Hi everyone,

PPA just sent this email to the membership:


Dear [member name],

We have an important and exciting announcement to make. PPA has evolved into a new and revamped organization, to be known under the name “Poker Alliance” effective immediately. As you know, PPA has been fighting to expand online poker since 2005 and has incredible roots in the poker community. Poker Alliance is going to continue our work fighting for the rights of poker players and expanding access to poker with a new sense of urgency.

As always, thank you for your constant support and your dedication to the great game of poker.

Keep an eye on your inbox for emails from Poker Alliance with more details on this positive step in expanding access to our game!

Proud to play,

Rich Muny
President
Poker Players Alliance

Poker Alliance will be led by longtime business development and government relations executive Mark Brenner. John Pappas and I will remain on in an advisory capacity for at least the next three months to ensure a smooth transition.


Funding will come from Poker Central and other industry participants.

The Poker Alliance press release:

THE NEW POKER ALLIANCE DRIVES ADVOCACY FOR POKER PLAYERS IN THE DIGITAL AGE

President Mark Brenner will lead the revamped and rebranded advocacy organization, previously known as the Poker Players Alliance (PPA)

Washington, DC – June 27, 2018 –The largest poker advocacy organization in the United States today unveiled a new brand identity and leadership: Poker Alliance, with longtime business development and government relations executive Mark Brenner at the helm. Poker Alliance will be a dedicated voice for the millions of Americans who support expanding the sporting world of poker, in particular the players seeking to enjoy safe, well-regulated, and fair games in myriad locations and formats. The revamped association will prioritize advocating for consumer protection and states’ rights in the context of poker and internet gaming.
As online gaming has become more widespread and popular, and following the recent Supreme Court decision invalidating the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA), the sport of poker is ready for a new kind of activism. Poker Alliance will build on the PPA’s over thirteen-year history of working effectively with policy makers, journalists, and industry partners to achieve the best outcomes for players and growth of the game itself. A Poker Alliance advisory board, with the involvement of former Poker Players Alliance presidents Rich Muny and John Pappas, will be announced in due course.

“As gaming culture and the laws around it have shifted, so too has our focus,” said Mark Brenner, president of Poker Alliance. “Poker players deserve to be able to play poker with confidence and safety, and we will expand the PPA’s incredible effort by strategically advocating for our members.”

“I’m very optimistic about Poker Alliance’s potential to bring new innovations and a different skill set to the fight for poker, serving its membership and consumers in general,” said former PPA president Rich Muny. “Along with my fellow advisors to the new leadership, I look forward to advocating for the great game of poker as part of Poker Alliance.”

Poker Alliance will focus on online poker. As a backdrop to today’s announcement, internet poker and gaming are authorized in Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware, with Pennsylvania expected to launch its regulated iGaming market later this year. With the recent Supreme Court decision striking down the PASPA, new sports betting initiatives and legislation are progressing quickly nationwide.

About Poker Alliance
Poker Alliance is dedicated to advancing the sport of poker on behalf of the poker playing community in the United States and abroad. As advocates of safe, legal and fair play, the Poker Alliance represents the needs of poker players to legislators, courts, policy makers, and the media to ensure legal and healthy competition. Located in Washington, DC, the association also works with casinos, poker companies, and other partners to promote safe and well-regulated poker experiences.

Contact:
press@pokeralliance.com
Poker Alliance LLC

Poker Alliance just sent out an email:


PPA has done incredible work fighting on behalf of poker players. Poker Alliance intends to expand on that effort and create wider opportunities for poker enthusiasts to participate in the sport of poker across the United States. We believe in the mission and efforts of PPA to recognize and sensibly authorize the sport of poker throughout the country, offline and online. To ensure continuity, former PPA leadership will be involved in Poker Alliance in an advisory capacity. We’ll be announcing more on that soon.

Poker players deserve to be able to play poker – in a neighbor’s backyard, at a casino, online, in their home state or when traveling within the U.S. or abroad. We’re players too. We’re going to fight for our right to play and we hope you will continue to join us.

The transition from the PPA to Poker Alliance means a few changes. First, we will no longer be taking donations from players: we will be supported by the larger poker community and industry participants. Second, Poker Alliance will have a robust government relations presence at the federal and state levels. But we do need your voices, otherwise, the legislators won’t hear us. We need every player to join us, and in the coming months we’ll need your support telling your friends of our efforts, spreading the message via social media, and reaching out to elected officials.

With the recent wins in PA and the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to invalidate PASPA, which had banned sports betting in most states, we intend to accelerate the adoption of iGaming platforms, including iPoker. This is a time of great opportunity for those of us who love poker.

You probably have many questions, so we put together a FAQ that will be updated often.

Now is the time for players to unite for the legalization and freedom of online poker. Please visit us at www.pokeralliance.com and look out for future emails coming from pokerallianceemail.com

Thank you for your support.

Mark Brenner
President of Poker Alliance

Rich,

I got the email and came straight to 2p2. This seem like a big shift from a players advocacy group over to something that is being lead by poker industry businesses. It also seems that our prior leadership will not be involved in the long term.

Are you at liberty to discuss your personal thoughts on this?

Anteye,

We were running on fumes. John Pappas and I have not been paid this year, in fact.

John and I wanted to save the fight by finding interests with deep enough pockets to fund this massive effort and were happy that a company like Poker Central stepped up. I am very pleased with this development and am happy that the fight will continue on.

Thanks for the perspective and thanks for all you have done over the years.

Thanks!

Don't know if your work with PPA had anything to do with it specifically or it's a case of "a rising tide floats all ships" but in Texas, there are now dozens of Private card rooms taking root and thriving. After black Friday I NEVER thought this would be a possibility. I probably was a little snarky in some post I've had with you on this forum. However, I must acknowledge your tireless work as brought online poker to 4 states and has played a part in changing the whole American view towards gambling.

Thanks. I hope you move on to bigger and better things.

Can we expect some new content in this thread when the state legislature’s get back from summer vacation?