PPA increases pressure on two US states

Using its political savvy, the Poker Players' Alliance is making sure its voice is heard at a time when state politicians in Massachusetts and Kentucky are most likely to listen - election time.

In Kentucky, Governor Ernie Fletcher's election-year nixing of a proposed referendum on the issue of casino and poker gaming has made the state's poker players a fertile ground for the PPA's grass roots campaign to legalise the game, and the pressure group can take at least some of the credit for the fact that over a thousand pro-poker letters and phone calls from concerned poker players have flooded the offices of the governor and other state representatives.

"Governor Fletcher is running not on his achievements of the past four years, but on a campaign of distraction," said PPA Kentucky State Director Rich Muny. "In the process, Fletcher has demonized the good folks who enjoy the game of poker."

Muny pointed out that Indiana has cardrooms built right on Kentucky's borders, as do other states.

"Kentucky deserves to keep this revenue in our own state for the benefit of our own citizens," he said. "Additionally, our citizens deserve the freedom to choose to play a hand of poker."

Muny encouraged poker supporters to continue to make their views known to Governor Fletcher at (502) 607-8683 or via e-mail at contact@erniefletcher.com.

Massachusetts is another battleground chosen by the PPA, with a campaign starting this week for the right to play poker online.

Governor Deval Patrick recently proposed Bill H.4307 which, whilst expanding land casino gambling in the state makes it an offence to play poker over the Internet. Under the anti-poker provision, offenders could be subject to a maximum term of two years in a house of correction, a fine of $25 000, or both.

"Ironically, H.4307 is pro-casino gambling legislation, yet it makes Internet gaming a crime," said Randy Castonguay, PPA Massachusetts state director. "This is an unacceptable double standard!"

Again, Massachusetts online poker fans who want to see the game legalised have been urged to make their voices heard by their elected officials.

"We need your help and ask that you send letters to Governor Deval Patrick, your local State Representative and your State Senator," Castonguay said.

"We have provided a standard letter which will automatically be sent to the above politicians. We encourage you to personalize the letter by adding your own comments. We cannot stress enough how important it is for you to make your voice heard."