The push was on, courtesy of the Poker Players Alliance, to reverse UIGEA and enact legislation that would officially legalize and regulate online poker in the United States. The PPA held a press conference this past June during the World Series of Poker to announce National Poker Week. This event consisted of several initiatives during the week of July 19-25, 2009 aimed at encouraging the federal government to notice PPA’s efforts.

The first of the initiatives was an online petition that the PPA encouraged supporters of pro-poker legislation to sign via the internet. A paper copy of the petition and all of the signatures was delivered to President Barack Obama, courtesy of his White House staff, to let him know that online poker legislation is important to Americans. In the end, the petition, which can be found at www.PokerPetition.com, was delivered with the endorsement of more than 385,000 individuals.

Next was an opportunity for online poker players and supporters to upload their personal videos to www.MyPokerStory.com. Submissions were requested to indicate why people got into poker, the importance of it in their lives, and the reason legislation is supported. Members of Congress were and will continue to be directed to the site to view the numerous videos, one of which was even submitted by PPA Chairman and former Senator Alfonse D’Amato.

The biggest part of National Poker Week was a fly-in to Washington, D.C. by PPA state directors, poker pros, and other interested poker players. Every participant was welcomed by the PPA and given information on how to lobby Congress in support of proposed online poker legislation, which included the already introduced bill by Rep. Barney Frank and an upcoming Senate bill from Sen. Robert Menendez. Poker pros Greg Raymer, Annie Duke, Howard Lederer, Dennis Phillips, Andy Bloch, Linda Johnson, Jan Fisher, and even celebrities like Montel Williams were in attendance, as were more than 30 PPA state directors, all of whom were paired with professional lobbyists and sent to numerous appointments with members of the Senate and House of Representatives and/or their staffers.

Over the course of three days, hundreds of meetings were held, many of which resulted in newfound supporters of online poker regulation. Several members of the House even signed on as cosponsors of Frank’s bill, while others promised their votes and still others gave indications that they would consider the game of skill argument, the study showing that billions of dollars in revenue would result, and the fact that Americans’ personal freedoms were at stake. The arrival of the poker industry on Capitol Hill made progress, and Congress could not deny the seriousness of its supporters or the importance of the cause.

National Poker Week began with an appearance by D’Amato on the Howard Stern satellite radio show, at which time Stern officially became a member of the PPA. And the week ended with a charity poker tournament in D.C. to benefit the USO, which was attended by more than 30 wounded soldiers, numerous poker pros, and many members of Congress—Peter King of New York and Xavier Becerra of California—to name only two. A total of $35,000 was raised for the USO, and participants in the fly-in slowly trickled out of the nation’s capital.