The poker community has been doing its part to help support cardroom staff who are out of work due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While these fundraisers have had a great impact on those employed by casinos, many freelancers in the poker world are also in need of assistance.
Self-employed poker dealers, journalists, and photographers are also dealing with a loss of income during these unprecedented times, and a new initiative from Poker Central, Global Poker and RunGoodGear has been launched to help.
Keep The Lights On was launched on April 27th, and it will raise funds for professionals who would be working in the poker media during this time.
How Keep The Lights On Works
There are three Keep The Lights On Teams: PokerGO, RunGood and Global Poker. Every week, one player from each team (also called a “Champion”) will take part in ten tournaments, and pledges will be based on their cashes.
Donations are based on the number of times your chosen champion makes the money. So, for example, if you pledge $5 for PokerGO’s Champion Jeff Platt and he cashes in 10 of the 30 tournaments he plays, a total of $50 will be donated.
| Week One: | Week Two: | Week 3: |
| April 27th Jeff Platt for PokerGO |
May 4th Jamie Kerstteter for RunGood |
May 11th Brian Frenzel for Global Poker |
| April 29th Jamie Kerstteter for RunGood |
May 6tt Brian Frenzel for Global Poker |
May 13th Jeff Platt for PokerGO |
| May 1st Brian Frenzel for Global Poker |
May 8th Jeff Platt for PokerGO |
May 15th Jamie Kerstteter for RunGood |
The Champion who earns the most money during this fundraiser will automatically receive a seat at the All-Stars Pro-Am Live Event. Any donors who pledge $5 or more on the winning Champion will be awarded a ticket to a private qualifier for the same tournament.
You can visit PledgeIt.org to make your donation.
Distribution of Funds
If you are a freelancer in the poker world and have been affected by closure of cardrooms, RunGoodGear advises you to speak to one of your former employers in the industry. Send them a utility bill and they can forward it to contactus@rungoodgear.com. Submissions close on May 11th, 2020.
If the initiative has raised excess funds, Keep The Lights On will ask for another round of utility bills.
“To the freelance media who are there when cards are in the air, counting chips on break, and typing up seating charts as last call is announced. The industry needs you to keep telling poker’s story when this is all over. This fund is to let you know we see you, and you won’t be left in the dark.” – President Tana Karn of RunGoodGear.
The Importance of the Poker Media
Whether it’s the dealers making the action happen on the felt or the journalists and photographers making sure you don’t miss out on any of the action from home, freelancers in the poker world are doing an important job for poker fans and poker players. They help to keep the live poker industry afloat, and these unprecedented times have put many of them in a difficult situation.
So far, over $24,000 has been raised by the Keep The Lights On campaign. With three weeks left to go, we can see this fundraiser keeping the lights on for a fair few freelancer poker professionals around the world.
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Bethany has been working in online gambling for over 13 years. She got her start in the industry as her first job after graduating from the Professional Writing Program at York University. Having written for many online gaming publications and worked with top casino operators, she has unique insight into the gambling market. Bethany maintains a personal interest in iGaming as she continues to play poker online as a hobby.