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 organized 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."