
2007-03-06 16:52:27
Former senator Alfonse D'Amato has been officially confirmed as the new chairman of the Poker Player's Alliance (PPA), ending weeks of speculation.
Mr D'Amato will take up his role as chairman at a time when the organisation is facing a stern challenge in the shape of last year's regulatory changes that effectively ended the possibility for poker players to gamble online in the US.
It is thought that Mr D'Amato will attempt to push the view that poker is a game of skill as a means to overturning such prohibitive legislation, despite a court case in the UK recently ruling against such an assessment.
"I have had a passion for poker since my childhood, and for politics almost as long. This new position will allow me to fuse these passions and help establish sensible policy that allows Americans to enjoy the great game of poker in the venue of their choosing," said the former Republican senator.
"We are thrilled to have senator D'Amato take up our cause to promote and protect the game played by millions of Americans," added PPA president Michael Bolcerek.
"His enthusiasm, tenacity and political astuteness will bolster the influence of the PPA and help earn poker a much deserved exemption from the recent online gaming law," Mr Bolcerek concluded.
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