Is there anyone, anything out there that can be the world voice of and for poker, the controlling and governing world authority for poker?
One of the first orgainizations that springs to mind, due to its title but not its actions, is the International Federation of Poker (IFP). Perhaps in this post or others I have got it wrong as to what the IFP is about, its powers, or its plans. If I have then you will have to forgive me, as I am only going on what the IFP say about themselves and our experience with the IFP.
International Federation of Poker (IFP)
The International Federation of Poker IFP, is the official governing body for poker, promoting poker & its duplicate variation as a skill game and a Mind Sport.
Since its creation in Lausanne, Switzerland, in April of 2009, the International Federation of Poker (IFP) has grown in scope and stature to become poker’s official governing body.
pokerQ4 have had the pleasure of experiencing the International Federation of Poker’s concern for poker. We had started to set up a SEO page about the upcoming online IFP poker site, mentioning rakeback and bonuses. What had really grabbed our interest about the IFP news was that a supposed world poker authority was going to create an online poker site. Raising many questions … rakeback, which network would they choose, poker bots, if a player had a complaint about the IFP site who would they contact?
Within only a few days we had been contacted about a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (“DMCA”) complaint about using their logo and some of our original content. We had a bit of an email argument with them, mainly involving us taking the piss out of them for not being able to spell Switzerland correctly and a few other things.
RSVP IFP
On 07.12.2011 we then sent the International Federation of Poker (president@int.pokerfed.org and oc@int.pokerfed.org) a long email with questions about live, online poker and their ogranization. As they are the “official governing body for poker” would they care to enlighten us and the poker world about what they think of certain issues and the future. Questions such as:
Live Poker
- What legal powers does the IFP have to protect live poker players?
- What other non legal powers and influence does the IFP that can be used to help protect and serve poker players?
Online poker
- What legal powers will the IFP have over online poker sites and networks? Can you fine them, shut them down etc?
- What is the IFP stance on poker bots?
- What is the IFP stance on the sites that collect HH and sell them to players?
International Federation of Poker
- What is the IFP opinion on the Full Tilt situation? What FTP did and how it is now being resolved? What is the IFP opinion on how the AGCC handled the situation? Is there anything the IFP will or can do to avoid future situations like this?
- Will you be offering rakeback? If yes why will you be offering rakeback? If no why wont you be offering rakeback?
We had asked a lot of questions so did not expect a quick response but after their amazingly quick DMCA actions we had hoped for a reply. Even an acknowledgement would have been nice. No joy. Perhaps they were annoyed about the whole email argument? A worrying sign for a world authority if they hold grudges.
On 19.01.2012 we sent another email to info@int.pokerfed.org about a poker ombudsmen and asking them “Will the IFP be able to create or be the online poker players ombudsman? Either as a general ombudsman or even better for each poker network? Do you have any plans or literature on this?” and also including the previous questions. The protection of poker players through a poker ombudsmen or any poker authority being a subject dear to our hearts.
No reply or even an acknowledgement. On 03.02.2012 we sent a couple more emails copying all previous email questions.
Hallelujah!
On 11.02.2012 10:49 we finally got a reply. A very polite reply but …
Dear Sir or Madam,
Thank-you for your various emails, with all those questions. Please forgive our failure hitherto to reply. The truth is, we are very busy pending the launch of our online platform – this spring, we hope. The executive director and/or I will be pleased to answer your questions at that time. So please do get back in touch in early April. In the meantime, there is plenty of info re IFP, including video highlights of our launch event last November, on our website : http://int.pokerfed.org/
With best wishes,
Anthony Holden
President, International Federation of Poker (IFP)
Thank the Poker Gods they are sorting out their online ‘platform’, which I would guess is their online poker room. That they have had enough priority spare time posting on the IFP Facebook page and Blog. While nothing of importance has been happening to or in the poker world.
Have the IFP commented on or done anything of note since 2009 to help and protect live and online poker players? Or is that not the job or concern of the official governing body for poker?
Is there any organisation, authority, power, company … anyone who can serve and protect poker and poker players? Or is the only way the regulated market for each country?
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