Press Release: World Poker Association Announces Adoption of Ethics Code

July 30, 2007 -- The World Poker Association (WPA), which promotes professionalism in poker worldwide and supports the highest ethical standards in poker tournament activities, today announced adoption of an Ethics Code that is mandatory for admission and continued membership in the WPA.

“The Ethics Code is the cornerstone on which the WPA has established itself as a single, unified voice for millions in the commitment to professionalism in the worldwide poker community,” says Wendeen Eolis, Vice Chair of the WPA and Chair of the Ethics Committee.

At the first organizational meeting of the WPA’s Board of Directors, a framework for the Ethics Code was defined. The Board then developed and adopted an Ethics Compliance Pledge as part of the membership application and a condition for continued membership in the Association. It states:

“As a condition of admission and continued membership in the World Poker Association (WPA), I pledge to support and uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct in all aspects of poker competition and tournament activities, and hereby agree to comply with the WPA’s Code of Ethics as developed and periodically updated by the WPA and posted on its official website, wpapoker.org.”

The Ethics Code expands upon the Ethics Compliance Pledge with detailed provisions that advance the WPA’s mission to promote professionalism in the poker industry around the globe. “The Ethics Committee devoted many hours to the development of language that integrates standards of sportsmanship as well as integrity into the WPA’s Code of Ethics,” explains Eolis. Ethics Committee Co-Chair and World Series of Poker Champion Tom McEvoy adds, “The Code is pointed and clear in its message,” beginning with Article 1 which states:

“WPA members commit to support professionalism in all aspects of poker competition, recognizing that the play of each person’s poker hand is strictly an individual undertaking, and that any form of “team cooperation” with respect to the play of any poker hand is strictly prohibited.”

The general provisions of the Code also require: “Members agree to treat all those involved in poker competitions with courtesy and respect. Members are expected to reflect admirable sportsmanship in the context of spirited competition.”

Additional sections of the Ethics Code address relationships between players as well as relationships between players and dealers, players and management, and external relationships.

The WPA now boasts more than 1,300 voting members. The Association is growing rapidly with a highly recognized core of marquee players and other leaders in the poker industry paving the way. The WPA is setting the benchmark for professionalism in poker worldwide with its uncompromising standards of integrity and sportsmanship.

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The mission of the World Poker Association is to promote professionalism in poker worldwide and to support the highest ethical standards in poker tournament activities.

The WPA acts as a unifying force in the development of ethical standards that guide the relationships among players, dealers, other poker room staff, card room management, tournament organizers and related personnel, and others who are associated with the poker industry around the globe. The Ethics Code is the cornerstone on which the WPA has established itself as one voice for millions in the commitment to professionalism in the worldwide poker community. The highest standards of sportsmanship as well as integrity are integral components of the Code. The WPA Ethics Compliance Pledge serves as the foundation for fulfilling the WPA’s mission.

“As a condition of admission and continued membership in the World Poker Association (WPA), I pledge to support and uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct in all aspects of poker competition and tournament activities, and hereby agree to comply with the WPA Code of Ethics as developed and periodically updated by the WPA and posted on its official website, www.wpapoker.org. as set forth below:

Each applicant for membership of the Association agrees in writing as part of his/her application for membership to comply with this pledge and to abide by the provisions of the WPA Ethics Code as updated and listed on the WPA website as a condition of continued membership.

The initial Ethics Code is an expansion on the WPA Ethics Compliance Pledge, and is in accordance with the WPA’s mission. The provisions contained in the initial Ethics Code, as passed by the WPA Board of Directors shall serve as interim provisions until the Annual Meeting. At that time, a vote of two-thirds of the membership in attendance shall be required to ratify the Ethics Code for continued use.

The WPA Code of Ethics, as adopted by the initial Board of Directors July 9, 2007 serves as interim guidelines. Each member agrees to adhere to these guidelines. These guidelines shall be reviewed and periodically amended based upon member recommendations to the Ethics Committee and resolutions of the Board during the 2007-2008 Association year. The Code of Ethics will be presented to the membership for ratification at the WPA’s 2008 Annual Membership Meeting.

Note: This Code neither supersedes, nor replaces the requirements of local, state, or Federal laws.

Article 1. WPA members commit to support professionalism in all aspects of poker competition, recognizing that the play of each person’s poker hand is strictly an individual undertaking, and that any form of “team cooperation” with respect to the play of any poker hand is strictly prohibited.

Article 2. Members will use their best efforts to familiarize themselves with the rules and regulations associated with any poker event in which they participate, and to serve as role models for professionalism in all manner of competition.

Article 3. Members will use their best efforts to understand the laws that affect their legal rights and responsibilities as participants or audience members in any given poker competition. Members will use their best efforts to comply with applicable statutes, regulations, and ordinances that govern such competition.

Article 4. Members agree to treat all those involved in poker competitions with courtesy and respect. Members are expected to reflect admirable sportsmanship in the context of spirited competition.

Article 5. Members agree to refrain from engaging in verbal abuse in the course of competition.

Article 6. Members agree to refrain from initiating mean-spirited, vulgar, and otherwise abusive conduct, and shall use best efforts to defuse such conduct during the course of competition.

Article 7. Members agree to be respectful of their colleagues in their demeanor, conduct and grooming, in order to reflect favorably upon themselves and the competition.

Article 8. Members agree to be cooperative so as to assure appropriate consideration of industry colleagues with special needs as defined under the American with Disabilities Act, and such other bona fide handicaps for which special accommodations are in keeping with admirable sportsmanship.

Article 1. Players agree to act respectfully toward fellow participants in poker competition, regardless of their personal opinions about another competitor’s expertise at the table and without regard to any personality clashes they may have with such participants beyond the card room.

Article 2. Players shall refrain from engaging in offensive comments and argumentative discussion at the table that unduly disrupts the action.

Article 3. Players will not engage in conduct aiming to disadvantage other players through methods of inappropriate sportsmanship (e.g. such as occupying excessive space at the table, deliberately acting out of turn, commenting when not in the hand about a hand in progress, etc.)

Article 4. Players agree to respect cultural differences, and to refrain from comments and commentary that could reasonably be interpreted as derogatory to a cultural group.

Article 5. Players agree to respect spirited competition—including the use of psychological tactics and verbal inquiries that are designed to obtain information and tells about opponents, in keeping with good sportsmanship—provided that such tactics and conversation are not prohibited under the rules of the house or the tournament in progress.

Article 6. Players agree to respect the spirit of the rule, “one player to a hand,” and therefore shall not offer or solicit opportunity to see another player’s hand in progress.

1. Players will treat dealers with a respectful, professional attitude, complying with all reasonable requests and decisions without protest.

2. Players will inquire about a dealer decision if and when necessary, without personal hostility toward the dealer.

3. Players will refrain from language or other conduct that is disrespectful toward a dealer, regardless of a dealer’s error or other technical deficiency.

4. Dealers agree to refrain from all unnecessary discussion with players while at the table and shall not have a stake in the financial outcome of any player’s hand.

5. Dealers agree to protect all players equally and enforce the rules consistently.

6. Dealers agree to use best efforts to avoid controversy at the table and to diffuse controversy to the extent practicable, promptly.

7. Players and dealers will report inappropriate conduct on the part of the other to a supervisor and when practical to discuss such conduct away from the table.

1. Players shall respect management as the authority in the conduct of any poker competition and shall maintain a professional demeanor in the face of an adverse decision.

2. Players shall refrain from denigrating supervisory and management personnel during the course of a competition unless or until a formal report with the tournament director or his representative is filed.

3. Player inquiries regarding a decision shall be made when necessary to the appropriate supervisor or manager, in a professional businesslike manner, and without undue personal hostility.

Article 1. Members agree to use best efforts to further a positive image of poker players and tournament poker activities throughout the poker community.

Article 2. Members shall use best efforts to promote professionalism in poker by public conduct that reflects respect, professional etiquette, and admirable sportsmanship in their dealings with all those associated with the poker industry.

Article 3. Members shall support the development of economic opportunity for all those in the poker community who agree to abide by the WPA Code of Ethics.