Thanks for the breakdown. I would be down to get more active in WA online poker efforts, but I don't live there anymore. I do actively do those things in FL.

It's a frustratingly slow and complex process, but I will stay with it for as long as it takes. Keep up the good work in WA. I would seriously look at moving back there if online poker returned.

I shared my takeaways from meeting with Rep. Hurst on OPR - http://www.onlinepokerreport.com/139...hington-state/

I have a meeting with a potential bill sponsor in Olympia next month. Players in the area interested in meeting with me and perhaps attending that legislative meeting feel free to drop me a message

You are doing the Lord's Work, Curt. Thank you.

Believe it or not, this is the biggest hurdle we now face.

Daily fantasy sports sites might be a better ally on that front

I fear we are at the end of the line . . .

The question was raised "who wants to offer online poker in Washington State?" by State Rep. Chris Hurst, and so far the answer appears to be 'nobody.'

It really doesn't matter how bad we want online poker back in our state if nobody wants to offer online poker to our players. The sites are not going to get a freeroll here. If they don't demonstrate a desire to access this market in a meaningful way, there is no reason at all for the legislature to even discuss creating such a market.

Players, we need to implore the sites to support our effort. We are, after all, working on their behalf, to create a market from which they will reap millions in profits each year. And yet, they are not helping.

We are so close, but without real support from the industry, this is the end. Turn your attention to the sites, implore them to support the players, as those players have supported them. Remind them we are here for them, they need to be here for us. This is their fight too. They have the money and the resources and the payoff at the end will be theirs.

So much of this fight is wasted effort trying convince people on the same side of the issue to step up and be heard.

Why not direct our attention and efforts to the daily fantasy sites? Right now the big sites like Fanduel and Draftkings don't allow play in Washington State because of the same anti-poker law and daily fantasy doesn't have the stigma that online gambling has.

(You know, because fantasy is a game of skill...)

It's a potential ally on the same front, even if skinned differently.

That would be a completely different bill.

You must understand that a gambling activity must be authorized to be legal. It isn't a matter of 'if it isn't specifically illegal, then it is legal.' It is, in fact, the opposite (in WA State).

We are fighting for the big international poker sites' entry into this market. They need to be fighting with us. It is really that simple.

There are no casinos in Washington that are interested in offering intrastate online poker?

I'm sure they would like to, but if they are only going to get a 20% revenue share of 20% market share of a $25million market, it isn't something they really need to press for.

On Wednesday (10.29) I was down in Olympia to meet with State Representative Chris Reykdal (D-22nd). He is very much interested in our cause, and was a co-sponsor of HB1824 in 2013. His reply to our inquiries include "I’m on board, and I’m ready to sponsor or co-sponsor legislation," and this meeting was to present him with a full draft proposal.

The draft I presented him with (it's new, you can view it here) will next go to the Office of the Code Reviser, where it may have some changes made to it, to make sure it is consistent with the RCW.

Next, we need to drum up additional support. It's good to have both Dems and Reps on board, and I've made some good contacts with members of the House Committee we need to go through.

These next two months are crucial, the legislative session is short, and we will only have until mid-February to see it through committee and to a floor vote in the House. It is important that we have the support necessary so it can proceed swiftly through the process. Any excuse to table it will likely be the end of it for the year.

let your legislators know the issue is important to you. I still hear all to often "nobody in my district has raised this issue"

We'll be doing another e-mail and social media blitz this month. There are at least a dozen state reps who will support this measure, but we need more.

Thanks for the great work! Are there resources available for those who want to contact their elected officials? Ie talking points etc?

I'll be posting more on this later in the week, after Tuesday's election

There are a couple of races so far undecided, and one elected who died prior to the election, who will be replaced by appointment. But here is the 2015 Legislature, e-mails, Twitters, and click to tweet links

LD	Party	Pos.	Legislator	Twitter	E-mail Address	Tweet Link
1	D	S	Rosemary McAuliffe	@R_McAuliffe	rosemary.mcauliffe@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/e4X43ZJc
	D	H1	Derek Stanford	@derekstanford	derek.stanford@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/f34ZafPc
	D	H2	Luis Moscoso	@lucho4	luis.moscoso@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/bZd6dp0A
2	R	S	Randi Becker	@RandiLBecker	randi.becker@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/Q56aC019
	R	H1	Graham Hunt	@gr_hunt	graham.hunt@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/129QG2an
	R	H2	JT Wilcox	@jtwilcox111	jt.wilcox@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/p43g38f0
3	D	S	Andy Billig	@Andybillig	andy.billig@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/wBdd3T8g
	D	H1	Marcus Riccelli	@marcusriccelli	marcus.riccelli@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/T4dy30UD
	D	H2	Timm Ormsby		timm.ormsby@leg.wa.gov
4	R	S	Mike Padden		mike.padden@leg.wa.gov
	R	H1	Bob McClasin
	R	H2	Matt Shea	@repmattshea	matt.shea@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/cly6sP4t
5	R	S	Mark Mullet		mark.mullet@leg.wa.gov
	R	H1	Jay Rodne		jay.rodne@leg.wa.gov
	R	H2	Chad Magendanz	@magendanz	chad.magendanz@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/PeaN5dIf
6	R	S	Michael Baumgartner	@senbaumgartner	michael.baumgartner@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/J16gT5nX
	R	H1	Kevin Parker	@kevincparker	kevin.parker@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/69JOb6TU
	R	H2	Jeff Holy		jeff.holy@leg.wa.gov
7	R	S	Brian Dansel		brian.dansel@leg.wa.gov
	R	H1	Shelly Short		shelly.short@leg.wa.gov
	R	H2	Joel Kretz	@joelkretz	joel.kretz@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/e7HdapCe
8	R	S	Sharon Brown	@sharonbrownWA	sharon.brown@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/kyjcJ78V
	R	H1	Brad Klippert	@bradklippert	brad.klippert@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/B91a2N96
	R	H2	Larry Haler	@larryhaler	larry.haler@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/UfASGJgd
9	R	S	Mark Schoesler		mark.schoesler@leg.wa.gov
	R	H1	Susan Fagan	@susanfagan	susan.fagan@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/cfe40A4f
	R	H2	Joe Schmick		joe.schmick@leg.wa.gov
10	R	S	Barbara Bailey	@BarbBaileyWA10	barbara.bailey@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/a35M220s
	R	H1	Norma Smith		norma.smith@leg.wa.gov
	R	H2	Dave Hayes	@RepDaveHayes	dave.hayes@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/28gtOziG
11	D	S	Bob Hasegawa	@bobhasegawa	bob.hasegawa@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/b6vcdFge
	D	H1	Zack Hudgins		zack.hudgins@leg.wa.gov
	D	H2	Steve Bergquist	@steve4house	steve.bergquist@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/y93e0nih
12	R	S	Linda Evans Parlette		linda.parlette@leg.wa.gov
	R	H1	Cary Condotta	@CaryCondotta	cary.condotta@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/MHKzURoY
	R	H2	Brad Hawkins		brad.hawkins@leg.wa.gov
13	R	S	Judith Warnick	@judithwarnick	judy.warnick@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/dtKdI75q
	R	H1	Tom Dent
	R	H2	Matt Manweller	@mattmanweller	matt.manweller@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/c4MY4TH2
14	R	S	Curtis King		curtis.king@leg.wa.gov
	R	H1	Norm Johnson		norm.johnson@leg.wa.gov
	R	H2	Gina R. McCabe
15	R	S	Jim Honeyford	@jimhoneyford	jim.honeyford@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/n4aPR9t1
	R	H1	Bruce Chandler	@votechandler	bruce.chandler@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/jbcyZ5c6
	R	H2	David Taylor	@Rep_Taylor	david.taylor@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/U8kOKede
16	R	S	Mike Hewitt		mike.hewitt@leg.wa.gov
	R	H1	Maureen Walsh	@repmaureenwalsh	maureen.walsh@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/tXLy91d7
	R	H2	Terry Nealey		terry.nealey@leg.wa.gov
17	R	S	Don Benton	@Bentonforsenate	don.benton@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/6e6cVuxh
	R	H1	Lynda Wilson	@Lynda_dw		http://spredd.it/1wq8ebKd
	R	H2	Paul Harris		paul.harris@leg.wa.gov	Supports
18	R	S	Ann Rivers		ann.rivers@leg.wa.gov
	R	H1	Brandon Vick	@BrandonVick	brandon.vick@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/bLaf97MC
	R	H2	Liz Pike		liz.pike@leg.wa.gov
19	D	S	Brian Hatfield		brian.hatfield@leg.wa.gov
	D	H1	Dean Takko		dean.takko@leg.wa.gov
	D	H2	Brian Blake		brian.blake@leg.wa.gov
20	R	S	John Braun	@SenatorBraun	john.braun@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/zaK198I6
	R	H1	Richard DeBolt	@RepDeBolt	richard.debolt@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/9ffYU09a
	R	H2	Ed Orcutt		ed.orcutt@leg.wa.gov
21	D	S	Marko Liias	@SenMarkoLiias	marko.liias@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/W9NxeXyd
	D	H1	Strom Peterson
	D	H2	Lillian Ortiz-Self	@electlillian	lillian.ortiz-self@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/p7G77e24
22	D	S	Karen Fraser		karen.fraser@leg.wa.gov
	D	H1	Chris Reykdal	@chrisreykdal	chris.reykdal@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/5Zry2xw0
	D	H2	Sam Hunt		sam.hunt@leg.wa.gov
23	D	S	Christine Rolfes		christine.rolfes@leg.wa.gov
	D	H1	Sherry Appleton		sherry.appleton@leg.wa.gov	Supports
	D	H2	Drew Hansen	@repdrewhansen	drew.hansen@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/nfLVcStc
24	D	S	James Hargrove		jim.hargrove@leg.wa.gov
	D	H1	Kevin Van De Wege	@kevinvandewege	kevin.vandewege@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/P19nmBXS
	D	H2	Steve Tharinger	@stevetharinger	steve.tharinger@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/zRv802Na
25	D	S	Bruce Dameier		bruce.dammeier@leg.wa.gov
	R	H1	Melanie Stambaugh	@votestambaugh		http://spredd.it/Bqz4ba99
	R	H2	Hans Zeiger	@hanszeiger	hans.zeiger@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/7W4583FO
26	R	S	Jan Angel	@janangel4senate	jan.angel@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/du4azYeV
	R	H1	Jesse Young
	R	H2	Michelle Caldier	too close
	D	H2	Larry Seaquist	to call	larry.seaquist@leg.wa.gov
27	R	S	Jeannie Darneille	@darneille27	j.darneille@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/q8hZ1E3G
	D	H1	Laurie Jinkins	@lauriejinkins2	laurie.jinkins@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/5Cg45Lf5
	D	H2	Jake Fey		jake.fey@leg.wa.gov
28	R	S	Steve O'Ban	@steveoban	steve.o'ban@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/egeccO7Z
	R	H1	Dick Muri	@dickmuri	dick.muri@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/Nav2b1f3
	R	H2	Paul Wagemann	too close
	D	H2	Christine Kilduff	to call
29	D	S	Steve Conway		steve.conway@leg.wa.gov
	D	H1	David Sawyer		david.sawyer@leg.wa.gov
	D	H2	Steve Kirby		steve.kirby@leg.wa.gov
30	R	S	Mark Miloscia	@markmiloscia		http://spredd.it/25Duro02
	R	H1	Linda Kochmar	@lindakochmar	linda.kochmar@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/c9GdXdIv
	D	H2	Roger Freeman	TBA
31	R	S	Pam Roach	@pamroach1	pam.roach@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/j01rv8H4
	R	H1	Drew Stokesbary	@stokesbary		http://spredd.it/S28dgn4U
	D	H2	Chris Hurst		christopher.hurst@leg.wa.gov	Open minded
32	D	S	Maralyn Chase	@mchaseforsenate	maralyn.chase@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/J6232H8S
	D	H1	Cindy Ryu		cindy.ryu@leg.wa.gov
	D	H2	Ruth Kagi		ruth.kagi@leg.wa.gov
33	D	S	Karen Keiser	@karenkeiser1	karen.keiser@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/Ta91CbhG
	D	H1	Tina Orwall	@tinaorwall	tina.orwall@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/OFwe05U7
	D	H2	Mia Su-Ling Gregerson		mia.gregerson@leg.wa.gov
34	D	S	Sharon Nelson		sharon.nelson@leg.wa.gov
	D	H1	Eileen Cody		eileen.cody@leg.wa.gov
	D	H2	Joe Fitzgibbon	@joefitzgibbon	joe.fitzgibbon@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/OC7cwb5e
	D	S	Tim Sheldon		Timothy.Sheldon@leg.wa.gov
	D	h1	Kathy Haigh	too close	kathy.haigh@leg.wa.gov	Supports
	R	H1	Dan Griffey	to call
	R	H2	Drew MacEwen	@Drewmacewen	drew.macewen@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/kfWhbFcc
36	D	S	Jeanne Kohl-Welles	@repjkohlwelles	jeanne.kohl-welles@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/KWkccOjR
	D	H1	Reuven Carlyle	@reuvencarlyle	reuven.carlyle@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/bYDHlq28
	D	H2	Gael Tarleton	@gaeltarleton	gael.tarleton@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/f72EjBGo
37	D	S	Pramila Jayapal	@pramilaj		http://spredd.it/zc2d48UL
	D	H1	Sharon Tomiko Santos		sharontomiko.santos@leg.wa.gov
	D	H2	Eric pettigrew	@pettigrew_e	eric.pettigrew@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/A7fa1nFm
38	D	S	John McCoy		john.mccoy@leg.wa.gov
	D	H1	June Robinson	@gruberobinson	june.robinson@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/atNlI2fh
	D	H2	Mike Sells		mike.sells@leg.wa.gov
39	R	S	Kirk Pearson		kirk.pearson@leg.wa.gov
	R	H1	Dan Kristiansen		dan.kristiansen@leg.wa.gov
	R	H2	Elizabeth Scott	@Escottwa	elizabeth.scott@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/zkaSI971
40	D	S	Kevin Ranker	@kevinranker	kevin.ranker@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/fXU98d59
	D	H1	Kristine Lytton	@kristinelytton	kristine.lytton@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/bd27cR7F
	D	H2	Jeff Morris	@TheRostrum	morris.jeff@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/x7BT9myE
41	R	S	Steve Litzow	@stevelitzow	steve.litzow@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/bUsfmOKg
	D	H1	Tana Senn	@tanasenn	tana.senn@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/xn95Qydq
	D	H2	Judy Clibborn		judy.clibborn@leg.wa.gov
42	R	S	Doug Ericksen		doug.ericksen@leg.wa.gov
	R	h1	Luanne VanWerven	@LuanneVanWerven		http://spredd.it/gfaniu0E
	R	H2	Vincent Buys	@VincentBuys	vincent.buys@leg.wa.gov	Supports
43	D	S	Jamie Pedersen		jamie.pedersen@leg.wa.gov
	D	H1	Brady Walkinshaw	@BradyWalkinshaw	brady.walkinshaw@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/XTazn9aR
	D	H2	Frank Chopp	@FrankChopp	frank.chopp@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/0be03EzP
44	D	S	Steve Hobbs	@electhobbs	steve.hobbs@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/fzlaxG73
	D	H1	Hans Dunshee		hans.dunshee@leg.wa.gov	Not against
	R	H2	Mark Harmsworth	@markharm		http://spredd.it/t4osbgeb
	R	S	Andy Hill	@SenatorAndyHill	andy.hill@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/OH7uxr5c
	D	H1	Roger Goodman	@RepGoodman	roger.goodman@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/fVAbaS9c
	D	H2	Larry Springer	@RepSpringer	larry.springer@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/N54Pzix5
46	D	S	David Frockt	@dsfrockt	david.frockt@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/IcO9LzGV
	D	H1	Gerry Pollet	@GerryPollet	gerry.pollet@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/tabUM1Lf
	D	H2	Jessyn Farrel		jessyn.farrell@leg.wa.gov
47	R	S	Joe Fain	@SenatorFain	joe.fain@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/c7dxtdO8
	R	H1	Mark Hargrove	@markhargrove	mark.hargrove@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/u3xG7f49
	D	H2	Pat Sullivan		pat.sullivan@leg.wa.gov
48	D	S	Cyrus Habib	@cyrushabib	cyrus.habib@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/H1luq6s5
	D	H1	Ross Hunter	@Rosshunter	ross.hunter@leg.wa.gov	http://spredd.it/vqJpPdYQ
	D	H2	Joan McBride
	D	S	Annette Cleaveland		annette.cleveland@leg.wa.gov
49	D	H1	Sharon Wylie		sharon.wylie@leg.wa.gov
	D	h2	Jim Moeller	@jimmoeller	jim.moeller@leg.wa.gov

As for talking points, I created this document when I was preparing for my meeting with Rep. Chris Hurst. It covers the why and the how. You can use all or any part of it in preparing e-mails to your legislators.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/239191641/...uld-We-and-How

Our main supporters in the legislature are:

Jeff Morris (D-40th) and Bruce Chandler (R-15th) both voted against SSB6613 (2006), which gave us the current felony prohibition.

Paul Harris (R-17th) of course, who sponsored HB 1824 (2013). Also cosponsors on that bill were Chris Reykdal (D-22nd), Sherry Appleton (D-23rd), who I have corresponded with on this issue and are supportive; Ross Hunter (D-48th), Joe Fitzgibbon (D-34th), and Brandon Vick (R-18th), who is/was on the GAO Committee.

I got a message from Harris last week. He said he would look into this again, but it needed broader support. His proposal in 2014 was really a non-starter. What we are proposing is fairly different, and better serves local interests. I think it has a better chance of gaining support from the stakeholders here.

I've gotten public support from Vincent Buys (R-42nd); my own Rep. Mark Hargrove (R-47th) and I have talked about this issue often. He has indicated support. I've talked at length with Matt Shea (R-4th) as well. Also on the GAO Committee, I believe he will support this. And Matt Manweller (R-13th) has indicated an interest in sponsoring or cosponsoring a bill.

I'd like to send a few e-mails to my reps. Thanks for all your efforts curtins. Perhaps you could give some cliffs on the draft that you posted? If you could post a PPA style e-mail I could copy and paste that would be great as well.

If not I'll just e-mail my reps a few sentences saying I support regulating online poker in Washington and am very opposed to the current Class C felony penalty for players.

Edit: I tweeted my state reps in 43rd district

I typed up a letter on Google Docs, you can download it and insert your legislators' name(s) and add your own at the bottom. Or you can copy/paste the text.

There are valuable links that help convey the message, so it would be worth making sure they are included

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...it?usp=sharing

Te Recreational Gaming Association, the trade group for non-tribal card rooms in Washington State, have asked me down to discuss our proposed legislation and its implications. This will be a big step forward, as gaining the support of the local card rooms is important to our success.

Card room revenue peaked in 2005, and has steadily declined since. That happens to coincide with the prohibition of online poker in 2006. Can we prove cause and effect? I don't know, but I sure am going to point out the obvious fact that the poker boom effectively ended in 2006 because of legislation like that passed in our state, and what was rapid growth in card room revenues is now decline.

^ Fantastic! Give 'em hell, Curt!

Very nice!

I moved out of WA because of the felony ban, and I have heard of many people doing the same. I mostly played online, but I made it to Tulalip about every other week for some live poker. Casino WA poker lost 100% of my business due to the online law.

do not want to derail to much but why is the state of Washington so Anal about anything remotely related to internet gambling?.... They have by far the harshest laws in the country. Does not make sense, it is not like they are a bible belt state or extremely conservative.

Not a derail at all, happy to address this, as it is important to note, and something I think is often misunderstood.

It is a common fallacy I see often repeated that, when it comes to online poker, Dems are good, Republicans are bad. That simply isn't the case.

While there are ultra conservatives with a moral objection to gambling in many places, there are just as many, if not more, nanny state Democrats, who in their own arrogance think they know what is best for you, and thus need to protect you from gambling. Internet poker straddles these groups, and that is what makes the fight tough.

While many of you could name some Republicans who are against online poker, I doubt you could name a Democrat who was for it. The law here in Washington, that as you described has the harshest player penalty of any in the nation, was authored by a Democrat, hustled through a legislature with Democrat majorities in both chambers, and signed by a Governor who was also a Democrat. Yes, the bluest of blue states has given players the blues.

The good news? We have some support on both sides of the aisle. I believe I have a sponsor who is on the left. This will be helpful, as the Dems control the State House and therefore the committees. We need the committee chair to give a bill a hearing. I met with that committee chair, and he was reasonable and open minded, but didn't promise me a hearing.

I have some support from the Republicans on that committee. That will also be helpful. Of the entire legislature going into the next session, there is more support on the right than there is on the left. It's an issue of freedom for Republicans who care about that.

So when you think about the politics of internet poker, think beyond your personal party bias, because there are those for and against our cause on both sides of the aisle, and most of the action, both for and against, is on the right side of the aisle.

I have a tease, just short of an official announcement. I have a state representative, one who has cosponsored several bills on this issue in the last few years, who is going to introduce the bill in the next session. She has sent my draft over to the Code Reviser's office, and as that process is completed, we will have an actual bill draft.

Watch for an official announcement in the next couple of weeks. The legislative session begins on January 12th. We need to be ready to mobilize quickly, if/when we get a hearing, we will have probably only 1 week's notice. I'm working on lining up folks to appear, among them players and industry reps.

If you are interested in appearing before the committee on behalf of this bill, reach out to me asap.

curtis@ipokerinitiative.com

Great work man.

Imagine if we had a curtin[every state]...