Representatives from the Poker Players Alliance (PPA), the one million member strong lobbying force for the industry, announced that controversial talk show host Howard Stern became its newest member.
The news marks the kickoff to National Poker Week, which takes place until Saturday, July 25th. PPA Chairman Alfonse D’Amato commented in a press release distributed by the organization on Monday, “I can’t think of a more fitting way to kick off National Poker Week than having my friend, Howard Stern, become a member of the PPA. I thank him for having me on his show this morning and for supporting the PPA’s efforts to protect the freedom of American citizens to play the great game of poker at the time and place of their choosing – a freedom Congress voted to take away.”
D’Amato appeared on Stern’s talk show, which airs on Sirius Satellite Radio, on Monday to discuss National Poker Week in its first media efforts. Interactive Media Entertainment and Gaming Association Executive Director Joe Brennan caught the show during his daily breakfast on Monday. Brennan told Poker News Daily, “It’s good exposure for them. Obviously, Howard has a fairly big and sometimes politically active audience. It would have been good if there was more awareness that D’Amato would be on the show this morning, but it’s a real coup for the PPA.” D’Amato’s spot lasted around 50 minutes, with about one-quarter of that time devoted to the game itself.
The PPA has revamped the website of National Poker Week to include an online letter to Congressmen with the subject, “Please Protect My Right to Play Poker on the Internet.” It can also be sent as a printed letter and editable for submissions to both the Senate and House of Representatives. A person’s first name, last name, e-mail address, mailing address, city, state, zip code, and phone number are required in order to submit a letter to Congress.
Meanwhile, the online poker petition entered National Poker Week with 355,000 signatures after eclipsing 300,000 one week ago. Freerolls for those who have signed the petition have been running on sites like Cake Poker, Full Tilt Poker, and PokerStars to significant fanfare. It calls for the following: “Please: 1) exempt poker from the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) and 2) license and regulate internet poker in the U.S. 3) Respect the rights of law-abiding Americans who love to play this great game of skill.”
Poker News Daily is onsite at the PPA Fly-In, which is taking place in Washington, DC at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill. “Celebrity Apprentice” runner-up Annie Duke was among those who participated in a panel discussion surrounding proper regulation of online poker. The event kicked off in Room 2237 of the Rayburn House Office Building this afternoon and featured Duke, Wired Safety Executive Director Parry Aftab, Cigital Vice President Stuart Dross, and the former executive with International Game Technology Paul Mathews.
Stay tuned to Poker News Daily for the latest updates from the PPA Fly-In.
Howard Stern and Poker? It’s a weird combo but I can see him liking that. I think gambling should be legal in more places in the country. The states can get more revenue via gambling. I hope the PPA can get some things passed in Congress.
Howard Stern and Poker? Exactly I quit the game to much luck factor in this joke of a game. At one time you invited the fish to play the game now it seems like the game has lost all of it’s credibility. No skill left just a bunch of players with no brain and a few bucks.
“To much luck factor in this joke of a game” ?!?… LOL, evidently you’re a system player eh? Poker is nothing but luck and cojones my friend. Percentages mean shit
“at one time you just invited the fish to play the game”….. now your true gills are showing
Would seem natural that Stern gravitates towards poker.. the man is a Mensa level genius.. graduated Summa Cum Laude from Boston College I think
“no skill left.. just a bunch of players with no brains and a few bucks”… so basically, you’re admitting to schizophrenia? bankroll depleted?
Love to meet you on a table somewhere – maybe even live.. this “fish” (as you’ve dismissed me as) is a barracuda, predatory “fish”.. show yourself.. I’m hungry