International
Card & Game Players Association “a voice for the pros”
International
Card & Game Players Association “a voice for the pros”
ICGPA CREED (and application)
The following is a creed that we have adopted for the ICGPA to help us in focusing on our goals ;while allowing others to understand our motivation:
Poker players, through membership in the ICGPA, are accepting responsibility for regulating and self-policing their game for the safety and benefit of our players and fans.
The game of Poker is beloved by its players and fans worldwide, they recognize it as an exciting strategic competition; and not chance gambling. Professional Poker has now become the third highest viewed sporting event in the country (just behind football and auto racing) the PPA of Washington D.C. suggests that eighty million people play the game. The worldwide Poker industry owes their fans a much more vigorous struggle, than heretofore. The ICGPA will avow to continue battling until Poker is universally free of all illegal prohibitions.
We believe; professional poker (and all other legal skilled strategic competition) is a legal bono fide business. It has a historical right to exist and a heritage to protect! Our industry must do a better job of developing self pride and preserving history. Professional Poker is an old and honorable profession and its roots are buried deep in early American history. Further, our industry and profession claims the legal right to cultivate those roots---as the ICGPA continues the fight to reclaim Arizona’s heritage and close association with the game of Poker.
Members of our industry are also proud members of the world business community. Professional card players are a rapidly growing component, in the world’s entertainment and sports industries. The game they represent is no longer a backroom event---it is front and center on the world stage; television, and the internet have made Poker the most popular card game in the world. The ICGPA avows to work unceasingly to see Tombstone and the State of Arizona become a World Poker Tour destination.
The ICGPA supports a theory that all adult amusements are local issues and the prerogative of local governments. Banning of adult amusements by State level prohibition is an infringement on the power entrusted to our local body politic. The ICGPA believes local government must protect the liberties and freedoms of their constituency---even if they do not personally condone the specific conduct.
Reasonable control through local zoning and ordinance law will provide sufficient control in allowing for safe public access to our adult competitions and events. Clearly, state level prohibitions acerbate any nuisances surrounding the game of Poker and must be removed.
The popularity of our game necessitates that the state stop attempting to prohibit our globally recognized sport, and instead start to help the industry, self police and regulate this universally popular game. We have a right to expect local governments to not fetter us with intrusive, and harmful, public policy; but instead, to assist us and our players, by insuring a safe and level playing field for the world’s most popular card game.
The ICGPA concurs with the Founders of Arizona’s first city government; that local government should have the power and responsibility to regulate “…all games of amusement in the city…whether money changes hands or not.”
This authority was granted to the mayor and common council by the citizens of Arizona’s oldest municipal government, when they adopted their charter in 1881 Tombstone, in the Arizona Territory. Many of those early citizens were early members and pioneers of professional poker. Our industry is proud of the close historical heritage that exists between the game of Poker and the State of Arizona. The ICGPA intends to battle hard to maintain and preserve that heritage.
The ICGPA May 20th 2008 Tombstone, Arizona
Harold Lee, Founder
Rev 05/08
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_______________________________________________________Application______________________________________________________________________
Please copy the ICGPA application below and mail with your $20 annual dues to:
ICGPA
PO Box 1754
Tombstone, AZ 85638-1754
International Card & Game Players Association
Membership Application
You must be twenty-one to be a member
(Please print)
Date _________________________
Name: (Mr./Ms.) (Last name)__________________________ (Mi) ____ (First)_______________________
Mailing Address: Street______________________________________
City _____________________ State _________ Zip Code __________
*Date of Birth ____________ _____ ___________
Month Day Year
*Players may be required to show proof of age before competing in ICGPA sanctioned games and events.
Optional information:
Phone (______) ________ - ____________
If you wish to be included on the ICGPA email list and learn about the opening of new locations or upcoming events; please provide an email address:
Please print clearly: _____________________@_________________________
The ICGPA will be conducting tournaments and other sanctioned events. They will be posted on our website at:
To complete the application please mail with a check for the annual dues of twenty-dollars payable to:
ICGPA
PO Box 1754
Tombstone, AZ 85638-1754
While the ICGPA is a not for profit venture; it is not a tax deductible institution.
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