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Alaska Poker Advocate Pushes for Card Rooms

ALASKA – As reported by the Anchorage Daily News: "The man dubbed 'Alaska's Poker Guru' pitched the Anchorage business community Monday on his efforts to legalize card rooms in the state.

"Semiretired furrier Perry Green told an Anchorage Chamber of Commerce lunch audience that poker is a booming industry that Alaska should tap to diversify its oil-dependent economy.

"…Green is a well-known gambler who has competed in such major tournaments as the World Series of Poker. In the past year, he has spent tens of thousands of dollars on lobbyists to try to persuade the Alaska Legislature to sanction legalized gambling, according to state financial disclosures. The efforts have failed so far, but Green said Monday that he's closer than ever to having enough support to get a bill passed.

"…Meanwhile, sponsors of legalized video poker are collecting signatures to get an initiative on the 2006 fall ballot that would create a gaming commission. The panel would be able to authorize video poker, slot machines and other games without legislative approval.

"On Monday, Green promoted what he considers the virtues of gambling, describing it as a billion-dollar industry that would bring the state millions in tax revenue and provide employment…"

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