Professional athletes in each sport are like a brotherhood or sisterhood. They are all communities, with interests extending far beyond just regular competition. Athletes form associations, organisations and alliances. They do this to ensure better conditions, fair pay, and to represent their rights. For poker players in the United States, there’s the Poker Players Alliance or PPA. It is a non-profit advocacy organisation dedicated to promoting and protecting the rights of poker players in the United States. Let’s get to know what they do and why they matter.
The Mission & Purpose of PPA
The Poker Players Alliance was founded in 2005. Its goal was to provide proper representation to increased pressure from regulators. With talks about outright bans on online poker, top players and enthusiasts joined forces to protect the game they love and play.
The primary mission of the Poker Players Alliance is to advocate for the rights of poker players. This was done by ensuring both legislators and individuals could recognise poker as a game of skill. The PPA has lobbied extensively for licensing and regulation of online poker, arguing that a well-regulated market can provide consumer protections and generate significant tax revenues. They have been supporters of various research that have concluded without dispute that skill matters in poker. Just like almost any other sport, a skilled player in poker has a clear advantage over rookies and newbies.
Achievements of PPA
Over the years, the PPA has achieved some very significant and respectable milestones. One key – organising the mobilisation of poker players in the United States of America. During National Poker Week in 2009 they facilitated over 150,000 letters to Congress supporting the regulation of online poker.
The organisation also provides legal support to its members. PPA helps amateurs, semi-pros, and full-fledged poker professionals navigate legal challenges related to poker.
Becoming a Member & Participation
Players from the United States can join and become a member of the Poker Players Alliance. You can become a free or a premium member. The latter get more privileges with being able to access legal aid and invites to participate with advocacy initiatives. The main idea behind PPA is to improve conditions and poker regulation with the collective efforts of poker players.