The American Spectator

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I get messages all the time flogging the importance of various legislation, but this is the first time I've gotten one from the email list for PokerStars, the online poker room where I play occassionally. It comes from World Series of Poker champ Greg "Fossilman" Raymer:

Dear John Tabin,

I am writing to you on behalf of the Poker Players Alliance (PPA) because we need your help. Congress is currently considering a bill which would clarify the legality of online poker in the United States by creating a regulatory and licensing framework. Please join me in supporting the "Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act".

The early support of many Congressional Representatives is crucial to the success of this bill. Please call your Representative C A Ruppersberger today in his Washington, D.C. office, 202-225-3061. Ask him to cosponsor H.R. 2046 before the August Congressional recess.

Your support is vital. Please take a moment and call today.

If you wish to read more about this bill, or to get more information about the Poker Players Alliance, please visit http://www.pokerplayersalliance.org. Thank you for your time, and your support of poker in the United States.

Sincerely,

Greg Raymer PPA Board of Directors WSOP 2004 World Champion and Member of Team PokerStars

It's unusual to see a hitherto apolitical group like online poker players suddenly being organized.

We discussed misguided efforts to crack down on online poker in this space last fall (start with this post by David Hogberg and scroll up.)