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Reading poker information and learning from it, can mean alot to your poker games and what it takes to dominate a poker table. Experience, experience and reading the "right" information.
Welcome to ixgames: Online poker guide with tips, strategy and information
Welcome to ixgames: Online poker guide with tips, strategy and information
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2006/12/07
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Washington State poker player Curtis Woodard has announced the creation of two preliminary ballot initiatives to improve the legal landscape for players, including a proposed measure called the Washington State Internet Poker Act (WSIPA) of 2014.
Woodard and his fellow players have also proposed a second initiative, the Internet Poker Player Decriminalization Act (IPPDA) of 2014, which seeks to reverse a controversial 2006 Washington law which makes the playing of online poker a felony. Washington is the only US state with a felony statute on the books, targeting players. A recent WA legislative proposal attempting the same failed recently for lack of political support.
The language for both of the proposals, according to Woodard, is currently under review by the state’s Code Reviser’s office, with the initiative’s final language expected to be approved and resubmitted in April.
Woodard and his fellow Washington State players then hope to build up a groundswell of public support, leading to the securing of roughly 300,000 signatures and placement of the initiatives on the November, 2014 general election ballot.
According to Woodard, “If we are successful in getting enough signatures, the measure(s) go before the next legislative session. They can do one of three things. They can adopt the measure, in which case it will become law. Or they can take no action, in which case it will go to the ballot in Nov. ’14. Or, they can pass an alternative, in which case the voters will be given a choice between the two measures.”
“As we spend the year gathering signatures, we will also be meeting with legislators to gather support in advance. I will also be meeting with leaders of the big Tribal interests, as I am working hard to get their support,” Woodward assured. “It is my goal to have generated enough support so that even if we don’t meet our signature goal, the legislature will take up the issue anyway.”
The new initiative seeks to create an exemption for online poker by amending existing statutes and identifying poker as an allowed activity, charging the Washington State Gambling Commission with overseeing the licensing and regulation of operators, who must be physically present in the state.
The initiative would also legalize the playing of online poker by inserting the following language into the existing statutes: “The legislature further declares that the conducting of, and participation in, internet poker games, when conducted pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and any rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, are hereby authorized.” Additional language amendments and a declaration that the measure supersedes previous laws regarding online poker are also specified.
Washington State Players Pursue Poker Liberalization | Pokerfuse Online Poker News
Woodard and his fellow players have also proposed a second initiative, the Internet Poker Player Decriminalization Act (IPPDA) of 2014, which seeks to reverse a controversial 2006 Washington law which makes the playing of online poker a felony. Washington is the only US state with a felony statute on the books, targeting players. A recent WA legislative proposal attempting the same failed recently for lack of political support.
The language for both of the proposals, according to Woodard, is currently under review by the state’s Code Reviser’s office, with the initiative’s final language expected to be approved and resubmitted in April.
Woodard and his fellow Washington State players then hope to build up a groundswell of public support, leading to the securing of roughly 300,000 signatures and placement of the initiatives on the November, 2014 general election ballot.
According to Woodard, “If we are successful in getting enough signatures, the measure(s) go before the next legislative session. They can do one of three things. They can adopt the measure, in which case it will become law. Or they can take no action, in which case it will go to the ballot in Nov. ’14. Or, they can pass an alternative, in which case the voters will be given a choice between the two measures.”
“As we spend the year gathering signatures, we will also be meeting with legislators to gather support in advance. I will also be meeting with leaders of the big Tribal interests, as I am working hard to get their support,” Woodward assured. “It is my goal to have generated enough support so that even if we don’t meet our signature goal, the legislature will take up the issue anyway.”
The new initiative seeks to create an exemption for online poker by amending existing statutes and identifying poker as an allowed activity, charging the Washington State Gambling Commission with overseeing the licensing and regulation of operators, who must be physically present in the state.
The initiative would also legalize the playing of online poker by inserting the following language into the existing statutes: “The legislature further declares that the conducting of, and participation in, internet poker games, when conducted pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and any rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, are hereby authorized.” Additional language amendments and a declaration that the measure supersedes previous laws regarding online poker are also specified.
Washington State Players Pursue Poker Liberalization | Pokerfuse Online Poker News
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Now that New Jersey has passed online gaming legislation, the idea of other states following suit has built up steam. One state we haven’t heard much about is Wisconsin, which is dominated by Native American land-based casinos. While various tribes throughout the country have expressed their interest in online gaming, those in Wisconsin have remained silent.
“State-by-state legislation in my opinion is not ideal,” said Steve Verrett, Wisconsin’s director for the Poker Players Alliance. “It will create small pockets of tournaments and little competition as you will only be able to play within your state or compact of multiple states. Will Wisconsin join a group like a Powerball lottery system? I don’t know and actually have little confidence in it. The best bet for Wisconsin and most other states outside of California, Nevada, and New Jersey is federal regulation. If federal regulation with an ‘opt out’ clause gets put into place as it has been discussed, I think Wisconsin is forward-thinking enough to be a part of that.”
Despite little movement on the online poker front in the state, Verrett encourages players to get proactive.
“Join the PPA, get on the mailing lists and use the tools that the PPA has in place to let decision-makers in your area know your opinion,” he said. “The PPA does a very good job of tracking opinions of state and federal decision-makers for your state and provides very simple one-click form letters to send to your senator or representative. If you are a poker player, you should keep pushing the issue. Don’t be a person that complains when decisions are made against us; voice your opinion before the decisions are made.”
Featured column :: PPA director discusses online poker in Wisconsin
“State-by-state legislation in my opinion is not ideal,” said Steve Verrett, Wisconsin’s director for the Poker Players Alliance. “It will create small pockets of tournaments and little competition as you will only be able to play within your state or compact of multiple states. Will Wisconsin join a group like a Powerball lottery system? I don’t know and actually have little confidence in it. The best bet for Wisconsin and most other states outside of California, Nevada, and New Jersey is federal regulation. If federal regulation with an ‘opt out’ clause gets put into place as it has been discussed, I think Wisconsin is forward-thinking enough to be a part of that.”
Despite little movement on the online poker front in the state, Verrett encourages players to get proactive.
“Join the PPA, get on the mailing lists and use the tools that the PPA has in place to let decision-makers in your area know your opinion,” he said. “The PPA does a very good job of tracking opinions of state and federal decision-makers for your state and provides very simple one-click form letters to send to your senator or representative. If you are a poker player, you should keep pushing the issue. Don’t be a person that complains when decisions are made against us; voice your opinion before the decisions are made.”
Featured column :: PPA director discusses online poker in Wisconsin
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One year ago, the Iowa Senate approved an online poker measure that allowed state casinos and racetracks to offer Internet poker. Despite a study by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission that showed the legalization of online poker could generate $3-$13 million in state tax revenue, a “general lack of interest” in the Iowa House saw the bill wither up and die.
In January of this year, State Senator Jeff Danielson, cosponsored by Sens. Wally Horn and Randy Feenstra, proposed Iowa Senate Study Bill 1068, a poker-only bill that called for Iowa to consider establishing requirements for issuing Internet gambling licenses. Unfortunately, that bill also died in the legislature despite New Jersey’s historic passing of online gaming legislation.
Clearly, some prominent Iowa lawmakers are taking online poker seriously, but why aren’t others? PokerNews reached out to Matt Eide, a native of Fort Dodge, Iowa who serves as an Eide & Heisinger, L.L.C. lobbyist for the Winnebago Gaming Development Corporation. If ever there were a expert on the gaming landscape in Iowa, both live and online, it would be Eide, who graduated cum laude from Drake University in 1988 and from Drake University Law School in 1993.
Eide was kind enough to talk to PokerNews about the current online poker situation in Iowa:
I’m a multiclient lobbyist based in Des Moines with about 20 years of experience. I represent a wide variety of clients from companies like UPS to health care organizations to nonprofits. We represent these clients primarily in front of the Iowa legislature and state agencies in Iowa.
On the gaming front, I’ve worked with regulators for quite awhile. I do represent a horse group in horse racing in Iowa, and I’ve represented casinos in the past. I’ve represented applicants, and I’m currently representing the Winnebago Gaming Development Corporation, which is affiliated with the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and Iowa.
What sort of things are you doing with the Winnebago Gaming Development Corporation?
The Winnebago Tribe does have a casino south of Sioux City called WinnaVegas. We’ve set up separate companies, LLCs, in our new venture. I’ll give you a little backdrop on the Sioux City license. The regulators in Iowa, the Iowa Gaming and Racing Commission, came in and didn’t like the way the operator was running. It was Penn Gaming, a large publicly traded company out of Pennsylvania. They wanted Penn to do land-based [gaming] and get away from the riverboat that’s there. Penn and their nonprofit partner struggled to find an agreement, so our regulators came in and said we are going to open up the license for Sioux City and took applications.
Applications were due November 5. Three entities are vying for the license, and in Iowa, it’s not the operator but a nonprofit partner that holds the license. So each applicant is really an applicant that has what we call a qualified sponsoring organization — a nonprofit that they partner with. The three potential applicants are Warrior Entertainment, which is our name and our brand for our project, and that’s associated with Winnebago Gaming Development. We have Warner Gaming, that’s doing business as Hard Rock; and the incumbent operator, which is Penn Gaming.
The next step is on April 18 when the commission will announce their decision of who will be the operator. So that’s the Sioux City situation.
Does that situation have any implications for the possibility of online poker in Iowa?
I have followed the online gaming debate for the last couple years. I’m a contributor to iGaming Business North America, I write occasional articles for business magazines, and so I track the Iowa legislation quite closely. I have a pretty good hold of that, and who’s interested and who’s not.
Last year in 2012, a bill did pass the Senate by 29-20 with bipartisan support, meaning we did have some Republican votes on it. This year it came out of subcommittee and it was determined that the Republican-controlled house was not going to take it up, so the Democrat-controlled Senate said lets not waste our time. Our governor has remained neutral. He said he’ll take a look at whatever hits his desk. He has not given a position.
The bottom line is, our online poker bill is dead for the year in 2013.
Read more: Lobbyist Matt Eide Explains Status of Online Poker in Iowa | PokerNews
In January of this year, State Senator Jeff Danielson, cosponsored by Sens. Wally Horn and Randy Feenstra, proposed Iowa Senate Study Bill 1068, a poker-only bill that called for Iowa to consider establishing requirements for issuing Internet gambling licenses. Unfortunately, that bill also died in the legislature despite New Jersey’s historic passing of online gaming legislation.
Clearly, some prominent Iowa lawmakers are taking online poker seriously, but why aren’t others? PokerNews reached out to Matt Eide, a native of Fort Dodge, Iowa who serves as an Eide & Heisinger, L.L.C. lobbyist for the Winnebago Gaming Development Corporation. If ever there were a expert on the gaming landscape in Iowa, both live and online, it would be Eide, who graduated cum laude from Drake University in 1988 and from Drake University Law School in 1993.
Eide was kind enough to talk to PokerNews about the current online poker situation in Iowa:
I’m a multiclient lobbyist based in Des Moines with about 20 years of experience. I represent a wide variety of clients from companies like UPS to health care organizations to nonprofits. We represent these clients primarily in front of the Iowa legislature and state agencies in Iowa.
On the gaming front, I’ve worked with regulators for quite awhile. I do represent a horse group in horse racing in Iowa, and I’ve represented casinos in the past. I’ve represented applicants, and I’m currently representing the Winnebago Gaming Development Corporation, which is affiliated with the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and Iowa.
What sort of things are you doing with the Winnebago Gaming Development Corporation?
The Winnebago Tribe does have a casino south of Sioux City called WinnaVegas. We’ve set up separate companies, LLCs, in our new venture. I’ll give you a little backdrop on the Sioux City license. The regulators in Iowa, the Iowa Gaming and Racing Commission, came in and didn’t like the way the operator was running. It was Penn Gaming, a large publicly traded company out of Pennsylvania. They wanted Penn to do land-based [gaming] and get away from the riverboat that’s there. Penn and their nonprofit partner struggled to find an agreement, so our regulators came in and said we are going to open up the license for Sioux City and took applications.
Applications were due November 5. Three entities are vying for the license, and in Iowa, it’s not the operator but a nonprofit partner that holds the license. So each applicant is really an applicant that has what we call a qualified sponsoring organization — a nonprofit that they partner with. The three potential applicants are Warrior Entertainment, which is our name and our brand for our project, and that’s associated with Winnebago Gaming Development. We have Warner Gaming, that’s doing business as Hard Rock; and the incumbent operator, which is Penn Gaming.
The next step is on April 18 when the commission will announce their decision of who will be the operator. So that’s the Sioux City situation.
Does that situation have any implications for the possibility of online poker in Iowa?
I have followed the online gaming debate for the last couple years. I’m a contributor to iGaming Business North America, I write occasional articles for business magazines, and so I track the Iowa legislation quite closely. I have a pretty good hold of that, and who’s interested and who’s not.
Last year in 2012, a bill did pass the Senate by 29-20 with bipartisan support, meaning we did have some Republican votes on it. This year it came out of subcommittee and it was determined that the Republican-controlled house was not going to take it up, so the Democrat-controlled Senate said lets not waste our time. Our governor has remained neutral. He said he’ll take a look at whatever hits his desk. He has not given a position.
The bottom line is, our online poker bill is dead for the year in 2013.
Read more: Lobbyist Matt Eide Explains Status of Online Poker in Iowa | PokerNews
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When Full Tilt Poker relaunched November last year, the site quickly rose to 2nd place on poker’s cash game traffic rankings, ahead of iPoker and PartyPoker.
Within the first week Full Tilt Poker had over 8,000 average daily cash game players, albeit aided by special introductory offers and the novelty of playing back at the site after a year and half of absence.
Nevertheless, soon after the site’s early bloom faded as it became apparent that aside from promotional incentives, other players had returned to the site only long enough to recoup their frozen funds. Now, it would seem that the poker room has suffered further declines in cash game traffic and is currently ranked a lowly 4th overall.
The perennial top poker room continues to be PokerStars with a massive 27,693 average daily cash game players, but now PartyPoker and iPoker seem to be taking it in turns to hold the 2nd and 3rd spots with a little under 4,000 cash game players apiece. Unfortunately for Full Tilt, however, its present cash game traffic average of 2,946 players is good enough only for 4th spot and equally as worrying, 888Poker is only a mere 300 players behind.
Also accounting for some of Full Tilt’s woes is increased competition from its rivals, such as iPoker which has relentlessly been adding new skins to its network. In addition, last December PartyGaming and bwin completed their merger giving an immediate boost to the new company’s real-money cash-game traffic.
Despite the bad news for Full Tilt, at least one thing in its favour is that the site still continues to be a hot spot for high-stakes action, encouraged along by its trio of sponsored high-stakes “Professionals,” Viktor “Isildur1” Blom, Tom “Durrr” Dwan and Gus Hansen.
Full Tilt Slips To 4th On Poker Traffic Rankings
Within the first week Full Tilt Poker had over 8,000 average daily cash game players, albeit aided by special introductory offers and the novelty of playing back at the site after a year and half of absence.
Nevertheless, soon after the site’s early bloom faded as it became apparent that aside from promotional incentives, other players had returned to the site only long enough to recoup their frozen funds. Now, it would seem that the poker room has suffered further declines in cash game traffic and is currently ranked a lowly 4th overall.
The perennial top poker room continues to be PokerStars with a massive 27,693 average daily cash game players, but now PartyPoker and iPoker seem to be taking it in turns to hold the 2nd and 3rd spots with a little under 4,000 cash game players apiece. Unfortunately for Full Tilt, however, its present cash game traffic average of 2,946 players is good enough only for 4th spot and equally as worrying, 888Poker is only a mere 300 players behind.
Also accounting for some of Full Tilt’s woes is increased competition from its rivals, such as iPoker which has relentlessly been adding new skins to its network. In addition, last December PartyGaming and bwin completed their merger giving an immediate boost to the new company’s real-money cash-game traffic.
Despite the bad news for Full Tilt, at least one thing in its favour is that the site still continues to be a hot spot for high-stakes action, encouraged along by its trio of sponsored high-stakes “Professionals,” Viktor “Isildur1” Blom, Tom “Durrr” Dwan and Gus Hansen.
Full Tilt Slips To 4th On Poker Traffic Rankings
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Washington poker players have started a new initiative to try and get online poker legalized – or at least decriminalized – in the state which has some of the toughest laws against players. Poker pro Curtin Woodard rolled out two preliminary ballot initiatives, and hopes to get enough support to attract 300,000 signatories and therefore placement of the ballots in next year’s general election ballot.
The first preliminary ballot initiative is the Washington State Internet Poker Act (WSIPA) of 2014, while the second is the Internet Poker Player Decriminalization Act (IPPDA) of 2014 which will hopefully reverse the draconian 2006 ruling that makes online poker playing a felony.
The first step of the preliminary ballots is to have the language of each reviewed by the Code Reviser’s office. Thereafter, after revision, the ballots need to be resubmitted next month. Hopefully, with enough support, they will reach the 2014 general election ballot.
“If we are successful in getting enough signatures, the measures go before the next legislative session,” explained Woodard. “They can do one of three things. They can adopt the measure, in which case it will become law. Or they can take no action, in which case it will go to the ballot in November ’14. Or, they can pass an alternative, in which case the voters will be given a choice between the two measures.”
Woodard said that as lobbyists spend the year gathering the 300,000 signatures required, they will also be meeting with legislators in order to gather more support. He said that he would be meeting with leaders of the big Tribal interests and working hard to gain their support for the grassroots initiative.
“It is my goal to have generated enough support so that even if we don’t meet our signature goal, the legislature will take up the issue anyway,” he said.
New Washington Online Poker Legalization Initiative
The first preliminary ballot initiative is the Washington State Internet Poker Act (WSIPA) of 2014, while the second is the Internet Poker Player Decriminalization Act (IPPDA) of 2014 which will hopefully reverse the draconian 2006 ruling that makes online poker playing a felony.
The first step of the preliminary ballots is to have the language of each reviewed by the Code Reviser’s office. Thereafter, after revision, the ballots need to be resubmitted next month. Hopefully, with enough support, they will reach the 2014 general election ballot.
“If we are successful in getting enough signatures, the measures go before the next legislative session,” explained Woodard. “They can do one of three things. They can adopt the measure, in which case it will become law. Or they can take no action, in which case it will go to the ballot in November ’14. Or, they can pass an alternative, in which case the voters will be given a choice between the two measures.”
Woodard said that as lobbyists spend the year gathering the 300,000 signatures required, they will also be meeting with legislators in order to gather more support. He said that he would be meeting with leaders of the big Tribal interests and working hard to gain their support for the grassroots initiative.
“It is my goal to have generated enough support so that even if we don’t meet our signature goal, the legislature will take up the issue anyway,” he said.
New Washington Online Poker Legalization Initiative
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Today is another win for former U.S. online poker players. 888 Holdings has been the first online gambling company in the United States to be granted an online poker license since 2006.
If you’re a fan of poker you’ve probably played online at some point in your life, that is until the U.S. government cracked down on online gambling just a couple of years ago. The game has been noticeably absent from the Web in the United States, although online gambling legislation has made it legal in Delaware, Nevada, and New Jersey (home of Atlantic City).
Now that the missing pieces to resurrect online gambling in certain areas of the United States are coming together, 888 is looking to capitalize on its newly minted license by launching an online poker room in Nevada sometime in the next few months – which could bring some of our poker expatriates home.
‘Black Friday’ was D-day for U.S. poker players, and the U.S. government won once again when it banned online poker’s titans, Full Tilt and Poker Stars, April 15, 2011. That move sent a shock wave through the online poker community, which had been playing even after 2006 in the states with few government interventions.
After Black Friday, many professional poker players had one of three options left if they wanted to continue gambling. Some moved overseas to Canada or Europe in an effort to continue their professional gambling endeavors online. Other poker players who didn’t end up leaving the states have had to either sign up for the few rather mediocre sites that (illegally) still accepted U.S. online gamblers. Many have ventured to the card rooms in casinos. But once 888 has launched its (legal) poker site in Nevada, and created “the Web spin-off of Caesars’ World Series of Poker tournament,” former online poker players will undoubtedly flock to Vegas.
Until now, the Las Vegas gaming commission wasn’t able to hand over licenses to online poker sites. Regulations imposed by the government required that licenses only be administered to brick and mortar casinos, which is why digital gaming company 3G had partnered with the casino El Dorado in the first place to build and release the U.S.’s first online casino since Black Friday. We’re expecting rival Internet gambling company, bwin.party, to follow suit and obtain its online gambling license, but don’t expect a multitude of sites to get all the paperwork in order – it’s sure to be a slow and regulated process.
The Vegas gaming commission is strict, to say the least. They have stringent requirements to be even considered for a license, not to mention that a license is expensive, costing up to a $1 million, says 3G CEO James Kosta when we talked to him earlier.
This license is a monumental win for online gambling, but there’s a lot more work to be done to return online gambling to its golden days, when anyone in the U.S. could sign-up, deposit cash, and play digital poker to their heart’s content.
Read more: 888 Holdings becomes the first online gambling company to win an online poker license | Digital Trends
Follow us: @digitaltrends on Twitter | digitaltrendsftw on Facebook
If you’re a fan of poker you’ve probably played online at some point in your life, that is until the U.S. government cracked down on online gambling just a couple of years ago. The game has been noticeably absent from the Web in the United States, although online gambling legislation has made it legal in Delaware, Nevada, and New Jersey (home of Atlantic City).
Now that the missing pieces to resurrect online gambling in certain areas of the United States are coming together, 888 is looking to capitalize on its newly minted license by launching an online poker room in Nevada sometime in the next few months – which could bring some of our poker expatriates home.
‘Black Friday’ was D-day for U.S. poker players, and the U.S. government won once again when it banned online poker’s titans, Full Tilt and Poker Stars, April 15, 2011. That move sent a shock wave through the online poker community, which had been playing even after 2006 in the states with few government interventions.
After Black Friday, many professional poker players had one of three options left if they wanted to continue gambling. Some moved overseas to Canada or Europe in an effort to continue their professional gambling endeavors online. Other poker players who didn’t end up leaving the states have had to either sign up for the few rather mediocre sites that (illegally) still accepted U.S. online gamblers. Many have ventured to the card rooms in casinos. But once 888 has launched its (legal) poker site in Nevada, and created “the Web spin-off of Caesars’ World Series of Poker tournament,” former online poker players will undoubtedly flock to Vegas.
Until now, the Las Vegas gaming commission wasn’t able to hand over licenses to online poker sites. Regulations imposed by the government required that licenses only be administered to brick and mortar casinos, which is why digital gaming company 3G had partnered with the casino El Dorado in the first place to build and release the U.S.’s first online casino since Black Friday. We’re expecting rival Internet gambling company, bwin.party, to follow suit and obtain its online gambling license, but don’t expect a multitude of sites to get all the paperwork in order – it’s sure to be a slow and regulated process.
The Vegas gaming commission is strict, to say the least. They have stringent requirements to be even considered for a license, not to mention that a license is expensive, costing up to a $1 million, says 3G CEO James Kosta when we talked to him earlier.
This license is a monumental win for online gambling, but there’s a lot more work to be done to return online gambling to its golden days, when anyone in the U.S. could sign-up, deposit cash, and play digital poker to their heart’s content.
Read more: 888 Holdings becomes the first online gambling company to win an online poker license | Digital Trends
Follow us: @digitaltrends on Twitter | digitaltrendsftw on Facebook
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A new sweepstakes bill which was recently passed 108-7 by the Florida House, could make it difficult in the future to have online poker legalized and regulated in the state. The bill explicitly states that it is no longer legal for an electronic device to accept currency or coins, nor account numbers and codes, which would result in players receiving extra credits, prizes or anything else of value. An exception to his would be from electronic gaming devices which are situated on approved casino properties, tribal reservations or racetracks.
The reason that this bill was introduced was to close the loophole used by the hundreds of internet cafes across the state who serve as fronts for illegal online gambling activities. These cafes offer their players the chance to win prizes when they purchase internet air time, redeemable when entering a code. Players are then able to play machines that look and act like slots or video poker machines and win prizes based on their results.
Online poker proponents are afraid that the language of the new bill could be used to apply to online poker and other forms of online gambling, making it that much more difficult to have these forms of entertainment legalized in Florida. It means that portions of the latest bill would need to be repealed in order for any type of online poker legalization to take place in the future.
Florida passed this bill following the recent scandal involving Lt. Gov Jennifer Carroll, who resigned last week after being questioned by police for her role in the Allied Veterans of the World organization which, according to authorities only passed on $6 million of the $260 million it claimed was raised for charity. Sixty people have been arrested in this case, and charged with crimes ranging from illegal gambling to extortion.
New Florida Gambling Bill Affects Online Poker
The reason that this bill was introduced was to close the loophole used by the hundreds of internet cafes across the state who serve as fronts for illegal online gambling activities. These cafes offer their players the chance to win prizes when they purchase internet air time, redeemable when entering a code. Players are then able to play machines that look and act like slots or video poker machines and win prizes based on their results.
Online poker proponents are afraid that the language of the new bill could be used to apply to online poker and other forms of online gambling, making it that much more difficult to have these forms of entertainment legalized in Florida. It means that portions of the latest bill would need to be repealed in order for any type of online poker legalization to take place in the future.
Florida passed this bill following the recent scandal involving Lt. Gov Jennifer Carroll, who resigned last week after being questioned by police for her role in the Allied Veterans of the World organization which, according to authorities only passed on $6 million of the $260 million it claimed was raised for charity. Sixty people have been arrested in this case, and charged with crimes ranging from illegal gambling to extortion.
New Florida Gambling Bill Affects Online Poker
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Across the United States, there are several state legislatures that are examining the issue of online gaming and poker. In Florida, however, a proposed bill may have the undue effect of shutting online poker down rather than opening it up to citizens of the Sunshine State.
Last week, the Florida State House of Representatives passed a bill that would close some loopholes in the state’s laws by a vote of 108-7. The bill, which was supposed to affect the multitude of internet cafes that have sprung up around the state, would prohibit “any electronic device” from accepting any form of money or special account numbers or codes that would allow players to receive extra credits or special prizes for participating. In the viewing of the proposed law, this would prohibit online gaming and poker from ever being created in the state of Florida.
When the statutes were established a few years ago, internet cafes sprung up by the hundreds. Supposedly there to offer people a gateway to the internet through purchasing internet time, these cafes instead became gambling outlets where people could play slot machine games or video poker and win prizes on their bets. It wasn’t until a scandal in the Florida government emerged that the legislators decided to attempt to close this loophole.
Florida Lieutenant Governor Jennifer Carroll became embroiled in a controversy stemming from what was supposed to be a charitable cause. Carroll’s involvement with the Allied Veterans of the World, a cause that established 65 “gaming centers” across the state of Florida to raise funds, came under scrutiny by law enforcement after it was alleged that only $6 million of a reported $260 million raised by the organization actually made it to support efforts for veterans. The scandal resulted in Carroll resigning as Lieutenant Governor last week and to the arrest of sixty people in the case with charges ranging from illegal gambling to extortion.
By attempting to close the loophole that allowed for the creation of these “internet cafes” in the state, Florida’s politicians may have actually made it more difficult for any passage of online gaming or poker, however. As the law is written, it would prohibit people from playing casino games or poker on an “electronic device,” of which a computer, laptop, tablet or mobile phone would be defined as. It would also prohibit players from receiving cash for their efforts or other prizes for winning at those games.
How the proposed law would affect current online poker operations is a bit of a gray area. Those online poker sites that still service U. S. customers may have to cut off Florida residents from the games (much like what occurred in Washington when that state passed its laws regarding online poker). Subscription sites such as ClubWPT may also have to discontinue its operations for residents of Florida due to their “sweepstakes” nature of business.
The proposed bill wouldn’t have any effect on the burgeoning Florida gambling scene. The bill does exclude those areas in Florida allowed to have gambling – casino properties, tribal reservations and racetracks – and allows for electronic gaming.
Those that would be affected by the shutdown of the “internet cafes” aren’t pleased about the proposed law. The Florida Times-Union’s Andrew Pantazi interviewed an unidentified employee of the Lucky Diamond Cyber Café about the proposed law but, instead of speaking for the business, the employee asked the patrons to respond. Pantazi was able to garner several strong opinions on the issue from those patrons.
“What’s the difference between the game room, the dog tracks and the poker room,” Roz King queried Pantazi. “I think if they’re going to shut these (internet cafes) down, they should shut those down too.” Another unidentified patron echoed those thoughts to Pantazi, stating, “I should be able to use my money however I want. In other words, they (Florida legislators) need to legalize it.”
Proposed Florida Gambling Bill Could Prohibit Online Poker
Last week, the Florida State House of Representatives passed a bill that would close some loopholes in the state’s laws by a vote of 108-7. The bill, which was supposed to affect the multitude of internet cafes that have sprung up around the state, would prohibit “any electronic device” from accepting any form of money or special account numbers or codes that would allow players to receive extra credits or special prizes for participating. In the viewing of the proposed law, this would prohibit online gaming and poker from ever being created in the state of Florida.
When the statutes were established a few years ago, internet cafes sprung up by the hundreds. Supposedly there to offer people a gateway to the internet through purchasing internet time, these cafes instead became gambling outlets where people could play slot machine games or video poker and win prizes on their bets. It wasn’t until a scandal in the Florida government emerged that the legislators decided to attempt to close this loophole.
Florida Lieutenant Governor Jennifer Carroll became embroiled in a controversy stemming from what was supposed to be a charitable cause. Carroll’s involvement with the Allied Veterans of the World, a cause that established 65 “gaming centers” across the state of Florida to raise funds, came under scrutiny by law enforcement after it was alleged that only $6 million of a reported $260 million raised by the organization actually made it to support efforts for veterans. The scandal resulted in Carroll resigning as Lieutenant Governor last week and to the arrest of sixty people in the case with charges ranging from illegal gambling to extortion.
By attempting to close the loophole that allowed for the creation of these “internet cafes” in the state, Florida’s politicians may have actually made it more difficult for any passage of online gaming or poker, however. As the law is written, it would prohibit people from playing casino games or poker on an “electronic device,” of which a computer, laptop, tablet or mobile phone would be defined as. It would also prohibit players from receiving cash for their efforts or other prizes for winning at those games.
How the proposed law would affect current online poker operations is a bit of a gray area. Those online poker sites that still service U. S. customers may have to cut off Florida residents from the games (much like what occurred in Washington when that state passed its laws regarding online poker). Subscription sites such as ClubWPT may also have to discontinue its operations for residents of Florida due to their “sweepstakes” nature of business.
The proposed bill wouldn’t have any effect on the burgeoning Florida gambling scene. The bill does exclude those areas in Florida allowed to have gambling – casino properties, tribal reservations and racetracks – and allows for electronic gaming.
Those that would be affected by the shutdown of the “internet cafes” aren’t pleased about the proposed law. The Florida Times-Union’s Andrew Pantazi interviewed an unidentified employee of the Lucky Diamond Cyber Café about the proposed law but, instead of speaking for the business, the employee asked the patrons to respond. Pantazi was able to garner several strong opinions on the issue from those patrons.
“What’s the difference between the game room, the dog tracks and the poker room,” Roz King queried Pantazi. “I think if they’re going to shut these (internet cafes) down, they should shut those down too.” Another unidentified patron echoed those thoughts to Pantazi, stating, “I should be able to use my money however I want. In other words, they (Florida legislators) need to legalize it.”
Proposed Florida Gambling Bill Could Prohibit Online Poker
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The quick passage by the Florida House of Representatives of a measure designed to rid the state of gambling-parlor “internet cafes” has caused concern among the state’s online poker players, worried that the legislation’s language, in addition to the targeting of the internet cafes, will also result in a legal ban on online poker.
HB 155, the latest Florida House version of the bill, passed easily on Friday by a 108-7 vote. A similar bill, SB 1030, is currently under review by the Florida Senate Rules Committee, but is expected to receive similar rapid approval once it reaches the Senate floor.
The concern, first raised by Martin Shapiro on poker forum 2+2, is the broad definition of “slot machine or device.” In conjunction with other parts of the bill, these definitions appear to have the effect of defining all manner of devices and all games involving elements of chance—including skill-based ones—as part of the “slot machine” definition.
In addition, the bill attempts to define every possible avenue through which value can be transmitted: money, credit, allowance, etc. The bill’s inclusion of the word “information” in this category even stretches the value definition beyond physical items, in an attempt to short-circuit previous legal end runs by the internet cafes using electronic codes for access and credit.
Whether other businesses with the potential to be adversely affected by the scope of Florida’s internet-cafe measure push for changes in the law before its passage remains to be seen.
The bills’ hasty push through the legislative process comes as a reaction to a major political scandal and the recent resignation of Florida Lieutenant Governor Jenny Carroll, who was questioned in connection with the operations of Allied Veterans of the World. Authorities allege Allied Veterans of the World, which operated about 50 of the internet cafes, illegally diverted funds from the cafes without making the proper charitable donations as required under Florida law.
Nearly 60 people were arrested in the Allied crackdown, which is alleged to have redirected for other uses as much as $300 million in misappropriated funds. Carroll was not among those indicted in the sweep.
Also up for debate is whether the law, if passed, would have any actual effect on Florida’s online poker landscape. Given the bill’s clear focus on slot machine-type devices and uses, online poker sites serving Florida may see little reason to change their ways, though if online slots are also offered, they may rethink the equation.
Electronic Gambling Device Ban Passes Florida House | Pokerfuse Online Poker News
HB 155, the latest Florida House version of the bill, passed easily on Friday by a 108-7 vote. A similar bill, SB 1030, is currently under review by the Florida Senate Rules Committee, but is expected to receive similar rapid approval once it reaches the Senate floor.
The concern, first raised by Martin Shapiro on poker forum 2+2, is the broad definition of “slot machine or device.” In conjunction with other parts of the bill, these definitions appear to have the effect of defining all manner of devices and all games involving elements of chance—including skill-based ones—as part of the “slot machine” definition.
In addition, the bill attempts to define every possible avenue through which value can be transmitted: money, credit, allowance, etc. The bill’s inclusion of the word “information” in this category even stretches the value definition beyond physical items, in an attempt to short-circuit previous legal end runs by the internet cafes using electronic codes for access and credit.
Whether other businesses with the potential to be adversely affected by the scope of Florida’s internet-cafe measure push for changes in the law before its passage remains to be seen.
The bills’ hasty push through the legislative process comes as a reaction to a major political scandal and the recent resignation of Florida Lieutenant Governor Jenny Carroll, who was questioned in connection with the operations of Allied Veterans of the World. Authorities allege Allied Veterans of the World, which operated about 50 of the internet cafes, illegally diverted funds from the cafes without making the proper charitable donations as required under Florida law.
Nearly 60 people were arrested in the Allied crackdown, which is alleged to have redirected for other uses as much as $300 million in misappropriated funds. Carroll was not among those indicted in the sweep.
Also up for debate is whether the law, if passed, would have any actual effect on Florida’s online poker landscape. Given the bill’s clear focus on slot machine-type devices and uses, online poker sites serving Florida may see little reason to change their ways, though if online slots are also offered, they may rethink the equation.
Electronic Gambling Device Ban Passes Florida House | Pokerfuse Online Poker News
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Word out of London on Friday was that the two largest online poker companies – now licensed in Nevada – are ready to put their vast experiences to work, provided the Nevada gaming regulators raise the curtain on Internet gambling.
888 Holdings Plc., which was granted the 20th interactive gaming license in Nevada last week, indicated it could be ready to begin operations as early as May. The company is a partner with Caesars Entertainment Corp. (CZR) in its interactive gaming plans and in the World Series of Poker.
888 Holdings also plans to operate a poker site for Treasure Island Hotel/Casino, the firm that received Nevada’s 21st interactive license.
Also ready to enter the fray is the largest Internet gaming company, U. K.’s bwin.party. The company, which owns the World Poker Tour, has a deal with MGM Resorts International (MGM) and Boyd Gaming Corp. (BYD), and hopes to offer the industry its large experience and infrastructure from years of operating in Europe.
Two largest online poker companies licensed in Nev. :: GamingToday-com
888 Holdings Plc., which was granted the 20th interactive gaming license in Nevada last week, indicated it could be ready to begin operations as early as May. The company is a partner with Caesars Entertainment Corp. (CZR) in its interactive gaming plans and in the World Series of Poker.
888 Holdings also plans to operate a poker site for Treasure Island Hotel/Casino, the firm that received Nevada’s 21st interactive license.
Also ready to enter the fray is the largest Internet gaming company, U. K.’s bwin.party. The company, which owns the World Poker Tour, has a deal with MGM Resorts International (MGM) and Boyd Gaming Corp. (BYD), and hopes to offer the industry its large experience and infrastructure from years of operating in Europe.
Two largest online poker companies licensed in Nev. :: GamingToday-com
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Illinois Governor Pat Quinn may favor some form of gambling expansion, but he seems firm in his stance against online poker.
Earlier this month, an Illinois senate committee approved a broad gambling expansion bill that included regulation of online gambling, including poker.
Quinn had rebuffed attempts to invite more gambling in Illinois, but said he could favor the latest legislation if it addresses issues such as corruption.
Now lawmakers may also have to scratch online gambling from the bill. Quinn told an NPR reporter in the state’s capital that he thinks the idea is just too new.
“I think that’s problematic,” he said in the NPR report. “It’s a brand new idea and there hasn’t been much review on that at all. Anytime you have something brand new it shouldn’t just be thrown into a bill at the last minute.”
Last year, a bill that would have legalized online poker in the Land of Lincoln failed before it even reached the governor’s desk.
That could be a major blow to the liquidity of online poker, as Illinois has a population of more than 13 million. While Delaware, Nevada and New Jersey have legalized Internet poker, those states must forge a compact for interstate poker in order to potentially reach as many players as in Illinois alone.
Lawmakers included a ban on campaign contributions from the gambling industry and earmarked funds for education in attempt to appease the governor, but it may not be enough for Quinn.
Illinois Governor: Online Poker Too New | Pokerfuse Online Poker News
Earlier this month, an Illinois senate committee approved a broad gambling expansion bill that included regulation of online gambling, including poker.
Quinn had rebuffed attempts to invite more gambling in Illinois, but said he could favor the latest legislation if it addresses issues such as corruption.
Now lawmakers may also have to scratch online gambling from the bill. Quinn told an NPR reporter in the state’s capital that he thinks the idea is just too new.
“I think that’s problematic,” he said in the NPR report. “It’s a brand new idea and there hasn’t been much review on that at all. Anytime you have something brand new it shouldn’t just be thrown into a bill at the last minute.”
Last year, a bill that would have legalized online poker in the Land of Lincoln failed before it even reached the governor’s desk.
That could be a major blow to the liquidity of online poker, as Illinois has a population of more than 13 million. While Delaware, Nevada and New Jersey have legalized Internet poker, those states must forge a compact for interstate poker in order to potentially reach as many players as in Illinois alone.
Lawmakers included a ban on campaign contributions from the gambling industry and earmarked funds for education in attempt to appease the governor, but it may not be enough for Quinn.
Illinois Governor: Online Poker Too New | Pokerfuse Online Poker News
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Online poker isn't expected to be included in New York State's final budget agreement, which will be voted on this weekend in advance of the April 1 start of the fiscal year.
The state senate made waves on March 11 by including the legalization of online poker in its initial version of the state budget.
The New York Daily News reported that a conceptual agreement between the legislative branch and Gov. Andrew Cuomo was reached Wednesday night.
If the full legislature agreed on including online poker in the state budget, and the governor signed off on it, New York would essentially be allocating expected funds to be gained from licensing the activity, which would then make it a priority for the legislature to pass an online poker bill or else need to find that money elsewhere.
Unfortunately, the budget inclusion does not have the needed support in the state assembly.
“I think what we've done is successfully lay groundwork for the introduction of online poker to be part of the larger casino debate that is going to happen in May,” said John Pappas, executive director of the Poker Players Alliance. “It's a meaningful accomplishment that we actually had the senate include the language as it did in the outset. We have a lot more work to do on the Assembly side. We plan to be heading up to Albany in the next couple months to get ready for the discussion in May.”
The mention of online poker in the state senate budget proposal was the first example of the impact made by New Jersey's legalization of online gambling last month. In less than two years, New York has gone from the state leading the charge to shut down the main online poker sites on Black Friday to openly discussing online poker regulation.
The first task at hand is to convince Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow of the benefits of regulation. Pretlow, the chair of the State Assembly Racing and Wagering Committee, introduced a bill last month that would authorize brick-and-mortar gambling games such as poker, blackjack, craps, roulette and slot machines. However, Pretlow has expressed concerns about cheating and collusion in online poker.
“We're preparing to meet with him and explain how regulated Internet poker would work and how regulation would be far more effective to prevent collusion and sites operating in an unsavory manner,” Pappas said.
Pretlow's bill is the one that will be heard in May. Convincing Pretlow to amend the legislation to include online poker would be the simplest way to get the ball moving on legalization in New York.
If New York wants to procure money from gaming that can be used to address budgetary needs in the next couple years, the casino bill as constructed will not be the answer. It needs online poker.
“One of the things Internet poker has going for it in terms of revenue source is that the money can happen very quickly,” Pappas said. “Whereas, in the casino bill they are debating, the earliest scenario is to have revenue in 2016 because you have to construct the casinos, and there are likely to be legal delays with various lawsuits. With online poker, they can have money coming in right away through licenses.”
Read more: Online Poker Needing More Support in New York State | PokerNews
The state senate made waves on March 11 by including the legalization of online poker in its initial version of the state budget.
The New York Daily News reported that a conceptual agreement between the legislative branch and Gov. Andrew Cuomo was reached Wednesday night.
If the full legislature agreed on including online poker in the state budget, and the governor signed off on it, New York would essentially be allocating expected funds to be gained from licensing the activity, which would then make it a priority for the legislature to pass an online poker bill or else need to find that money elsewhere.
Unfortunately, the budget inclusion does not have the needed support in the state assembly.
“I think what we've done is successfully lay groundwork for the introduction of online poker to be part of the larger casino debate that is going to happen in May,” said John Pappas, executive director of the Poker Players Alliance. “It's a meaningful accomplishment that we actually had the senate include the language as it did in the outset. We have a lot more work to do on the Assembly side. We plan to be heading up to Albany in the next couple months to get ready for the discussion in May.”
The mention of online poker in the state senate budget proposal was the first example of the impact made by New Jersey's legalization of online gambling last month. In less than two years, New York has gone from the state leading the charge to shut down the main online poker sites on Black Friday to openly discussing online poker regulation.
The first task at hand is to convince Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow of the benefits of regulation. Pretlow, the chair of the State Assembly Racing and Wagering Committee, introduced a bill last month that would authorize brick-and-mortar gambling games such as poker, blackjack, craps, roulette and slot machines. However, Pretlow has expressed concerns about cheating and collusion in online poker.
“We're preparing to meet with him and explain how regulated Internet poker would work and how regulation would be far more effective to prevent collusion and sites operating in an unsavory manner,” Pappas said.
Pretlow's bill is the one that will be heard in May. Convincing Pretlow to amend the legislation to include online poker would be the simplest way to get the ball moving on legalization in New York.
If New York wants to procure money from gaming that can be used to address budgetary needs in the next couple years, the casino bill as constructed will not be the answer. It needs online poker.
“One of the things Internet poker has going for it in terms of revenue source is that the money can happen very quickly,” Pappas said. “Whereas, in the casino bill they are debating, the earliest scenario is to have revenue in 2016 because you have to construct the casinos, and there are likely to be legal delays with various lawsuits. With online poker, they can have money coming in right away through licenses.”
Read more: Online Poker Needing More Support in New York State | PokerNews
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The battle for supremacy in the American online gambling marketplace continues to heat up as the American Gaming Association out of Nevada continues its tirade on the legitimacy of Poker Stars. The economic war that is only being pitched by the AGA is not a question of morality and consciousness but one that speaks volumes about politics and money. The AGA has effectively delayed PokerStars’ acquisition of the Atlantic Club Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City New Jersey with its letter and legal brief in opposing the entry of PokerStars to the US market.
The substance of the AGA’s brief contends that Poker Stars has been breaking the law in the USA by offering online poker for real money since the UIGEA made it a crime to receive monies in connection with “unlawful internet gambling.” The PokerStars legal team assured the operator it was doing nothing wrong and said that online poker is not a game of chance and was therefore legal. Since banks were prohibited from transacting funds associated with online gambling, PokerStars did its best to disguise these transactions and circumvent the existing rules. PokerStars has said it has the blessing of the Department of Justice and the AGA says this is nonsense and that the Dof J doesn’t have the authority to license online gambling. While many Poker players consider the PokerStars firm a solid and honest outfit the AGA is painting a different picture altogether.
As it stands for now the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement is looking at the situation and considers where the AGA stands on the licensing suitability of PokerStars. There is more than one side to this ongoing saga as PokerStars trys to defend itself against the slamming it has encountered in Nevada. The AGA may slow things down for PokerStars but as many things financial situations seem to go it may be awhile but many experts believe the AGA will lose the war and PokerStars will become involved in the American online poker market.
Online Poker War Continues in the USA
The substance of the AGA’s brief contends that Poker Stars has been breaking the law in the USA by offering online poker for real money since the UIGEA made it a crime to receive monies in connection with “unlawful internet gambling.” The PokerStars legal team assured the operator it was doing nothing wrong and said that online poker is not a game of chance and was therefore legal. Since banks were prohibited from transacting funds associated with online gambling, PokerStars did its best to disguise these transactions and circumvent the existing rules. PokerStars has said it has the blessing of the Department of Justice and the AGA says this is nonsense and that the Dof J doesn’t have the authority to license online gambling. While many Poker players consider the PokerStars firm a solid and honest outfit the AGA is painting a different picture altogether.
As it stands for now the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement is looking at the situation and considers where the AGA stands on the licensing suitability of PokerStars. There is more than one side to this ongoing saga as PokerStars trys to defend itself against the slamming it has encountered in Nevada. The AGA may slow things down for PokerStars but as many things financial situations seem to go it may be awhile but many experts believe the AGA will lose the war and PokerStars will become involved in the American online poker market.
Online Poker War Continues in the USA
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A pair of related pro-online poker voter initiatives has received final language approval from the state of Washington.
The measures are designed to authorize the
play of real-money internet poker and remove Washington State’s existing law that makes the playing of online poker a felony.
According to Curtis Woodard, the organizer of a group planning a petition drive supporting the proposals, the state has also assigned official numbers to the pair. This prepares them for voter participation after official ballot titles and summaries are created in the next week.
The measure that seeks to authorize and regulate online poker in Washington (I-582) would require approved operators to have a physical presence in the state, though not necessarily a brick-and-mortar casino. The separate proposal to remove the current criminal penalties (I-583) is a fallback position in case I-582 does not pan out.
As Woodard noted to pokerfuse, “Adoption of I-582 would make I-583 moot.”
Woodard also reiterated the group’s plans for pushing the proposals.
“These are initiatives to the legislature,” he said, “which means our goal is to get the 2014 legislature to adopt one of these measures, or adopt their own measure on this issue. Failing that, we then have a shot at the polls in November ’14.
“While we are gathering signatures, we will also be seeking allies in the legislature who could themselves introduce these measures in the nest session, should we fail to collect the required number of signatures.”
Those interested in following the progress of this grassroots effort can visit the group’s site at waipokernow-com. Volunteers will be able to download and print copies of the petition to circulate for signatures.
“We will have it available through a printer with many outlets in the state as well, to make it easy for volunteers,” Woodward indicated.
The final versions of both I-582 and I-583 can be found on the state’s Elections & Voting web site.
Woodward announced the creation of the two ballot initiatives designed to improve the legal landscape of poker in Washington earlier this month following a recent legislative proposal to decriminalize online poker that failed in February for lack of political support.
Washington Online Poker Initiatives Finalized | Pokerfuse Online Poker News
The measures are designed to authorize the
play of real-money internet poker and remove Washington State’s existing law that makes the playing of online poker a felony.
According to Curtis Woodard, the organizer of a group planning a petition drive supporting the proposals, the state has also assigned official numbers to the pair. This prepares them for voter participation after official ballot titles and summaries are created in the next week.
The measure that seeks to authorize and regulate online poker in Washington (I-582) would require approved operators to have a physical presence in the state, though not necessarily a brick-and-mortar casino. The separate proposal to remove the current criminal penalties (I-583) is a fallback position in case I-582 does not pan out.
As Woodard noted to pokerfuse, “Adoption of I-582 would make I-583 moot.”
Woodard also reiterated the group’s plans for pushing the proposals.
“These are initiatives to the legislature,” he said, “which means our goal is to get the 2014 legislature to adopt one of these measures, or adopt their own measure on this issue. Failing that, we then have a shot at the polls in November ’14.
“While we are gathering signatures, we will also be seeking allies in the legislature who could themselves introduce these measures in the nest session, should we fail to collect the required number of signatures.”
Those interested in following the progress of this grassroots effort can visit the group’s site at waipokernow-com. Volunteers will be able to download and print copies of the petition to circulate for signatures.
“We will have it available through a printer with many outlets in the state as well, to make it easy for volunteers,” Woodward indicated.
The final versions of both I-582 and I-583 can be found on the state’s Elections & Voting web site.
Woodward announced the creation of the two ballot initiatives designed to improve the legal landscape of poker in Washington earlier this month following a recent legislative proposal to decriminalize online poker that failed in February for lack of political support.
Washington Online Poker Initiatives Finalized | Pokerfuse Online Poker News
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One of the most important services which online poker sites need to provide their users is quick and easy deposit and withdrawal methods. Over the years many different deposit methods have been developed and all serious poker site need to integrate these new methods into their software and businesses.
One of the newest methods which have surfaced is Bitcoin. Bitcoin was first introduced to the world in 2009 but has only started to gain awareness more recently. Bitcoin is a digitized currency which is unique in that it does not have a centralized bank and relies entirely on a peer-to-peer Internet based network.
The first poker site to adopt Bitcoin as a channel for depositing and withdrawing funds is WinPoker which is one of over 30 poker sites on the iPoker network.
More poker sites will adopt Bitcoin over time
As Bitcoin becomes more and more popular, there will be more and more pressure on the established poker brands to adopt it as their newest deposit method. This is always the same trend when new deposit methods are introduced to the online poker world. Over the next two years we will see more and more sites adopt Bitcoin as one of their deposit methods.
Current methods of depositing on poker sites
All the established poker sites from Pokerstars to Poker Time, provide a wide range of deposit methods for their users. In the end of the day these sites are businesses so it's important to provide as many methods as possible so that no potential player is left behind.
The most popular methods of deposit are credit cards. Most sites support all the major credit card companies (Visa, MasterCard and AmericanExpress).
Other popular methods of deposit are through the many e-wallets like Paypal, Entropy, Neteller and Skrill (previously known as MoneyBookers) and with prepaid cards like PaySafeCard and Ukash.
Instant eChecks, bank transfers and instadebit are also popular among higher stakes players.
In Eastern Europe and Russia WebMoney is the popular choice and supported by most online poker sites.
Each poker site supports different methods for different countries. Some countries don't support prepaid cards or bank transfers so it's important to check which methods are supported for your country with the poker site of your choice.
Some sites also support quick deposit which is a super-fast method to deposit funds into your account from your deposit method of choice. Not all deposit methods support fast deposit but you can also check this with the poker site.
Earn bonuses with certain deposit methods
Occasionally poker sites will run promotions around a certain deposit method. An example of this might be giving players who deposit with WebMoney $20 for free. These promotions are particularly common place when a new deposit method has been added to the site. Taking advantage of these promotions is a very smart move even if you usually deposit using a different method. A bonus is a bonus and taking advantage of it will help you earn more money in the long run.
Bitcoin Now Online Poker Deposit Method - Gaming - Onlinecasinoreports-com
One of the newest methods which have surfaced is Bitcoin. Bitcoin was first introduced to the world in 2009 but has only started to gain awareness more recently. Bitcoin is a digitized currency which is unique in that it does not have a centralized bank and relies entirely on a peer-to-peer Internet based network.
The first poker site to adopt Bitcoin as a channel for depositing and withdrawing funds is WinPoker which is one of over 30 poker sites on the iPoker network.
More poker sites will adopt Bitcoin over time
As Bitcoin becomes more and more popular, there will be more and more pressure on the established poker brands to adopt it as their newest deposit method. This is always the same trend when new deposit methods are introduced to the online poker world. Over the next two years we will see more and more sites adopt Bitcoin as one of their deposit methods.
Current methods of depositing on poker sites
All the established poker sites from Pokerstars to Poker Time, provide a wide range of deposit methods for their users. In the end of the day these sites are businesses so it's important to provide as many methods as possible so that no potential player is left behind.
The most popular methods of deposit are credit cards. Most sites support all the major credit card companies (Visa, MasterCard and AmericanExpress).
Other popular methods of deposit are through the many e-wallets like Paypal, Entropy, Neteller and Skrill (previously known as MoneyBookers) and with prepaid cards like PaySafeCard and Ukash.
Instant eChecks, bank transfers and instadebit are also popular among higher stakes players.
In Eastern Europe and Russia WebMoney is the popular choice and supported by most online poker sites.
Each poker site supports different methods for different countries. Some countries don't support prepaid cards or bank transfers so it's important to check which methods are supported for your country with the poker site of your choice.
Some sites also support quick deposit which is a super-fast method to deposit funds into your account from your deposit method of choice. Not all deposit methods support fast deposit but you can also check this with the poker site.
Earn bonuses with certain deposit methods
Occasionally poker sites will run promotions around a certain deposit method. An example of this might be giving players who deposit with WebMoney $20 for free. These promotions are particularly common place when a new deposit method has been added to the site. Taking advantage of these promotions is a very smart move even if you usually deposit using a different method. A bonus is a bonus and taking advantage of it will help you earn more money in the long run.
Bitcoin Now Online Poker Deposit Method - Gaming - Onlinecasinoreports-com
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2006/12/07
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The second quarterly report from Spanish regulator DGOJ shows strong growth in both poker cash games and tournaments, though flat levels of player participation suggest the growth will slow in 2013.
Released earlier this week, the report shows poker has seen double digit growth and is producing a third of the Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) in the market. GGR from tournaments grew at 21% compared with the previous quarter, while cash game GGR grew 16%.
Rapid growth followed the introduction of national gaming regulation in June of last year.
However, contrary to the headline numbers, that growth has almost ceased. The final three months of 2012 saw a decline in the average number of active players which followed through to an actual decline in GGR in December.
Quarter on quarter figures look strong, but the detail shows that growth is likely to be much lower in 2013. The graph of average monthly active players is telling. While there has been a steady acquisition rate of new players, the monthly average player numbers have been declining since September. 25% GGR taxes are high, and Spanish gaming operators are lobbying for a reduction. In the fiscally constrained atmosphere prevailing on the Iberian peninsula, this looks like a vain aspiration.
Spain’s financial crisis with unemployment heading for 30% casts a shadow over the whole economy, and the gaming sector has not escaped its effects. A pessimistic reading of the data would suggest the market has reached its plateau without changes to the current tax and regulatory system; optimists will see grow potential if unemployment in the region falls.
The DGOJ Director Enrique Alejo has made several statements where he expresses his support for shared liquidity pools across other regulated European nations, and earlier this month was confident that by the end of the year Italy and Spain could combine its online poker pools.
Strong Quarterly Growth for Online Poker in Spain, But Player Participation Flattens | Pokerfuse Online Poker News
Released earlier this week, the report shows poker has seen double digit growth and is producing a third of the Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) in the market. GGR from tournaments grew at 21% compared with the previous quarter, while cash game GGR grew 16%.
Rapid growth followed the introduction of national gaming regulation in June of last year.
However, contrary to the headline numbers, that growth has almost ceased. The final three months of 2012 saw a decline in the average number of active players which followed through to an actual decline in GGR in December.
Quarter on quarter figures look strong, but the detail shows that growth is likely to be much lower in 2013. The graph of average monthly active players is telling. While there has been a steady acquisition rate of new players, the monthly average player numbers have been declining since September. 25% GGR taxes are high, and Spanish gaming operators are lobbying for a reduction. In the fiscally constrained atmosphere prevailing on the Iberian peninsula, this looks like a vain aspiration.
Spain’s financial crisis with unemployment heading for 30% casts a shadow over the whole economy, and the gaming sector has not escaped its effects. A pessimistic reading of the data would suggest the market has reached its plateau without changes to the current tax and regulatory system; optimists will see grow potential if unemployment in the region falls.
The DGOJ Director Enrique Alejo has made several statements where he expresses his support for shared liquidity pools across other regulated European nations, and earlier this month was confident that by the end of the year Italy and Spain could combine its online poker pools.
Strong Quarterly Growth for Online Poker in Spain, But Player Participation Flattens | Pokerfuse Online Poker News
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The Poker Players Alliance credits player activism as the catalyst for recent gains for online poker in the United States in its latest newsletter.
Rich Muny, vice president of player relations for the PPA, a lobbying group in the U.S. representing poker players and online poker interests, wrote about the topic in the PPA’s latest newsletter. Online poker laws that regulate the industry have passed in Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware in the past year, and several other states are considering regulation as well. Before last year, there had been little traction for online poker regulation, with New Jersey and California among the states that previously had failed bids to pass online gaming laws.
Muny thanked those poker players who have made their opinions known to legislators and other state and federal officials as online poker attempts to gain a foothold as a regulated industry in the U.S. Here is some of what Muny wrote:
We worked with pro-poker lawmakers to introduce legislation. While the early bills were huge underdogs, they helped us to lay the foundation for our fight by giving us a platform upon which we could make our case and demonstrate support for our game on Capitol Hill, in statehouses across the country, and in the mainstream media.
Being organized allowed us to have strong lobbyists fighting for us on the Hill. Our letters, phone calls, and social media grassroots activism gave them the ammo they needed for their fight, while the lobbying effort gave us our voice on Capitol Hill. The synergy did not end there. As we increased the likelihood of online poker becoming authorized in the U.S., supporting us became +EV for other interests, including U.S.-based potential providers, state lotteries, some tribal interests, and others. Thus, rather than opposing us, our efforts helped bring many stakeholders over to the side of the poker community.
While poker advocacy is certainly part of why states have begun passing online gaming laws, regulation has come about as a way for states to generate revenue. While no regulated online poker rooms or other online gaming has come online in the states mentioned above, those states and others hope regulated gaming can create new revenue streams for their jurisdictions.
Poker Players Alliance Credits Activism for Online Poker Regulation
Rich Muny, vice president of player relations for the PPA, a lobbying group in the U.S. representing poker players and online poker interests, wrote about the topic in the PPA’s latest newsletter. Online poker laws that regulate the industry have passed in Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware in the past year, and several other states are considering regulation as well. Before last year, there had been little traction for online poker regulation, with New Jersey and California among the states that previously had failed bids to pass online gaming laws.
Muny thanked those poker players who have made their opinions known to legislators and other state and federal officials as online poker attempts to gain a foothold as a regulated industry in the U.S. Here is some of what Muny wrote:
We worked with pro-poker lawmakers to introduce legislation. While the early bills were huge underdogs, they helped us to lay the foundation for our fight by giving us a platform upon which we could make our case and demonstrate support for our game on Capitol Hill, in statehouses across the country, and in the mainstream media.
Being organized allowed us to have strong lobbyists fighting for us on the Hill. Our letters, phone calls, and social media grassroots activism gave them the ammo they needed for their fight, while the lobbying effort gave us our voice on Capitol Hill. The synergy did not end there. As we increased the likelihood of online poker becoming authorized in the U.S., supporting us became +EV for other interests, including U.S.-based potential providers, state lotteries, some tribal interests, and others. Thus, rather than opposing us, our efforts helped bring many stakeholders over to the side of the poker community.
While poker advocacy is certainly part of why states have begun passing online gaming laws, regulation has come about as a way for states to generate revenue. While no regulated online poker rooms or other online gaming has come online in the states mentioned above, those states and others hope regulated gaming can create new revenue streams for their jurisdictions.
Poker Players Alliance Credits Activism for Online Poker Regulation
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2006/12/07
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Alleged payment delays at Revolution Gaming have forced Adameve to suspend all poker withdrawals according to a notice on their main site. Poker is still being played, but management plans to segregate its players from the rest of the network on April 2.
AdamevePoker is promising players that they will be paid: “We assure everybody who will be affected by this very uneasy decision that all poker related withdrawals will be processed as soon as network covers all due settlements with AdamevePoker.”
Earlier this month AdamevePoker management announced plans for the suspension of withdrawals after they publicly outed the network for falling behind on its reconciliation payments to the site.
AdamevePoker, operates an independent cashier and until recently, players have expected cashouts to be processed in 1-3 business days. But processing times have ground to a halt as a result of trouble with payments from the network.
Poker forums have been full of complaints about payment delays at Revolution Gaming. The network is one of few that continue to accept US players, but the cash out delays have impacted players worldwide.
The notice also explains that players will be segregated from the main Revolution Gaming player pool as of April 2. The implication is that poker will continue to be played with existing account balances, but that liquidity will collapse to include only players registered with AdamevePoker.
Assuming that Adameve’s continuing casino operations demonstrate that the company plans to remain in business and has the capital to do so, poker players are vulnerable to the single risk that Revolution is going to make the expected payments.
Should it be unable to do so, AdamevePoker has not yet announced what its plans will be and whether it is capable of reimbursing its poker customers from its own resources.
The home page message ends with an apology: “Adameve apologies [sic] for any inconvenience caused by above move. All our poker players and partners can rest assured that Adameve and Revolution Network are doing its best to resolve this situation ASAP.”
(Ixgames dont have this site on ixgames)
AdamevePoker is promising players that they will be paid: “We assure everybody who will be affected by this very uneasy decision that all poker related withdrawals will be processed as soon as network covers all due settlements with AdamevePoker.”
Earlier this month AdamevePoker management announced plans for the suspension of withdrawals after they publicly outed the network for falling behind on its reconciliation payments to the site.
AdamevePoker, operates an independent cashier and until recently, players have expected cashouts to be processed in 1-3 business days. But processing times have ground to a halt as a result of trouble with payments from the network.
Poker forums have been full of complaints about payment delays at Revolution Gaming. The network is one of few that continue to accept US players, but the cash out delays have impacted players worldwide.
The notice also explains that players will be segregated from the main Revolution Gaming player pool as of April 2. The implication is that poker will continue to be played with existing account balances, but that liquidity will collapse to include only players registered with AdamevePoker.
Assuming that Adameve’s continuing casino operations demonstrate that the company plans to remain in business and has the capital to do so, poker players are vulnerable to the single risk that Revolution is going to make the expected payments.
Should it be unable to do so, AdamevePoker has not yet announced what its plans will be and whether it is capable of reimbursing its poker customers from its own resources.
The home page message ends with an apology: “Adameve apologies [sic] for any inconvenience caused by above move. All our poker players and partners can rest assured that Adameve and Revolution Network are doing its best to resolve this situation ASAP.”
(Ixgames dont have this site on ixgames)
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
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Huval believes that online gambling has the potential to bring in millions of dollars in revenue to the state, and at the same time provide a safe route for local gamblers to enjoy games online. Since gambling was legalized in Louisiana in1991, it has managed to generate over $14 billion in revenues, mainly from the 18 commercial casinos spread across the state. ”Louisiana has the potential to benefit economically by legalizing Internet gaming,” said Huval in his proposal statement.
According to Huval, for the process of studying the pros and cons of internet poker to work, the joint committees will need to get the input of all interested parties, including the state police gaming division, the governor, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and the gaming industry.
Louisiana already has laws in place governing online poker and they may actually prove to be a hurdle for Huval’s attempts to introduce online poker to Louisiana. In 1997, Louisiana made it a crime to “gamble by computer” and obviously this law will need to be overturned to see any progress in online poker legislation.
Huval has explained however, that online poker sites are a fact of life and, despite Louisiana poker laws, residents continue to play over the internet. Huval believes that these sites provide “no safeguards regarding the integrity of the games or protection of those persons who wager on those games.”
As such, Huval says that while he is not promoting the act of gambling, he wants to provide a safe gaming environment online for those players who do.
Louisiana Looks to Online Poker Legalization