Online poker group organizes Twitter advocacy campaign

A group that supports the legalization of online poker today is beginning a Twitter-based campaign to encourage lawmakers to roll back legislation that bans most forms of online gambling.

The Poker Players Alliance (PPA) started "Tweet for Poker," a website that allows Twitter users to tweet messages supportive of the repeal at their members of Congress.

Twitter users who would like to participate enter information on the site and it redirects them to their Twitter account which will have a stock message ready to send to their lawmaker. Visitors to he site can also follow others who are contacting their member of Congress from around the country.

A sample tweet is "Protect my right to play poker online. Support S1597 #poker."

The ban on most forms of internet gambling was enacted in 2006 as part of a port security act. Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) have introduced counterpart legislation in their chambers that would delay the full implementation of the ban.

"Poker players are online, they’re active, and they’re weighing in on the policy battles that impact their right to play," PPA Executive Director John Pappas said in a release. "Tweet for poker is PPA’s most instant and dynamic tool for our members to directly contact their legislators in a way that engages the public in the debate."

Critics who support the ban say that online gambling is harmful for people who would have gambling addictions and could cause damage to the economy.