Based on my conversation with Mr. Bolcerek, I planned to break the story
when the official news was rolled out to certain mainstream press. I
expected to do a story for the same day with the PPA's cooperation and in
front of any other poker publication.
The Decision to Report the Deal. Several developments sent me to my word
processor, last Friday, making Poker Player the first to report that the PPA
had tapped Mr. D'Amato as its chairman prior to "official confirmations."
On February 15th, an online site raised the curtain on the rumors of a
planned relationship between Mr. D'Amato and the PPA.
The next day, Mr. Bolcerek responded to a query from New York Newsday,
making formal acknowledgement of the talks. I had not expected this to
happen prior to publishing my story. Then I learned that Mr. D'Amato was
slated to give an exclusive interview to a poker media executive/journalist,
before Poker Player would have an opportunity to interview him. Lastly, the
unsigned contract was beginning to look like a facade, once I heard it was a
done deal from a major gaming company CEO who was familiar with the
negotiations.
There was no longer any way to convince Poker Player's publisher that a
further delay was responsible journalism. The business of online poker is on
a straight path to headline news.
PPA Takes to the Stage. Now, let me take a step back to last spring to set
the stage for the pending arrival of Alphonse D'Amato on the scene. With
well-founded fears of anti-gaming legislation on the near-horizon, the
nascent PPA united leaders of several major online poker sites. The purpose
was single-minded; a bid to convince Congress to separate poker from
variously proposed legislation that had labored in both Houses for years,
without resolution.
The San Francisco-based and Washington savvy Mr. Bolcerek got moving
quickly. In addition to gaining the services of lobbying counsel, the PPA
President chaperoned high profile poker players Howard Lederer, Chris
Ferguson, and Greg Raymer to the Capitol to learn the ropes of schmoozing
with movers and shakers on the Hill.
During the festivities of the 2006 World Series of Poker, the PPA hosted a
reception .The Washington-traveled poker pros sounded promising notes as
they told an SRO crowd of the positive reception they had received in the
nation's august legislative chambers. They also cautioned that the PPA was
dependent upon grass roots support to make the industry's voice loudly heard
in Congress. Mr. Bolcerek called the assembled guests to arms, pleading for
checks in support of the looming battle.
Dirty Tricks in Congress. The collective efforts of PPA lobbyists and poker
pros Lederer, Ferguson, and Raymer proved no match for the wily, hi-stakes
smooth calls of Bill Frist. The UIGEA of 2006 was tacked on to a popular
Safe Port security bill which after passage in the House, Mr. Frist
successfully rammed through the Senate in the very last moments of the
Congressional session -without an iota of debate.
The UIGEA, legislation was signed into law by the President, October 13,
2006. To be sure this could not enhance birthday celebrations that day for
tournament player extraordinaire T. J. Cloutier, or Henry Orenstein, creator
of the popular High Stakes poker show on GSN, not to mention Yours Truly,
who spent the day fielding calls from international gaming clients far
beyond the world of poker.
Fallout Expands. Numerous online gaming businesses, particularly public
companies determined with their counsels that they were on the ropes in
America. The remaining active players were put into a tailspin, scrambling
for the most prompt and savvy advice to help them through the maze of the
new legislation. There has also been a domino effect. Related businesses are
evaluating the economic fallout, as pressures mount for online gaming
companies to abandon the American market. Senator D'Amato Knows his Stuff.
Enter Alfonse D'Amato. The PPA is putting big chips in the pot, looking to
Senator D'Amato as the best advocate for the poker industry. If he and the
Federalist Group with whom he will collaborate are able to succeed in their
efforts, the benefits will be felt far beyond the interests of big online
gaming companies. Senator D'Amato is wellknown for his commitment to the
little people among his constituents as well as big business and his
interest in poker is sincere. He has been an avid player in home games for
years.
The Senator will bring to the table his credentials as a mover and shaker
about town and on the Hill, and likewise his passion for winning. He will
also bring sincerity to the more global cause of the estimated 140,000
members of the PPA. Indeed, with Alfonse D'Amato on board, PPA President,
Michael Bolcerek's chances of attracting the million-plus members he seeks,
may be exponentially increased. Who could be a better pick to advocate for
the right to play poker in your pajamas if you are so inclined-in the
privacy of your home?
D'Amato Can Be Charming. Alfonso, as he has introduced himself to more than
a few ladies during his dating days, following separation and then divorce
from his first wife, remarried in 2004 the youthful Katuria Smith. A lawyer,
she has been described as the front and center cheerleader of his new
career, while bringing him the wisdom one might expect from someone far
beyond her years.
A Proven Lobbyist. A review of his company's lobbying income shows that
since marrying Katuria Smith, lobbying revenues have more than tripled.
There may be many explanations for Mr. D'Amato's post-Congress success, but
no one describes his formidable talent as an advocate better than the
Senator, himself.
In a penetrating interview with New York Magazine, Mr. D'Amato summed up his
value as a consultant and lobbyist. He said, "In the Senate, I loved the
battles. I loved winning things that everyone thought were impossible to
win. Now I do the same thing for clients. I'm the best. I am. If you want an
advocate, and you're bein' wronged, you want me, because I'll find where to
go, how to go, and what to do." The PPA is banking on Senator D'Amato.
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