SOURCE: Press Release

(Washington, D.C.) — Over one million poker enthusiasts are members of the Poker Players Alliance (PPA), the leading poker grassroots advocacy group.

The organization, which is committed to protecting the rights of individuals to play poker, announced this significant milestone today as it also launched a voter registration program and its political action committee (PAC).

"Reaching one million members puts the PPA on par with such political powerhouses as AARP and the National Association of Realtors, and will allow us to advocate even more effectively on behalf of our members," said PPA Chairman Former Senator Alfonse D'Amato.

As part of PPA's ongoing advocacy efforts, and to fully leverage its growing membership, the organization launched a comprehensive voter registration campaign this week to underscore the growing political activism among the poker community.

With a goal of registering 100,000 poker players as new voters, the "If You Play, Have a Say" campaign will reach out to PPA members who are not currently registered to vote and raise awareness as to why being active in the political process is important to the future of poker.

PPA members can go online to www.poker2008.org to complete a simple online form in order to register to vote in their state.

In addition to the online voter registration and a direct mail program, the "If You Play, Have a Say" campaign will include onsite voter registration drives in key battleground states as well as during the 2008 World Series of Poker beginning May 30th.

Additionally, PPA this week launched PokerPAC, its political action committee.

PokerPAC, which is open to dues paying members of PPA as well as PPA Board Members and employees, will further strengthen the group's efforts on Capitol Hill.

PPA Chairman D'Amato will serve as the PAC chairman, with former Congressman Toby Moffett as vice chairman and poker pro Annie Duke as an honorary PokerPAC board member.

"The formation of PokerPAC and the ‘If You Play, Have a Say' campaign sends a clear message to elected officials in Congress and the state capitals that poker players are paying attention to the laws they enact that impact an individual's right to play poker. Our one million members' voices will be heard," said D'Amato.