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Mohegan Sun is going to start using a Bally Technologies iGaming system to offer poker games through the Wilkes-Barre casino and the Mohegan Sun casino websites. he games, which should be live early next year, demonstrate another step the casino industry is taking as preparation for legislation on online poker.
Mario Kontomerkos, the Chief Financial Officer of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, said that “that’s really why we’re doing this. If enabling legislation occurs, we can flip the switch.”
Since last December’s announcement that the US Department of Justice reversed its ban on most internet betting, hopes have been raised that legislation on internet poker will arrive soon.
According to legal experts, the new interpretation of the law allows states to legalise and regulate online gambling within their borders.
This prompted Nevada to become the first state to issue online gaming licenses, the first went to Bally and International Game Technology. It is also expected that MGM Resorts International will receive a Nevada license within the coming weeks.
It is thought that if Congress regulates online poker within the next year then revenue growth will increase to as much as $17 billion a year by 2018. However, unfortunately very few experts think that federal legislation will happen this coming year.
Casinos Prepare for Online Poker Legislation - Online Casino Archives
Mario Kontomerkos, the Chief Financial Officer of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, said that “that’s really why we’re doing this. If enabling legislation occurs, we can flip the switch.”
Since last December’s announcement that the US Department of Justice reversed its ban on most internet betting, hopes have been raised that legislation on internet poker will arrive soon.
According to legal experts, the new interpretation of the law allows states to legalise and regulate online gambling within their borders.
This prompted Nevada to become the first state to issue online gaming licenses, the first went to Bally and International Game Technology. It is also expected that MGM Resorts International will receive a Nevada license within the coming weeks.
It is thought that if Congress regulates online poker within the next year then revenue growth will increase to as much as $17 billion a year by 2018. However, unfortunately very few experts think that federal legislation will happen this coming year.
Casinos Prepare for Online Poker Legislation - Online Casino Archives
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2006/12/07
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Several victories in key races in Tuesday’s election are seen as beneficial to the prospects of federal online poker legislation in the U.S.
President Barack Obama has four more years in the White House. Although his administration has been neutral on the Internet poker issue, Mitt Romney and the Republican Party platform were opposed to online poker. The GOP had intentions of prohibiting online gambling and seeking a reversal of the DoJ’s December 2011 ruling on the Wire Act that has prompted states such as Nevada and Delaware to enact various forms of Internet gambling regulations.
Sen. Harry Reid retained majority leadership in the Senate and Democrats gained greater control, taking a 55-45 advantage following tabulations of American voters. Republicans retained control in the House of Representatives. That included Dean Heller’s narrow victory over Shelley Berkley. Although both Heller and Berkley are online poker advocates, Heller has been quite influential in drumming up Republican support for the much-publicized Reid-Kyl bill. Many observers are of the mind that passage of an online poker bill during the lame-duck session will have no chance of happening without Heller’s lobbying efforts.
Heller is confident that despite a recent public spat with Reid, he and his Nevada colleague can put the past behind them with the goal of passing Reid’s measure. Prior to the election, Heller told the LVRJ, "I have no doubt when this race is over, Senator Reid and I will sit down and say, ‘OK, we got this behind us, now let’s work together and get this [Reid-Kyl bill] done.’ And I have no doubt that it needs to get done by the end of the year."
The pieces are now in place for the poker bill to be introduced in Congress. However, although it may be a big deal to poker players, the Reid-Kyl bill is not such a big deal in Washington. In that regard, the measure most likely must be attached to another, more extensive bill to be passed into law. Industry experts believe that the choices are somewhat limited in which to attach a bill such as that drafted by Reid and the retiring Jon Kyl. However, the possibility does still exist and the odds would have been much less had Tuesday’s elections turned out differently.
Election Results Positive for Online Poker
President Barack Obama has four more years in the White House. Although his administration has been neutral on the Internet poker issue, Mitt Romney and the Republican Party platform were opposed to online poker. The GOP had intentions of prohibiting online gambling and seeking a reversal of the DoJ’s December 2011 ruling on the Wire Act that has prompted states such as Nevada and Delaware to enact various forms of Internet gambling regulations.
Sen. Harry Reid retained majority leadership in the Senate and Democrats gained greater control, taking a 55-45 advantage following tabulations of American voters. Republicans retained control in the House of Representatives. That included Dean Heller’s narrow victory over Shelley Berkley. Although both Heller and Berkley are online poker advocates, Heller has been quite influential in drumming up Republican support for the much-publicized Reid-Kyl bill. Many observers are of the mind that passage of an online poker bill during the lame-duck session will have no chance of happening without Heller’s lobbying efforts.
Heller is confident that despite a recent public spat with Reid, he and his Nevada colleague can put the past behind them with the goal of passing Reid’s measure. Prior to the election, Heller told the LVRJ, "I have no doubt when this race is over, Senator Reid and I will sit down and say, ‘OK, we got this behind us, now let’s work together and get this [Reid-Kyl bill] done.’ And I have no doubt that it needs to get done by the end of the year."
The pieces are now in place for the poker bill to be introduced in Congress. However, although it may be a big deal to poker players, the Reid-Kyl bill is not such a big deal in Washington. In that regard, the measure most likely must be attached to another, more extensive bill to be passed into law. Industry experts believe that the choices are somewhat limited in which to attach a bill such as that drafted by Reid and the retiring Jon Kyl. However, the possibility does still exist and the odds would have been much less had Tuesday’s elections turned out differently.
Election Results Positive for Online Poker
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The final table of the PokerStars UKIPT Online event was played out yesterday at the Gala Casino in Bristol and its champion crowned. That champion was Wojtek Barzantny who defeated British online poker legend Chris “Moorman1” Moorman after a four-hour long heads-up battle.
The eight-handed final started with just seven players after Russia’s Sregey Sergeevich could not secure a visa in time to attend the finale so he was deemed to have been eliminated and everyone moved up a rung on the pay ladder. This mean each of the seven final table members would leave Bristol with at least £9,425.25 for their efforts.
Read more: Wojtek Barzantny Wins UKIPT Online Title; Chris Moorman Finishes As Runner-Up | PokerNews
The eight-handed final started with just seven players after Russia’s Sregey Sergeevich could not secure a visa in time to attend the finale so he was deemed to have been eliminated and everyone moved up a rung on the pay ladder. This mean each of the seven final table members would leave Bristol with at least £9,425.25 for their efforts.
Read more: Wojtek Barzantny Wins UKIPT Online Title; Chris Moorman Finishes As Runner-Up | PokerNews
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On Tuesday Full Tilt Poker reopened its virtual doors and finally millions of poker players across the globe could re-access their accounts and winnings, and continue playing real money online poker. The re-launch has been eagerly awaited by poker enthusiasts who have been missing Full Tilt’s innovative software, game design and appeal to many of the world’s best poker players.
As part of the re-launch celebrations there are loads of promotions running such as $250,000 in freerolls and $300,000 in FTOPS tickets.
There is also a ‘Happy Hour’ promotion which gives players the chance to earn double player points and every player will be receiving a minimum $200 ‘Deal Me In’ bonus.
Sarne Lightman, the Head of Marketing, said that “Full Tilt Poker is back and better than ever”. He said that they are “bringing back to the players everything they loved about the site”.
Full Tilt is now a sister site to PokerStars which means that players can now easily transfer cash between the two sites and play in a huge selection of games, tournaments and take advantage of the promotions which appeal to them the most.
The joining of the two sites has resulted in the largest collection of online poker players in the world.
Loads of Promotions at the Full Tilt Poker Re-launch - Online Casino Archives
As part of the re-launch celebrations there are loads of promotions running such as $250,000 in freerolls and $300,000 in FTOPS tickets.
There is also a ‘Happy Hour’ promotion which gives players the chance to earn double player points and every player will be receiving a minimum $200 ‘Deal Me In’ bonus.
Sarne Lightman, the Head of Marketing, said that “Full Tilt Poker is back and better than ever”. He said that they are “bringing back to the players everything they loved about the site”.
Full Tilt is now a sister site to PokerStars which means that players can now easily transfer cash between the two sites and play in a huge selection of games, tournaments and take advantage of the promotions which appeal to them the most.
The joining of the two sites has resulted in the largest collection of online poker players in the world.
Loads of Promotions at the Full Tilt Poker Re-launch - Online Casino Archives
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2006/12/07
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Betsson plc has struck a deal with Microgaming to join its poker network in the wake of the imminent closure of the Entraction/IGT poker network.
Henric Andersson, product director at Betsson Group, said “The MPN is one of the world’s most established online poker networks; naturally we are delighted to be joining the MPN. At Betsson-com, we strive to create the finest gaming experience for our players and we are confident that by adding the MPN to our offering, we will deliver an exceptional experience to all of our poker players.”
Microgaming has benefited recently closure of the Entraction Network having hoovered up operators such as BetVictor, PAF, and iGame Malta.
Lydia Melton, Head of Network Games at Microgaming, said, “We are thrilled to have Betsson-com join the Microgaming Poker Network. The MPN has undergone a transformation this year, and we are delighted that our efforts have resulted in the signing of such major operators.
“We look forward to working closely with Betsson-com on the MPN and in the Network Management Board over the coming years.”
The company said it expected more online poker operators to join soon.
Betsson Joins Microgaming Poker Network - European Poker News
Henric Andersson, product director at Betsson Group, said “The MPN is one of the world’s most established online poker networks; naturally we are delighted to be joining the MPN. At Betsson-com, we strive to create the finest gaming experience for our players and we are confident that by adding the MPN to our offering, we will deliver an exceptional experience to all of our poker players.”
Microgaming has benefited recently closure of the Entraction Network having hoovered up operators such as BetVictor, PAF, and iGame Malta.
Lydia Melton, Head of Network Games at Microgaming, said, “We are thrilled to have Betsson-com join the Microgaming Poker Network. The MPN has undergone a transformation this year, and we are delighted that our efforts have resulted in the signing of such major operators.
“We look forward to working closely with Betsson-com on the MPN and in the Network Management Board over the coming years.”
The company said it expected more online poker operators to join soon.
Betsson Joins Microgaming Poker Network - European Poker News
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2006/12/07
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Heads up poker players Intertops has its $300 Reload Bonus on offer once again and right now if you deposit now get a 50% bonus up to a massive $300! Your bonus is available for a limited time only. Simply make a deposit now using the reload code: RE22
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The bonus is paid out in $5 increments up to a maximum of $300 and is automatically credited to your account.
How to claim your 50% Reload Bonus worth up to $300:
Log in to the Intertops poker client and click on ‘Cashier’ to choose your deposit option
Make your deposit and click the ‘Bonus Code’ button
Enter the Reload Bonus code RE22 and click the ‘Redeem Bonus’ button
If you need assistance, please click the ‘Live Help’ button.
Bonus: 50% up to $300
Bonus Code: RE22
Valid: From 2012-11-09 to 2012-11-12
The bonus is paid out in $5 increments up to a maximum of $300 and is automatically credited to your account.
How to claim your 50% Reload Bonus worth up to $300:
Log in to the Intertops poker client and click on ‘Cashier’ to choose your deposit option
Make your deposit and click the ‘Bonus Code’ button
Enter the Reload Bonus code RE22 and click the ‘Redeem Bonus’ button
If you need assistance, please click the ‘Live Help’ button.
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2006/12/07
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Sky Poker is the very best place to enjoy some online poker. Start playing now for an opportunity to win tournament tokens.
Do you love playing online poker but don't have a very big budget? Well why not enjoy some exciting Free Poker at Sky Poker. You can even win some fantastic monthly bonuses!
If you play enough free hands during the calendar month, you will get a chance to earn some tournament tokens. For example, play 20 hands in a month and you will be given a £1.10 tournament token, or play 50 hands and you will get a £2.20 tournament token. You don't even need to make a deposit to participate in this promotion or to use your prize!
This promotion is also open to newly registered, as well as existing customers. All tokens will be credited within five working days following the end of the previous month.
To use the tournament tokens that you have earned playing on free tables, you will need to have a fully registered account. This includes this includes having a registered credit/debit card in order for Sky Poker to carry out its customer verification process.
Players can only be awarded one poker token every month and it can only be redeemed once. Your token will expire in seven days from when it was granted, so be sure to use it in one of the many fantastic tournaments available at Sky Poker.
Finally, if you have a buy-in to a tournament that is less than the value of your token, you will not be refunded the difference of the buy-in. All Sky Poker tournament terms and conditions apply.
So even if you have a small budget for poker, you can still enjoy some fantastic matches and tournaments with Sky Poker. Simply register for an account now and you will have access to so competitive free poker!
Read more here: Sky Poker: The Best Place to Play Free Poker - PR Newswire - The Sacramento Bee
Do you love playing online poker but don't have a very big budget? Well why not enjoy some exciting Free Poker at Sky Poker. You can even win some fantastic monthly bonuses!
If you play enough free hands during the calendar month, you will get a chance to earn some tournament tokens. For example, play 20 hands in a month and you will be given a £1.10 tournament token, or play 50 hands and you will get a £2.20 tournament token. You don't even need to make a deposit to participate in this promotion or to use your prize!
This promotion is also open to newly registered, as well as existing customers. All tokens will be credited within five working days following the end of the previous month.
To use the tournament tokens that you have earned playing on free tables, you will need to have a fully registered account. This includes this includes having a registered credit/debit card in order for Sky Poker to carry out its customer verification process.
Players can only be awarded one poker token every month and it can only be redeemed once. Your token will expire in seven days from when it was granted, so be sure to use it in one of the many fantastic tournaments available at Sky Poker.
Finally, if you have a buy-in to a tournament that is less than the value of your token, you will not be refunded the difference of the buy-in. All Sky Poker tournament terms and conditions apply.
So even if you have a small budget for poker, you can still enjoy some fantastic matches and tournaments with Sky Poker. Simply register for an account now and you will have access to so competitive free poker!
Read more here: Sky Poker: The Best Place to Play Free Poker - PR Newswire - The Sacramento Bee
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2006/12/07
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Time is Getting Closer
There was a lot of hype concerning an online gaming bill that was first mentioned in early July by senators Harry Reid and Jon Kyl. When the senate, big casino and online gaming owners and avocates showed up in August to discuss the inter-workings and the possibilities of creating licensed online gaming sites from within the U.S. (intrastate), there was much to discuss about the whole subject. As time went on, the senate decided to push the decision and oversight of The Internet Gambling Prohibition, Poker Consumer Protection and Strengthening UIGEA Act of 2012 until after the Presidential Elections in November.
As we all know, and it being November already, the elections ended recently with the re-election of President Obama. It is now a tense time for all of the casino owners, especially those from Las Vegas, as they may be the most affected by this bill. However, the casino owners within the U.S. will not be the only ones affected by this bill. We have all heard of, or at least should know that most of the online poker websites that allow U.S. poker players to participate through their websites and software hold gaming licenses in Antigua and Barbuda and/or Kahnawake.
What the Gambling Bill State?
The reason there is a current up-roar, by the casino owners and by the small Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda is due to the specific portions of the online gaming bill that could hinder their main revenue stream. The bill, which was made specifically to update the 1961 Wire Act and the 1970 Illegal Gambling Business Act, mainly prohibits most forms of online gaming. The problem is not what they make illegal, it is the exceptions they make and the further consequences of what those exceptions will bring.
The main exceptions are for off-track horse-racing wagering, online lottery tickets, and the main subject for today, licensed poker. If this bill were to pass, it does not automatically mean that every person in the U.S. will be able to play poker online. Each individual state would need to opt in to the law and agree to the regulatory framework. The bill goes further on, stating that any U.S. player that engages in illegal sites could make any property or winnings used during the transaction to be subject to forfeiture. They have determined that in order for a poker site to be legal, it will have to be operated and headquartered within the U.S.; it may go further and make it happen individually for each state.
That is where the nation of Antigua and Barbuda is going to be hit the worst. Seeing as the bill will make any unlicensed or even licensed online gaming website that is operated and headquartered outside of the U.S., illegal. Antigua generates about $1 billion annual GDP from licensing and operating these gaming websites, so if the bill is passed, they would be cut from their main revenue stream.
What the bill means for the Players and the U.S.
The Internet Gambling Prohibition, Poker Consumer Protection and Strengthening UIGEA Act of 2012 is truly a revolutionary bill that could change how the U.S. and each state within deals with the insurgence of online poker sites. This would mean a much more open market for poker websites to operate in.
The players themselves would benefit greatly from this bill, seeing as how at the moment playing poker online is a grey area in most states. They would be able to, if their state opts into the law, play poker online without any fear of reprisals and the added comfort of knowing that the website is being operated and headquartered from within the state. This will not only be able to generate more revenue for the current poker sites, but will also help the states generate revenue as well.
Look forward to the coming month, as it could change how the U.S. deals with online gaming and online poker.
Legal Online Poker in the US? Poker Bill Update!
There was a lot of hype concerning an online gaming bill that was first mentioned in early July by senators Harry Reid and Jon Kyl. When the senate, big casino and online gaming owners and avocates showed up in August to discuss the inter-workings and the possibilities of creating licensed online gaming sites from within the U.S. (intrastate), there was much to discuss about the whole subject. As time went on, the senate decided to push the decision and oversight of The Internet Gambling Prohibition, Poker Consumer Protection and Strengthening UIGEA Act of 2012 until after the Presidential Elections in November.
As we all know, and it being November already, the elections ended recently with the re-election of President Obama. It is now a tense time for all of the casino owners, especially those from Las Vegas, as they may be the most affected by this bill. However, the casino owners within the U.S. will not be the only ones affected by this bill. We have all heard of, or at least should know that most of the online poker websites that allow U.S. poker players to participate through their websites and software hold gaming licenses in Antigua and Barbuda and/or Kahnawake.
What the Gambling Bill State?
The reason there is a current up-roar, by the casino owners and by the small Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda is due to the specific portions of the online gaming bill that could hinder their main revenue stream. The bill, which was made specifically to update the 1961 Wire Act and the 1970 Illegal Gambling Business Act, mainly prohibits most forms of online gaming. The problem is not what they make illegal, it is the exceptions they make and the further consequences of what those exceptions will bring.
The main exceptions are for off-track horse-racing wagering, online lottery tickets, and the main subject for today, licensed poker. If this bill were to pass, it does not automatically mean that every person in the U.S. will be able to play poker online. Each individual state would need to opt in to the law and agree to the regulatory framework. The bill goes further on, stating that any U.S. player that engages in illegal sites could make any property or winnings used during the transaction to be subject to forfeiture. They have determined that in order for a poker site to be legal, it will have to be operated and headquartered within the U.S.; it may go further and make it happen individually for each state.
That is where the nation of Antigua and Barbuda is going to be hit the worst. Seeing as the bill will make any unlicensed or even licensed online gaming website that is operated and headquartered outside of the U.S., illegal. Antigua generates about $1 billion annual GDP from licensing and operating these gaming websites, so if the bill is passed, they would be cut from their main revenue stream.
What the bill means for the Players and the U.S.
The Internet Gambling Prohibition, Poker Consumer Protection and Strengthening UIGEA Act of 2012 is truly a revolutionary bill that could change how the U.S. and each state within deals with the insurgence of online poker sites. This would mean a much more open market for poker websites to operate in.
The players themselves would benefit greatly from this bill, seeing as how at the moment playing poker online is a grey area in most states. They would be able to, if their state opts into the law, play poker online without any fear of reprisals and the added comfort of knowing that the website is being operated and headquartered from within the state. This will not only be able to generate more revenue for the current poker sites, but will also help the states generate revenue as well.
Look forward to the coming month, as it could change how the U.S. deals with online gaming and online poker.
Legal Online Poker in the US? Poker Bill Update!
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2006/12/07
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29893
Bovada is excited to announce the release of our new 3D slots games powered by Betsoft.
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To celebrate this exciting news, we have launched our new promo “3D Discovery” with TONS of prizes to be won!
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Be sure to visit Bovada Casino and begin your very own 3D discovery. Strap yourself in and hang on for the ride – choose your adventure and start playing.
Best Regards,
ixgames
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2006/12/07
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The BetVictor Club free-play poker league for November is well underway and with 11 days gone the leaderboard is really hotting up with Bulgaria setting the pace in the form of “gladius1” and “liohorolls77” in first and second with “b1ZonA” and “drakorete” in fourth in fifth respectively.
“GIOMiXXV” from Suriname is sandwiched inbetween in third but very close to the pace while Sweden, the UK, Ireland, Romania and Bulgaria make up the rest of the leaderboard. Bulgarian Poker Players Set Pace At BetVictor Club - European Poker News
“GIOMiXXV” from Suriname is sandwiched inbetween in third but very close to the pace while Sweden, the UK, Ireland, Romania and Bulgaria make up the rest of the leaderboard. Bulgarian Poker Players Set Pace At BetVictor Club - European Poker News
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International Game Technology does not expect much progress towards legal online poker in the United States in the next year, but its chief executive said a recently acquired social gaming firm that could help kickstart its online betting operations is growing faster than expected.
Nevada and Delaware are the only U.S. states that have legalized online gambling but several others are considering it, after the Justice Department ruled last year that only online betting on sporting contests was unlawful. "We don't expect legislation in the U.S. to move significantly in the next 12 months," Patti Hart, CEO of the casino games maker, said in an interview.
Whether or not federal legislation passes in the next year, a majority of officials polled in an American Gaming Association survey released October envision the U.S. market growing to $10 billion or more over the next several years, from about $4 billion in unauthorized gambling in 2011.
DoubleDown, one of the biggest providers of games on Facebook, was acquired by IGT in January, in a deal that could total $500 million including milestone payments.
The business offers free-to-play online games such as poker, blackjack and slot games. It generates revenue through the sale of virtual gaming chips rather than from customers betting with real money, which is prohibited across most of the country.
"(DoubleDown is) way ahead of plan, meaningfully contributing to revenue, EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization), and cash flow in the company," Hart said.
DoubleDown had revenue of $35.8 million for its fourth quarter ended September 30, a 20 percent rise from the third quarter.
"(IGT's gaming license is) for people who reside in Nevada, so the pool of potential players is not significant enough," Hart said.
A proposed federal bill, which would legalize online poker and off-track horse wagers but bar most other types of internet gambling, has been criticized for limiting the ability of states to regulate this inside their borders.
MGM Resorts International Ltd CEO Jim Murren told Reuters in October that at least a dozen states were discussing the creation of a viable interactive gambling market.
"We've been slowed down by the legislative process, there's no question about it," said Hart, who left Yahoo Inc's board earlier this year amid the fallout from the resignation of the internet company's CEO Scott Thompson.
"Our reaction was to find a way to extend a gaming experience to the public that is not really encumbered by the legislative process and that's what we've done (with DoubleDown)," Hart said.
"The online gaming environment looks social for an extended period of time in the United States," she added.
Online poker stuck in U.S. red tape, but social gaming growing | Reuters
Nevada and Delaware are the only U.S. states that have legalized online gambling but several others are considering it, after the Justice Department ruled last year that only online betting on sporting contests was unlawful. "We don't expect legislation in the U.S. to move significantly in the next 12 months," Patti Hart, CEO of the casino games maker, said in an interview.
Whether or not federal legislation passes in the next year, a majority of officials polled in an American Gaming Association survey released October envision the U.S. market growing to $10 billion or more over the next several years, from about $4 billion in unauthorized gambling in 2011.
DoubleDown, one of the biggest providers of games on Facebook, was acquired by IGT in January, in a deal that could total $500 million including milestone payments.
The business offers free-to-play online games such as poker, blackjack and slot games. It generates revenue through the sale of virtual gaming chips rather than from customers betting with real money, which is prohibited across most of the country.
"(DoubleDown is) way ahead of plan, meaningfully contributing to revenue, EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization), and cash flow in the company," Hart said.
DoubleDown had revenue of $35.8 million for its fourth quarter ended September 30, a 20 percent rise from the third quarter.
"(IGT's gaming license is) for people who reside in Nevada, so the pool of potential players is not significant enough," Hart said.
A proposed federal bill, which would legalize online poker and off-track horse wagers but bar most other types of internet gambling, has been criticized for limiting the ability of states to regulate this inside their borders.
MGM Resorts International Ltd CEO Jim Murren told Reuters in October that at least a dozen states were discussing the creation of a viable interactive gambling market.
"We've been slowed down by the legislative process, there's no question about it," said Hart, who left Yahoo Inc's board earlier this year amid the fallout from the resignation of the internet company's CEO Scott Thompson.
"Our reaction was to find a way to extend a gaming experience to the public that is not really encumbered by the legislative process and that's what we've done (with DoubleDown)," Hart said.
"The online gaming environment looks social for an extended period of time in the United States," she added.
Online poker stuck in U.S. red tape, but social gaming growing | Reuters
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2006/12/07
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Industry observers believe that if a federal online poker bill is passed during the lame duck session, its best chances are as a rider to the fiscal cliff bill.
With the elections almost a week behind us, the entire poker community is anxiously waiting to see if the Reid-Kyl poker bill will be introduced and somehow passed through the lame duck session of Congress. The chances of Senators Harry Reid and the retiring Jon Kyl’s proposal gaining support as a stand-alone bill are virtually non-existent. The best shot at enacting the Gambling Prohibition, Poker Consumer Protection and Strengthening UIGEA Act of 2012 is as an attachment to some other must-pass legislation. Many view that legislation to be the fiscal cliff bill.
The fiscal cliff refers to spending cuts and scheduled tax increases that are set to become effective in January. It is the top issue that the Obama administration and lawmakers will be considering during the Congressional session that will expire at year’s end. Analysts are of the mind that the U.S. economy is on the right track and that failure to act prior to the new year may bring about another recession in 2013.
To that end, President Obama has indicated his willingness to sign the fiscal cliff bill, as he recently told supporters, "I’ve got the pen. I’m ready to sign the bill right away. I’m ready to do it." Of course, much more negotiation and compromise will be required among lawmakers in Congress before Obama gets to use his pen.
While online poker is not a priority in Washington, many are hoping that Reid and Sen. Dean Heller can muster enough support to get the Internet poker measure tacked onto the fiscal cliff bill much in the same way that the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) rode along on the SAFE Port Act signed into law by President Bush in 2006.
However, there is considerable opposition to the Reid-Kyl bill as its currently written. Several individual states such as New Jersey and Delaware are against the bill, citing the proposal’s language that is seemingly slanted in Nevada’s favor. Many Indian tribes are also not too pleased with the provision that allows tribes to participate only if the state in which they reside opts in. And most recently, the National Governors Association and various lottery associations have spoken out against the bill.
Nevada Senators Reid and Heller do have their work cut out for them in attempting to legalize online poker in the remaining 1 and 1/2 months of 2012. Opinions are mixed on whether or not they can be successful, with some industry insiders hinting that the prospects are not very promising at all. However, the success will depend upon the bill riding on the coattails of another bill such as the fiscal cliff.
Online Poker Bill Hinges on Rider to Fiscal Cliff
With the elections almost a week behind us, the entire poker community is anxiously waiting to see if the Reid-Kyl poker bill will be introduced and somehow passed through the lame duck session of Congress. The chances of Senators Harry Reid and the retiring Jon Kyl’s proposal gaining support as a stand-alone bill are virtually non-existent. The best shot at enacting the Gambling Prohibition, Poker Consumer Protection and Strengthening UIGEA Act of 2012 is as an attachment to some other must-pass legislation. Many view that legislation to be the fiscal cliff bill.
The fiscal cliff refers to spending cuts and scheduled tax increases that are set to become effective in January. It is the top issue that the Obama administration and lawmakers will be considering during the Congressional session that will expire at year’s end. Analysts are of the mind that the U.S. economy is on the right track and that failure to act prior to the new year may bring about another recession in 2013.
To that end, President Obama has indicated his willingness to sign the fiscal cliff bill, as he recently told supporters, "I’ve got the pen. I’m ready to sign the bill right away. I’m ready to do it." Of course, much more negotiation and compromise will be required among lawmakers in Congress before Obama gets to use his pen.
While online poker is not a priority in Washington, many are hoping that Reid and Sen. Dean Heller can muster enough support to get the Internet poker measure tacked onto the fiscal cliff bill much in the same way that the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) rode along on the SAFE Port Act signed into law by President Bush in 2006.
However, there is considerable opposition to the Reid-Kyl bill as its currently written. Several individual states such as New Jersey and Delaware are against the bill, citing the proposal’s language that is seemingly slanted in Nevada’s favor. Many Indian tribes are also not too pleased with the provision that allows tribes to participate only if the state in which they reside opts in. And most recently, the National Governors Association and various lottery associations have spoken out against the bill.
Nevada Senators Reid and Heller do have their work cut out for them in attempting to legalize online poker in the remaining 1 and 1/2 months of 2012. Opinions are mixed on whether or not they can be successful, with some industry insiders hinting that the prospects are not very promising at all. However, the success will depend upon the bill riding on the coattails of another bill such as the fiscal cliff.
Online Poker Bill Hinges on Rider to Fiscal Cliff
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Almost everybody is interested in discussing the US presidential elections, which will be held in November. While poker players are interested in the political part of it, they cannot resist speculating if chances of legalization and regulation of online poker at the federal level are better with Barack Obama at the helm or under the leadership of Mitt Romney, Obama’s Republican counterpart. Nobody can deny that US online poker legalization did not progress even an inch with Barack Obama at the helm for the past four years. Under these circumstances, one may predict that the US online poker industry stands a much better chance of being legalized and regulated if the US public votes Mitt Romney into power. After all, Obama has done nothing much for the US online poker industry.
Currently, the Poker Consumer Protection and Strengthening UIGEA Act of 2012 that was proposed by Senators Jon Kyl of Arizona and Harry Reid of Nevada, is on the table. The bill is not without its opponents, and if it has to be successful, Reid will have to continue being the senate majority leader. And if Reid is to continue being the senate majority leader, the democrats have to continue controlling the chamber of Congress during the upcoming presidential elections. If the Republicans gain control over the chamber of Congress, Reid will continue holding his post of senate majority leader during the lame duck session, during which the bill’s chances of being passed are highest. Simultaneously, it must be borne in mind that Reid would lose a lot of his control if the Republicans knew that they would definitely control the chamber of Congress.
Needless to say, the above-mentioned poker bill requires a lot of Republican support, and one of the strongest advocates of this bill is Republican Senator Dean Heller, a resident of Nevada. At the same time, Heller can do nothing much if he fails to get re-elected. To put it in a nutshell, the successful implementation of this bill is dependant on a number of political factors.
Even if the bill does make it to the lame duck session, the chances of it getting passed are still not high because not everybody is in favor of this bill although a number of associations and individuals are waiting for online poker to get legalized at the federal level. Meanwhile, several US states are moving ahead with state wise legalization and regulation of online gaming.
Where Does US Online Poker Stand Now in the Political Scenario?
Currently, the Poker Consumer Protection and Strengthening UIGEA Act of 2012 that was proposed by Senators Jon Kyl of Arizona and Harry Reid of Nevada, is on the table. The bill is not without its opponents, and if it has to be successful, Reid will have to continue being the senate majority leader. And if Reid is to continue being the senate majority leader, the democrats have to continue controlling the chamber of Congress during the upcoming presidential elections. If the Republicans gain control over the chamber of Congress, Reid will continue holding his post of senate majority leader during the lame duck session, during which the bill’s chances of being passed are highest. Simultaneously, it must be borne in mind that Reid would lose a lot of his control if the Republicans knew that they would definitely control the chamber of Congress.
Needless to say, the above-mentioned poker bill requires a lot of Republican support, and one of the strongest advocates of this bill is Republican Senator Dean Heller, a resident of Nevada. At the same time, Heller can do nothing much if he fails to get re-elected. To put it in a nutshell, the successful implementation of this bill is dependant on a number of political factors.
Even if the bill does make it to the lame duck session, the chances of it getting passed are still not high because not everybody is in favor of this bill although a number of associations and individuals are waiting for online poker to get legalized at the federal level. Meanwhile, several US states are moving ahead with state wise legalization and regulation of online gaming.
Where Does US Online Poker Stand Now in the Political Scenario?
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The Chief Executive Officer of International Game Technology (IGT), Patti Hart gave an interview this week where she made her predictions about the online poker and gambling landscape in the United States. According to Hart, we shouldn’t expect to see much progress in online poker in the coming year, especially on a federal level. “We don’t expect legislation in the U.S. to move significantly in the next 12 months,” said Hart.
IGT has, in the meantime, taken advantage of changes in the laws of individual states who are legalizing online gambling slowly but surely. The group was recently awarded a license to operate online poker in Nevada. “IGT’s gaming license is for people who reside in Nevada, so the pool of potential players is not significant enough,” said Hart.
Yet, despite a lack in progress in terms of legalization, the American Gaming Association recently showed that the US online gambling market should grow from the $4 billion it was worth in 2011 to over $10 billion over the next couple of years.
In order to tap in to the potential of this huge market, IGT recently purchased Double Down, one of the biggest providers of social games on Facebook. IGT has such faith in the potential of the social gaming market as a way to kick start its entry into online gambling operations when they become legalized in the United States, that it paid $500 million for DoubleDown.
“We’ve been slowed down by the legislative process, there’s no question about it,” said Hart. “Our reaction was to find a way to extend a gaming experience to the public that is not really encumbered by the legislative process and that’s what we’ve done with DoubleDown.”
“The online gaming environment looks social for an extended period of time in the United States,” she added.
IGT CEO Comments on Internet Poker in US
IGT has, in the meantime, taken advantage of changes in the laws of individual states who are legalizing online gambling slowly but surely. The group was recently awarded a license to operate online poker in Nevada. “IGT’s gaming license is for people who reside in Nevada, so the pool of potential players is not significant enough,” said Hart.
Yet, despite a lack in progress in terms of legalization, the American Gaming Association recently showed that the US online gambling market should grow from the $4 billion it was worth in 2011 to over $10 billion over the next couple of years.
In order to tap in to the potential of this huge market, IGT recently purchased Double Down, one of the biggest providers of social games on Facebook. IGT has such faith in the potential of the social gaming market as a way to kick start its entry into online gambling operations when they become legalized in the United States, that it paid $500 million for DoubleDown.
“We’ve been slowed down by the legislative process, there’s no question about it,” said Hart. “Our reaction was to find a way to extend a gaming experience to the public that is not really encumbered by the legislative process and that’s what we’ve done with DoubleDown.”
“The online gaming environment looks social for an extended period of time in the United States,” she added.
IGT CEO Comments on Internet Poker in US
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Fears that the launch of Full Tilt would cannibalize PokerStars’ existing player base have thus far proved unfounded. PokerScout estimates that 400,000 former Full Tilt players have been added back to the global poker market in the first week of the site’s relaunch.
Of the 8,500 average daily cash game players on Full Tilt, only a quarter appear to have been poached from other sites. A first day average player count of 8,900 fell 10% by Sunday but was still only 1,000 players below its pre-shutdown levels. PokerStars, PartyPoker, and iPoker lost on average just 5% of their cash game players to the new Full Tilt.
If Full Tilt can maintain these numbers its number two slot is secure. iPoker and bwin.party each have less than half this level of traffic and there is little prospect of either of them doubling up short of making some transformative changes.
Full Tilt’s immediate success has not been universally predicted. The decision to end affiliate marketing and the totem 27% restricted rakeback deal changed the site’s business model. In their place comes aggressive marketing and a recreational player model which offers lower VIP benefits than are available on the main PokerStars-com site.
The introductory offers will soon end, the novelty factor will wear off and Full Tilt will have to stand on its own two feet. Whether it will grow, shrink or stagnate will come clear with time, however, assuming this initial success continues, PokerStars will have an asset in Full Tilt worth much, much more than the $731m it paid the DOJ.
Full Tilt Relaunch Boosts Worldwide Online Poker Traffic 10% | Pokerfuse Online Poker News
Of the 8,500 average daily cash game players on Full Tilt, only a quarter appear to have been poached from other sites. A first day average player count of 8,900 fell 10% by Sunday but was still only 1,000 players below its pre-shutdown levels. PokerStars, PartyPoker, and iPoker lost on average just 5% of their cash game players to the new Full Tilt.
If Full Tilt can maintain these numbers its number two slot is secure. iPoker and bwin.party each have less than half this level of traffic and there is little prospect of either of them doubling up short of making some transformative changes.
Full Tilt’s immediate success has not been universally predicted. The decision to end affiliate marketing and the totem 27% restricted rakeback deal changed the site’s business model. In their place comes aggressive marketing and a recreational player model which offers lower VIP benefits than are available on the main PokerStars-com site.
The introductory offers will soon end, the novelty factor will wear off and Full Tilt will have to stand on its own two feet. Whether it will grow, shrink or stagnate will come clear with time, however, assuming this initial success continues, PokerStars will have an asset in Full Tilt worth much, much more than the $731m it paid the DOJ.
Full Tilt Relaunch Boosts Worldwide Online Poker Traffic 10% | Pokerfuse Online Poker News
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The enormous international online gaming website, Bodog, has temporarily shut down their UK operations. They have done so since the beginning of October, 2012, and they have a specific purpose for turning down their current customers from these websites (the European friendly sites). The huge company has taken drastic measures and has decided to stop providing online poker services on the UK website; leaving Bovada.lv, their U.S. website and their Canadian counterpart Bodog.ca, still up and running as strong as ever. Bodog will be pulling out of Europe very soon, leaving that market to open and expand in the Asian market, more specifically trying to get the 90 million Vietnamese players looking for a place to gamble online.
It seems Bodog is trying to boost and improve their online casino by creating a much better experience for their members with Live Dealers. These live dealers will be added to the website by the time they re-launch during the summer of 2013. The Bodog Group has stated that they will be focusing more on the Asian market with improvements on their online casino and sportsbook sections. They will be primarily focusing on creating more traditional casino games and sports betting experience, which will be aimed to ex-patriots from Asian countries that live around the world.
It is not all bad news for the UK members, as they have their Asian aimed website still up and running; Bodog88. It would seem that Bodog88 will still have their current services being offered, including their online poker games, so anyone that would want to play poker using Bodog, they can register on the website; however, there are a few exceptions as players from the U.S., Hong Kong, and the Philippines cannot join. With their current expansion project, Bodog will be attempting to enter the Philippines through TLC88-com, a Philippines-based website with a good grasp of the current market.
Bodog Poker Working its way to Asia
With their fast and improving expansion into the Asian market, as well as aiming their effort to ex-patriots in Asian countries, Bodog is trying to get its online poker services into Vietnam and the Philippines. Their efforts recently came to fruition after making deals with TLC88, the already Asian based poker network, although they also did launched their online poker services for the Asian market through their Bodog88 website. It could not have come at a better time either, with Bodog celebrating its 18th anniversary.
BodogBrand have brought about many different changes to their poker software, and have added plenty of cool features to increase the players’ experience while playing at any of the tables. With their updated software, players will be able to find new tournament formats, which include Omaha, Shootout, Knockout, Heads Up, and many different types of tournaments. During these fast-paced poker games, players will be able to experience multi-tabling at its finest, as Bodog allows their members to play at a total of 20 different tables at the same time. This is great for those players looking for quick paced games and tournaments to test their skills. They have even updated their tables to include Anonymous Tables. These tables are perfect for those players that want a fresh start, so players that sit at these tables are on an equal playing field.
With these new features and perks on their improved poker software, gambling players from the newly expanded Vietnam will be able to play to their hearts content. Bodog has been under much scrutiny by their European members (obviously), as they are withdrawing from those countries and focusing on the Asia market, but it is not as bad as it sounds for the company. The Bodog management did a smart move, being able to open up the forgotten Asian market, starting with Vietnam and their potential 90 million players. This may lead to other online casino and poker sites following in their footsteps, and leaving the European market open for newer sites, but, with Bodog’s expertise, and head-start, they might just become a dominant player in the Eastern Continent.
www-4flush-com/casino-news/bodog-aiming-to-revamp-their-casino-in-asia/10761
It seems Bodog is trying to boost and improve their online casino by creating a much better experience for their members with Live Dealers. These live dealers will be added to the website by the time they re-launch during the summer of 2013. The Bodog Group has stated that they will be focusing more on the Asian market with improvements on their online casino and sportsbook sections. They will be primarily focusing on creating more traditional casino games and sports betting experience, which will be aimed to ex-patriots from Asian countries that live around the world.
It is not all bad news for the UK members, as they have their Asian aimed website still up and running; Bodog88. It would seem that Bodog88 will still have their current services being offered, including their online poker games, so anyone that would want to play poker using Bodog, they can register on the website; however, there are a few exceptions as players from the U.S., Hong Kong, and the Philippines cannot join. With their current expansion project, Bodog will be attempting to enter the Philippines through TLC88-com, a Philippines-based website with a good grasp of the current market.
Bodog Poker Working its way to Asia
With their fast and improving expansion into the Asian market, as well as aiming their effort to ex-patriots in Asian countries, Bodog is trying to get its online poker services into Vietnam and the Philippines. Their efforts recently came to fruition after making deals with TLC88, the already Asian based poker network, although they also did launched their online poker services for the Asian market through their Bodog88 website. It could not have come at a better time either, with Bodog celebrating its 18th anniversary.
BodogBrand have brought about many different changes to their poker software, and have added plenty of cool features to increase the players’ experience while playing at any of the tables. With their updated software, players will be able to find new tournament formats, which include Omaha, Shootout, Knockout, Heads Up, and many different types of tournaments. During these fast-paced poker games, players will be able to experience multi-tabling at its finest, as Bodog allows their members to play at a total of 20 different tables at the same time. This is great for those players looking for quick paced games and tournaments to test their skills. They have even updated their tables to include Anonymous Tables. These tables are perfect for those players that want a fresh start, so players that sit at these tables are on an equal playing field.
With these new features and perks on their improved poker software, gambling players from the newly expanded Vietnam will be able to play to their hearts content. Bodog has been under much scrutiny by their European members (obviously), as they are withdrawing from those countries and focusing on the Asia market, but it is not as bad as it sounds for the company. The Bodog management did a smart move, being able to open up the forgotten Asian market, starting with Vietnam and their potential 90 million players. This may lead to other online casino and poker sites following in their footsteps, and leaving the European market open for newer sites, but, with Bodog’s expertise, and head-start, they might just become a dominant player in the Eastern Continent.
www-4flush-com/casino-news/bodog-aiming-to-revamp-their-casino-in-asia/10761
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CalShark, the play-money site created by the now-defunct California Online Poker Association (COPA), has closed its virtual doors.
CalShark’s demise was expected after COPA collapsed in October, spurred by the unexpected pullout of two of its most influential members, the Morongo and San Manuel bands of Mission Indians. The collective known as COPA represented 31 tribes and more than two dozen smaller California card rooms.
COPA reached an agreement with Playtech to provide the CalShark-com platform to California players, as part of COPA’s preparations for a possible California online-poker legislative initiative.
However, Californians hopes for an intrastate online poker network collapsed earlier this fall due to political in-fighting, including a demand for tribal exclusivity made by COPA itself.
CalShark-com, like COPA itself, has allowed its internet domain to expire with no advance fanfare. Site members were sent a brief e-mail acknowledging the site’s closure:
To our loyal and cherished players:
We hope you have enjoyed the competition and state-of-the-art experience offered by CalShark-com, which has consistently provided players with the thrill of playing live poker on their personal computers. CalShark-com was launched by the California Online Poker Association (COPA) and dedicated to providing players with the highest-quality play-for-free experience available online. Our goal was to seamlessly transition CalShark-com to live, real-money play after online poker was legalized in California.
Unfortunately, despite more than three years of effort, the State Legislature has not acted on Internet poker legislation and COPA has decided to dissolve. As a result, CalShark.Com will be closing immediately. COPA and the staff at CalShark-com deeply appreciate your support, and we hope you enjoyed your time on our site. If the situation changes, we’ll let you know. Meanwhile, we hope you will continue to encourage Calif. Senators Rod Wright and Darrell Steinberg to pass a bill that will allow California’s trusted poker operators — tribal governments and licensed card clubs — to offer intrastate on-line poker in a way that protects the rights and interests of Californians who want to play poker on-line and also helps the State budget.
CalShark-com Shutters Play-Money Site | Pokerfuse Online Poker News
CalShark’s demise was expected after COPA collapsed in October, spurred by the unexpected pullout of two of its most influential members, the Morongo and San Manuel bands of Mission Indians. The collective known as COPA represented 31 tribes and more than two dozen smaller California card rooms.
COPA reached an agreement with Playtech to provide the CalShark-com platform to California players, as part of COPA’s preparations for a possible California online-poker legislative initiative.
However, Californians hopes for an intrastate online poker network collapsed earlier this fall due to political in-fighting, including a demand for tribal exclusivity made by COPA itself.
CalShark-com, like COPA itself, has allowed its internet domain to expire with no advance fanfare. Site members were sent a brief e-mail acknowledging the site’s closure:
To our loyal and cherished players:
We hope you have enjoyed the competition and state-of-the-art experience offered by CalShark-com, which has consistently provided players with the thrill of playing live poker on their personal computers. CalShark-com was launched by the California Online Poker Association (COPA) and dedicated to providing players with the highest-quality play-for-free experience available online. Our goal was to seamlessly transition CalShark-com to live, real-money play after online poker was legalized in California.
Unfortunately, despite more than three years of effort, the State Legislature has not acted on Internet poker legislation and COPA has decided to dissolve. As a result, CalShark.Com will be closing immediately. COPA and the staff at CalShark-com deeply appreciate your support, and we hope you enjoyed your time on our site. If the situation changes, we’ll let you know. Meanwhile, we hope you will continue to encourage Calif. Senators Rod Wright and Darrell Steinberg to pass a bill that will allow California’s trusted poker operators — tribal governments and licensed card clubs — to offer intrastate on-line poker in a way that protects the rights and interests of Californians who want to play poker on-line and also helps the State budget.
CalShark-com Shutters Play-Money Site | Pokerfuse Online Poker News
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Online poker is Spain has grown 35 percent since the introduction of the regulated market in June this year.
The market, as reported by JDigital a non-profit gaming association in the country, grew from €87.3 million spent by players in June to €130.7 million in September making poker a more popular online gaming option than casino and second behind sports betting.
Real money gaming saw the number of players registered almost double in the four month period to September 2012 when 700,000 people had set up accounts with regulated companies.
Online gambling operators in Sapin are taxed at levels up to and including 25 percent. Many market entrants such as Sportingbet, bwin and 888 had to pay significant back taxes to enable them to avail of new licences to operate in the country.
Online Poker Grows 35 Percent In Spain - European Poker News
The market, as reported by JDigital a non-profit gaming association in the country, grew from €87.3 million spent by players in June to €130.7 million in September making poker a more popular online gaming option than casino and second behind sports betting.
Real money gaming saw the number of players registered almost double in the four month period to September 2012 when 700,000 people had set up accounts with regulated companies.
Online gambling operators in Sapin are taxed at levels up to and including 25 percent. Many market entrants such as Sportingbet, bwin and 888 had to pay significant back taxes to enable them to avail of new licences to operate in the country.
Online Poker Grows 35 Percent In Spain - European Poker News
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Before Nate Silver’s political prediction prowess landed him a gig at the New York Times and guest spots on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, there was once a time when he largely relied on his abilities as a poker player to make ends meet.
After quitting a job as an economic consultant in 2004, the founder of the incredibly popular FiveThirtyEight political blog primarily played online poker to make money while also working on a system for forecasting the performance of Major League Baseball players for Baseball Prospectus.
After leaving Baseball, Silver founded his political blog in 2008 and correctly predicted the winner in 49 of 50 states in the 2008 Presidential Election. By the next year, Time Magazine had named him one of its 100 Most Influential People of 2009. That year, he played in the World Series of Poker main event. In 2011, he wrote about Black Friday on his blog on the New York Times website.
Now, in the wake of correctly predicting the winner in 50 of 50 states in the 2012 Presidential Election, Silver is riding a wave of popularity and using it to promote his political blogging and his new nonfiction book, The Signal and The Noise. On Wednesday, November 14th he did a Q&A session at popular sports blog Deadspin and the topic of Federal online poker regulation and its viability was brought up.
“My hunch is that the poker community probably underrates how difficult it is to get ANYTHING done at the federal level, especially in the near term,” said Silver. “But the intersection of the need for more tax revenues, poker having become increasingly mainstream, better lobbying efforts on behalf of the poker community, etc., bodes reasonably well in the medium-to-long term.”
“From a public policy standpoint, it’s ridiculous that so many states allow the lottery but not online poker,” Silver continued. “The demographics of poker tend much more toward people who can ‘afford’ to gamble.”
Silver went on to mention that his new book features some interviews with professional sports bettor and poker player Haralabos Voulgaris, who has three World Poker Tour final table finishes and years of high-stakes cash game experience.
“In the book, I talk to Bob Voulgaris, who is maybe the best sports bettor in the world. Super sharp. Works his butt off. He gets 57% of his NBA bets right, not more than that.”
With two years until the next midterm elections, Silver is looking to keep his blog, “…no more than about 50% politics in the off-years.” With more free time, and the upcoming launch of legalized poker in Nevada and a possible push at the Federal level by Senator Harry Reid and Senator Jon Kyl, Silver could be talking more poker in the near future.
Political Predictions Guru Nate Silver Talks Legalized Online Poker - Poker News
After quitting a job as an economic consultant in 2004, the founder of the incredibly popular FiveThirtyEight political blog primarily played online poker to make money while also working on a system for forecasting the performance of Major League Baseball players for Baseball Prospectus.
After leaving Baseball, Silver founded his political blog in 2008 and correctly predicted the winner in 49 of 50 states in the 2008 Presidential Election. By the next year, Time Magazine had named him one of its 100 Most Influential People of 2009. That year, he played in the World Series of Poker main event. In 2011, he wrote about Black Friday on his blog on the New York Times website.
Now, in the wake of correctly predicting the winner in 50 of 50 states in the 2012 Presidential Election, Silver is riding a wave of popularity and using it to promote his political blogging and his new nonfiction book, The Signal and The Noise. On Wednesday, November 14th he did a Q&A session at popular sports blog Deadspin and the topic of Federal online poker regulation and its viability was brought up.
“My hunch is that the poker community probably underrates how difficult it is to get ANYTHING done at the federal level, especially in the near term,” said Silver. “But the intersection of the need for more tax revenues, poker having become increasingly mainstream, better lobbying efforts on behalf of the poker community, etc., bodes reasonably well in the medium-to-long term.”
“From a public policy standpoint, it’s ridiculous that so many states allow the lottery but not online poker,” Silver continued. “The demographics of poker tend much more toward people who can ‘afford’ to gamble.”
Silver went on to mention that his new book features some interviews with professional sports bettor and poker player Haralabos Voulgaris, who has three World Poker Tour final table finishes and years of high-stakes cash game experience.
“In the book, I talk to Bob Voulgaris, who is maybe the best sports bettor in the world. Super sharp. Works his butt off. He gets 57% of his NBA bets right, not more than that.”
With two years until the next midterm elections, Silver is looking to keep his blog, “…no more than about 50% politics in the off-years.” With more free time, and the upcoming launch of legalized poker in Nevada and a possible push at the Federal level by Senator Harry Reid and Senator Jon Kyl, Silver could be talking more poker in the near future.
Political Predictions Guru Nate Silver Talks Legalized Online Poker - Poker News
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A core part of the company’s business is derived from the German market, which also contributed to its Q3 lackluster result following a new German tax rate hike in July, 2012. This in turn lead Bwin.Party to do away with its short-odds bet, resulting in an 8% decline in its sports betting wagers. As a company statement from Co-CEOs Jim Ryan and Norbert Teufelberger, explains:
“The introduction of a 5% turnover tax on sports betting in Germany, revenue decline in poker and continued pressure on consumer spending, particularly in parts of Southern Europe, held back our performance in the third quarter.”
Perhaps the most striking figure of its Q3 results was a huge 37% decline in its poker revenue to €37 million, compared to €52 million for the same period in 2011. However, Bwin.Party remained positive over the future of its online poker offering, especially with the upcoming integration of it two brands and the transfer of its players over to the Party Poker Network. Highlighting its optimistic outlook, a company statement announced: “We believe that the integration of our dotcom poker networks later this quarter will be the first major catalyst to return our poker business to growth.”
In addition, the group said that H1 of 2013 would see its re-branded PartyPoker launched on mobile.
Looking ahead to the next quarter, a solid recovery in sports betting has contributed to a recent upturn in Bwin.Party business, with the company now expressing confidence in reaching its full-year result.
Bwin.Party is the world’s largest listed online gambling company and over the past 52 weeks its shares have ranged between 175.70p and 91.05p. Following the Q3 results, the company’s shares are currently trading up 0.42% giving it a market capitalization of £975.26 million.
Bwin.Party Revenue Down 10% To