensing and regulation legislation being proposed in the state. Florida along with California are looking at ways to raise state tax revenue to offset state budgetary shortfalls. Should the proposed “intra-state” legislation pass it will restrict player pools to only Florida residents, fewer stakes/limits will be offered and ultimately mean less opportunity for you to play poker the way your accustomed to. Further, Florida is contemplating a single-source provider of online poker, i.e. one poker website. PPA is concerned that the lack of competition and consumer choice could also negatively impact the player experience.

Watch a short video of PPA Executive Director John Pappas testify:

John Pappas, Executive Director of the PPA, Testifies in Florida Senate Committee Hearing (02/16/10)

Delaware

Thursday, January 28, 2010, Gov. Markell signed legislation making table games legal in Delaware. By signing this legislation, Governor Markell has set in motion an implementation process that will provide expanded opportunities for poker players to play the game they love and will create over 700 good paying jobs.

The PPA welcomes this as a first step in advancing opportunities for poker players to play games of skill such as Texas Hold’em in a licensed and regulated atmosphere.

Pennsylvania

Early January Pennsylvania legalized Table games and is working to induct these games in to state based casinos as soon as possible. The State has announced that on Wednesday, February 24th there will be a public hearing to discuss the only petition submitted by one of the major supporters of the new law. The discussion will determine whether or not the sole submission has the ability to operate these new games.

For further information about this hearing please visit the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s website, click here.

Alaska

The PPA has been working in the state of Alaska to clarify the misguided notion that charitable poker tournaments are illegal gambling. Rich Markgraf our Alaska State Director has sent a letter on behalf of PPA members requesting the State’s taxation department to reconsider their ban on allowing charitable organizations from hosting free poker tournaments.

California

Tuesday, February 9, 2010, PPA Executive Director John Pappas testified in front of the California Senate Governmental Organization Committee in defense of our rights. Currently there is proposed “intra-state” legislation being pushed in California which would, should it pass, be limited to only other California residents. Ultimately, this means fewer players, fewer games, fewer stakes/limits and less opportunity for you to play poker how you want, when you want.

Watch the short video of PPA Executive Director John Pappas discussing “intra-state” licensing and regulation models what it means for poker players.

John Pappas, Executive Director of the PPA, Testifying at CA Senate Committee Information Hearing

PPA State Director Spotlight

CO PPA State Director Gary Reed

CO PPA State Director Gary Reed and Andy Bloch

CO PPA State Director Gary Reed and Andy Bloch

Gary Reed of Denver Colorado has been a life time advocate for poker and has been the Colorado State Director since 2007. Gary retired after 31 years with the Denver Fire Department and was born and raised in Colorado. Under Gary’s leadership Colorado has three, volunteer committees working on poker issues in the state and he is busy organizing two partial committees to help represent the PPA statewide more efficiently. Gary is very passionate about the game of poker and attended this past National Poker Week in Washington DC where along with other State Directors he played a critical role in helping the PPA successfully lobby congress in our fight against the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act (UIGEA). Additionally, he was instrumental in organize the PPA poker tournament during the 2008 National Democrat Convention in Denver which was a huge success. Gary play’s poker at least three times a week (not counting online) and has played at three different WSOP circuit venue and has one WSOP circuit ring to his credit. For those PPA members in Colorado that would like to become more involved with the Colorado State Committee please contact Gary at: CO@pokerplayersalliance.org.

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Posted in Charity Poker Tournaments, Online Poker, Poker, poker professionals | No Comments »

ITPF Classic – Charity Poker Tournament to award seat to 2010 World Series of Poker

Monday, February 15th, 2010

ITPF Classic Charity Poker Tournament

DATE:
Saturday, February 20, 2010

TIME:
10AM sign-in/11AM play starts

FEE:
$200 before 2/20 – $250 day-of

LOCATION:
T&J Villaggio Restaurant
225 Westchester Avenue Port Chester, NY

1st PRIZE:
World Series of Poker Seat!

REGISTER HERE

Additional Info

Re-buys and Add-ons until 2PM

Re-buys $120 you get $6000 in chips

Scratch-off Re-buy $150 Guaranteed $7000 but 70% chance of getting $8000 or $9000 in chips

Scratch-off Re-buy $200 Guaranteed $11, 000 but 70% chance of getting $13,000 or $15,000 in chips

Add-on $175 you will get $10,000 in chips

At the registration table you can double your chip stack for $50

Satellites will be scheduled as the event nears

The 1st Annual ITPF Classic is scheduled for Saturday, February 20, 2010 at T&J Villaggio Trattoria, in Port Chester, NY. The ITP Foundation is calling on the community to get behind this event to benefit children with ITP, a rare bleeding disorder.

The ITP Foundation is pleased to announce that first prize at the event will be a seat, valued at $10,000, at the World Series of Poker, where players have a chance to win millions!

The ITPF Classic, a Texas Hold’em style of play, will also feature a bar and complimentary lunch, provided by T&J Villaggio. There will be a charity raffle and live auction where participants will bid on a variety of luxury prizes. WKTU radio DJ Goumba Johnny will also be on hand. The event promises to be a fun and rewarding endeavor for all who attend.

The ITP Foundation has secured noted and respected poker tournament organizer Jason D’Aloia, whose previous tournaments for charity have raised over $100,000. There is a $200 donation to register to play, and $20 donation for spectators; Check-in begins at 10AM. The game begins at 11AM sharp. T&J’s restaurant is located at 225 Westchester Ave. in Port Chester, N.Y.

To register for the 1st Annual ITPF Classic, please visit www.itpfoundation.org and follow the links accordingly. Look for the ITPF Classic’s Facebook page to remain aware of the latest updates and discussions.

The ITPF Classic proudly supports the Poker Players Alliance.

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Posted in Charity Poker Tournaments, Poker, World Series of Poker | No Comments »

Online Poker Legal? Poker Lobbyists Push to Legalize Internet Gambling

Sunday, February 7th, 2010

Partly backed by offshore gambling companies, poker lobbysists are aggressively pushing to legalize Internet gambling in the United States this year. Bankrolled with millions of dollars the campaign is hoping to make progress despite strong objections from social conservatives, sports leagues and other opponents.

Poker advocates have already convinced the Obama administration to delay enforcement of the 2006 law making Internet gambling illegal.

Poker and other online games have become hugely popular in the U.S. over the last several years and it is believed that the United States accounts for more than half of the $16 billion Internet gambling market. Proponents say that regulating Internet gambling would net the federal government millions of dollars in tax and licensing revenue if it were legalized. Using the six-month reprieve of the 2006 law, Rep. Barney Frank (Mass.) and other Democrats are pushing ahead with legislation that would legalize and regulate poker, mah-jongg and other online gambling games.

Proponents of online gambling are hoping that with Congress in the hands of Democrats, who have historically been less opposed to gambling than Republicans, and the growing popularity of recreational poker will work to their advantage.

A list of proponents include Frank and former Republican senator Alfonse M. D’Amato (N.Y.) D’Amato is the chairman of the Poker Players Alliance, which is spearheading the Capitol Hill push. The Poker Players Alliance has approximately 1.2 million members and is largely financed by by the Interactive Gaming Council, a Canada-based trade group for offshore gambling companies. The campaign has spent over $4 million lobbying Washington over the past year, and the alliance says its members have sent more than 300,000 letters and e-mails to members of Congress.

“I think there’s a growing realization in Washington that prohibition probably isn’t going to work, just like prohibitions throughout history have not worked,” said John Pappas, the poker group’s executive director. “There needs to be a more common-sense approach, because it’s not going away.”

The Justice Department considers all online gambling as illegal under a 1961 law that was aimed at bookies using telephone lines. The online gambling market is run largely by firms operating in Antigua, Malta and other foreign countries. The Justice Department has only prosecuted a few of the Internet wagering companies.

The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006 was supposed to eliminate any ambiguity in the laws. The UIGEA bans U.S. banks from accepting payments from credit cards, checks or wire transfers to settle online wagers. The measure waas scheduled to take effect Dec. 1.

However, as the enactment deadline approached, gambling interests joined by banks and other financial institutions urged that it be delayed. They said the statute was vague and unenforceable. Thoroughbred horse racing organizations also opposed the law when some credit card companies refused to process online parimutuel wagers, which were supposed to be exempt from the law.

The Treasury Department and Federal Reserve granted a six-month delay in December, citing efforts by Frank and others to draft new legislation. The Obama administration is officially neutral on the issue.

Frank’s proposed bill is set for committee markup in coming weeks. It would establish federal oversight of online gambling firms in exchange for five-year licenses that would include protections aimed at keeping out underaged players, compulsive gamblers and criminal activity.

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Posted in Online Poker, Poker | No Comments »