Almost 80 percent of Washington voters oppose the Washington law that makes residents felons if they play poker online, according to a poll issued today. More than half said online poker should be legalized, licensed, and regulated in the state.

The Poker Players Alliance, the leading poker grassroots advocacy group with more than one million members nationwide and over 20,000 members in Washington, is holding a rally at the state Supreme Court on Thursday in support of a legal challenge to the law.

“The people of Washington have spoken – online poker should be legal and citizens should not become felons just for enjoying a game of poker on their home computers,” said John Pappas, executive director of the PPA.  “It’s time this law is overturned. Instead of wasting time and scarce state resources to ban online poker, the state must focus on licensing and regulating the game to keep it legal, protect consumers, and collect needed tax revenue.”

Washington state law makes individuals felons for playing poker online, even in their own homes, punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine – the same as child pornography and heroin possession.  Lee Rousso, PPA’s Washington State Director, has filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the law, and Thursday morning he will argue the case before the State Supreme Court.

The poll, conducted last week and based on responses by 400 randomly selected Washington State registered voters, found:

• An overwhelming majority (79%) disagree with the state law making online poker play a felony, with 54 percent of respondents saying they strongly disagree with the law.

• A majority of voters (54%) believe playing online poker in Washington should be legal if the government would “regulate and tax online poker and use what could be millions of new tax dollars to fill holes in the state’s budget.”

“The genie is out of the bottle and Washington State voters realize it.  Prohibitions on online poker are unpopular and will not work. The PPA stands ready to work with Washington’s state and federal lawmakers to establish sensible policies that let adults continue to enjoy this great American game over the Internet,” continued Pappas.