How much money did the PPA receive already from this private entity? Or to not beat around the bush how much money did the board of directors/president of PPA receive from this private entity?

This likely has nothing to do with poker being legalized in America but rather a simple "buy your user lists" for a fee in order to direct advertise their products to users whom have shown an interest in poker. This user list is worth an awful lot of money.

You had a gym membership ?

Are you aware of Cary Katz's lawsuit against CRTV, Poker Central's parent company? He appears to be trying to bankrupt his own company to get out of paying a multi-million dollar judgment against it.

I work out most every day.

235 lb. x 3 Pendlay row:

I am. Not sure what to make of it or how it will impact Poker Alliance, but it was still the best option by far.

I think it's pretty likely that shutting it down would of been a better option.

So I guess we know realise the players don't matter

I believe that Rich Muny and John Pappas have behaved with great integrity and sustained effort to do what is right for the poker players that they strove to represent. Thank you for your service.


It is a shame that a man like Cary Katz has taken over the successor organisation. Traditionally, paying your debts was an essential part of being an accepted member of this community.


Formerly, poker industry leaders supported the PPA because they recognised that what was good for players was good for business (and the right thing to do!). They recognised that if they were poker, they needed to provide a voice for players. Today, however, the short-sightedness of the leading gambling corporations in letting the PPA fall into the clutches of someone like Katz is really sad here.

Better option for who? Certainly not for the people who are getting paid with Poker Central money.
No, now we realize that the players aren’t willing to pay for it and PPA had to decide between shutting down or getting someone else to pay. They chose latter option.

PokerStars and FullTilt bought the PPA in order to lobby for a "Federal Solution" to give themselves a licensing monopoly in the US market. They did so because folks like Al DAmato and other DC-centric lobbyists sold them a story that, if they paid those lobbyists millions of dollars, there would be Federal legislation.

Consequently, "poker industry leaders" wasted several years and millions of dollars paid to DC-Inside the Beltway types .... and nothing ever happened federally to pass legislation.

I have no beef with Rich or John, and appreciated their hard work on defense, but the Sisyphean task selected for them was NEVER going to pass poker licensing legislation at the Federal level.

I find it refreshingly candid that the term "Players" was dropped from the title of an industry lobbying arm.

Good luck to the Poker Alliance and its efforts.

United Poker League, Allied Poker Allegiance, and United Poker Alliance seems like the obvious choices

So, is CoinPoker going to step up and foot the bill for poker lobbyiing ?

^^ You mean the poker alliance isn't doing their own ICO to tokenize bullspit onto the blockchain?

We're not the United Poker League, we're the United Poker Alliance...

While I'm certainly happy that you are getting a severance, the reality is that the successor organization is controlled by someone who at best will be mercurtial in their support. His recent track record does not suggest that he should be trusted further than you can spit rats.

you guys need to lobby guerrilla style

I don't know, you can contact them by email any time if you have questions to ask them.

To be fair, they were probably faced with a decision to just shut down and go away empty handed or at least secure a nice payday before leaving. Pretty sure most of us would have taken that second option..

My mistake, I thought you were working with them ...

I asked this earlier with no response.

I don't think the new PA is going to do anything on the legal front. This is a purchase of user lists for the purpose of selling subscriptions.

Just feel the love!

If this lot is a fair example of 'poker players' then it is no mystery why poker players have been so ineffective at getting legislation thru

This sort of deflection was always my least favorite thing about PPA and some of its members. Instead of addressing criticisms, just blame everyone else for not doing enough. This was a constant theme.

I think we all know some people in life who behave this way. When individuals do it, we call that narcissism. It's a terrible look.

Congrats to Rich for being able to collect a paycheck for this long whist
heading an organization that did close to ZERO for players.

The fact that people will still make excuses for your lack of results is due to your
gregarious personality and general good nature.
LIke Jules says " Personality goes a long way"

You might make a good powerlifting coach!!!!

To be fair, poker players can be very apathetic and I imagine it's frustrating trying to get them on board. It's a valid complaint, just not a blanket excuse.

Poker Player Alliance -> Poker Alliance

Next name change = "Alliance"? Or "Poker"?