Absolute Poker's Finance Chief, Brent Beckley, was sentenced to 14 months in prison by Judge Lewis Kaplan. He was charged with conspiring to break U.S. laws against gambling on the Internet to commit bank fraud and wire fraud.

Rumours earlier in the week surrounded Zynga Poker considering real money play - they don't want to be totally reliant upon Facebook. In a later report, it was confirmed that they are ready to launch in early 2013.

Rules for online poker affiliates have been set by Nevada. A Class 3 license is required for anyone who "Provides information regarding persons to an establishment licensed to operate interactive gaming via a database or customer list"; or "Provides products, services, information or assets to an establishment licensed to operate interactive gaming and receives therefore a percentage of gaming revenue from the establishment's interactive gaming system". Items required are numerous forms, fingerprints, certain Agreements, a business plan together wth a cheque for $3,000!

Ira Rubin, charged with processing payments between online poker sites and players wishing to fund their account,was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment this week. A stiff sentence was handed out as Judge Kaplan believed he would commit fruther crimes once released from prison.

You will likely recall the insider hole cards cheating scandal at Ultimatebet some while ago. Writer, Scott Bell, is planning to create a documentary on all his findings about the scam, the title of which is Ultimate Beat. Details of names never before assocated with Ultimatebet cheating scandal will also be released within the documentary. It will be released on DVD and also be available as video-on-demand. The film will be released later on this year.

John Pappas, the Executive Director of the Poker Players Alliance (PPA), believes that Congress should take steps to legalize poker this year to keep American's safe when depositing. With up to 15 million players accessing 2,000 offshore sites, the sooner Congress legalizes the game, the sooner USA players are preotected.

There appears to be a problem with International Stadiums Poker Tour's (ISPT) prize pool. The gauranteed prize pool was said to be 20 million Euros however, it is now not clear that this sum is in fact guaranteed. The word "guarantee" has been removed from the ISPT website.

And finally....there could be good news for Full Tilt Poker players. Players may well receive their money in time for Christmas. It's not official but it is a possibility. The US Attorney Office in New York who approved a deal for Pokerstars to acquire Full Tilt Poker, "...all players owed monies by Full Tilt Poker will be receiving their funds with an announcement forthcoming directly from the US Attorney’s Office very shortly."
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