Shortly after the beginning of last week’s charity poker game to support the Paralyzed Veterans of America, Ben Affleck goes all-in with a flop of Ace-Nine-King and two diamonds. He cringes when two of his opponents call the bet. He yells “Re-buy”, but the turn is a seven of hearts. Affleck is disappointed when a jack of diamonds is dealt on the river. He took the hand seriously even though there was no real cash at stake. This is just the kind of thing that Affleck and several other poker enthusiasts are petitioning for.

Over $100,000 was raised for the paralyzed victims, but this was not the only purpose of the poker game held in Coors Field. Members of the Poker Players Alliance are working very hard to legalize online poker in the United States. As part of their agenda, they are pushing to repeal the 2006 legislation Congress passed which forbids U.S. Banks and credit card companies from processing transactions related to online gaming websites.

John Pappas, executive director of the Poker Players Alliance, is optimistic about the direction that the new congress will lead this decision. Pappas says that the alliance is pushing for a licensed industry, just for internet poker, and not for all online gaming. Pappas is interested in having a safe, regulated industry that all Americans can enjoy. The group is fighting for the rights of people and the privacy they deserve in their own home.

“There are misconceptions about poker and about internet poker,” poker pro Andy Bloch said in between hands during the charity poker event. “Some people think that online poker is gambling like a slot machine, and it’s not.”

Related posts:

1. Online Poker Rooms Begin to Worry about United States Laws Encroaching upon the Rakeback Sharing Affiliate Program
2. Proprietors Fight to Make Poker Legal in Bars
3. Professional Level Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament Players Enjoy Lucrative Endorsement Deals
4. Tom “durrrr” Dwan Challenges Poker Players with $1.5 Million
5. The Game of Poker is not just for Poker Professionals Anymore