POKER/GAMBLING NEWS

[blueday]

SEN. REID’S CHRISTMAS PRESENTS WITHOUT ONLINE GAMBLING?

Unlikely survival of the bill legalisation, ESPN sources claim

According to the renowned publication ESPN, legalisation of US online poker will not be among the gifts below the online gambling industry Christmas tree.

Late Wednesday, Andrew Feldman, the ESPN writer famous for his connections and access to well-informed sources, reported that Senator Harry Reid's proposal to legalise online gambling in the USA is dead in the water and will not pass Congress's lame duck session as the legislature closes for the year.

Despite strong support from some of the top land gambling groups and the American Gaming Association, the Reid bill is unlikely to be passed this year, either as a standalone bill or attached to the coattails of other 'must-pass' legislation, claims Feldman quoting unnamed, but reliable sources.

 “We are disappointed that Congress failed to act and provide the necessary consumer protections and sensible oversight over this multi-billion (and growing) industry. Sadly, some politicians remain with their heads firmly in the sand,” John Pappas, executive director of Poker Players Alliance, commented according to Feldman’s report.

A lot of media attention was given to the Senator Reid when he presented his proposal late November, however the reactions to the proposed legislation were conflicting – ranging from the support to antagonism – even from some of the most influential people.

Another federal attempt to legalise online gambling initiated by the Congressman Barney Frank as HR2267 has not been more successful either, as it has passed committee but not made it to the floor. It can be assumed that the Reid’s bill too has failed in the present session of Congress and with a Republican House of Assembly next year the chances do not look good for any resurrections.

Individual state initiatives remain the only hope for online gamblers in the US, as California, New Jersey and Florida are already working on passing the online gambling regulations.

[wnanhee]

What Happened to all the Seized Online Gambling Money?

2010 was a banner year for the US Federal Government and the Department of Justice who confiscated hundreds of millions of dollars from online payment processors & gambling site owner/operators like BetonSports and most recently payment processor EwalletXpress. Week after week, we have been reporting about online payment processors being seized by the Federal Government in the US and time after time, it was for huge amounts of money, all of which came from online poker players. In fact, every single dime that is seized through a payment processor is player’s money. The gambling sites and banks are not the ones losing money in these seizures because the cash that is being seized is “winnings” not deposits. Payment processors handle payments to players once they cash out winnings, so when a processor has their accounts frozen by the Feds, all that cash sitting in those accounts should be going to the players but instead the government takes the funds and does what with it? They don’t give it back to the players (not yet anyways), and by the way, shouldn’t they, because playing poker online in the US is still NOT illegal. So there is no reason that these players should have their money stolen from them. It’s the banks that process these winnings that are operating illegally and they should be the ones bearing the brunt of the DOJ’s ire.

So what does the DOJ do with all this money they are confiscating? Throughout 2009 & 2010, it seems they have seized enough money to pull this country halfway out of debt, but instead we are no better off now than we were last year. So the government gets millions of dollars for free from innocent online poker players and they never tell us what they do with the money. But the players know it’s not given back to them. Even the online poker sites and casinos that are involved with these processors are being fined millions of dollars for marketing in the US and excepting US players. I have not seen many online gambling sites offering to pay these winners again with new checks, instead they just write little notes telling the players their sorry for the inconvenience but there is nothing they can do at the moment and promise to keep them informed as to what their money is up to! I think it’s high time the DOJ addresses poker players and online gamblers around the US and inform them as to what actually happens to their money once seized by the government.

[blueday]

Cereus Group Loses Two Aces

Duke and Hellmuth decide to move on

On Dec. 30, the industry observers started speculating of the reasons why two high-profile US poker pros, Annie Duke and Phil Hellmuth, resigned as resident professionals for UB.com, a major online poker site in the Cereus Group.

Based on the statements made by all parties, this seems to be an amicable parting. In addition, the site specified that the pair decided to move on in order to pursue other business interests and will no longer be associated with UB.

As a proof of the split on friendly terms, another Cereus pro, Joe Sebok, stated about his now former colleagues on his blog: “These two legends in our industry have, quite literally, helped to build UB into what it is today. Phil and Annie have been the face of the company for years now, and we thank them for their unbelievable contributions and bid them the utmost in success moving forward.”

Apart from the above mentioned aces, UB.com still boasts some quite impressive names, such as Sebok, Brandon Cantu, Eric Baldwin, Tiffany Michelle, Adam Levy and Maria Ho, and they plan to include more of them on the team.

According to Duke: “After some thought, I made a decision to leave UB.com because I would like to explore other avenues of business and personal growth. I realized I needed to spend my time on other things.”

The two aces hold some of the biggest wins in the poker world, and their finances are expanded not only by the tournament prizes but also by their private business outside the industry. In addition, Hellmuth is a recorder for winning the most WSOP bracelets (11), which only shows the class of player that those former UB.com team members are.

[blueday]

California Sees Another Poker Legalization Bill?

Wright bill gets updated?

This week’s industry news reported of a recent speculation that last year’s less than successful bill launched by Senator Rod Wright proposing legalization of intrastate online poker in California may be back in the game in form of an updated proposal by Assemblyman Gerry Hill. This bill, supported by the action group Poker Voters of America, will be the third to go before the Californian legislature in the coming months.

It was stated by PVA President Melanie Brenner: “The bill is different from Wright’s bill, it has taken out limits on the number of [operating] hubs, and introduces a further income distribution component, granting further benefits to stakeholders such as the tribes.”

Earlier this week the PVA announced that it had appointed former Morongo spokesman Patrick Dorinson as its new executive director.

California Online Poker Association (COPA), led by Morongo tribe, in December last year pushed a bill sponsored by California Senator Louis Correa, and the original version of Senator Wright's bill was re-submitted by the veteran senator.

In this rather contentious bill COPA suggests that its members, including commercial land card rooms, should be given exclusive rights to operate online poker in California. This caused opposition due to fear that such a monopoly would exclude participation by some of the state’s largest gaming tribes and nearly a hundred licensed card clubs.

On the other side, Californian supporters of online poker claim that legalization and taxation of the pastime could help reduce the projected $25 billion Californian budget deficit.

According to Brenner, tribal support for legalized online poker is growing, and PVA approach has attracted a number of previously opposed; “the Pechenga and Caliente, whose opposition was a problem in the past, are now on board and want to make it happen”, she said.



Update: Online Poker Targeted by Washington State?

Latest actions result in confiscation of $8 million

This week’s Forbes magazine brought to us detailed report on the latest federal moves against e-processors in Washington State. Reportedly, in the past few months, the authorities have 'quietly moved' to seize nearly $8 million from financial enterprises that dealt with processing of transactions for major offshore online poker companies like PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, UltimateBet.
and Absolute Poker.

According to Forbes, four civil forfeiture complaints have been filed in federal court in Seattle since October, causing the federal prosecutors to have seized cash from accounts at Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Wells Fargo & Co. and SunTrust Banks, and belonging to payment processor firms like Arrow Checks, Secure Money, Etegrity Processing, Anaya Trading Solutions and Blue Lake Capital Management and Logistics.

The magazine further opines that those actions represent the latest move in the Justice Department’s battle against online poker, adding that they follow Washington’s State Supreme Court September action, which upheld a 2006 state law that made it a Class C felony to play online poker for money in the state of Washington. In addition, based on the court filings, a special task force got enforcement in shape of the Washington State Gambling Commission and started investigations in January 2009.

In terms of the biggest forfeiture case, it was initiated in June 2009 when the task force officer got a tip from a witness that he had received a payout check for their online poker winnings from Arrow Checks. The case involved some $5.1 million and it was filed in December.

The court documents reveal that over $20 million of wire transfers have been tracked so far from Canada and Texas to Arrow Checks accounts at Bank of America controlled by Scott Seguin and Justin Sather.

It was further specified that players from Washington state who received the checks from Arrow Checks were then contacted, alleging that the money represented came from online poker activities at PokerStars. Therefore, the federal prosecutors claim that Seguin and Sather were operating an unlicensed money transmitting business and violated the federal Wire Act “...because online gambling is illegal in Washington state.”

It was also stated in the Forbes article that other payment processors operated six bank accounts at SunTrust and Wells Fargo controlled by one Sanjay Panya, and used to issue checks reportedly coming from poker play at Full Tilt Poker and Absolute Poker. Upon getting additional info from Washington state players they tracked through the processing records, the feds seized $1.3 million in the accounts connected to Panya in November, and stated that he was also operating unlicensed money transmitting business and violating the Wire Act.

The court documents point Brian Kenny and Javier Carillo, as facilitators of payments to Washington state residents derived from online poker play at UltimateBet.

Also, after the state Supreme Court’s September findings, some big companies like Pokerstars and Full Tilt Poker decided to pull out of Washington State.

Throughout the USA, teams of feds have been prosecuting e-cash processors, and seizures have been reported from Florida and New York as well as Washington State. They have already disrupted hundreds of millions of dollars in transactions.

[blueday]

Identity of Isildur1 Celebrity Finally Revealed

Isildur1 aka Viktor Blom

A final, official confirmation came this week from Pokerstars that the past few months’ speculation that Viktor Blom is the name hiding behind high stakes poker player Isildur1, was actually right. The announcement came at Pokerstars Caribbean Adventure this weekend, and drew big media attention to the young, 20-year-old Pokerstars pro.

Isildur1 has been widely present on the online poker scene for only about a year, and his play is characteristic for loose, almost reckless high stakes, bringing his bankroll to millions, which he spectacularly lost and won back and then lost again on the Full Tilt high stakes tables against the biggest online poker names, including Hastings, Dwan, Ivey, Sahamies and Antonius.

However, losing millions doesn’t stop this fierce Swede for long - he would disappear only for a while, soon coming back with another major bankroll to repeat the experience all over again.

The real identity of reputable Isildur1 was revealed when Blom took part in a $10 000 buy-in, 100 hand promotional match against the formidable multi-table high stakes player Bertrand 'ElkY' Grospellier. Despite expectations, Blom remained quite calm throughout the game and the media shindig, explaining that he was sure most people had known his identity anyway.

Also, when he was admitted to the Pokerstars pro team, he seemed just as calm and relaxed being next to the names like Daniel Negreanu, Vanessa Rousso, Johnny Lodden, Grospellier and Jason Mercier. On the occasion, he said: “I think I’m the best online heads-up No-Limit Hold’em player in the world but I’m looking forward to learning a lot from the other Team pros and helping them with their games, too."

[blueday]

New Product from PokerStars

Innovation allows players to create their own poker club

The online poker giant Pokerstars has yet another fabulous novelty for its players, titled Home Games. The concept allows players to set up their own private online poker games, comprising their friends and other invited players.

Players were informed by the Pokerstars website that the new facility will serve to create and manage a private poker club, in which they will have the freedom to play what they want, with whom they want and when they want.

In addition, players can give their club a name and an invitation code, and in return they will be offered a private poker lobby to customize with Home Games tables and tournaments of choice.

It’s also possible to schedule games and tournaments, which is rather easy to do – the player only has to choose the game, the stakes, the date and time for the event, and the invitations will be sent to fellow club members automatically through the Pokerstars system.

Key features:

* Club Management Tools – used to choose administrators, manage membership, customise club games and lobbies and set length of club sessions.

* Club Leader Board – displays the top players by points awarded in tournament play

* Player Statistics – used to view points earned, top finishers, knockouts for each club member

* Save Favourite Game Setups – used to direct players to favourite customised games on repeat visits.

* Game Schedule – sets tournament dates and times, plus open ring game tables

* Game Results – used to view tournament finishing positions, points earned and knockouts

* Private Games – all games and tournaments are available exclusively to members of each club

* Custom Tables – game tables feature the name of each club on the felt.

* Full Range of Poker Games – originators can choose from a wide range of games like Hold’em, Omaha, Stud, Mixed and HORSE

For more information, visit: http://www.pokerstars.net/poker/home-games/

[wnanhee]

OMG!!!

Wow...I can not wait,blue!

What an amazing idea!!!

Go,"LatestPokerBonuses.com" club,Go!!!

[blueday]

US Legalization Raises Optimism

A tipping point for the US online gambling legal affairs

According to the industry analyst Michael Campbell, who works for the Daniel Stewart broking company, there’s good reason for optimism, because the US online gambling market will “sooner or later embrace online gambling legalization in one form or another.”

Campbell recently pointed to the grand changes in the US scene recently, adding that increasing pressure from major land gambling companies and the difficult economic situation in a way resulted in several legalization proposals at both federal and state level.

Some of these initiatives were more effective than others – especially those in New Jersey and California. Therefore, if individual states legalize internet gambling, that may result in a domino effect on other states.

In Campbell’s opinion, there are two companies that will most likely close some B2B deals in the potential US online gambling market, and those are Playtech and Party Gaming.

“Bricks and mortar casinos have endured a torrid time during the recession and are seeking to explore new ways of generating income,” Campbell said, adding: “Our view is that online gambling will move ahead whether legislative change happens at Federal or State level or a combination of both.

“Poker may be the only product vertical to pass at Federal level, however we believe that individual States will legalise online casino and poker at state level, with New Jersey and California leading the way, we believe will cause a tipping point, whereby other state will follow.

“We expect to see legislative change implemented and licenses granted in 2011 or early 2012.”

In addition, he put a particular stress on the estimated value of the US gambling market, some US$90 billion annually. This number primarily represents the business conducted in the commercial casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Atlantic City in New Jersey, as those two centers account for 37 percent of the total market.

There are two crucial stats to show the scale of the opportunity, Campbell said. First, the global online gambling market would be worth an estimated US$30 billion per year, of which the US would account for 27 percent or some US$7 billion. Second, before the ban was introduced on online gambling, this industry branch in the US actually accounted for about half the global market. "The scope for growth should legislation follow in the near future in our view is immense,” Campbell assessed.

[Rosebud]

Thanks again blue for keeping us updated.I'll keep my fingers,toes and anything else I can manage to cross and hope it's sooner than later.

[blueday]

Pokerstars Shuts Down eCheck for a Number of US states

Another obstacle for US gambling fans

Another bit of bad news for the US punters emerged this week when the online poker giant Pokerstars decided, after exiting the Washington State market to shutting down its eCheck cash processing facilities to the residents of a number of other states, including Nevada, New York, Florida, Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois, New Jersey and Maryland.

However, the good news is that the halt seems to come only for eCheck, whereas according to the company, players can still use other financial options such as paper cheques, bank wires and Western Union. Yet, even those may pose a problem, due to the regulative obstacles introduced by UIGEA.

[Rosebud]

Thanks blue for the info and of  course the stick it to us here in the US... again!! I'm not only in the US but also one of the States listed....stupid UIGDA!!!GGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!

[blueday]

Thanks blue for the info and of  course the stick it to us here in the US... again!! I'm not only in the US but also one of the States listed....stupid UIGDA!!!GGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!

Very unfortunate Rosebud.

blue

[blueday]

Online Gambling Companies Get More U.S. Support

New advocates for USOGA

In light of the recent developments regarding online gambling in the U.S, which proved that it will be state, not federal initiatives that will set the path for online gambling in the States, several industry giants decided to put a joint effort into advocating legalization.

Therefore, this week was marked by the establishment of the US Online Gaming Association, headed up by former Poker Voters of America chief Melanie Brenner. The organization received a major support from sponsors like Sportingbet.com and PKR.com, and the sponsor list is still expected to grow, especially having in mind that over twenty representatives of various companies attended the launch meeting.

According to Brenner, the purpose of the new body is “...to advocate for the legalization and regulation of online gaming in the States”. She added that “With the failure of a federal solution to this issue, the opening of the lucrative US market will be through state capitols such as Tallahassee, Sacramento and Trenton," said Brenner this week. "The work we have done through Poker Voters has uniquely positioned us to be the most effective voice in moving this issue.”

IT was stated by chief executive Malcolm Graham that the formation of USOGA was necessary when there was such a great momentum at state level towards internet gambling legalization in the United States.

“I think it is important [that] the industry, which will be supporting local operators from this side of the pond, has a collective voice and a consistent message," he remarked.

However, USOGA is not the first new legalization body launched this week; prior to its establishment, a still unidentified group of companies involved in the recent legalization victory in New Jersey joined together to form the American Institute for iGaming (AIIG), consisting of gaming companies, payment processors and casino operators under the leadership of top US lobbyist Bill Pascrell.

The organization focuses on legalization at national as well as state level, said Pascrell, adding that it will welcome online gambling entities from other countries, provided only that those entities did not have "US legacy issues."

[wnanhee]

New Jersey gets parimutuel and exchange betting

In America, the Governor for the eastern state of New Jersey has signed legislation into law that allows the state’s long-suffering horseracing industry to benefit by being able to offer exchange and parimutuel wagering.

First-term Republican Chris Christie put his signature to measures S-2229 and A-2926 on Monday while also using a ‘conditional veto’ to block legislation that supporters stated would have streamlined the process by which off-track betting locations were approved and built.

Sponsored by New Jersey General Assembly Democrats Craig Coughlin, John Burzichelli and Annette Quijano, A-2926 has been designed to boost interest in horseracing in the state and permits the New Jersey Racing Commission to issue a licence to the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority that would allow it to operate a betting exchange.

S-2229 was sponsored by New Jersey General Assembly Democrats John McKeon and Connie Wagner and permits racetrack permit holders to provide for a single parimutuel pool for each running or harness horse race.

“These measures represent the next steps in following through on my administration's commitment to securing a strong, independent and self-sufficient horseracing industry in New Jersey,” said Christie.

“We are providing new tools to help the industry implement new strategies, generate additional revenues and capitalise on interest in horseracing around the state.”

Christie still has to decide whether to sign bi-partisan legislation sponsored by New Jersey State Senators Raymond Lesniak and Joseph Kyrillos into law that would see the state become the first in the United States to offer legal online gambling to its residents. Known as S-490 and passed on January 10 by both the lower New Jersey General Assembly and higher New Jersey Senate, the legislation would see inhabitants permitted to wager online via portals hosted on servers based exclusively in Atlantic City with those living outside of the state blocked. These domains would be run by land-based casinos operating in the state with operators required to pay $200,000 for an initial one-year renewable licence with this fee dropping to $100,000 for subsequent years.

[blueday]

Thanks Nan.  Here is another piece of news:

US operators stand a good chance against the UIGEA thanks to the government initiative

There has been new movement in the states which may provide operators with a good chance to strike a blow at the infamous Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act; namely the US government started an initiative to act against laws that represent an obstacle on the way of economic growth, which has already seen at least one pro-industry body taking up the challenge.

Namely, businessmen have been called on by the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, Darrell Issa, to file suggestions about laws they believe are hampering economic growth and job creation in the States. This caused The Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative, one of the major industry advocates, to get in touch with the committee in regards to the UIGEA, which according to them disrupts online financial transactions with online gambling firms.

In its note, the SSIGI advises that the government should abolish the law and in its place regulate and introduce licensing for online gambling, which, they believe, may lead to creation of jobs in the US jobs, but also bring nice taxation sums into the state coffers and boost business revenues.

"As you gather input on the various government regulations that have negatively impacted job growth, we would like to draw your attention to the opportunity to generate tens of thousands of new jobs and tens of billions in domestic gross expenditures should the federal government replace a failed attempt to prohibit Internet gambling with a system to legitimize the thriving activity," assessed SSIGI executive director Michael Waxman.