2009 PPA National Poker Week

Posted by AlCantHang | Filed under Bloggers on the Rail

When I first began writing this post I had a disclaimer at the top stating that my non-US readers could probably go right by and ignore it. Then I realized that writing about the process of keeping access to online poker in the United States is important to players across the entire world.

While covering the 2009 World Series of Poker, there was an important press conference held by the Poker Players Alliance in the Rio prior to the Seniors Event. John Pappas, Executive Director of the PPA, was joined by former Senator Alfonse D’Amato and U.S. Representative Shelley Berkely who spoke about the current developments in the U.S. Congress in the battle of online poker.

The PPA also announced the creation of National Poker Week in Washington, DC. It was scheduled to begin after the 2009 World Series of Poker November Nine formed, a time when the poker world is focused. The activities began yesterday with updates from PPA and today began the big push. People from across the country spent the afternoon meeting with their congressional representatives to lobby for the game they love and the freedom to play it online. They were joined by many big poker names including Andy Bloch, Greg Raymer, and Annie Duke.

They also launched an online petition which will be presented to U.S. President Obama on Wednesday, July22nd. Full Tilt encourage all players to sign the petition and contact their Senator/House Representative to voice your feelings. Full Tilt is also helping to encourage this participation by offering a $10,000 freeroll to any player who uses the PPA website to send their thoughts. Freeroll information can be found here on the PPA website.

Please click the links below, sign the petition, email Members of Congress, fight for your game. Also below is a video from Congressman Barney Frank concerning National Poker Week.

Poker Players Alliance
Poker is Not a Crime – Poker Petition
National Poker Week