Gambling Blog

Democratic congressman Barney Frank has finally announced details of a new Act, aimed at repealing the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) in the US.

The congressman has been the subject of speculation for weeks since rumours began of his plans to contend last year’s gambling law, which effectively puts a stop on all online gambling in the US.

A statement to the press contained the first official details of the new bill, entitled the Internet Gambling Regulations and Enforcement Act (IGREA).

According to Mr Frank’s statement, “the Act establishes a federal regulatory and enforcement framework to license companies to accept bets and wagers online from individuals in the US, to the extent permitted by individual states, Indian tribes and sport leagues.”

This effectively argues the point that the Internet is one jurisdiction like any other, and should not be treated with any more suspicion than when policing various neighbourhoods.

To further allay such suspicions, Mr Frank said: “All such licenses would include protections against underage gambling, compulsive gambling, money laundering and fraud.”

Residents of the state of Florida could be looking to ease their tax burden, thanks to relaxed gambling laws.
 

There is currently a debate raging over the high price of property tax in the area, and one suggestion has been to introduce slot gambling in the state - a move which could raise around $2 billion annually.
 

It was most probably this figure that ensured the decision received an overwhelmingly positive 34-5 vote in the Senate on Friday, although this factor may also be the single reason the suggestion gets through the notoriously anti-gambling House of Representatives in the near future.
 

Reinforcing such rhetoric, Senate Democratic            leader Steve Geller, of Cooper City said: “I’m not saying it’s going to happen, but as we get down to the wire, $2 billion a year may be the way we make up the difference between us.”
 

If the decision is let through the House it may reinforce a precedent for other states to raise tax funds through gambling - an idea already championed by California state governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
 

It is hoped that gambling profits in the west-coast state will plug a several-hundred-million dollar deficit in state funds.

In an attempt to bridge the gap between the home comforts of online gambling and the excitement of the casino, one website has gone further than ever.

Suite332.com has introduced live video and audio streaming from its Costa Rica base to include real dealers handing cards to players at home, live.

Players will not just see their dealer personally deal the cards to them but will also be able to chat live to the dealer via an audio link, to ask questions or otherwise make conversation.

Based in Costa Rica, Suite332.com offers games for real money and comes at a time when the popularity of poker is skyrocketing.

Just this week alone it has been announced by Dusk Till Dawn Poker that plans to build Europe’s biggest poker club are under way in the UK.

Yesterday, Yahoo! revealed its intentions to join the online poker industry, a move which could open the game to massive further audiences.

The world of online poker could see a massive shake up in the coming months as international internet service provider (ISP) Yahoo! has revealed its intention to join the industry. 

Independent poker rooms are currently the standard online, and have without doubt made a fantastic success of the industry. 

The online poker community is a brilliant but small one though, with limited resources, due to the problems involved with hosting large numbers of players. 

This means large prize giveaways are difficult to generate. 

With a major international ISP such as Yahoo! entering the ring, the whole look and feel of online poker could be changed, with a flood new players becoming attracted to the game. 

As with any commercial company entering an independently-led industry, there is a threat that online poker as gamers know it will change, to accommodate newcomers who may be intimidated by smaller, less familiar website names. 

However the benefits are also numerous, and having such a large company back the game will be a massive boost when it comes to lobbying the US government on the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. 

Yahoo! is launching the venture in partnership with Gibraltar gaming group St Minver, and will offer real-money games, available from yahoo.co.uk. 

A Spanish player has logged off with more than $11,000 after playing just one online slots game. 

Playing at Everest Casino, the gamer was playing Fairy Tale, one of the most popular games on the website. 

Incorporating a story element to the slots, Fairy Tale is also a low investment, and astonishingly, the Spanish winner this time around put just $3 down. 

“We’re always happy to hear about a jackpot strike like this,” said Eduardo Santos, Everest Casino’s property manager. 

“Everest Casino’s state-of-the-art online video slot machines and casino games make it even more exciting for players like this to walk away with a big prize.” 

The win comes as part of what appears to be a severe lucky steak for slots gamers. 

Only last week a woman was reported to have won $1 million at a Mississippi casino, despite the machine only being rigged to pay out $8,000. 

Similarly, a player in Philadelphia was awarded over $100,000 after he believed he had won such a jackpot, despite the slot machine being faulty. 

Europe’s largest poker club may now be built in Nottingham, it has been announced, just weeks after the government’s bid to build a supercasino failed. 

The 15,000 sq ft club at

Owner Robert Yong explains: “It was a gamble because in the UK you have to secure your premises before you can apply for a licence.” 

Despite owners Dusk Till Dawn Poker being in possession of a certificate of consent from the Gambling Commission it will nevertheless need to hear from Nottingham magistrates for a license to trade. 

“The club has been a huge boost to the economy in Nottingham already,” said Mr Yong. 

“We have spent £4 million building Europe’s biggest poker club and another £3 million on a 15-year lease, proving our commitment to the city. 

“We will be making Nottingham one of the world’s biggest poker centres.” 

The UK poker industry has been growing rapidly since the introduction of online poker sites. 

Even since the US introduced a recent gambling restrictions act, the UIGEA, poker remains the most popular form of gaming, either when betting among friends or for casual play online. 

Europe’s largest poker club may now be built in Nottingham, it has been announced, just weeks after the government’s bid to build a supercasino failed.

The 15,000 sq ft club at

retail park has been priced at £7 million ($13 million), a cost made even more significant by the extra risks involved in setting up such a club in the UK.

Owner Robert Yong explains: “It was a gamble because in the UK you have to secure your premises before you can apply for a licence.”

Despite owners Dusk Till Dawn Poker being in possession of a certificate of consent from the Gambling Commission it will nevertheless need to hear from Nottingham magistrates for a license to trade.

“The club has been a huge boost to the economy in Nottingham already,” said Mr Yong.

“We have spent £4 million building Europe’s biggest poker club and another £3 million on a 15-year lease, proving our commitment to the city.

“We will be making Nottingham one of the world’s biggest poker centres.”

The UK poker industry has been growing rapidly since the introduction of online poker sites.

Even since the US introduced a recent gambling restrictions act, the UIGEA, poker remains the most popular form of gaming, either when betting among friends or for casual play online.

The strength of the US’ recently imposed Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) is to be tested soon, thanks to the dual nation of Antigua and Barbuda. 

The nation won a battle in the ongoing war against US gambling laws last month, after the World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruled that the US was wrong to try to quash the Caribbean island’s international gaming website. 

Until the WTO decision, the US had used the UIGEA, introduced last year, to prevent Antiguan gaming sites operating within US borders. 

Speaking openly and confidently about his belief that the US will now abide by the rulings, the director general of the WTO, Pascal Lamy, said: “The preservation of the rules-based multilateral trading system on which the WTO is based, will ensure that, over time, the US will move to implement the rulings and recommendations of the WTO Dispute Settlement Body.” 

In response to the Dispute Settlement Meeting Antigua and Barbuda minister of finance, Dr. Errol Cort, said: “We look forward to the United States opening its markets on a fair and balanced basis as the WTO agreements and the international community require.” 

Bookmaker Ladbrokes and online gaming website 888.com are no longer holding talks to discuss a merger, it was announced yesterday.

The £450 million acquisition of the online group 888 was ended primarily due to complications arising from US gambling laws.

The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) which came in to force last year was cited as one key reason for the problems for the British bookmakers.

Speaking about the recent decision to end talks, Ladbrokes chief executive, Chris Bell, said: “The issue was the complexity of the US. It wasn’t just the litigation risk. But we have departed as friends, not enemies.”

Despite the negative news, Ladbrokes’ share price rose following the announcement, although shares in 888.com dropped 5.7 per cent.

It is likely that Ladbrokes’ profits were saved by the 20 per cent increase in winnings from online gambling, which rose to £144.4 million for last year.

Poker has been used to pass the time, played as a series sport, and even acted as a part-time job for students in Florida! 

But the WWS Online Poker Tournament will be the first time poker has been played…Smackdown Style! 

The new World Wide Smackdown tournament, hosted by PokerTime.com, will see members of various countries across the globe go head to head against one another in a battle of wits. 

The tournament will consist of four country-specific knockout rounds - two of which are yet to take place. 

From the other two rounds 10 people have already qualified from each country, meaning places are still free for the main freeroll. 

May 7^th sees the online final, with players pitting all they have to defend the honour of their country! 

Hungarians could soon be benefiting from an expanded online gaming industry, lightening up the current state-owned monopoly that exists in the country. 

It is reported that the country’s state gaming company has announced a bid for expansion. 

Gabor Szekely, the CEO of Szerencsejatek Zrt, has announced that he is to expand the company’s online services, and will bid for the acquisition of the technology needed to enable the change. 

Currently, Szerencsejatek Zrt has the sole responsibility for providing all number draw games, sports bets and prize draw tickets throughout the country, although this is not an issue that has gone unnoticed. 

Last year the European Commission demanded Hungary open up its online gaming industry to other European companies, to make sure it kept in line with European trading laws, which state free trade must be allowed within the European Union. 

Doing so may be an extremely lengthy process however, as even the proposed expansion of Szerencsejatek Zrt’s games could take up to 18 months due to the legal process it is required to go through. 

The Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles is to play host to the second Annual Celebrity Poker Tournament and Casino night, with actor Don Cheadle defending his title. 

Other celebrities attending the event include Eddie Griffin, Anthony Anderson, Shannon Elizabeth, and Jennifer Tilly, who will all be playing as well as professional poker players. 

The night is the result of a collaboration between Card Player Media and the Urban Health Institute, a fundraising organisation which aims to provide direct care, medicine, and medical equipment in response to natural and man-made disasters. 

The top prize for the poker players is two seats at the World Series of Poker, while there will be chances to win other prizes at the casino, which will house craps tables, blackjack and roulette wheels. 

Card Player Media recently announced new services it has to offer, including professional poker PR management, for those players thrust into the limelight by winning major series. 

The tournament will take place on Saturday April 28^th. 

The first of the $12,000 prize packages including a chance to play in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) has been won - by a relative amateur, it can be revealed. 

Robert P, an office worker in California, plays poker only in his spare time. Commenting on the win he told reporters: “Man, I’ve never won anything even close to this kind of a prize. 

“I’m a humungous poker fan and avid recreational player…but the most I’ve ever won is maybe a few hundred bucks. I’ve always dreamed of playing in the WSOP” 

The prize packages given away by the WSOP include a return flight to Las Vegas and a seat in the most revered of poker tournaments in the world, worth $10,000 alone. 

Robert won his after winning an entry to a weekly satellite on PlayersOnly.com. 

“The past couple of years I’ve paid my way into events like Sunday’s tournament, but…then I found this free roll during the week where I could even win my way to the Sunday night tournament…That seemed like the way to go,” he added. 

There are 11 more prize packages to be won in an open season reminiscent of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, with the WSOP Main Event commencing on July 6^th.