Before the Poker Players Alliance (PPA) was formed in 2005, poker was unregulated in the US. Various offshore companies offered poker to US citizens, which put players at a greater risk. The companies have often closed business and gone away with large sums of money from players. The alliance was formed to protect the rights of players across the US. It englobes both offline and online poker players.
The mission of the Poker Players Alliance
The alliance’s mission is to push for the establishment of favorite laws so that poker players can play in a safe, secure, and regulated environment. The regulations should extend to both offline and online gambling spaces. The alliance achieves its mission by educating poker players to create awareness about their rights.
Poker is regarded as a game of skills and one of the oldest recreational games in the history of America. PPA is a non-profit organization that offers both free and premium memberships. Currently, the alliance has 1.2 million members and five lobbyists. Today, over 70 million Americans play offline poker, and about 23 million play online poker.
Benefits of PPA membership
PPA’s premium members have exclusive benefits that free members do not have. Lobbyists fight for every member to have a voice in the US Capitol. They have been lobbying for favorable laws to be passed in both the US House and Senate to protect the interests of players. So far, the only key success they have received is laws for licensing poker.
Offshore companies are still operating and taking hard-earned money away from many US poker players. The growing attraction of online casinos draws some players to play offshore, unaware of the laws. That is why educating members is an important mission of the alliance. Members pay $15 annually.
Educational benefits
The PPA mainly serves as an advocacy and member’s rights and protection group. They also work harder to advance the game of poker in the playing community. They educate members and lawmakers about poker challenges and opportunities.
The lobbyists believe if poker was played in a safe, regulated, and secure environment, the US government could raise $3.3 billion annually from the game. They educate members about responsible poker gambling and game skills. The alliance provides an environment for members who want to learn poker fast, practice, and gain skills.
Legal benefits
The PPA community has a strong legal network that supports its members with legal help. The network is managed by Patrick Fleming, one of the members. It limits itself to legal issues touching on poker. Some members get arrested when they dare bring poker into their hometowns. The legal team always represents them, and they win the cases.
PPA limitations
PPA’s legal body does not cover members who own a poker-related business. They offer legal help to members who get arrested while playing poker. The team handles the issue on a case-by-case basis. The team cannot offer 100% representation, but they do their best to offer high-level assistance. The alliance receives a $15 membership fee annually which is not enough to cater for every legal cost. Their lawyers often act as secondary lawyers to the member’s main layer.
Additional benefits
PPA lobbyists have been working around the clock to organize activities that will impact public policy. They will not stop their mission until all poker player’s rights are protected. Currently, new PPA members get $20 free to play on Hog Wild Poker for a possible $13,000 win. The largest global poker event will be held in July in Las Vegas.
