Poker Players Alliance

A new campaign by the Poker Players Alliance aims to increase poker's political presence in Washington in the lead-up to the 2008 presidential election.

Persistence often is a good thing and there is no hiding the fact that it can produce results

when it's aimed in the right direction.

The persistent organization the Poker Players Alliance was founded in 2005, but its ranks swelled in 2006 after the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. Otherwise known as the "bank blocker" bill, the UIGEA makes it difficult to funnel money from bank accounts to online poker sites.

The PPA really doesn't ask for a lot -its only purpose is to protect the rights of poker players and keep the games legal to enjoy. It also may be the only organization in Washington that lobbies to be taxed, believing congressional regulation of online poker would be a good thing.

In a press release this week, the Poker Players Alliance (PPA) announced a slate of new membership benefits as well as a new and enhanced website, both of which are designed to provide the over one million PPA members with greater membership benefits. As part of the launch, PPA is holding a drawing for a fully paid $10,000 buy-in for a seat at the Main Event at the 2008 World Series of Poker.

Some call it luck. Players call it skill. Neither on May 15 could change the fact that it’s illegal to play the game of poker for money online in the state of Washington.

Washington poker players lost a hand at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent when King County Superior Court Judge Mary Roberts ruled to uphold a 2006 law that made online gambling a Class C felony.