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PPA

Time To Start Flooding Representatives With Online Poker Legislation Messaging


Just like Candice Swanepoel feels like there's no reason for her to wear that top, we feel like there's no reason for you not to submit the latest PPA action letter.

A tip of the cap to the PPA.

We (and others) were banging on them for what we felt was ineffective messaging in regulating online poker. To their credit, they listened to their constituents and adapted.

Their latest easy-to-send-no-excuse-not-to-do-it letter urges your elective officials to support the Barton Bill (H.R. 2366) and the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act (H.R. 1174).

In our submission, we only tweaked the first paragraph, replacing “As a poker player…” with “As a voter…” because being a poker player is irrelevant to our support of the bills. Even if we didn’t play poker, we’d support them, as they create revenue and jobs without raising taxes.

Take 30 seconds and reach out to your representatives by submitting the PPA’s latest online poker action letter here.

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Wicked Chops Podcast with John Pappas


PPA Executive Director John Pappas joins us for the latest Wicked Chops Podcast.

It’s possible we’ve been critical of the PPA in the past.

While we’ve always applauded the ease which the PPA enables the public to communicate with their representatives, we haven’t been fans of their overall communications in selling the online poker regulation message.

However, recently it seems like they’ve moved closer towards the “hey, this will create tax revenue and jobs” message we’ve been championing for awhile and have managed to stay relevant since Black Friday (easier said than done).

So joining us for our latest podcast to address how the PPA is adapting and evolving in a post-4/15 world is Executive Director John Pappas. We cover the PPA’s messaging, how the group has coped with Black Friday, what they’re doing to assist regulatory passage of legalized online poker, and what the chances are that regulation occurs soon.

Listen in below or download the podcast on iTunes.

And to join the PPA, go here.

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The PPA Cannot Be Denied


PPA Fly In

People from all across the country attended the PPA Fly In in D.C. 12 people. From all across the country.

The PPA staged a Million Man Minus 999,988 March on Tuesday, dubbed a Fly In™, to show support for Federal legislation of online poker.

A Bernie Madoff fundraiser could pull bigger numbers.

To be fair, it was a decent idea. And there were several big name bill sponsors in attendance to address the media and the gathered horde, including Rep. Joe Barton, Rep. John Campbell and Sen. D’Amato. Representing the players were Greg Raymer, we eschewed his standard socks and sandals attire, and Linda Johnson, who eschewed wearing a bra.

Kidding kidding.

If you laughed at any line in this entire post, then go to the PPA site and donate some money to support the cause here.

PPA Fly In

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The PPA Still Doesn’t Get It: Reshaping the Online Poker Regulation Message


That's funny. Yeah that guy right there. He thinks I care about the 'right' for Americans to play online poker. No seriously. Yep, that's way up my administration's priority list--it's right behind our economy, Libya, and Afghanistan.

That was easy. Thanks PPA.

Earlier today, we submitted the PPA‘s letters to President Obama and our local representative through their Action Center.

We just had to make our adjustments to the messaging, because the PPA still doesn’t get it.

While their intentions are in the right place and we’ll never knock the PPA for creating some organized effort (and a no-excuses easy method for you to participate) in communicating with your elected officials, their messaging is wrong, and ultimately it hurts online poker’s credibility and legitimacy.

The PPA is primarily making online poker regulation (and subsequently, the DoJ indictments) about personal freedom and liberties. But if the information unsealed in the DoJ indictments is accurate, then laws were broken and penalties should be paid. PokerStars, Full Tilt, and AP/UB allegedly laundered a lot of money. And they allegedly committed bank fraud. So let’s go barking to U.S. Government officials about attacks and assaults on our personal freedoms, OK? The politicians don’t care.

What they do care about is money. And creating jobs for their constituents.

Here’s our take at the PPA message. First, we’re posting the PPA’s public draft to the Attorney General and President Obama. Second, we’re posting what our message is–and what we suggest you send in its place.

At the end, we’ll link to the PPA’s Action Center so you can submit to President Obama and your local rep. There is no excuse not to–and we do credit the PPA for at least providing all poker players the platform to communicate.

We just suggest copying and pasting our message instead.

More after the jump…

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Online Poker Lobbying by PPA in Washington D.C. Update




Catching up on some big news going on in Washington D.C., the PPA has be on Capital Hill this week fighting the good fight for “National Poker Week” as they attempt to get online poker legalized.

Mainstream so-called “media” has been picking up on it, as the AP reported the PPA’s plans to present a petition with 350,000 signatures to President Barack Obama (aka, The Phil Ivey of Politics). The Wall Street Journal wrote about the PPA’s ramped up lobbying efforts here. And in the above CNBC vid (more on it here), Les Bernal of Stop Predatory Gambling makes some completely ridiculous and wrong claims about how online poker makes its money.

Head over to Pokerati for more coverage, as Dan Michalski is actually in D.C. to provide a hands-on perspective.

And that will be the last time we ever put “Dan Michalski” and “hands-on” in the same sentence.

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