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'POKER PLAYERS OUTRAGED', SAYS PPA (Update)

Source: bluffed.net


Exec director Pappas says federal action against online poker sites is a 'declaration of war'

John Pappas, the executive director of the 1 million-strong Poker Players Alliance, has characterised Friday's federal actions against online poker sites and their owners (see previous reports) as a 'declaration of war on poker players and poker players' freedoms."

His comments are contained in a tough-talking statement issued Saturday which claims:

Millions of Americans across the country today are outraged over the USA Department of Justice's clear attack on internet poker. While the government's focus may be on the companies who operate these games, this is plain and simple a declaration of war on poker players and poker players' freedoms.

"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 over the availability of their funds. The PPA believes that no players' money should be jeopardized by this prosecution.

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. On behalf of over one million members, the PPA is working hard to protect the interests of our players and is committed to USA citizens' right to play online poker.

The Management of Absolute Poker.com and ub has maintained its silence on the developments, although individual players have been told by poker room employees that it is 'business as usual', although there may be inconvenience whilst financial arrangements are straightened out.

However, there have been unconfirmed claims that new US players are no longer being accepted, and ub has now become eu, while absolutepoker now routes to eu.

These are presumably arrangements made as a consequence of the DoJ's seizure of the domains of the indicted companies on Friday. Other indicted companies have deployed similar re-routings.

Related News Tags: Absolute Poker, Usa Legislation, PPA, USA