Just wanted to take a moment to introduce ourselves. We’re FairPlayUSA, a coalition of poker players, law enforcement officials, consumer protection experts, and companies in the commercial gaming industry. Our goal is to educate policymakers and the public on the need to regulate online poker. Most importantly, we believe it’s time for Congress to make clear that online poker is legal in the U.S., and ensure rigorous consumer protections for the millions of Americans who responsibly enjoy the game.

Our Board of Advisors includes:

• Professional Poker Player Greg Raymer
• Former Governor of Pennsylvania and First Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge
• Child and Consumer Safety Expert Parry Aftab

You can find out more about us at http://www.fairplayusa.com/

We’ll be in the forums to serve as a point of contact for the organization and to answer any questions that may come up.

Hi everybody, I will be around as usual going forward, but will be here in this thread this morning for at least a few hours to answer questions and such. I am on the Board of Advisors of FairPlay USA. They contacted me a while ago to ask for my help, and after doing my due diligence, I believe that they will be able to help all of us players get the thing we want most, a good piece of legislation to clearly legalize, license, and regulate online poker in the USA.

I continue as a member of the Board of Directors of the PPA, and will be helping both organizations help the poker community. But, without your active help as well, neither organization will be able to get the job done. So please continue to support the PPA, and add your support to FairPlay USA.

Thanks, Greg Raymer (FossilMan)

Why is this not merged with the PPA. It would be nice to have one voice for all concerned Poker Players instead of having splintered groups.

I'll have to check out this group a bit further but it looks promising

Which companies are you supported by?

How do your interests diverge from those of the PPA?

Where does your funding come from

Nice to see Tom Ridge on your board. Of course Raymer too. How do you plan to work with the PPA? Do you view the lobbying efforts of the two groups as being in conflict in any way?

My question, in general, as well.

And to Greg specifically, any chance of your chapter for the cancelled Poker Stars book seeing the light of day?

Let's get to the point quickly.

What input/clout will actual players and grinders have?

Do you have enough money to politically organize players?(enough to hire full time professional staff dedicated to that)

You're in this forum, apparently with 2P2 consent, but is there an offical stance or endorsement from 2p2? Basically, have you been vetted?

Otherwise, you're just another PPA.

FairPlay’s mission is broader than PPA’s. In the past, grassroots efforts were limited to organizing the poker playing community. Our new approach will include poker players while also bringing into the coalition law enforcement officials, internet consumer protection and safety advocates, and others concerned with the risks of illegal internet gambling.

I think your last sentence isn't accurate as the PPA does have the endorsement of 2plus2 management. It might be lukewarm at times, but they do have it.

But good questions nonetheless.

Initial resources for the launch of FairPlayUSA have been provided by Caesars and MGM.

What does your organization expect/want from players

Will players have a voice in your organization

Will you consider the players point of view before supporting and pushing for legislation

How can we (the players) help in your push for federal legislation besides signing the petition on your site

Does you organization support any of the current online poker/gambling bills currently proposed in Congress. If no,why not

FairPlayUSA and the PPA are both in favor of good legislation to make clear that online poker is legal, and to license and regulate online poker in the US.

FairPlayUSA is a broad coalition involving law enforcement, consumer safety advocates and the commercial gaming industry in addition to poker players so our messaging will be slightly different and a bit more focused on consumer and child safety and law enforcement tools.

What chapter? I never wrote anything, nor even heard of this, as best I recall. If I weren't so darn lazy, I'd have written a bunch of books by now. Sigh. Really missed the boat on that issue in 2004/5.

Later, Greg Raymer (FossilMan)