Proposed internet poker ban in MA

[SamJake]

That's great Uglyowl! Maybe I will move to Worcester so I can vote for him.

I am still waiting for responses from my reps. I sent a snail mail letter to both last week. How long did it take you to hear from Mr. Rice?

[Skallagrim]

Also Randy, you can remind them that the Wire Act has NO criminal provision against the player whatsoever, only the bookie can be charged. So even if the Wire Act were to apply to online poker, PUTTING SOMEONE IN JAIL FOR UP TO 2 AND 1/2 YEARS FOR PLAYING ONLINE POKER IS ENTIRELY NEW, NO IFS ANDS OR BUTS.

Skallagrim

PS - the Mastercard case went to a Federal District court, then a Federal Court of Appeals. It was not appealed to the US Supreme Court.

[MassPoker]

Yes...I certainly want to clarify that it was a Federal District Court and a Federal District Appelate Court NOT the SJC who decided the case. My apologies for misquoting!

All In,

Randy C~
MA Rep PPA

[Uglyowl]

[ QUOTE ]
That's great Uglyowl! Maybe I will move to Worcester so I can vote for him.

I am still waiting for responses from my reps. I sent a snail mail letter to both last week. How long did it take you to hear from Mr. Rice?

[/ QUOTE ]

I sent an e-mail to him on October 29th, so a little more than 2 weeks. I heard back sooner from Sen. Steven Brewer in about a week (via snail mail), but the letter was a "generic" casino issue response, which didn't specify anything about internet gaming only that everything needs to be looked at.

I applaud Mr. Rice for being specific in his response.

[MassPoker]

I have some Great news!

I received another call from Senator Stephen Brewer (D-Barre) this evening and he asked me if I would be available to appear in front of a committee (wasn't specific which one) in either January, February or March to testify on behalf of the MA PPA members in opposition to H. 4307. I said, "barring any opposition from PPA HQ, I would be more than happy to, but I'd need to check with the John Pappas first. I should have more details on this at a later date and will update you at that time.

All In,

Randy C~
MA PPA Rep

[DeadMoneyDad]

[ QUOTE ]
I have some Great news!

I received another call from Senator Stephen Brewer (D-Barre) this evening and he asked me if I would be available to appear in front of a committee (wasn't specific which one) in either January, February or March to testify on behalf of the MA PPA members in opposition to H. 4307. I said, "barring any opposition from PPA HQ, I would be more than happy to, but I'd need to check with the John Pappas first. I should have more details on this at a later date and will update you at that time.

All In,

Randy C~
MA PPA Rep

[/ QUOTE ]

Great work Randy!

PPA HQ should have no trouble helping you with prep and panelist help.


D$D

[Uglyowl]

Great news Randy, keep us updated. Also are we still trying to meet with lawmakers in Boston in early December?

Thanks,

[sobefuddled]

Outstanding Randy! Keep up the great work.

[TheEngineer]

Great job!

[MassPoker]

Thanks all for the words of support. I approach this with "optimistic trepidation." What is most important to me is that the PPA position is vocalized clearly prior to any final voting.

Also, Senator Brewer indicated that all of the legislators are extremely impressed with our efforts and passion about this topic. He said that; "If the democratic process is to work properly here, (and he is confident that it will) then all of our persistent efforts will ultimately pay off in the end." He supports our plight and further added that he will demand that the language criminalizing internet poker will have to be removed before he supports any other part of the bill.

On a side note, I want to personally thank TE (TheEngineer) for contacting me initially when this issue first broke. I can honestly say that TE is 150% committed to the PPA's mission of Preserving, protecting and expanding the rights of poker players nationwide. I take no credit whatsoever for uncovering this attack on the MA poker playing citizens. TE's eagle eyes and quick action (by calling me personally) are what gave me the motivation to act so quickly. All of us MA players owe TE a great debt of gratitude for going above and beyond here.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank every single person who has done "their part" in this campaign. I am so proud to be a part of this...I cannot even begin to express my deepest, and sincerest appreciation for the amount of "raw footwork" that you all have done. You make my job so easy because I have such wonderful and passionate people here in MA that have gone ABOVE AND BEYOND the call of duty.

The Poker Players Alliance is becoming more and more effective and this is the direct result of the quality of our membership. IMO, there's no such thing as "the little people" here. Those of you who have answered the call of duty will be the most integral part of making "poker history" when the time comes where we'll ultimately defeat this bill, or at very least, have the section 15(h)(2)(i) stricken from the overall bill...and we'll have YOU to thank for it. What an incredible team we have formed. I'm so overwhelmingly proud of you all. So, stop patting me on the back, reach back and give yourself the pat on the back because you deserve it as much, if not more, than I. Without you all, I am nothing more than a guy with a computer, a phone and faith that we'll persevere.

Again, thank you all for your passionate commitment to this campaign. In the meantime, I'll feed off of all of your passion and commitment during this campaign to ensure that we're ultimately victorious. Vini, Vidi, Vici!!!!

All In,

Randy C~
Massachusetts Director
Poker Players Alliance