Proposed internet poker ban in MA

[TheEngineer]

[ QUOTE ]
My post was already too long but I wanted to add that I wish the ppa and ppa reps and engineer would spell out the political landscape and what is or isn't feasible - for you ppa people is that sort of assessment coming?

[/ QUOTE ]

So, you wish I would do MORE than I'm doing now for our cause? LOL! Sounds like you have me mistaken with someone who gets paid to to this. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] Seriously, I'm happy to volunteer my time for our cause, but wishing for ME to do more isn't really the most productive use of your imagination.

Anyway, the PPA is on this. I called Randy C., the PPA MA State Director, to discuss the situation. He is enthusiastic and energized about taking this on. He called John Pappas, and we're on it. He posted the details following this, which is little bit higher up in this thread. Please check it out (unless you're wishing I'll call you and read his post to you. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] ).

[LetsGambool]

Just trying to brainstorm ways to help fight this: what are the PPA's (or other knowledgable parties') thoughts about contacting Speaker DeMasi speaking out against the bill?

He's been anti-casino gambling and is, as far as I can discern, the most likely state heavyweight to actively work against this bill.

A pro online gambling stance probably will not win over the Speaker. However, I would imagine the more phone calls he gets flat out opposing casino gambling, the less likely he is to reverse his anti-gambling stance. My thought was it may be easier to work to cement him in his current stance now than down the road as the lure of $$$ to the state becomes stronger.

Is it too early in the process to take this step? Not useful given the way the legislative process works? Im new to this sort of process and trying to figure out other ways to help.

Thanks to everyone for the work done and the work to come in fighting this.

[NewGuy]

[ QUOTE ]

Its your (our) position that should be either/or: an either/or ultimatum - exempt online poker (and other skill based, non-house games) from this proposal or we will support the efforts of your opponents to kill it in its entirety.

If the Gov. really wants his casinos he cant afford to offend a significant segment of the population that would otherwise support his proposal. All you really have to do is show him that you are, in fact, a significant segment of the population.

Oh, and I know that the PPA is already making plans to help here, but dont just sit back and expect them to do the work for you.



[/ QUOTE ]

Downrange you asked some good questions, and I think these are some good potential answers. I'm willing and able to do whatever I can to fight online poker becoming a felony. I've spent a few hours emailing and calling, but it feels ad hoc and without a specific, driven purpose. I'm sure others would do something/more if they knew EXACTLY what they should do.

In an ideal world, what we might get from the PPA to help would be a coherent, well-thought out overall strategy & specific tactical steps to take towards that strategy.

Example:
All PPA members who live in Massachusetts (and maybe in country) get an email like this one:

"Dear PPA member,
It's time to stop online poker from becoming a felony in MA.

The best strategy here is to convince the Governor's office and committee reviewing the legisation that:
1) There are X,XXX PPA members and YYY,YYY poker players who do not want online poker banned
2) This constituency wants the clause removed from the casino bill
3) If it is, we will fight hard for the passage of the bill. If not we will join with the anti-gambling camp and fight to have it killed.

How can you do this you ask? Spend a few minutes and follow these steps:

Steps to take if you are a PPA member who lives in MA
1) Call these 3 phone number XXX-XXX-XXXX and address these talking points (below)
a) b) c)
2) Go to this link "http://ma.gov.xxx and email the governor
3) Go to this link "http://ma.gov.xxx and find your local rep. email him or her then call their office.

Steps to take if you do not live in MA but want your voice heard:
1) xxx

"

[downrange]

I apologize, my post came out wrong. I don't want to be unfair to others because I'm not a regular here but my own personal impression was that you practically single-handedly really got the steam up a few months ago. So I do know who you are and would never say you're not doing enough. Sorry it came out that way.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
My post was already too long but I wanted to add that I wish the ppa and ppa reps and engineer would spell out the political landscape and what is or isn't feasible - for you ppa people is that sort of assessment coming?

[/ QUOTE ]

So, you wish I would do MORE than I'm doing now for our cause? LOL! Sounds like you have me mistaken with someone who gets paid to to this. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] Seriously, I'm happy to volunteer my time for our cause, but wishing for ME to do more isn't really the most productive use of your imagination.

Anyway, the PPA is on this. I called Randy C., the PPA MA State Director, to discuss the situation. He is enthusiastic and energized about taking this on. He called John Pappas, and we're on it. He posted the details following this, which is little bit higher up in this thread. Please check it out (unless you're wishing I'll call you and read his post to you. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] ).

[/ QUOTE ]

[downrange]

Deleted per request

[TheEngineer]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

Its your (our) position that should be either/or: an either/or ultimatum - exempt online poker (and other skill based, non-house games) from this proposal or we will support the efforts of your opponents to kill it in its entirety.

If the Gov. really wants his casinos he cant afford to offend a significant segment of the population that would otherwise support his proposal. All you really have to do is show him that you are, in fact, a significant segment of the population.

Oh, and I know that the PPA is already making plans to help here, but dont just sit back and expect them to do the work for you.



[/ QUOTE ]

Downrange you asked some good questions, and I think these are some good potential answers. I'm willing and able to do whatever I can to fight online poker becoming a felony. I've spent a few hours emailing and calling, but it feels ad hoc and without a specific, driven purpose. I'm sure others would do something/more if they knew EXACTLY what they should do.

In an ideal world, what we might get from the PPA to help would be a coherent, well-thought out overall strategy & specific tactical steps to take towards that strategy.

Example:
All PPA members who live in Massachusetts (and maybe in country) get an email like this one:

"Dear PPA member,
It's time to stop online poker from becoming a felony in MA.

The best strategy here is to convince the Governor's office and committee reviewing the legisation that:
1) There are X,XXX PPA members and YYY,YYY poker players who do not want online poker banned
2) This constituency wants the clause removed from the casino bill
3) If it is, we will fight hard for the passage of the bill. If not we will join with the anti-gambling camp and fight to have it killed.

How can you do this you ask? Spend a few minutes and follow these steps:

Steps to take if you are a PPA member who lives in MA
1) Call these 3 phone number XXX-XXX-XXXX and address these talking points (below)
a) b) c)
2) Go to this link "http://ma.gov.xxx and email the governor
3) Go to this link "http://ma.gov.xxx and find your local rep. email him or her then call their office.

Steps to take if you do not live in MA but want your voice heard:
1) xxx

"



[/ QUOTE ]

From MassPoker, a few posts up:

Greetings;

My name is Randy C and I am the MA Rep for the PPA.

As you can well imagine, the news of this proposed bill really took us by surprise. I've read through all of the threads pertaining to this issue and I agree with most of you that this is NOT just a MA problem. It is, by all respects a problem that will affect all internet gamers.

Those of us who live in MA need to take this matter ever so seriously! This bill is quickly gaining support and now is not the time for party politics and the assignment of blame. The fact is, we are facing the MOST DAMAGING internet gaming legislation to date, surpassing that of the UIGEA. If this catches on...every State will start proposing similar legislation and I dare say we will be fighting an uphill battle.

I've spoken to MA State Senator Stephen Brewer(D-Barre). He warned me that this legislation stands a VERY good chance of passing and that if anything were to be done, it HAS to be done now. He suggests conacting any and all MA disabled persons who are homebound and unable to go to a conventional casino. He claimes that this will give us the "sympathetic angle" and will be another hurdle that the bill must stave off before going to the House of Reps. It's a longshot, but it's a start! So, if you know of any MA disabled person/people who play internet poker, please have them contact me ASAP at MassPoker@yahoo.com. Please have them put "MA Poker Ban" in the subject line.

I am currently working on the official PPA Press Release and Position Release and will send it to every single MA news source. I am making myself available for interviews in order to offer our position on the bill.

I would also like to hold a rally on Beacon Hill in early December for any and all residents of MA (and even non-residents [Skall...lol] that wish to attend.

Also, I will be working with John Pappas, Executive Director of the Poker Players Alliance in an effort to offer MA PPA residents a standard opposition letter which will be automatically fowarded to Governor Patrick's office, as well as to each of the MA residents respective Representatives and Senators.

No matter what, it is important for MA residents to know that we here at the PPA are doing everything in our power to ensure that this bill stalls.

I am making myself available to all MA PPA members who wish to contact me directly. Please email me at MassPoker@yahoo.com and I will provide you with my home and cell phone numbers. I will do my best to answer any questions or concerns that you may have.

We have a very long, tough road ahead of us and I hope you will join with us to stop this bill in it's tracks NOW!

All In,

Randy C~
MA PPA Representative

[NewGuy]

Engineer,
I did see that post and I'm happy there's a Mass PPA rep on the ball. (I've already emailed him volunteering to help if I can). I'm aware and pleased that the PPA is taking some great steps as an organization and I definitely support them.

The point / request I am trying to make: I would love to see some explicit, very detailed instructions on what specific action steps Mass players can take here. Basically, a very simple 1-2-3 cookbook of what to do to help somehow stuck in front of as many Mass. poker players eyeballs as possible. Attending the rally Randy mentioned above is a good example of 1 specific action step, I'd like to see a laundry list sent directly to PPA members, posted on 2+2/pocket 5s/etc.

As a PPA member, I've gotten and read emails from PPA in the past. While I appreciate the updates on what they are doing, I think since people are essentially lazy, making it as EASY and SIMPLE as possible for people to step in and help fight this is essential to getting a large % of poker players / PPA members to actually do something.

[TheEngineer]

[ QUOTE ]
I apologize, my post came out wrong. I don't want to be unfair to others because I'm not a regular here but my own personal impression was that you practically single-handedly really got the steam up a few months ago. So I do know who you are and would never say you're not doing enough. Sorry it came out that way.

[/ QUOTE ]

No worries. My response was tongue-in-cheek. I posted a lot of actions that enabled us to act in unison, but we all contributed to get the ball rolling. Now the PPA is working with us as well, so we're really seeing good things now.

Everyone: Randy C. is on this, as is the PPA. I hope every MA resident here will write and call their state reps and Gov. Patrick. Tell them you oppose this provision banning Internet poker. Ask for a carve-out for poker and other games of skill; ask for the provision to be deleted; or ask for the entire bill to be opposed until the provision is deleted. Just be clear that YOU oppose the provision, and that you'll vote against anyone who votes for anything containing that provision.

[TheEngineer]

[ QUOTE ]
Engineer,
I did see that post and I'm happy there's a Mass PPA rep on the ball. (I've already emailed him volunteering to help if I can). I'm aware and pleased that the PPA is taking some great steps as an organization and I definitely support them.

The point / request I am trying to make: I would love to see some explicit, very detailed instructions on what specific action steps Mass players can take here. Basically, a very simple 1-2-3 cookbook of what to do to help somehow stuck in front of as many Mass. poker players eyeballs as possible.

As a PPA member, I've gotten and read emails from PPA in the past. While I appreciate the updates on what they are doing, I think since people are essentially lazy, making it as EASY and SIMPLE as possible for people to step in and help fight this is essential to getting a large % of poker players / PPA members to actually do something.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for volunteering to help. I did see your posts with your letters. Good job.

As for your vision, that what Randy is working on. I did it myself in KY for the gubernatorial election. I sent out an email with a simple link to send out an email. It was very easy to do, and we got a good response. Now that we have the system in place and it's been exercised once, we'll get this one off fine.

[NewGuy]

I'm anxious to do what I can. This appears to be a unique opportunity- we get to fight for changes to this bill BEFORE it's enacted, rather than lament after the fact and fight a massive uphill battle to change it later.

That's great that Randy's working on that and reassuring to know there's a system somewhat in place and ready to fire.

Even something as simple as making a sticky thread here in Legislation cross-linked to Internet Gambling forum with "Action Steps to Fight Mass. Online Ban" would likely boost 2+2er activity.