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| New York Players Defend Free Poker |
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| Tuesday, 07 October 2008 | |
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A message from our friends in New York: Poker players we need your help! Playing free poker through the Free Poker Network has created many hours of entertainment and fun at local establishments throughout the upper midwest. Unfortunately there are several big states that have outdated laws which essentially make free poker "illegal" in bars and pubs. We are working hard to help get some of those states laws changed so they can experience free poker like you have enjoyed throughout the years... We are leading the fight to bring the issue of free poker to the New York State Supreme Court. FREE POKER ILLEGAL? Yes it’s true. Not only in New York, but in as many as 30 other states it is technically ILLEGAL for you and your friends to sit down and play a friendly game of Poker even if there is NO MONEY involved. Well, we’re going to change that. This is our plan……… We hope you can give us your support! The New York State Penal Code (§ 225) states that playing
any game wherein you risk “something of value” is gambling. The State further
defines “something of value” as anything “…involving extension of a service,
entertainment or a privilege of playing at a game or scheme without charge.”
This law makes it illegal to play in or sponsor a FREE poker tournament where
there is no entry fee of any kind and absolutely no risk of loss to the player.
Further, in the State of New York any
“sponsor” would be promoting gambling and subject to having their liquor
license suspended.
If this standard was applied evenly and fairly any
competitive game played for entertainment (i.e. bridge, volleyball, bowling,
darts, etc.) would be gambling. Unfortunately that is not the case as poker is
singled out as gambling while all other competitive games are allowed to be
played. Our position is simple. If you pay nothing to play, have no risk and can lose nothing then there is no gamble. We have filed an action in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York (case No.: 650328/2008) claiming that the law, as written and applied is unconstitutional and a violation of the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution calling for equal protection under the law. If you ban FREE poker then you must ban all FREE games wherein the player can win “something of value” (i.e. bridge, darts, etc.). We are fighting the Government to protect your right to play FREE Poker. To win we need strong, vocal support and active involvement from you, the poker playing public. With this in mind, I urge you to support our action by writing a letter to the Court and sending them to us (The FREE Poker Experience, LLC) so we can present them in the litigation process. The Free Poker Experience, LLC
PO Box 66738 #17440 We are not a large national organization with millions of dues paying members. We are regular people who believe that it is time that the “average Joe” stands up and fights for his rights. Your financial support is desperately needed to defray the cost and expenses incurred with this litigation. WE ARE NOT CRIMINALS! Sincerely, |