Players interests diverge from Ceasars and MGM in several ways.

As one example, players would like an open and competitive gaming market, while Ceasars and MGM would likely want fewer licenses and a bigger share of the market.

Most players on here would like to make sure that poker remains a skill game where skilled players can make money, not simply the casinos. Its not entirely clear that Ceasars or MGM will retain that view.

Finally, players have an interest in making sure that any bill does not include criminal enforcement against poker players themselves for playing poker, even on unlicensed sites. The PPA has made that a high priority when supporting Federal legislation.

What are FairPlay's views on these topics? How are players interests balanced against those of the casinos funding your organization and other interested parties?

This was advertised as part of the now cancelled book edited by Nolan Dalla entitled the Poker Stars Strategy Guide. So I don't hijack the thread any further, wander over to the books sections here and look for the thread on Badugi. There is a post with the cover of the book and the cover has your name as a contributor.

I really don't see the need for another organization except I guess MGM and Caesars don't want to play with the PPA. Sorry if that sounds cynical, but that's the way I feel.

This group is the brainchild and agenda of Ceasars. Not that I'm saying that's a bad thing. I believe they wanted to start their own organization rather than align themselves with the PPA so that:

1. They won't be tainted by the past close association between the PPA and offshore sites.

2. They can set the agenda for their new organization to match their own legislation agenda.

IMO, you can see exactly what they intend for their legislation simply by reading the ten Principles of FairPlayUSA:

http://fairplayusa.com/about-us

I predict that the legislation the comes forth in the Senate from Harry Reid will be an exact implementation of this. The Barton bill in the House comes pretty close.

I see this organization as a good opportunity to align the efforts of players with the efforts of US casinos to pass federal online poker legislation. Just don't expect it to be a mouthpiece for players interests other than those already set forth in their Principles.

Or vice versa, but yes, I think we need to figure out if this is an organization that cares about players interests or one that wants to co-opt players support as cover and marginalize the PPA.

Greg being involved is obviously encouraging.

FairPlayUSA is a non-profit grassroots campaign and will not be engaged in lobbying efforts. As we've said previously, our messaging will be slightly different and a bit more focused on consumer and child safety and law enforcement tools.

The ten principles seem like they are trying to please everyone and in the end, I fear, they will please no one.

Is either of those companies prepared to allow organizing in their actual poker rooms, and contribute names/phone #s/emails of loyalty club members to be contacted as potential members? How deep in are they willing to get? We need television/print/billboard advertizing, badly. Would MGM or Caesars contribute to that? What about sponsoring a televised high BI event with proceeds going ot the political process? One where the network coverage focused on activism.

Is there a mechanism to diverge the interests of the casino corporations from that of players after a time? And would lobbying be allied to that of player lobbying?


Why isn't Harrah's on board?

Ceasars = Harrahs

Ceasars Entertainment is the new name for the corporation that owns all Harrahs (and some other casinos).

So you're efforts will rely on Grassroots organizing and PR to sell your legislation, instead of direct lobbying?

Do you have any plans to get some licensed lobbyists in the future to assist your efforts?

IMO, this organization, and that Caesars and MGM are its financial supporters, shows that the PPA has little or no political power. With Bodog leaving the US market at the end of the year, the PPA should give up its political agenda and finally litigate the legality of online poker with the DOJ. Such litigation is the only way that the PPA can obtain any power in the legalization of online poker or have any further usefulness.

http://fairplayusa.com/about-us

The 10 principles seem to be spot on IMO, and are the kind of things that the public and lawmakers will expect and could support.

oh, hi.

Given who the backers are, can we expect to see Fair Play patches on any of the November Nine and will that preclude any of the November Nine wearing a PPA patch?

If you have the support of 2plus2 to be here, can we expect a Fair Play section of the forum eventually?

What have you specifically done so far to meet your goals.
What is on your agenda to accomplish your goals.

Since this group appears to be backed by the companies that will be calling the shots once everything is said and done its my belief we as a community should be aggressive and forward with asking them what type of rakes they plan to implement.

Fairplay needs to realize that the companies running the games and us (the players) are essentially partners in this. If the games are unbeatable for players all of this is basically irrelevant.