Outraged Poker Players Consider A Boycott Of Commerce Casino
August 27, 2010 9:08 amCalifornia’s Commerce Casino is currently experiencing a whole lot of heat from the US’s vast poker community, after revealing it was supporting a ban on a federal licensing of online poker.
Every year, the Commerce Casino hosts such prestigious tournaments as The L.A. Poker Classic, California State Poker Championship and The L.A. Poker Open.
In addition, the casino organises daily poker tournaments for its customers but has now firmly shown its hand on the whole online poker debate.
When it comes to profits, the Commerce Casino would rather put its own interests ahead of any other poker players rights. In essence, the Commerce has been trying to promote a California-only licensing system which would see it as the main internet provider in the state, and would consequently not welcome the prospects of a free market across the whole of the USA.
The news of Commerce Casino’s stance on the whole online poker affair, was immediately greeted by disbelief by poker players across the country, with the one million member strong Poker Players Alliance (PPA) already considering swift and decisive action.
Commenting on the matter, executive director of the PPA, John Pappas said:
“Members of the PPA, and poker players nationwide, are outraged that the Commerce Casino, the largest poker room in the nation, opposes Federal legislation that would protect players’ rights and access to online poker. They are angry and want to make their voices heard.”
So far, the PPA has set up a “Players Before Profits” campaign, whereby players are encouraged to contact the Commerce Casino and urge their support on poker player rights, as well as a legalized online poker market.
If the Commerce Casino remains unmoved, a boycott of the Commerce Casino remains a distinct possibility. As Pappas explains:
“The poker community has been fighting tooth and nail for years for a safe, regulated online poker industry in the United States, and it is disheartening to see one of our own turn its back on this effort – and the safety of players – in order to maximize their own profits. I urge all poker players to contact Commerce Casino and express your disappointment.”