American gamblers who want to express their frustration and anger at attempts by United States legislators to ban online gambling in general and poker in particular were mustered by the Poker Player’s Alliance this week for an innovative and definitely ear-catching protest initiative.
Energetic president Michael Bolcerek, with the aid of leading poker blogs and websites, has been urging all US players to make their voices quite literally heard in what he terms a “Phone March on Capitol Hill” this week.
On September 12th the Poker Players Alliance has organised a protest from 9:00 AM Eastern Time, until 5:30 PM Eastern Time, asking anyone committed to defending poker to call the toll free number 800-289-1136 in order to be passed through to one of two U.S. Senators in Washington D.C.
Bolcerek told players: “When you call the 800 number you will hear a recording from fellow PPA member Greg “Fossilman” Raymer and then you will be prompted to enter your five digit zip code so you can be directed, free of charge, to your Senator’s office.
“Once that happens, there are key points you should make:
* I am voter in your state.
* I strongly oppose any legislation that would prohibit online poker, and urge the Senator to vote against such legislation.
* Poker is a skill game enjoyed by 70 Million Americans.
* The Senator should seek to regulate online poker much like the government regulates other forms of gaming, like lotteries.
* Prohibitions don’t work. Any legislation that tries to ban online poker will only drive those players underground.
* Again, I urge the Senator to oppose any attempts to prohibit me from playing the great American game of poker on the Internet.
Bolcerek urges all US players to participate, stressing that, “The threat to poker is real. Please forward this information to everyone you know who cares about poker and an American’s freedom to use the Internet. We need everyone possible to make their voice heard.”