July 21, 2013

Dear Poker Players:

I am calling for a five-day boycott of the Venetian Poker Room for the period Monday, July 22nd through Friday, July 26th.  If you support the legalization of online poker inside the United States, I urge you to join with us and DO NOT PLAY at the Venetian during this time.

This doesn’t mean “don’t play poker.”  It just means, if you decide to play poker this upcoming week, then play somewhere else instead.

Many within the poker community — including players and members of the media — support this initiative.  Others are opposed.  Many are hopelessly indifferent.

I am exceptionally proud of many of my colleagues who have publicly expressed their support — including well-known players such as Joe Hachem, Blair Rodman, and Gavin Smith.  We’ve also heard from ESPN’s Kara Scott and lots of other media (GOOGLE:  VENETIAN POKER BOYCOTT).  If you agree that the time has come to TAKE ACTION, then I urge you to show your support via Twitter, Facebook, and the various poker forums.  I ask that you help to remind poker players of the dates of the poker boycott.

I also wish to acknowledge the support of many poker players who have told me (very) privately they are with this boycott in spirit, but cannot make a public statement in support because of various conflicts of interest.  I do respect that not everyone can step forward and join this fight.

Sheldon Adelson was given plenty of notice of this boycott and was made clearly aware of a very simple solution on how all of this could be avoided.  So far, he has chosen to completely ignore the plea.  Moreover, no one from the Venetian has responded publicly.

There are 24 hours until the boycott begins.

Once again, to those of you who have spoken out and who intend to join us, thank you.  It’s reassuring to know there are many others who are willing to stand up and fight for what’s important.

HERE’S MORE INFORMATION ON WHY WE SHOULD BOYCOTT THE VENETIAN POKER ROOM.

Signed,

Nolan Dalla

Las Vegas, Nevada

The countdown continues.

Two days ago, I issued a simple declaration to Sands Corporation Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Sheldon Adelson.

The deal was (and remains) that the boycott scheduled for next week (July 22-26) will be called off provided that Mr. Adelson acknowledges poker as a “game of skill.”

Nearly one month has elapsed since the boycott was first announced.  Two days have passed since my offer to cancel the boycott based on very simple and reasonable terms.  So far, the Adelson camp remains silent.