I think that's great, PTLou. Can everyone pitch in with suggestions, including which regulators to reach and how?

I'd say put all PPA resources into 1 state and try to get everything we want. We need something to point to, so that we can tell lawmakers and poker poker players this is what we want. Even if it is North Dakota or Alaska, it would make everything easier, grassroots especially.

Also, I have a tweet for Mass. Treasurer Grossman (HERE). He has a Facebook wall to hit as well. I'm holding off for now out of respect for the terrible tragedy in CT.

Yes...In essence we need 50 "The Engineer's" working as zealously as Rich in every state. The PPA as we know it today needs to be the central body, but each State needs to be accountable for it's own efforts. General strategy and approach should be set by the central body, and funding can be done at both the central and local level.

I am in NY. I don't have a ton of time, but I will definitely get involved with my State effort and will help out in any way possible.

We will have to concentrate much of our effort on getting those first few states on board. We certainly cannot dilute what we have by 50. OTOH, the letters to Congress and to governors don't hurt anything. So, members in the states not in the first wave will have the tools they need to reach out to their governors and state reps.

There are others, like WA, that have deadlines coming for filing initiatives. We'll have to be focused on things like that as well.

We'll also poker players in each state pushing hard for their rights, as Antneye says.

of course, sorry thought I made it more clear. its obviously NV NGCB and NJ NJCC

http://gaming.nv.gov/

http://www.nj.gov/casinos/

I'd start with looking at list of people on each respective commision, and balance that against all the relationships you all have built in your lobbying efforts and see who might have some influence / access, etc etc

GLI is another company that is going to play a pivotal role in all of this. Its important you are talking with their leadership as well. that is something I can help you with.

Thanks PTLou.

Ok, so how could one practically get involved and meaningfully contribute at their own state level going forward?

You can:

• evaluate and post on what needs to be done in yours state, including listing supporters and opponents
• contact your PPA state director and offer a hand
• help with social media outreach in your state
• be sure to participate in the daily action plan
• contact your governor and state reps via letters and phone calls
• write letters to your local newspaper on this

Thanks for your willingness to fight back here!

Am I wrong, or isn't the point of regulation that it happens on a federal level? and not state by state?

Help...

http://www.mass.gov/treasury/about/a...-treasury.html

TE, Id ask for members to contact him through this vehicle as well. One poster here already did so and got a response back from someone in his office so we know someone is monitoring/responding to this communication.

I hope The Engineer starts deleting these obnoxious trolling posts. It's not the PPA's fault we don't have online poker. You're being too nice to them, sir. I disagreed with Reid/Kyl but now we have an avenue via the states and it's time for all of us to be united going forward. P.S. to Don Quixote...Thanks also DQ I will get on that--in January.

Excellent point supported by specific evidence; would read again

imo "regulation" was always going to be at the state level with or without RK.

Gaming in the U.S. has always been run by the states. Always has been and prob always will be.

Feds have no experience in any meaningful gaming regulation that I can think of. States have lots and lots of experience. The thought of the feds being the actual regulators for online poker is very scary.

How the various state by state regulators (NOT lawmakers) interpret and decide on many items left to their authortity by the lawmakers, will have a MAJOR impact on the speed to market, security, and overall player friendliness of each states online poker market and a merged market as well

Yes we have to have the laws to get started, but once those pass much of the work that will effect when and how we play will be left to the regulators to sort out and decide on.

p.s.

let me quickly define what I mean by "regulations" or duties of a "regulator"

1) Investigate and License operators, back-end processors, affiliates, anyone else that touches the money or provides technology that touches the money. (goal here to simply keep dirty people and dirty money out of industry)

2) Develop and adopt technical standards by which the software will be tested (see gaminglabs.com for more info on how this works in the US now with B&M casino technology)

3) Test and certify software those technical standards

4) Monitor and enforce all the above


lots of others but these are the big three.

A man with a conscience. Well said!

Do you have a concentrated list of states to focus on?

+ millions

IL is one of the states ripe for the picking, yet if i didnt search his name out i would have no idea who the state director was, and i have never heard a peep out of the chap......just doesnt seem right. We need hard chargers.

The State Directors signed up to a very different PPA than the PPA which is needed going forward for State-level actions.

I think a review and an opportunity to perform should be directed by the PPA for each State Director, each of whom should be given every chance to step up.

As for Illinois, I have no idea who the SD may be, but whoever ends up in the slot might send me a pm as to some contacts he or she might find useful.

Sure, Rich. .... even if it means working with Lotteries interested in online gaming ?

On another tactical/strategic choice,

Is the PPA wed to a "poker only" theme at the State level ?

I see that it is supporting the NJ legislative effort, which is not "poker only".

Many prospective State-level allies would see no reason to limit things to poker-only. Various Board member staements have shown past reticence and a clear misunderstandng of the benefits of working for poker as part of a larger online gaming coalition; Is the PPA going to take allies for poker players getting online where it finds them ?

FYP.

I thnk this State-level intelligence gathered needs to be evaluated inhouse by the PPA before sending anyone out on a misssion.

I think the PPA also should begin with an immediate gut check for EACH of its 50 State Directors to see what they are willing/able to do. You may need to make some tough calls.

Maryland is a good battleground state to focus on although maybe not immediately obvious.

1. They almost pushed Igaming into the latest proposition that legalized B&M casino gambling.
2. They are looking at online scratchers etc right now.
3. They are in massive need of cash.
4. They could possibly cause a cascade that opens up DC (which actually had legalized igaming, then reversed it) as well as VA, WVA, and DE.

zero

Yes...This can't be a disjointed effort. The first item of business should be circling up with the existing Directors, seeing if they have what it takes to be the local "Rich", and if not, picking someone new.

If NJ passes the next logical step would seem to me to be getting a first state to bring their player pool to NJ. Selecting that state seems like it would be an issue of smallest state legislatures in a place that isn't historically anti gambling. Then we use the Action plan, plus Action Days, etc to go after that single state so begin the pooling process as quickly as possible. I'm thinking Rhode Island, probably small...

Not everyone is as ready to step up and volunteer as you and me, unfortunately. I'm happy that people have stepped up in all fifty states, but it's not like we've gotten hundreds of applicants per state from which to choose.

Anyone here who'd like to be a state director should let Drew and me know.

PPA has never been poker-only. We have supported many bills that authorize other forms of gaming, such as all the Rep. Barney Frank bills, Rep. Campbell's bill (HR 1174), Maryland Question 7, etc.

I suspect some state poker bills will include other forms of gaming and some will not. PPA will support the bills that are best for poker.