Proposed Alliance to lobby government and educate public about poker and online poker

[FSL009]

Here is a link to the poker leg forum on 2+2 re a proposed Aussie poker player alliance. I believe we need this now so that the government can talk to us in a constructive way through representatives we elect in a structured way. It also allows us to have a voice with integrity rather than individual players trying to do this with little hope of having the same impact as an alliance speaking for a group of people in a considered way.

Proposed Australian poker players alliance -post your thoughts here - Poker Legislation - Poker and Gambling Laws


here is the chance for you to shape the process and ensure it represents your needs.

please contribute.

cheers

[bishop]

Hi,

Several people inside the industry have discussed this repeatedly and all have a differing opinion on the best way to proceed.

My thoughts, and these are shared by a few, is to firstly form a players council or alliance, not for the purpose of lobbying or having a political agenda but to ensure that all poker players are treated fairly and operators can be held accountable for inappropriate actions. Also there is a view to ensuring that players are held to a code of ethics in some manner.

To form any sort of body that has any political format you firstly need the support from the market, and therefore "votes in the bag" and after that you need the necessary funds to lobby political identities and parties.

If you would like to progress with the above plan then I am willing to offer my assistance and that of the APL and 888PL players network. I also have spoken to several industry leaders on the subject matter and have their support on moving forward with this.

[FSL009]

BruceN is running with the idea over at 2+2 so can you copy past your comments there so he sees them.

I think we would both want your support, and my own comments in the 2+2 forum mirror your comments here, which is that it needs to have a wider purpose than just lobbying for online poker right now. obviously that is one of the roles it will have if there are members interested in it, but it is to be a players alliance to promote, help and look after player rights, needs and to give them a voice in various ways and mediums....

so i think that is what we are trying to achieve. cheers

[thret]

Unless they start taxing poker winnings I don't see any reason to lobby our government for rights. We can play wherever we want, we have no trouble depositing or withdrawing, and we pay zero tax. Why rock the boat?

[luckyshades]

Lol ... What exactly is this alliance going to say to change perceptions. More importantly, what exactly is the media / general public saying that is not correct ??

Poker is a game heavily dependent on luck (in the short term).
Poker players dont pay tax.
Tens of thousands of people are losing more than they can afford.
The legality of online poker is questionable.
The sites are unregulated and insecure.
Sites are coming up with 'creative' solutions to beat the law.

These are the arguments the Govt and media have and will continue to make, so what exactly is this alliance going to achieve ??

I agree with Thret, sit back, hope this blows over or is considered too hard, because you aren't going to win arguing the merits of gambling.

[paulyramone]

+1

Terrible idea.

[luckyshades]

Fwiw; I strongly agree with what Michael Josem said in the 2+2 thread. If players must do something it should be pushing for online poker to be considered in the same category as sports betting.

If you try and 'educate' the public about poke, or garner public sentiment, you will lose because no matter how many cogent points you raise Tim Costello will find a bloke who lost his house and family because of online gambling and your argument is worthless.

[bishop]

FWIW - a lot of us agree with Tim's comments. We do not feel it necessary to draw attention to poker (online or live) at the government level or really at any level for that matter.

The only things I, and those I have spoken to, feel are a necessity or at least marginally required right now is a body of people that represents players and act as liaisons/representative council/forum for casino's and poker providers alike as well as possibly offers one dissenting voice/commentary for the thoughts of players and operators alike when the media decides to throw up some negative arguments.

The above is about as much that is possible in the current climate if you are looking for the support from casino's and certain operators. I can also state that a few online poker rooms will not be interested in supporting this and those that are interested in supporting will not be interested until the focus is on online legislation.

[Tam]

Must agree with thret and shades.

Educating the public is for politicians(!), drink drive campaigns and child safety. You simply can't do it with contentious issues.

All power to those having a go, I can't say I agree with extra attention though. Wait till we've got something we need to fight for, and educate yourselves in the meantime for the day it ever becomes needed.

[FSL009]

guys that is fine, but make sure your comments also get into the 2+2 thread for the debate.

although I started the thread ihere t is not my idea although i think we do need to have a more public voice cause there are 100s of thousands that gamble responsibly and by legalising poker the few that dont can get support paid for through the licencing fees etc.

Also IMO the current system is not sustainable.

being proactive about this has to be better than reactive I think.

But I hear all your thoughts just make them in both places cause we need to have these debates to make sure what we end up with has the players support.

Also anything i say is only my opinion and not necessarily where it will end up.