The Poker Players Alliance (PPA) is planning to hold a press conference and rally outside of the Washington State Supreme Court later this month. On May 27^th, 2010 at approximately 10:00 a.m. (PDT) Lee Rousso, the PPA's Washington State Director, will deliver oral arguments to the court which is now considering making online poker a felony.

Rousso will be joined at the rally by a number of other poker supporters including Senator Alfonse D'Amato, John Pappas, and Phil Gordon. He will also be joined by an undetermined list of poker professionals, Washington natives and local PPA members immediately after the hearing.

The state of Washington is trying to make online poker a Class C felony offense. If they are successful players caught on the virtual felt could face as much as 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $10,000 for a first time offense.

The state currently houses 28 casinos and it is legal to play poker at brick & mortar card rooms throughout the state but regulations are harsh. The state law has a capped maximum bet of $40, a limit of 15 tables and rooms are can only be open for 20 hours daily.

The state is also a little weird about laws concerning home poker games. They permit them "as long as professional gambling does not occur." This means that it's okay to host a game as long as no one "pays or accepts a fee to participate in a card game."  If a person is found guilty of professional gambling at a home poker game then they can be charged with a Class B felony.

Visit http://theppa.org/ today and see what you can do to help.

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