BY TOM SOMACH

The Poker Players Alliance (PPA), a San Francisco-based lobby group seeking to legalize online poker, has announced it is relocating to Washington, D.C., in order to be closer to the legislative process it is trying to influence.

In addition, the PPA announced that PPA president Michael Bolcerek, who lives in San Francisco, is resigning from that post and will not be replaced.

Instead, John Pappas, the PPA’s Vice-President of Government Affairs and a PPA spokesman, who lives in Washington, is to become the Executive Director of the organization, the PPA said. Former New York Sen. Al D’Amato, whose hiring as chief PPA lobbyist was exclusively reported by PokerHelper.com earlier this year, will remain in that role, and retain his title as PPA chairman, the PPA said.

The PPA made the announcements in a news release posted on its website, www.pokerplayersalliance.org.

The news release explained that the PPA is relocating to the nation’s capital because, “the organization can be more central as it continues to fight to clarify Federal laws that impact the rights of Internet poker players.”

D’Amato was quoted in the news release saying: “This is an exciting time for the PPA and our members. The PPA has become an influential force fighting for the rights of poker players to enjoy this game of skill.

“There is wide support and momentum in the U.S. Congress to enact sensible legislation to regulate online poker and provide the necessary safeguards to all players.

“It is vital that the PPA centralize its efforts in D.C. so we can best serve the interests of our 660,000 plus members.”

The news release also quoted Bolcerek saying: “This is the right time for me to step aside as we move the PPA operations to Washington, D.C.

“I am happy to have helped the cause of American poker players and expect to see continued success from the efforts of Sen. D’Amato and our new Executive Director, John Pappas.”

(E-mail Tom Somach at tomsomach@yaho.com.)