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Setback for PPA does not Discourage the Fight

September 28, 2010

Leading grassroots advocacy organization for poker in the US, the Poker Players Alliance (PPA), is disappointed with the ruling by the Washington State Supreme Court decision to uphold state law making poker and online gambling a Class C Felony.

“We are extremely disappointed in the State Supreme Court’s ruling given the clear evidence that the state legislature never sought to regulate Internet poker as it does in-state bricks and mortar card rooms and internet horse racing, but instead simply banned internet poker and, even worse, criminalized the players. This law is still a mistake, and we will continue to fight to have it overturned,” comments Chairman of the PPA and former US Senator, Alfonse D’Amato.

The PPA provided testimony before the Supreme Court in May supporting the case and at least 100 poker supporters showed their opposition to the state law on the steps of the Supreme Court

Lee Rousso, Renton attorney and avid poker player who presented the case said, “Unfortunately, the court has upheld an unpopular prohibition. Poker players in this state need to make their voices heard. Now more than ever we need to rally together to fight this outrageous law. I hope the poker community will stand with me as I appeal this decision to the US Supreme Court.”

Sen. D’Amato adds, “The one bright spot in the ruling is that the Court made it clear they weren’t endorsing the law, but rather endorsing the right of the legislature to pass the law. That underscores what we’ve heard time and again – that this law is ridiculous. In fact, earlier this year, a poll found that 80 percent of Washington voters oppose the law.

“By no means is the fight over. The PPA will pursue other legal and legislative efforts to overturn this law and will continue to work with lawmakers in Washington State and Washington, DC, to pass legislation to license and regulate online poker and protect the rights of poker players to enjoy the game they love wherever they chose to play it.”

This ruling is only one small setback for the cause, as the one million nationwide members of the PPA, 20,000 of those in Washington alone, cannot be suppressed forever.

Written by Bea · Filed Under Poker News 

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