After thirteen years of lobbying for online poker legalisation under a member funding model, the financially beleaguered Poker Players Alliance has made major changes following the recent departure of former executive director John Pappas.
The organisation has re-branded to Poker Alliance, appointed a new leader in Mark Brenner, and has switched to a more commercial funding model that includes support by Poker Central.
Announcing the changes in a press release Wednesday, the organisation said that it will take over the role of serving as the unified voice for the millions of U.S. citizens in support of fair, safe and regulated gaming across the country.
In doing so the Poker Alliance will build on the PPA achievements and initiatives and continue working alongside policy makers, journalists, and industry partners to achieve the best possible outcomes for players, and for poker as a whole.
The Alliance says it will continue to work for consumer protection and states’ rights surrounding poker and internet gaming in the changing legislative environment in the United States.
Subsequent Twitter posts revealed that former PPA executives John Pappas and Rich Muny will continue to consult for the PA “for at least the next three months”.
Brenner, who is described as a veteran business development and government relations executive, said:
“As gaming culture and the laws around it have shifted, so too has our focus. Poker players deserve to be able to play poker with confidence and safety, and we will expand the PPA’s incredible effort by strategically advocating for our members.”
Muny added: “I’m very optimistic about Poker Alliance’s potential to bring new innovations and a different skill set to the fight for poker, serving its membership and consumers in general. Along with my fellow advisors to the new leadership, I look forward to advocating for the great game of poker as part of Poker Alliance.”
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