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2006/12/07
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29893
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Since the regulation of online gambling provided by the Act of May 12, 2010, taxation became the subject that comes up frequently inside debate whatsoever on the part of operators, regulator or the parliament. The tax on gambling and online poker will be soon debated in the French National Assembly in the budget 2012 of the Finance Act following the submission of Amendment No. 363 by the deputy Jean-François Lamour. This amendment already adopted by the Committee of Finance aims to modify the Act of May 12, 2010 which covers the replacement of the tax recovery on the bet by the tax on the gross gaming revenue (GGR), which is as reminder based on the bet of players and their earnings.
The majority of these entities are in favour of the tax on GGR but Valérie Pécresse, Minister of the Budget, does not seem to agree. And this opposition of idea could change anything on the current taxation of online gambling. The reason is that the changing of the current taxation of online gambling could lead to risks of tax evasion. A report of the Minister of Budget will be soon submitted to the Government for this purpose. Thus, there are those who are in favor of the GGR and those who want to maintain the tax already in place. But anyway, poker and other online games can know a new destiny by the end of November. And the tax on the earnings of players will be at the heart of the debate.
The majority of these entities are in favour of the tax on GGR but Valérie Pécresse, Minister of the Budget, does not seem to agree. And this opposition of idea could change anything on the current taxation of online gambling. The reason is that the changing of the current taxation of online gambling could lead to risks of tax evasion. A report of the Minister of Budget will be soon submitted to the Government for this purpose. Thus, there are those who are in favor of the GGR and those who want to maintain the tax already in place. But anyway, poker and other online games can know a new destiny by the end of November. And the tax on the earnings of players will be at the heart of the debate.
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2006/12/07
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29893
The draw has been made and the final two players who will be joining Tam Bodog at the all-inclusive Hard Rock Casino and Resort in the Dominican Republic for this year's Punta Cana Poker Classic are…mensa111 from Tucson, AZ and ALL IN420 from Alexandria, AL! These two lucky players are going to be winging their way down on our dime to play in one of the best poker tournaments going thanks to Bodog poker!
In addition to their tournament buy-in, Bodog has hooked these players up with aa five-night stay at the all-inclusive Hord Rock Hotel & Casino, $1,000 in travel money and $1,500 in vouchers for golf, spa and more – and this is just the latest package that Bodog's offered up to our players! If you want to keep up with what we're doing to help make sure Bodog's the best site in online poker, visit our promotions page.
To view a complete list of winners, visit the Team Bodog page for the Punta Cana Classic and if you want to get ready for the next time a major event like this rolls around, check out
In addition to their tournament buy-in, Bodog has hooked these players up with aa five-night stay at the all-inclusive Hord Rock Hotel & Casino, $1,000 in travel money and $1,500 in vouchers for golf, spa and more – and this is just the latest package that Bodog's offered up to our players! If you want to keep up with what we're doing to help make sure Bodog's the best site in online poker, visit our promotions page.
To view a complete list of winners, visit the Team Bodog page for the Punta Cana Classic and if you want to get ready for the next time a major event like this rolls around, check out
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Poker players worldwide who are searching for great value should take a look at the Bodog $100,000 guarantee every Sunday.
The $150+$12 no-limit hold’em tournament is one of online poker’s premier events. The site offers an opportunity to qualify for as low as $1.
On Oct. 16, the winner took home $23,600.
If you don’t have an account but would like to compete, click on Podok Poker
Have Fun :thumbsup
The $150+$12 no-limit hold’em tournament is one of online poker’s premier events. The site offers an opportunity to qualify for as low as $1.
On Oct. 16, the winner took home $23,600.
If you don’t have an account but would like to compete, click on Podok Poker
Have Fun :thumbsup
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Bodog has now strengthened its European team – we are not referring to their poker team – we mean their management team; by the appointment of Dee Dutta as the new Chief Marketing Officer. He brings a long line of successes with him in the roles of Head of Marketing (CMO) with Visa and Sony Ericsson, for Asia and Global respectively. He obviously has a wealth of experience, and recons “There are few more competitive landscapes than the online gaming industry today,’ and therefore working in this arena has been on his radar for some time. He also pointed out the fact that the growth in mobile phone betting has become a sector close to his heart. So, it looks like he joins the teams with a wealth of enthusiasm too.
CEO of Bodog Europe – Patrik Selin – said that Dee Dutta comes with just the right kind of vision which has always set the Bodog brand apart as one of the best in the online gambling sector. This brand is always looking to differentiate itself, and with the right type of CMO with attitude, they are sure to continue to succeed. Dutta believes this opportunity is an irresistible challenge.
Big online gambling companies such as Bodog are more under pressure to make profits than ever before and many are seen to be changing or adding middle and top management positions in order to accommodate this fact. Dee Dutta should give them the edge they are looking for.
CEO of Bodog Europe – Patrik Selin – said that Dee Dutta comes with just the right kind of vision which has always set the Bodog brand apart as one of the best in the online gambling sector. This brand is always looking to differentiate itself, and with the right type of CMO with attitude, they are sure to continue to succeed. Dutta believes this opportunity is an irresistible challenge.
Big online gambling companies such as Bodog are more under pressure to make profits than ever before and many are seen to be changing or adding middle and top management positions in order to accommodate this fact. Dee Dutta should give them the edge they are looking for.
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2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Recent news reports reveal that Full Tilt Poker may be reapplying for its license from the AGCC. Group Bernard Tapie is going to purchase Full Tilt Poker and the lawyer for the GBT has said that if the negotiations go well, then the purchase will be made. In this aspect alone, it makes sense for Full Tilt Poker to reapply for the license to AGCC.
Full Tilt Poker had its license revoked when the AGCC decided that the site had been misleading the authorities regarding the US gaming laws and also because Full Tilt Poker had not paid the fees for the same. The AGCC did not get into auditing Full Tilt Poker and trusted the accounts that were sent in by them.
Full Tilt did not have enough funds available since they had issues of mismanagement and other problems related to third-party payment processors. Full Tilt has a secondary license and that is with Kahnawake Gaming Commission in Canada, and that license is still valid.
Full Tilt Poker and Group Bernard Tapie are considering repaying the poker players if this purchase goes through. It might be likely, that those players who were not paid previously will get paid and the Full Tilt Poker site can be functional once again.
At this point in time, FTP has been idle for a long while and if this continues then the company would lose a lot of money in operations and in paying fees for the lawsuits that they continue to be slapped with. Full Tilt has also been accused with money laundering charges.
Players who are yet to receive large sums of money will probably be offered shares of the company so that they can be shareholders for the poker site. Although this seems like a good idea, many poker enthusiasts are against the idea of other players holding a share in the site.
US Poker players who are still waiting for their money are following these negotiations up close and wondering how much money the Tapie group would be able to come up with in order to make this purchase. While everyone worries about their funds, it is questionable whether the Department of Justice will ever release the money that was “frozen” when they shut down the Full Tilt site.
Full Tilt Poker had its license revoked when the AGCC decided that the site had been misleading the authorities regarding the US gaming laws and also because Full Tilt Poker had not paid the fees for the same. The AGCC did not get into auditing Full Tilt Poker and trusted the accounts that were sent in by them.
Full Tilt did not have enough funds available since they had issues of mismanagement and other problems related to third-party payment processors. Full Tilt has a secondary license and that is with Kahnawake Gaming Commission in Canada, and that license is still valid.
Full Tilt Poker and Group Bernard Tapie are considering repaying the poker players if this purchase goes through. It might be likely, that those players who were not paid previously will get paid and the Full Tilt Poker site can be functional once again.
At this point in time, FTP has been idle for a long while and if this continues then the company would lose a lot of money in operations and in paying fees for the lawsuits that they continue to be slapped with. Full Tilt has also been accused with money laundering charges.
Players who are yet to receive large sums of money will probably be offered shares of the company so that they can be shareholders for the poker site. Although this seems like a good idea, many poker enthusiasts are against the idea of other players holding a share in the site.
US Poker players who are still waiting for their money are following these negotiations up close and wondering how much money the Tapie group would be able to come up with in order to make this purchase. While everyone worries about their funds, it is questionable whether the Department of Justice will ever release the money that was “frozen” when they shut down the Full Tilt site.
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
The first annual Ladies’ Night Out Pink Poker Run in Belmond is planned for Thursday, Oct. 27.
The event will begin with registration from 5:30 to 6 p.m. at the Belmond Museum/Chamber office.
The event will then kick off with nine businesses registered as stops. At each stop women will draw a card for their poker hand. Five cards are required for a poker hand.
Participating businesses are Accents on Main, Accessories Unlimited, Allen Home Center, Andrews Floral, Belmond Medical Center Radiology, Bloemke Pharmacy, Millie’s Hallmark, Shear Relaxation Salon and Spa and True Value Farm and Home.
Each stop will also include refreshments, door prizes or shopping specials. Vendors will also be present in the P&G Mall.
Belmond Medical Center Radiology will offer free heel scans to assess bone density and tours of its new digital mammography facility.
Tickets for the event are $5 each and can be purchased at participating businesses. All ticket proceeds will go to breast cancer research.
The event will begin with registration from 5:30 to 6 p.m. at the Belmond Museum/Chamber office.
The event will then kick off with nine businesses registered as stops. At each stop women will draw a card for their poker hand. Five cards are required for a poker hand.
Participating businesses are Accents on Main, Accessories Unlimited, Allen Home Center, Andrews Floral, Belmond Medical Center Radiology, Bloemke Pharmacy, Millie’s Hallmark, Shear Relaxation Salon and Spa and True Value Farm and Home.
Each stop will also include refreshments, door prizes or shopping specials. Vendors will also be present in the P&G Mall.
Belmond Medical Center Radiology will offer free heel scans to assess bone density and tours of its new digital mammography facility.
Tickets for the event are $5 each and can be purchased at participating businesses. All ticket proceeds will go to breast cancer research.
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
NAGPUR: 'Gamble' is used to philosophize, to explain an irrational act or even to throw a challenge at fate. But it's only during Diwali that it has a happy tinkle of merriment around it. This is the time old, young and kids alike sit together to shuffle cards. After all, there is nothing like a game of flush between family members on Diwali night.
But this tradition has seen a quantum jump over the past few years, and today, even in the city, there are hectic rounds of card deals starting from Dussehra and well up to Diwali. In between, the teen patti or flush has submitted to many makeovers, some planned some impromptu. So we have '1942 a love story', where the aces, nines, fours and twos are treated as jokers, or 'AK-47' where the aces, kings, fours and sevens help the player win fortunes.
The whispers are that anything between a lakh upwards can be lost or gained at a table in one night. Mahesh Gawlani, a city businessman, says, "During Diwali cards are played at home with family members, so there are no limits here to loosing. Even amateurs who have never dealt a card pack join in, so winning and loosing becomes fun and a talking point."
Meenakshi Sial, who describes these card parties as loads of fun, says, "Though gambling sounds a bit crude, yet undoubtedly there are card parties galore at this time. People host them in a very tasteful manner with the decor of a casino, with roulette and poker tables set up."
Agrees Sanjiv Sahu, a city businessman and avid card player, "Diwali is fun because of the card games. There are nearly 100 variations to flush alone, which go by strange names like palang tod and kursi tod. Though the elderly stick to rummy, the middle aged ones play flush and the younger group are into poker in a big way these days."
Undoubtedly, poker is the flavour of the season. Though nobody wants to go on record, the grapevine says that lakhs are being won and lost on poker tables by these twentysomethings. Last Diwali, it is rumoured that a young hot-headed lad had to go home without his sedan after losing it in a game of poker.
With Diwali giving a sanction of sorts to card games, poker parties are being thrown by the dozens this season. Gaurav Agarwal, a 24-year-old entrepreneur has used his passion for poker to form a lucrative business and manufactures poker tables. He says, "Indeed it is poker for the younger lot. I have been playing it since I was in the US and on my return I taught it to some of my friends. Today Facebook and Zynga Poker have made it extremely popular. I feel it is not just a game, it requires some kind of strategizing too. But even blind guessing makes it so enjoyable."
Saurabh Rai, another young avid player, says, "Poker is not just gambling. It is a kind of sport which requires skill to play. It's like a brain drill. I think the younger lot enjoys the manner in which you are required to guess and read reactions of the other players. The stakes depend upon who is playing with whom, but yes during Diwali big amounts are lost and won."
But this tradition has seen a quantum jump over the past few years, and today, even in the city, there are hectic rounds of card deals starting from Dussehra and well up to Diwali. In between, the teen patti or flush has submitted to many makeovers, some planned some impromptu. So we have '1942 a love story', where the aces, nines, fours and twos are treated as jokers, or 'AK-47' where the aces, kings, fours and sevens help the player win fortunes.
The whispers are that anything between a lakh upwards can be lost or gained at a table in one night. Mahesh Gawlani, a city businessman, says, "During Diwali cards are played at home with family members, so there are no limits here to loosing. Even amateurs who have never dealt a card pack join in, so winning and loosing becomes fun and a talking point."
Meenakshi Sial, who describes these card parties as loads of fun, says, "Though gambling sounds a bit crude, yet undoubtedly there are card parties galore at this time. People host them in a very tasteful manner with the decor of a casino, with roulette and poker tables set up."
Agrees Sanjiv Sahu, a city businessman and avid card player, "Diwali is fun because of the card games. There are nearly 100 variations to flush alone, which go by strange names like palang tod and kursi tod. Though the elderly stick to rummy, the middle aged ones play flush and the younger group are into poker in a big way these days."
Undoubtedly, poker is the flavour of the season. Though nobody wants to go on record, the grapevine says that lakhs are being won and lost on poker tables by these twentysomethings. Last Diwali, it is rumoured that a young hot-headed lad had to go home without his sedan after losing it in a game of poker.
With Diwali giving a sanction of sorts to card games, poker parties are being thrown by the dozens this season. Gaurav Agarwal, a 24-year-old entrepreneur has used his passion for poker to form a lucrative business and manufactures poker tables. He says, "Indeed it is poker for the younger lot. I have been playing it since I was in the US and on my return I taught it to some of my friends. Today Facebook and Zynga Poker have made it extremely popular. I feel it is not just a game, it requires some kind of strategizing too. But even blind guessing makes it so enjoyable."
Saurabh Rai, another young avid player, says, "Poker is not just gambling. It is a kind of sport which requires skill to play. It's like a brain drill. I think the younger lot enjoys the manner in which you are required to guess and read reactions of the other players. The stakes depend upon who is playing with whom, but yes during Diwali big amounts are lost and won."
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Gone are the days when poker was considered a game for the boys. With the booming success of Pokerstars poker, us girls now want a piece of the action too! So much so, that girl's only poker parties are becoming all the rage. So, why not plan your very own poker party with a little help from us?
1. Poker Savvy: To begin with visit the Pokerstars website and amongst your guests decide on which game you are going to play; Texas Hold'em is the most popular game. Once you have decided, make sure each guest is prepared to learn how to play the game if they do not know already.
2. Preparations: Decide on a date and time for your party so you can get your party invitations underway. There are many poker party invitation templates available online to help you create your invitations yourself. Don't forget to include: your name, the date the party is taking place, the time the party will start and the location as which the party will be held.
3. Decorations: To keep with the theme of poker, look online for poker themed products, such as casino related napkins and plates. Use candles to create the right ambience. Decorate with red and black balloons, garlands made from playing cards and furry dice.
4. Dress up: Make your poker party a reason to dress up - ask each of your guests to come fully attired. Provide each guest with ideas, for example, cowboy boots and jeans, sunglasses, tuxedos, ball gown dresses,
5. Food: You need to think of food which is not only quick and easy to prepare but also easy to eat. Consider finger foods and snack food as these are easy to nibble mid flow.
6. Drinks: The most popular drinks include beer and cocktails. Make sure that have some soda water available if there are any guests who do not drink alcohol. Serve up your drinks in beer glasses and use martini/cocktail glasses. Beforehand, grab your cocktail shaker and prepare some cocktails which are casino inspired. Consider:
Millionaire
1 oz Orange Curacao
1 tsp Framboise
2 oz Bourbon Whiskey
1 tsp Grenadine
1 Egg White
Pour all of these ingredients into an ice filled cocktail shaker. To ensure that the egg white is thoroughly mixed, shake well. Strain the cocktail into a chilled cocktail glass.
Manhattan
2 oz Rye Whiskey
½ oz Dry Vermouth
½ Sweet Vermouth
A Dash of Bitter
Orange/Lime or Lemon peel
Cherry - to garnish
Pour all of these ingredients into an ice filled mixing glass. Gently stir until cold (approx 20 secs.) Twist the peel and run the peel around the inside of a chilled cocktail glass. Strain the drink into a chilled cocktail glass and drop in a cherry.
7. Music: Choose some background music which is upbeat yet mellow. Maybe, some Jazz or Big Band.
8. Relax and Party: Now to the best part: relax, eat, drink, play and let the night begin! Happy poker playing! :dirol
1. Poker Savvy: To begin with visit the Pokerstars website and amongst your guests decide on which game you are going to play; Texas Hold'em is the most popular game. Once you have decided, make sure each guest is prepared to learn how to play the game if they do not know already.
2. Preparations: Decide on a date and time for your party so you can get your party invitations underway. There are many poker party invitation templates available online to help you create your invitations yourself. Don't forget to include: your name, the date the party is taking place, the time the party will start and the location as which the party will be held.
3. Decorations: To keep with the theme of poker, look online for poker themed products, such as casino related napkins and plates. Use candles to create the right ambience. Decorate with red and black balloons, garlands made from playing cards and furry dice.
4. Dress up: Make your poker party a reason to dress up - ask each of your guests to come fully attired. Provide each guest with ideas, for example, cowboy boots and jeans, sunglasses, tuxedos, ball gown dresses,
5. Food: You need to think of food which is not only quick and easy to prepare but also easy to eat. Consider finger foods and snack food as these are easy to nibble mid flow.
6. Drinks: The most popular drinks include beer and cocktails. Make sure that have some soda water available if there are any guests who do not drink alcohol. Serve up your drinks in beer glasses and use martini/cocktail glasses. Beforehand, grab your cocktail shaker and prepare some cocktails which are casino inspired. Consider:
Millionaire
1 oz Orange Curacao
1 tsp Framboise
2 oz Bourbon Whiskey
1 tsp Grenadine
1 Egg White
Pour all of these ingredients into an ice filled cocktail shaker. To ensure that the egg white is thoroughly mixed, shake well. Strain the cocktail into a chilled cocktail glass.
Manhattan
2 oz Rye Whiskey
½ oz Dry Vermouth
½ Sweet Vermouth
A Dash of Bitter
Orange/Lime or Lemon peel
Cherry - to garnish
Pour all of these ingredients into an ice filled mixing glass. Gently stir until cold (approx 20 secs.) Twist the peel and run the peel around the inside of a chilled cocktail glass. Strain the drink into a chilled cocktail glass and drop in a cherry.
7. Music: Choose some background music which is upbeat yet mellow. Maybe, some Jazz or Big Band.
8. Relax and Party: Now to the best part: relax, eat, drink, play and let the night begin! Happy poker playing! :dirol
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Some experts are saying the mobile casino is the best thing since sliced bread while others are saying the action is slow and the games are too long. Texas Hold’em poker is fast and riveting and just the ticket for an online game of poker on the move.
Now a web site created by the mFortune mobile casino has come up with a multiplayer Texas Hold’em mobile poker game. The new site is an attempt to make the offerings on their mobile casino games site more interesting and attractive.
The newest version is a step up variation of the existing Texas Hold’em mobile poker game offered by the club. A test beta version is available for those who want to try out the action. Players wanting to dance to the new tune of enhanced texas hold’em poker must participate in the mobile casino bonus promotions. They will then get a chance to wager free £3 no deposit mobile casino bonus on Texas Hold’em poker game. New mFortune mobile casino players will get free £5 along with the already in play 100% mobile casino bonus on deposit. A great deal and you get to try something exciting and new.
There are a number of options for players to choose from either a free play or the real cash mode what ever suits the persons budget or mood. This new mobile poker game is available in three levels - 10p/20p is for beginners while £1/£2 is for novices and for the professionals and experts of this game, it is £10/£20.
Most platforms are compatible with the multi player Texas Hold’em model such as android, blackberry, and iphones or other mobile devices. Something new comes along almost every day in the online gambling world and this one is something all online poker players of Texas Hold’em should give a whirl. Who knows it could turn out to be even better that sliced bread.
Now a web site created by the mFortune mobile casino has come up with a multiplayer Texas Hold’em mobile poker game. The new site is an attempt to make the offerings on their mobile casino games site more interesting and attractive.
The newest version is a step up variation of the existing Texas Hold’em mobile poker game offered by the club. A test beta version is available for those who want to try out the action. Players wanting to dance to the new tune of enhanced texas hold’em poker must participate in the mobile casino bonus promotions. They will then get a chance to wager free £3 no deposit mobile casino bonus on Texas Hold’em poker game. New mFortune mobile casino players will get free £5 along with the already in play 100% mobile casino bonus on deposit. A great deal and you get to try something exciting and new.
There are a number of options for players to choose from either a free play or the real cash mode what ever suits the persons budget or mood. This new mobile poker game is available in three levels - 10p/20p is for beginners while £1/£2 is for novices and for the professionals and experts of this game, it is £10/£20.
Most platforms are compatible with the multi player Texas Hold’em model such as android, blackberry, and iphones or other mobile devices. Something new comes along almost every day in the online gambling world and this one is something all online poker players of Texas Hold’em should give a whirl. Who knows it could turn out to be even better that sliced bread.
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
It is about jobs, jobs, jobs.
The Republican presidential debaters, those who actually showed up, have come and gone and left behind a slew of mixed messages. One of the messages that came through loud and clear, and this despite your political leanings to the left or right, is that most of the players who were on the Sands Expo stage are not yet ready for prime time.
The front-runners acted like children and those who are seemingly also-rans acted like, well, also-rans. Whether you agree with them or not, Herman Cain and Newt Gingrich acted the most grown-up of the bunch.
The other message that came through, albeit without much meat on its bones, was the absolute need to create jobs. Across the country and, especially, here in Nevada. And do it now! None of the candidates were very specific about how they could or would help those of us who are living in and trying to work at ground zero.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t people trying to help.
What seemed like a missed opportunity to create thousands of jobs for Nevada in last year’s lame duck session of Congress may be presenting itself once again. This time, I hope, those who are claiming to care about Nevada and the country’s jobless will act appropriately.
I am talking about Internet poker.
As a matter of full disclosure, my family may find a way of participating in what could be the next gambling frontier — the virtual world — as would many tens of thousands of other Nevadans. So my bias has some personal gain attached but nowhere near the general benefit I see for all of us who live and work in this state.
Billions and billions of dollars are bet annually on Internet poker. A significant number of those billions are bet by players in the United States. And there is no reason to believe that the growth of that industry will be slowed anytime soon. I know many people who hold Nevada gaming licenses who gamble on the Internet. I know many college students who gamble on the Internet. I know many ordinary folks who gamble on the Internet. They love it. And they see no reason to stop playing.
Did I mention that gambling on the Internet is illegal in the United States?
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 was supposed to stop all forms of Internet gambling in this country. Since its passage, millions of people have joined the ranks of players who cared more about the enjoyment they got from playing online than they did any threat of enforcement action by the authorities. In short, they flaunted the law, a law that made criminals out of regular folks who just wanted to have fun.
And it wasn’t until the federal government earlier this year indicted some of the major Internet poker companies that were illegally accepting wagers from the United States that most people realized how pervasive this illegal activity actually was. Furthermore, the players learned that in some cases they and their money were part of some Ponzi scheme that left them high and dry without enough of their own money for an ante.
In short, people went broke before they ever made a bet!
So we have a new ballgame. The impetus now is where it rightly needs to be. The emphasis must be on security and enforcement. Making sure that those who do play on the Internet are of age and mentally fit is a top priority. Also, making sure there is sufficient regulation of those who run the games is a must. And, finally, it doesn’t hurt that through regulating the industry there is ample and willing opportunity to create new revenue streams for the federal and state governments.
For Nevada, the benefits should be obvious. It seems clear that there won’t be too many new hotels built in Las Vegas for quite some time. Capital investment will probably be limited to creating changes within existing structures or adding new amenities. But we still need to find ways to grow because through growth comes financial security and job opportunities.
Every industry in this country is trying to find the ways and means to use the Internet to advance its distribution and sales channels. Why shouldn’t our gaming industry? With multiple billions of dollars invested in this state, it seems the logical move would be to capitalize on the expertise of those who work inside those buildings. And to do it without the capital costs for expanded bricks and mortar just makes sense.
If this thing is done right, states like Nevada — whose Legislature and gaming authorities have made sure we are ready and able to act should the time come — could lead the way in licensing and enforcement because we have the expertise necessary to regulate this new industry. In so doing, tens of thousands of jobs could find their way to Nevada through companies that desire to locate here to be part of our regulatory scheme. That, in turn, will bring hundreds of millions of dollars in tax money to our much-depleted coffers.
It isn’t a complete panacea but it is a start. In the end, amending the UIGEA to provide for proper enforcement and regulation can be the shot in the arm that Nevada needs.
It also could remove from the annals of criminal behavior the hundreds of thousands of Americans who just want to play poker with a credible company and, perhaps, win.
Las Vegas knows how to do that.
The Republican presidential debaters, those who actually showed up, have come and gone and left behind a slew of mixed messages. One of the messages that came through loud and clear, and this despite your political leanings to the left or right, is that most of the players who were on the Sands Expo stage are not yet ready for prime time.
The front-runners acted like children and those who are seemingly also-rans acted like, well, also-rans. Whether you agree with them or not, Herman Cain and Newt Gingrich acted the most grown-up of the bunch.
The other message that came through, albeit without much meat on its bones, was the absolute need to create jobs. Across the country and, especially, here in Nevada. And do it now! None of the candidates were very specific about how they could or would help those of us who are living in and trying to work at ground zero.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t people trying to help.
What seemed like a missed opportunity to create thousands of jobs for Nevada in last year’s lame duck session of Congress may be presenting itself once again. This time, I hope, those who are claiming to care about Nevada and the country’s jobless will act appropriately.
I am talking about Internet poker.
As a matter of full disclosure, my family may find a way of participating in what could be the next gambling frontier — the virtual world — as would many tens of thousands of other Nevadans. So my bias has some personal gain attached but nowhere near the general benefit I see for all of us who live and work in this state.
Billions and billions of dollars are bet annually on Internet poker. A significant number of those billions are bet by players in the United States. And there is no reason to believe that the growth of that industry will be slowed anytime soon. I know many people who hold Nevada gaming licenses who gamble on the Internet. I know many college students who gamble on the Internet. I know many ordinary folks who gamble on the Internet. They love it. And they see no reason to stop playing.
Did I mention that gambling on the Internet is illegal in the United States?
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 was supposed to stop all forms of Internet gambling in this country. Since its passage, millions of people have joined the ranks of players who cared more about the enjoyment they got from playing online than they did any threat of enforcement action by the authorities. In short, they flaunted the law, a law that made criminals out of regular folks who just wanted to have fun.
And it wasn’t until the federal government earlier this year indicted some of the major Internet poker companies that were illegally accepting wagers from the United States that most people realized how pervasive this illegal activity actually was. Furthermore, the players learned that in some cases they and their money were part of some Ponzi scheme that left them high and dry without enough of their own money for an ante.
In short, people went broke before they ever made a bet!
So we have a new ballgame. The impetus now is where it rightly needs to be. The emphasis must be on security and enforcement. Making sure that those who do play on the Internet are of age and mentally fit is a top priority. Also, making sure there is sufficient regulation of those who run the games is a must. And, finally, it doesn’t hurt that through regulating the industry there is ample and willing opportunity to create new revenue streams for the federal and state governments.
For Nevada, the benefits should be obvious. It seems clear that there won’t be too many new hotels built in Las Vegas for quite some time. Capital investment will probably be limited to creating changes within existing structures or adding new amenities. But we still need to find ways to grow because through growth comes financial security and job opportunities.
Every industry in this country is trying to find the ways and means to use the Internet to advance its distribution and sales channels. Why shouldn’t our gaming industry? With multiple billions of dollars invested in this state, it seems the logical move would be to capitalize on the expertise of those who work inside those buildings. And to do it without the capital costs for expanded bricks and mortar just makes sense.
If this thing is done right, states like Nevada — whose Legislature and gaming authorities have made sure we are ready and able to act should the time come — could lead the way in licensing and enforcement because we have the expertise necessary to regulate this new industry. In so doing, tens of thousands of jobs could find their way to Nevada through companies that desire to locate here to be part of our regulatory scheme. That, in turn, will bring hundreds of millions of dollars in tax money to our much-depleted coffers.
It isn’t a complete panacea but it is a start. In the end, amending the UIGEA to provide for proper enforcement and regulation can be the shot in the arm that Nevada needs.
It also could remove from the annals of criminal behavior the hundreds of thousands of Americans who just want to play poker with a credible company and, perhaps, win.
Las Vegas knows how to do that.
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2006/12/07
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The odds of winning the grand prize in the Powerball lottery are 1 in 195,249,054. State governments, by and large, encourage participation in this monopolistic enterprise, even though it randomly rewards a very few people with a very large amount of money for doing very little.
Oddly, most states, and the federal government, consider wagering online on a card game -- in a fair fight, against other players of varying skill -- a moral outrage.
A small but growing number of states are considering legalizing online poker within their borders, hoping to increase tax revenue. An intrastate approach may lead to useful innovations, but it would limit competition among gambling operators and restrict the available pool of customers for a given service to in-state players. It would also result in a crazy patchwork of regulation for an online activity that is inherently interstate.
To maximize the benefits of Internet gambling, and reduce its many dangers, federal legalization and regulation is the best option.
Current federal law is poorly conceived. In 2006 Congress ostensibly outlawed most online wagering under the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, an unclear and hurriedly assembled framework that for years left many players under the impression that online gambling was illegal but tolerated. It prevented businesses from knowingly accepting payments for “unlawful” gambling, but didn’t clearly define what was unlawful, or specifically address poker.
Then, in April 2011, the Justice Department indicted the founders of the three biggest poker sites open to U.S. players with money laundering and bank fraud, alleging that they were illegally disguising their gambling profits.
U.S. players have been abandoning Internet gambling ever since. The number of online U.S. poker accounts has declined from 2.03 million to about 490,000, according to a report prepared for Bloomberg View by H2 Gambling Capital. (It’s expected to drop further as accounts expire at the end of the year.) And the U.S. share of the global market has declined from 49 percent in 2006 to a paltry 7 percent today.
Which is a shame: The benefits of regulated online gambling, for American budgets and businesses, are substantial. Senator Jay Rockefeller, a Democrat of West Virginia, has said that regulating and taxing online gambling would yield budget savings of $41.8 billion over 10 years for the federal government, and $30 billion for states.
Not to mention that many of the offshore operators to which U.S. gamblers have turned in recent years are poorly regulated and possibly criminal -- witness the saga of Full Tilt Poker, a popular gambling site that the Justice Department recently alleged was running a $440 million “global Ponzi scheme” in which owners dipped into player accounts to enrich themselves.
Far better for the industry to be legalized in the U.S. and subject to uniform regulations that would prevent cheating, ensure operators are licensed, protect minors, enforce loss limits to mitigate excessive risk-taking, and require that taxes are collected and equitably shared among the states.
This approach would allow a transparent U.S. market in online gambling to grow, subject to strict and predictable regulation. And it would recognize that the future of the gambling industry -- just like the future of retail or entertainment -- will be online. That’s nothing to fear. It offers far better odds for success than a lottery ticket.
Oddly, most states, and the federal government, consider wagering online on a card game -- in a fair fight, against other players of varying skill -- a moral outrage.
A small but growing number of states are considering legalizing online poker within their borders, hoping to increase tax revenue. An intrastate approach may lead to useful innovations, but it would limit competition among gambling operators and restrict the available pool of customers for a given service to in-state players. It would also result in a crazy patchwork of regulation for an online activity that is inherently interstate.
To maximize the benefits of Internet gambling, and reduce its many dangers, federal legalization and regulation is the best option.
Current federal law is poorly conceived. In 2006 Congress ostensibly outlawed most online wagering under the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, an unclear and hurriedly assembled framework that for years left many players under the impression that online gambling was illegal but tolerated. It prevented businesses from knowingly accepting payments for “unlawful” gambling, but didn’t clearly define what was unlawful, or specifically address poker.
Then, in April 2011, the Justice Department indicted the founders of the three biggest poker sites open to U.S. players with money laundering and bank fraud, alleging that they were illegally disguising their gambling profits.
U.S. players have been abandoning Internet gambling ever since. The number of online U.S. poker accounts has declined from 2.03 million to about 490,000, according to a report prepared for Bloomberg View by H2 Gambling Capital. (It’s expected to drop further as accounts expire at the end of the year.) And the U.S. share of the global market has declined from 49 percent in 2006 to a paltry 7 percent today.
Which is a shame: The benefits of regulated online gambling, for American budgets and businesses, are substantial. Senator Jay Rockefeller, a Democrat of West Virginia, has said that regulating and taxing online gambling would yield budget savings of $41.8 billion over 10 years for the federal government, and $30 billion for states.
Not to mention that many of the offshore operators to which U.S. gamblers have turned in recent years are poorly regulated and possibly criminal -- witness the saga of Full Tilt Poker, a popular gambling site that the Justice Department recently alleged was running a $440 million “global Ponzi scheme” in which owners dipped into player accounts to enrich themselves.
Far better for the industry to be legalized in the U.S. and subject to uniform regulations that would prevent cheating, ensure operators are licensed, protect minors, enforce loss limits to mitigate excessive risk-taking, and require that taxes are collected and equitably shared among the states.
This approach would allow a transparent U.S. market in online gambling to grow, subject to strict and predictable regulation. And it would recognize that the future of the gambling industry -- just like the future of retail or entertainment -- will be online. That’s nothing to fear. It offers far better odds for success than a lottery ticket.
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2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
The wildly popular online poker room, Doyles Room, has recently been acquired by Americas CardRoom. The move comes hot on the heels of a restructuring of online poker operations across the USA. Following from the day of infamy - Black Friday - this is certainly a positive development in the online poker realm. Doyles Room was founded and inspired by 10-time WSOP champion Doyle Brunson. Players at Doyles Room will be able to enjoy uninterrupted access to the site during and after the transitional period.
About Americas CardRoom
Founded in 2001, Americas CardRoom works hard to impress its global player base with all manner of exciting games and topnotch bonus offers. As one of the very first online poker rooms, Americas CardRoom is universally revered and features prominently in player gaming circles. This poker room has undergone restructuring and has recently re-entered the online poker market to acquire skins to become a leading world player once again. Doyles Room now features an upgraded poker platform which has struck a chord with players the world over.
Top Promotions Remain in Effect at Doyles Room
Players at DoylesRoom needn't be concerned about being abandoned or having their favourite promotional offers retracted. Top promos such as the $50k Rake Race in October are ongoing as are day-to-day activities. Americas CardRoom will now have access to affiliate and player databases, along with the Doyles Room gaming software, player liability and poker staff. The upside to this acquisition will immediately be felt in areas such as better incentives, bigger paydays and more exciting promotions.
Nifty November Specials!
Americas CardRoom is pulling out the stops to showcase the $65k Rake Race from November 1st 2011. Featured along with the November contest is the all-new poker series: Americas CardRoom Online Super Series. A much more rewarding loyalty program is also now available to players.
About Americas CardRoom
Founded in 2001, Americas CardRoom works hard to impress its global player base with all manner of exciting games and topnotch bonus offers. As one of the very first online poker rooms, Americas CardRoom is universally revered and features prominently in player gaming circles. This poker room has undergone restructuring and has recently re-entered the online poker market to acquire skins to become a leading world player once again. Doyles Room now features an upgraded poker platform which has struck a chord with players the world over.
Top Promotions Remain in Effect at Doyles Room
Players at DoylesRoom needn't be concerned about being abandoned or having their favourite promotional offers retracted. Top promos such as the $50k Rake Race in October are ongoing as are day-to-day activities. Americas CardRoom will now have access to affiliate and player databases, along with the Doyles Room gaming software, player liability and poker staff. The upside to this acquisition will immediately be felt in areas such as better incentives, bigger paydays and more exciting promotions.
Nifty November Specials!
Americas CardRoom is pulling out the stops to showcase the $65k Rake Race from November 1st 2011. Featured along with the November contest is the all-new poker series: Americas CardRoom Online Super Series. A much more rewarding loyalty program is also now available to players.
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Simon Cowell's X Factor 2011 in the UK may be in trouble due to low viewer numbers and largely boring acts, but the US version of the popular television singing competition is proving a big success so far.
Bodog sports betting group is offering betting odds on the winner of the US X Factor 2011 now that it has reached its live acts stage.
The all-out favourite to win the competition, according to the US X Factor odds at Bodog, is Melanie Amaro, with odds of 9/2.
Amaro just made it back into the competition after an exception was made, whereby Cowell could put forward five instead of four of his favourite girl acts for the live shows.
Amaro was initially told that she was going home, but Cowell made a special trip from his home in France to the United States to let Amaro know in person that she would be given a second chance, and that she was back in the show.
"I was very happy that Simon did go back and rethink Melanie, because I thought she was really fantastic in the auditions," said judge L.A. Reid, who is mentoring the boys. "However it works out, I think so far it's working out for the better."
Cowell also picked Drew Ryniewicz, Rachel Crow, Tiah Tolliver and Simone Battle for the live shows.
Ryniewic and Crow are tied in second to win the US X Factor with odds of 7/1 at Bodog, while Simone Battle and Tiah Tolliver are tied at 15/1 to come out tops.
When asked if he would have chosen the original four girls that Simon picked, LA Reid said: "I have a very different taste than Simon so I may have made some different choices. However, Simon is incredible and the most experienced guy at what we're doing here at X Factor. I'm here to learn and watch and see what he does."
Simon Cowell Betting Favourite at Bodog
Other US X Factor odds at Bodog have Simon Cowell as the betting favourite in terms of the judge whose performer will ultimately win the competition.
The fact that three out of the five singers Simon is mentoring are already hot favourites at Bodog and other betting sites to win the competition, supports his favourite status with odds of 6/5.
In the same category, LA Reid is second favourite on 2/1, followed by Nicole Scherzinger at 4/1 and finally Paula Abdul at 5/1.
US X Factor 2011 Winner Odds:
Amaro - 9/2
Ryniewicz - 7/1
Crow - 7/1
Stacy Francis - 8/1
Chris Rene - 9/1
Marcus Canty - 9/1
Simone Battle - 15/1
Tiah Tolliver - 15/1
Phillip Lomax - 18/1
Brian Bradley - 20/1
The Brewer Boys - 20/1
Lakoda Rayne - 20/1
InTENsity - 25/1
The Stereo Hogz - 25/1
LeRoy Bell - 30/1
Dexter Haygood - 35/1
Bodog Sportsbook
:dirol
Bodog sports betting group is offering betting odds on the winner of the US X Factor 2011 now that it has reached its live acts stage.
The all-out favourite to win the competition, according to the US X Factor odds at Bodog, is Melanie Amaro, with odds of 9/2.
Amaro just made it back into the competition after an exception was made, whereby Cowell could put forward five instead of four of his favourite girl acts for the live shows.
Amaro was initially told that she was going home, but Cowell made a special trip from his home in France to the United States to let Amaro know in person that she would be given a second chance, and that she was back in the show.
"I was very happy that Simon did go back and rethink Melanie, because I thought she was really fantastic in the auditions," said judge L.A. Reid, who is mentoring the boys. "However it works out, I think so far it's working out for the better."
Cowell also picked Drew Ryniewicz, Rachel Crow, Tiah Tolliver and Simone Battle for the live shows.
Ryniewic and Crow are tied in second to win the US X Factor with odds of 7/1 at Bodog, while Simone Battle and Tiah Tolliver are tied at 15/1 to come out tops.
When asked if he would have chosen the original four girls that Simon picked, LA Reid said: "I have a very different taste than Simon so I may have made some different choices. However, Simon is incredible and the most experienced guy at what we're doing here at X Factor. I'm here to learn and watch and see what he does."
Simon Cowell Betting Favourite at Bodog
Other US X Factor odds at Bodog have Simon Cowell as the betting favourite in terms of the judge whose performer will ultimately win the competition.
The fact that three out of the five singers Simon is mentoring are already hot favourites at Bodog and other betting sites to win the competition, supports his favourite status with odds of 6/5.
In the same category, LA Reid is second favourite on 2/1, followed by Nicole Scherzinger at 4/1 and finally Paula Abdul at 5/1.
US X Factor 2011 Winner Odds:
Amaro - 9/2
Ryniewicz - 7/1
Crow - 7/1
Stacy Francis - 8/1
Chris Rene - 9/1
Marcus Canty - 9/1
Simone Battle - 15/1
Tiah Tolliver - 15/1
Phillip Lomax - 18/1
Brian Bradley - 20/1
The Brewer Boys - 20/1
Lakoda Rayne - 20/1
InTENsity - 25/1
The Stereo Hogz - 25/1
LeRoy Bell - 30/1
Dexter Haygood - 35/1
Bodog Sportsbook
:dirol
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2006/12/07
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The Chairman of the Poker Players Alliance, Alfonse D’Amato has been asked to act as a witness in this week’s hearing scheduled by the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade. The hearing, which will be held on Tuesday, will be entitled “Internet Gaming: Is there a Safe Bet?” and will focus on online gambling in the United States in general. It will not focus specifically on an online poker bill calling for the legalization and regulation of internet poker in the United States, introduced by Rep. Joe Barton.
The executive director of the Poker Players Alliance, John Pappas said: “I think there are different stakeholders who not necessarily on board with Barton’s bill and would like to have a general discussion on how internet poker can be regulated.”
“It will be a learning opportunity for the committee members to get their heads around an issue without confusing specific legislation,” he added. “We think it will be good for building momentum.”
Former state senator, Alfonse D’Amato will discuss the importance of federal legislation pertaining to online poker so as to ensure that players’ funds are always kept safe. In addition, he will emphasize the importance of fairness of games.
Pappas said that, given the House subcommittee’s interest in player protection, it is only appropriate that someone from the Poker Players Alliance testifies. “It’s certainly a big moment for the organization and we’re very excited that D’Amato has been invited,” he said.
Barton’s bill will probably not be marked up in this particular hearing, and another hearing will need to be held for that purpose.
The executive director of the Poker Players Alliance, John Pappas said: “I think there are different stakeholders who not necessarily on board with Barton’s bill and would like to have a general discussion on how internet poker can be regulated.”
“It will be a learning opportunity for the committee members to get their heads around an issue without confusing specific legislation,” he added. “We think it will be good for building momentum.”
Former state senator, Alfonse D’Amato will discuss the importance of federal legislation pertaining to online poker so as to ensure that players’ funds are always kept safe. In addition, he will emphasize the importance of fairness of games.
Pappas said that, given the House subcommittee’s interest in player protection, it is only appropriate that someone from the Poker Players Alliance testifies. “It’s certainly a big moment for the organization and we’re very excited that D’Amato has been invited,” he said.
Barton’s bill will probably not be marked up in this particular hearing, and another hearing will need to be held for that purpose.
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2006/12/07
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The governor of Maryland has asked Congress to remove the proposed bills to legalize online poker from the federal agenda because he believes online gaming would destroy Maryland’s state lottery.
Governor Martin O’Malley sent a letter to Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash, and Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas, of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, explaining his position on the online poker legislation. Murray and Hensarling co-chair the congressional “supercommittee” that is searching for additional revenue to trim approximately $1.5 trillion in federal debt.
“Such proposals would diminish significant sources of revenue for the states when we have already had to endure significant revenue reductions,” O’Malley wrote in the letter.
Many politicians and gaming industry insiders believe the 12 members of the supercommittee may take a look at regulating online poker to establish a new tax revenue that would greatly reduce budget deficits.
Two bills proposing legalization of online poker are currently in Congress and the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade will hold a hearing entitled “Internet Gaming: Is There a Safe Bet?” on Tuesday. One of the proposed bills, H.R.2366, introduced by Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, allows for individual states to opt-out of federal gaming regulations if they so choose.
O’Malley said that federalizing online poker would hurt revenues of individual states and threaten economic recovery in the U.S.
“Historically, states have had the right to make their own decisions about whether to offer gambling and how to regulate the industry,” O’Malley said. “These proposals would strip states of those rights.”
Maryland’s lottery generates $519 million every year, fourth-largest producer of revenue for the state. The lottery has been legal in the Old Line State since 1972. Six casinos offering only slot machines were legalized in 2008.
“(Internet poker) would also jeopardize the dollars for K-12 public education, community colleges, and four-year colleges and universities that are generated by new slots locations in our state,” O’Malley said.
Several readers of an internet public forum expressed outrage at some of the comments made by O’Malley. Many have stated that poker is a game of skill and lottery is sheer luck and that poker players are, by and far, not lottery players. Therefore, revenue from poker and lottery would come from two seperate “pools” of people, so to speak. Another reader’s comment suggested that if what O’Malley says is true, then lottery sales would have skyrocketed following the poker shutdown on Black Friday.
Governor Martin O’Malley sent a letter to Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash, and Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas, of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, explaining his position on the online poker legislation. Murray and Hensarling co-chair the congressional “supercommittee” that is searching for additional revenue to trim approximately $1.5 trillion in federal debt.
“Such proposals would diminish significant sources of revenue for the states when we have already had to endure significant revenue reductions,” O’Malley wrote in the letter.
Many politicians and gaming industry insiders believe the 12 members of the supercommittee may take a look at regulating online poker to establish a new tax revenue that would greatly reduce budget deficits.
Two bills proposing legalization of online poker are currently in Congress and the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade will hold a hearing entitled “Internet Gaming: Is There a Safe Bet?” on Tuesday. One of the proposed bills, H.R.2366, introduced by Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, allows for individual states to opt-out of federal gaming regulations if they so choose.
O’Malley said that federalizing online poker would hurt revenues of individual states and threaten economic recovery in the U.S.
“Historically, states have had the right to make their own decisions about whether to offer gambling and how to regulate the industry,” O’Malley said. “These proposals would strip states of those rights.”
Maryland’s lottery generates $519 million every year, fourth-largest producer of revenue for the state. The lottery has been legal in the Old Line State since 1972. Six casinos offering only slot machines were legalized in 2008.
“(Internet poker) would also jeopardize the dollars for K-12 public education, community colleges, and four-year colleges and universities that are generated by new slots locations in our state,” O’Malley said.
Several readers of an internet public forum expressed outrage at some of the comments made by O’Malley. Many have stated that poker is a game of skill and lottery is sheer luck and that poker players are, by and far, not lottery players. Therefore, revenue from poker and lottery would come from two seperate “pools” of people, so to speak. Another reader’s comment suggested that if what O’Malley says is true, then lottery sales would have skyrocketed following the poker shutdown on Black Friday.
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2006/12/07
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“Yes, it is reasonable that legislative action could happen this year,” said Poker Players Alliance Executive Director John Pappas. “While the current bills before Congress may not be the ultimate vehicles, I do believe that there is momentum building for a regulatory bill to pass this year.”
In March of this year, Representative John Campbell (R-CA) introduced H.R.1174, the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act. The bill was basically a resubmission of two earlier bills proposed by Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA). H.R.1174′s sponsors claim it would license and regulate internet gaming while providing safeguards for consumers and much-needed revenue.
The bill was referred to the House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security a few months later, with no further developments reported. H.R.1174 currently has 29 sponsors.
In June, Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX), introduced H.R.2366, known as the Internet Gambling Prohibition, Poker Consumer Protection, and Strengthening UIGEA Act of 2011. Barton’s bill focuses on the legalization of online poker as a federal statute and includes working with various states and Indian tribes and allowing states to opt-out if they should so request. Barton’s bill gained five sponsors in the last 60 days and now has 25 sponsors.
When asked about any positive movement on H.R.2366, a spokesperson for Barton was encouraged. “The legislative process sometimes moves slow, but we are making steady progress on this bill and I expect that to continue,” said Sean Brown, Barton’s press contact.
PPA executives are also encouraged by the fact that two separate bills have a chance to be acted upon by lawmakers. Although Barton’s bill has gained a bit more steam as of late, neither bill should be counted out.
“To be clear, the PPA supports consideration of internet poker licensing in any bill Congress will consider this year,” Pappas said. “Any day past today is too long for the poker community to wait for a safe and regulated marketplace.”
The subcommittee hearing on Tuesday will focus on the topic “Internet Gaming: Is There a Safe Bet?” PPA Chairman Alfonse D’Amato is scheduled to testify on issues of consumer safety in the poker industry. Many problems were uncovered after Full Tilt Poker’s operating license was revoked amid allegations of fraud, money laundering, insolvency and lack of segregated funds for players.
While the pending bills and upcoming hearing are good news for online poker regarding future regulation, legislation and the freedom to play online poker games once again, many in the poker community remain skeptical. Tuesday’s subcommittee hearing will hopefully shine more light on the issue. We will keep you informed and publish the outcome in our latest poker news.
In March of this year, Representative John Campbell (R-CA) introduced H.R.1174, the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act. The bill was basically a resubmission of two earlier bills proposed by Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA). H.R.1174′s sponsors claim it would license and regulate internet gaming while providing safeguards for consumers and much-needed revenue.
The bill was referred to the House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security a few months later, with no further developments reported. H.R.1174 currently has 29 sponsors.
In June, Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX), introduced H.R.2366, known as the Internet Gambling Prohibition, Poker Consumer Protection, and Strengthening UIGEA Act of 2011. Barton’s bill focuses on the legalization of online poker as a federal statute and includes working with various states and Indian tribes and allowing states to opt-out if they should so request. Barton’s bill gained five sponsors in the last 60 days and now has 25 sponsors.
When asked about any positive movement on H.R.2366, a spokesperson for Barton was encouraged. “The legislative process sometimes moves slow, but we are making steady progress on this bill and I expect that to continue,” said Sean Brown, Barton’s press contact.
PPA executives are also encouraged by the fact that two separate bills have a chance to be acted upon by lawmakers. Although Barton’s bill has gained a bit more steam as of late, neither bill should be counted out.
“To be clear, the PPA supports consideration of internet poker licensing in any bill Congress will consider this year,” Pappas said. “Any day past today is too long for the poker community to wait for a safe and regulated marketplace.”
The subcommittee hearing on Tuesday will focus on the topic “Internet Gaming: Is There a Safe Bet?” PPA Chairman Alfonse D’Amato is scheduled to testify on issues of consumer safety in the poker industry. Many problems were uncovered after Full Tilt Poker’s operating license was revoked amid allegations of fraud, money laundering, insolvency and lack of segregated funds for players.
While the pending bills and upcoming hearing are good news for online poker regarding future regulation, legislation and the freedom to play online poker games once again, many in the poker community remain skeptical. Tuesday’s subcommittee hearing will hopefully shine more light on the issue. We will keep you informed and publish the outcome in our latest poker news.
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2006/12/07
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Just days after announcing its acquisition of US-friendly poker site DoylesRoom and promising significant investment in the community, Americas Cardroom is putting its money where its mouth is. The online poker site has announced that it will be launching an online poker super series of its own this November. Dubbed ACROSS, the Americas Cardroom Online Super Series will run for six days in late November.
ACROSS will feature 19 hold’em and Omaha events, spread out over six days, with $150,000 in guaranteed prize money. The series, which culminates in a $50k guaranteed main event, will feature at least three major tournaments per day.
Also planned for the series are a number of promotions, including a contest that awards free tournament seats to the top 10 players to cash in the series; a $1k freeroll seat for every player who cashes more than once in the series; and a frequent player points award for each player who finishes a tournament on the bubble.
Americas Cardroom announced a super satellite on October 23rd guaranteeing 10 packages worth $3,500 a piece for the 2011 Punta Cana Poker Classic. And during November, Americas Cardroom will introduce a $65,000 points race that rewards the top place with $7,500 cash.
Full details on Americas Cardroom’s current promotions are available at AmericasCardroom
ACROSS will feature 19 hold’em and Omaha events, spread out over six days, with $150,000 in guaranteed prize money. The series, which culminates in a $50k guaranteed main event, will feature at least three major tournaments per day.
Also planned for the series are a number of promotions, including a contest that awards free tournament seats to the top 10 players to cash in the series; a $1k freeroll seat for every player who cashes more than once in the series; and a frequent player points award for each player who finishes a tournament on the bubble.
Americas Cardroom announced a super satellite on October 23rd guaranteeing 10 packages worth $3,500 a piece for the 2011 Punta Cana Poker Classic. And during November, Americas Cardroom will introduce a $65,000 points race that rewards the top place with $7,500 cash.
Full details on Americas Cardroom’s current promotions are available at AmericasCardroom
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2006/12/07
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Canadian-poker reports that this year’s World Series of Poker Europe events are looking more like live versions of online poker matches than ever before. This week Canadian player Michael Watson, better known as “SirWatts” at many high-stakes online poker competitions, took second place to American Tristan Wade – also better known as “Cre8ive,” his online poker handle. The final table was studded with big online poker names, from Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier of Team PokerStars to Taylor "ambiguosity" Paur, known for his dominance at Full Tilt Poker pre-Black Friday.
888 Poker player Matan Krakow went into the first event of the WSOPE strong, eventually succumbing to Guillaume Humbert, another online poker player – both of them beating Phil Hellmuth, one of the greatest live poker players on the planet.
“The WSOPE is proving that online poker players are young, they’re sharp, and they have infinitely more experience than more ‘veteran’ players did at their age,” explained Canadian-poker spokesperson Leon Daniels. “Young people have the advantage of using technology and the opportunities presented by online poker are turning it into a real career.”
“888 Poker is known as ‘the’ place where new poker champions are born, and Canada is a big part of the action as 888 launched its land-based tournaments club in Canada. 888 already sponsors Tyler Bonkowski, one of Canada’s rising poker superstars, and I believe that following the legal charges faced by PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and Ultimate Bet Poker, many of Canada’s biggest players will follow in his footsteps, joining large companies like 888, Party Poker or bwin.” If you’re interested In playing at 888, or in applying for their land based tournaments register through here: 888Poker - Special bonuses for Canadian players.
Bwin Poker, Daniels continued, has been attracting its own share of Canadian online poker players recently as more and more people choose sites with established, stable companies standing behind them. “Due to this increased flow of new Canadian players, it’s only a matter of time before bwin catches on, as 888 has, and begins to sponsor more and more local players and tournaments.”
888 Poker player Matan Krakow went into the first event of the WSOPE strong, eventually succumbing to Guillaume Humbert, another online poker player – both of them beating Phil Hellmuth, one of the greatest live poker players on the planet.
“The WSOPE is proving that online poker players are young, they’re sharp, and they have infinitely more experience than more ‘veteran’ players did at their age,” explained Canadian-poker spokesperson Leon Daniels. “Young people have the advantage of using technology and the opportunities presented by online poker are turning it into a real career.”
“888 Poker is known as ‘the’ place where new poker champions are born, and Canada is a big part of the action as 888 launched its land-based tournaments club in Canada. 888 already sponsors Tyler Bonkowski, one of Canada’s rising poker superstars, and I believe that following the legal charges faced by PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and Ultimate Bet Poker, many of Canada’s biggest players will follow in his footsteps, joining large companies like 888, Party Poker or bwin.” If you’re interested In playing at 888, or in applying for their land based tournaments register through here: 888Poker - Special bonuses for Canadian players.
Bwin Poker, Daniels continued, has been attracting its own share of Canadian online poker players recently as more and more people choose sites with established, stable companies standing behind them. “Due to this increased flow of new Canadian players, it’s only a matter of time before bwin catches on, as 888 has, and begins to sponsor more and more local players and tournaments.”
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We don’t usually cover the poker table games on casino floors, but there’s no question the games are super popular and make casinos a lot more money than their traditional poker rooms.
And now they’ve produced a million dollar jackpot winner.
Caesars Entertainment recently introduced a Three Card Poker 6 Card Bonus™ at its three-card poker tables. Basically, to win the $1 million jackpot, you have to hit a six-card super royal (to the nine). And it has to be in diamonds.
I know what you’re saying. How can you get a six-card hand in three-card poker? Simple, you combine your three cards with the dealer’s three cards. This scheme actually pays for lesser hands (see below), but the six-card diamond royal wins the $1 million.
You also have to make all the bets, including pair plus, and kick in on the six card bet. So at a $5 minimum that’s $15.
I have to admit, when I heard about this I thought it would never hit. But just as the 38 Special bad beat jackpot hit at the Trop, the six-card diamond flush came out for a player Sunday evening (Oct. 23) at Harrah’s Resort and the million was paid out.
Once again, a secret agent won and chose not to be identified.
Caesars Entertainment only introduced this promotion at its Atlantic City properties on Sept. 26, so it didn’t even take a month to hit.
Here’s some of the rules on the game from Caesars:
To be eligible to make the 6 Card Bonus $1 million wager a player must place an ante wager and a Pair Plus wager based on the posted table minimums. The 6 Card Bonus wager is offered at $5-$100 with odds paid on all hands of 3-of-a-kind or better, except for the $100,000 and $1 million Super Royal hands, which are fixed payouts (see pay table below).
6 Card Bonus Hand
Payout
6-Card Super Royal – Diamonds
$1,000,000
6-Card Super Royal – Hearts
$100,000
6-Card Super Royal – Spades
$100,000
6-Card Super Royal – Clubs
$100,000
5-Card Royal Flush
1000 to 1
5-Card Straight Flush
200 to 1
Four of a Kind
50 to 1
Full House
20 to 1
5-Card Flush
15 to 1
5-Card Straight
10 to 1
Three of a Kind
5 to 1
A player can win $1 million from a $15 total bet on the three different bets if playing at a $5 minimum game. Anticipating the popularity of the game, each of Caesars Entertainment’s resorts has added additional Three Card Poker 6 Card Bonus tables. Caesars Atlantic City now has 12 tables, Harrah’s Resort 14, Bally’s 16, and Showboat nine.
And now they’ve produced a million dollar jackpot winner.
Caesars Entertainment recently introduced a Three Card Poker 6 Card Bonus™ at its three-card poker tables. Basically, to win the $1 million jackpot, you have to hit a six-card super royal (to the nine). And it has to be in diamonds.
I know what you’re saying. How can you get a six-card hand in three-card poker? Simple, you combine your three cards with the dealer’s three cards. This scheme actually pays for lesser hands (see below), but the six-card diamond royal wins the $1 million.
You also have to make all the bets, including pair plus, and kick in on the six card bet. So at a $5 minimum that’s $15.
I have to admit, when I heard about this I thought it would never hit. But just as the 38 Special bad beat jackpot hit at the Trop, the six-card diamond flush came out for a player Sunday evening (Oct. 23) at Harrah’s Resort and the million was paid out.
Once again, a secret agent won and chose not to be identified.
Caesars Entertainment only introduced this promotion at its Atlantic City properties on Sept. 26, so it didn’t even take a month to hit.
Here’s some of the rules on the game from Caesars:
To be eligible to make the 6 Card Bonus $1 million wager a player must place an ante wager and a Pair Plus wager based on the posted table minimums. The 6 Card Bonus wager is offered at $5-$100 with odds paid on all hands of 3-of-a-kind or better, except for the $100,000 and $1 million Super Royal hands, which are fixed payouts (see pay table below).
6 Card Bonus Hand
Payout
6-Card Super Royal – Diamonds
$1,000,000
6-Card Super Royal – Hearts
$100,000
6-Card Super Royal – Spades
$100,000
6-Card Super Royal – Clubs
$100,000
5-Card Royal Flush
1000 to 1
5-Card Straight Flush
200 to 1
Four of a Kind
50 to 1
Full House
20 to 1
5-Card Flush
15 to 1
5-Card Straight
10 to 1
Three of a Kind
5 to 1
A player can win $1 million from a $15 total bet on the three different bets if playing at a $5 minimum game. Anticipating the popularity of the game, each of Caesars Entertainment’s resorts has added additional Three Card Poker 6 Card Bonus tables. Caesars Atlantic City now has 12 tables, Harrah’s Resort 14, Bally’s 16, and Showboat nine.
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2006/12/07
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The partnership coincides with support of legalization of internet gambling by several states, including New Jersey, the home base of Trump Entertainment and its casino licenses. Americans wager approximately $6 billion every year with offshore gaming sites. State authorities facing huge budget deficits and casino companies seeking new sources of revenue look at the amount of dollars wagered by U.S. players and want to get a piece of the action.
“It’s just a matter of time,” said Ivanka Trump, Donald’s daughter, executive vice president of development and acquisitions for the Trump Organization, which is the parent company of her father’s real estate holdings. “It would be a tremendous source of taxable revenue for states or the federal government and an enormous generator of jobs.”
The joint venture agreement was filed Oct. 14 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and prevents the three parties involved to compete against each other by possibly joining in other investment ventures through May of 2012.
Trump Entertainment, coming out of July 2010 bankruptcy reorganization, said in the SEC filing that “the most advantageous way” to enter online gaming “at minimal cost” to the parties would be through the joint venture. “One or more other qualified parties” may also be added as investors, the filing also said.
Ivanka Trump said that the partnership agreement would enable the three main investors to become the largest internet gaming company when legalization is enacted in the U.S. With Trump Entertainment having the necessary licensing, Lasry’s company would be responsible for the capital and Donald Trump would attach his well-known name to the deal.
“In terms of the internet, brand is essential toward attracting players,” the 29-year-old Ivanka said. “The Trump brand would be the most powerful one in this space.”
Establishing an internet gambling site requires a significant amount of capital, said Richard “Skip” Bronson, the chairman of U.S. Digital Gaming Inc., a California-based company known for creating technology software for online wagering. The financial burden is not so costly in actually creating a site. It is the marketing costs associated with establishing name recognition in the industry and persuading people to sign up and play that requires the capital.
“The question is how will you get people to come to the site,” Bronson said. “It takes unique promotions and significant marketing spend.”
The online poker industry was dealt a blow earlier this year when the U.S. Department of Justice filed lawsuits against PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and Absolute Poker/Ultimatebet, the three largest online poker sites, alleging that the trio attempted to avoid a 2006 federal statute barring banks and financial institutions from facilitating payments to gambling websites that were in offshore locations. The triumvirate dominated the U.S. online poker market even though all were based outside of the U.S.
After the filing of the legal charges, Caesars Entertainment Corp. and MGM Resorts International, two Las Vegas casino companies with substantial interests in live poker, funded FairPlayUSA, a group whose purpose is to advocate the legalization and regulation of internet poker. FairPlayUsa, whose board of directors include Tom Ridge, former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and former FBI Director Louis Freeh, are pushing for revisions to the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), enacted in 2006.
At least six states have proposed bills pending that are tied to the regulation of online gambling, Bronson said, and six to 10 more are conducting studies on the issue. Bronson predicts that internet gaming legislation will progress similar to the patterns of state lottery laws, which saw New Hampshire become the first state to legalize the lottery in 1964. Playing the lottery is now permitted in 43 states.
“There will be a domino effect, the same way lotteries started in the 1960s,” Bronson said. Under the UIGEA 2006 statute, online poker sites operating in states where internet betting is legal could accept wagers placed only within those regulated states.
Lasry, a successful investor specializing in distressed debt, took control of Trump Entertainment in 2010 along with a bondholder group when a judge in bankruptcy court ruled that the Lasry group’s bid was more beneficial than other competing bids. Lasry’s winning bondholder group proposed to lessen the casino company’s debt by approximately $1.4 billion and to invest an additional $225 million.
Under the approved plan, Avenue Capital received approximately a 22% share in Trump Entertainment by trading the casino company’s lessened-value bonds for stock and buying additional shares by way of a rights offering. Trump eventually joined Lasry’s bondholder group after his competing bid with another billionaire, Andy Beal, obtained a 10% share of the company for the privilege of using the Trump name.
Trump got started in the casino industry in 1984 with Trump Plaza, but was forced to default on $675 million worth of junk bonds in 1990 from his own Taj Mahal casino and was left no other option but to declare bankruptcy. Following bankruptcy reorganization, in 1995 Trump took his company public as the well-known Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts Inc.
In 2004, Trump Hotels & Casino was again seeking protection in bankruptcy court. When the bankruptcy proceedings were finalized in 2005, Trump stepped aside as CEO, but did retain his title as chairman. The company then renamed itself Trump Entertainment Resorts.
The casino company filed for bankruptcy a third ti