Poker Players Alliance Renews Objection to Internet Gambling Ban, Points to Survey as Support

Poll Finds Nearly 75% of the Public Opposes Federal Ban

For Immediate Release
 

Contact:

Anne Crago

202.715.1566

Michael Bolcerek

[email protected]

Washington
D.C. (April 4, 2006) – At a roundtable panel discussion today, The
Poker Players Alliance, a grassroots organization of more than 20,000
American poker players, renewed its objection to online gambling
prohibition, highlighting a new survey by ICR market research that
finds nearly 75 percent of Americans oppose moves by Congress to ban
Internet poker. A more detailed breakdown of poll results follows this
release.

“The new poll results are a clear
illustration of the public’s feelings on this issue. Simply put, people
don’t want their member of Congress telling them what they can and
cannot do in their own home-especially when it comes to a game that’s
as all-American as jazz or basketball,” said Michael Bolcerek,
president of the Poker Players Alliance.

Three of the biggest names in
poker-Howard Lederer, Chris Ferguson and Greg Raymer-and Radley Balko
of the Cato Institute joined Bolcerek on the panel, each explaining why
efforts to ban online gambling are misguided.

“We are here today to speak about
the growing threat to poker as it relates to the online game,” said
Bolcerek. “We are here to defend the game and express our opposition to
Congress’ efforts to kill the sport and restrict our civil liberties.”

The Poker Players Alliance opposes
any effort to limit the rights of poker players to enjoy the game as
they do today whether it is online, at a poker club or in the privacy
of their own homes.

The Poker Players Alliance
www.theppa.org is a non-profit organizations advocating
on behalf of American poker players.

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The following survey was conducted
on March 29, 2006 by ICR, an independent market research supplier
located in Media, PA. The results reflect a randomly selected group of
964 adults. Those selected were read a series of questions and asked to
respond with “yes,” “no,” or “I don’t know.” The results of the survey
are listed below.

Question #1: “Should the federal government prevent Americans from playing poker?”

YES	NO	DON’T KNOW	REFUSED
5%	90%	4.5%	0.4%
49	868	43	4

Question #2: “Should the federal government prevent Americans from playing poker in Las Vegas?”

YES	NO	DON’T KNOW	REFUSED
5.5%	90.7%	3.3%	0.5%
53	874	32	5

Question #3: “Should the federal government prevent Americans from playing poker in Casinos on Indian Reservations?”

YES	NO	DON’T KNOW	REFUSED
8.3%	86.6%	4.6%	0.5%
80	835	44	5

Question #4: “Should the federal government prevent Americans from playing poker for charitable fundraisers?”

YES	NO	DON’T KNOW	REFUSED
8.1%	86.9%	4.4%	0.6%
78	838	42	6

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Question #5: “Should the federal government prevent Americans from playing poker on the Internet?”

YES	NO	DON’T KNOW	REFUSED
18%	74.2%	7.4%	0.4%
174	715	71	4

Question #6: “Should the federal government prevent Americans from playing poker in the privacy of your own home?”

YES	NO	DON’T KNOW	REFUSED
3%	94.7%	1.8%	0.5%
29	913	17	5

Question #7: “Do you believe the federal government should be managing Americans gambling behaviors on the Internet?”

YES	NO	DON’T KNOW	REFUSED
26.9%	66.1%	6.4%	0.6%
259	637	62	6

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Author Contact Info: Poker Players Alliance