April 19 - The Poker Players Alliance has issued a sharply worded
statement, following the news that the US Department of Justice took federal
action against top poker sites such as Poker Stars, Full Tilt Poker and Absolute
Poker.
The group's executive director, John Pappas accused the government of
declaring war on poker players and their "freedoms".
"Millions of Americans across the country today are outraged over the US
Department of Justice's clear attack on internet poker," he said in a statement.
"While the government's focus may be on the companies who operate these games,
this is plain and simple a declaration of war on
online poker
players and poker players' freedoms."
Pappas added that "not only are there over 10 million online poker players
left without a place to play the game they enjoy, and from which many earn their
livelihood, but they also have concerns about the availability of their funds."
The said that the PPA believes that no players' money should be jeopardized
by the prosecution against people such as the founders of Full Tilt Poker and
Poker Stars.
"Let me be clear, online poker is not a crime and the honest poker players
across the country will not stand to be restricted from one of America's
greatest pastimes," said Pappas in his statement.
"On behalf of over one million members, the PPA is working hard to protect
the interests of our players and is committed to US citizens' right to play
poker."
Those sites affected by the indictments have stopped taking US players and
are re-routing their players to their European operations.
UB.com, for example, has become www.ubpoker.eu and is offering players
promotions and games as in the past.
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