Politics
Online Poker Felon Bill Sponsor Senator Marquerite Prentice May be Gerrymandered Out
A Washington State Senator, Marguerite Prentice, may lose her seat due to so-called gerrymandering. Prentice helped co-sponsor a controversial bill that made playing online poker in the state a Class C felony with the punishment comparable to that of a multiple drunk driving offender and child molester. Washington is the only state that criminalizes actual online gamblers.
The Seattle Times noted that Prentice, a Democrat, will have to compete with other Democrats to remain in the legislature.
Xmas Gifts We’d Like to See for Poker Players, Online Gambling Folks, Politicians More…
With Christmas just around the corner, Gambling911.com takes this opportunity to tell you what Christmas gifts we'd like to give to some of our friends in the gambling industry.
To Full Tilt Poker part-owners Howard "The Professor" Lederer and Chris "Jesus" Ferguson, who've been accused by the U.S. government of running a ponzi scheme: A "Get out of Jail Free" card.
To Full Tilt Poker part-owner Phil "Poison" Ivey, who's now suing Full Tilt Poker: A copy of the best-selling book "How to Sue Yourself."
Ron Paul Iowa Ads: We Got ‘Em (Video)
Ron Paul is going strong in Iowa and many believe he can take that state in its Caucus a few weeks from now.
His ads are slick and they are airing virtually nonstop throughout Iowa.
From the Washington Post:
Government Spending Bill: Chances of Online Poker Attachment Slim
The much talked about Government Spending Bill that would allow the US Government to continue running into 2012 has been suggested as something a measure to legalize Internet poker could latch onto.
Texas Republican Congressman Joe Barton in his own words last week:
“There’s going be an omnibus bill of some sort of in the next 3 weeks with a continued resolution to fund the government through next September. This bill could be a component of that if there are revenues in the bill,” said the Congressman.
Public Policy Polling Has Ron Paul One Percentage Point Behind Gingrich
Most of the national polls have GOP candidate Ron Paul tied with Mitt Romney in the Iowa Caucus but at least one poll now has Paul closing in on Newt Gingrich.
The long time Texas Congressman is coming in one point behind Gingrich the Public Policy Polling.
Ron Paul Can Win Iowa (Video)
Don’t look now but GOP candidate Ron Paul is gaining on Newt Gingrich and has passed by Mitt Romney in some recent Iowa caucus polls.
The mainstream media is starting to hint at a Ron Paul upset.
The Texas Congressman, who has not only supported legalizing online gambling in the US, but has co-sponsored bills with the likes of Democrat Barney Frank, is considered the dream candidate for those in the poker community.
Game of Skill: Success Rate of Poker Players Matches That of Top Baseball Teams
Poker pros love Freakonomics and a recent finding that appeared on James McManus’s Grantland.com seemingly supports the argument that poker is indeed a “game of skill” through a comparison with Major League Baseball.
Somach: Romney Wouldn’t Be First Gambling President
Much fuss is being made about Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's offer to bet fellow contender Rick Perry $10,000 during a live televised debate this past weekend.
Fellow Mormon Jon Huntsman Mocks Mitt Romney $10K Bet in Latest Campaign Ad (Video)
GOP candidate for US President and former Utah Governor, Jon Huntsman, was quick to release an ad mocking Mitt Romney’s $10K bet offer to Texas Governor Rick Perry.
Like Romney, Huntsman is a Mormon. And like Romney, Huntsman is not supposed to gamble based on Mormon doctrine.
Nets Owner to Challenge Putin for Presidency: Odds to be Released
The New Jersey Nets billionaire owner could soon become the new President of Russia.
Mikhail Prokhorov will run against Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in the March presidential election. Putin has come under fire in recent weeks for alleged widespread fraud during Russia’s December 4 parliamentary election. His party only won around 50 percent of the vote compared to 64 percent four years ago.
Romney Flip Flops on 10K Bet
US Presidential candidate Mitt Romney stirred up controversy Saturday evening during a nationally televised GOP debate by offering to bet fellow candidate Rick Perry $10,000 over his assertion that the former Massachusetts Governor had broadly supported requiring individuals to have health insurance.
“I’ll bet you 10,000 bucks,” Romney said, denying Perry’s claims.
Perry replied, “I’m not in the betting business.”
By late Sunday, Romney tried to laugh off the bet.
Mormons and Gambling: The Mitt Romney $10,000 Bet
One of the most searched terms coming to the Gambling911.com website during the overnight hours of Saturday and early morning Sunday: “Mormons and Gambling”. The flurry occurred following Saturday evening’s GOP debate on ABC where US Presidential candidate and Mormon Mitt Romney challenged fellow candidate Texas Governor Rick Perry to a $10,000 bet over the assertion that Romney had broadly supported requiring individuals to have health insurance.
Joe Barton Eyes Ominibus Bills Over Next Two Weeks for Online Poker Attachment
The odds may be stacked against him but Texas Republican Joe Barton said his bill to legalize online poker could be attached to one of the ominibus spending bills expected to pass before the end of this month (December 2011).
Speaking before the Digital Gaming and Lottery Policy Summit in Washington, DC this week, Barton offered the following:
Obama Won’t Sign Tax Extension Bill With Attachments
Congressman Joe Barton of Texas said on Monday he is okay with his bill to legalize online poker being attached to other pertinent upcoming legislation. President Obama says it won’t happen with the most likely bill to pass this session, the payroll tax extension cut.
President Obama on Wednesday pledged to reject any efforts to tie a payroll tax cut extension to the controversial Keystone XL Oil Pipeline -- or any other "extraneous" issue.
Ron Paul Says Newt Gingrich “Flavor of the Week” (Video)
GOP candidate Congressman Ron Paul of Texas appeared on CNN Wednesday afternoon to discuss Iowa, Donald Trump and more.
During his interview, Paul referred to Newt Gingrich as “the flavor of the month” when asked if he was concerned about the former House Speaker leading in the Iowa polls.
Not that Congressman Paul should be too concerned, some polls have him in 2nd place ahead of Mitt Romney.
It’s Official: Sheldon Adelson Now Opposes Online Poker
The Las Vegas Review-Journal confirmed Wednesday morning that Las Vegas Sands Corp. Chairman Sheldon Adelson will no longer support legalized online poker at the federal level.
American Gaming Association President Frank Fahrenkopf Jr., confirmed in an email this morning that Adelson visited the lobbying organization's offices Monday, that paper noted.
From the Las Vegas Review Journal:
Is Adelson Now Opposing Online Poker?
It appears as if Las Vegas Sands Chairman Sheldon Adelson has decided to do an about face when it comes to online poker legalization in the US.
Jon Ralston of the Las Vegas Sun reported late Tuesday night that Adelson suddenly has become “morally opposed” to online poker after being at the forefront of the push to get the industry legalized in the US over the past few years.
Joe Barton Okay With Online Poker Bill Being Attached to Deficit Spending Measure
There hasn’t been a whole lot of coverage of this week’s Washington, DC Digital Gaming and Lottery Policy Summit, but some of the heaviest hitters connected to online poker are in attendance including our friends at SouthPointPoker.com and the Congressman who has drafted a measure to legalize Internet poker in the US, Texas Republican Joe Barton.
Upon Further Review, Waters May Not Be Against Online Gambling
The gambling Waters may not be as turbulent as originally feared.
California Congresswoman Maxine Waters, who twice voted to make it illegal to use credit cards to fund online gambling, now says she would vote differently if the issue arises again in Congress.
Bachus Proposes “Blind Trust” After Insider Stock Trading Expose
Following a segment on the CBS news magazine “60 Minutes” claiming that Alabama Republican Congressman Spencer Bachus engaged in “insider stock trading” during the height of the financial crisis, Bachus himself has now proposed legislation that would require all members of Congress to place all their stocks, bonds and other securities into a blind trust that would be managed without their consent as long as they are members.
Smaller Payroll Tax Reduction Proposal Could Include Online Poker Provision
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid released details of his payroll tax reduction compromise on Monday. While no provisions were mentioned regarding the legalization of Internet poker as a means to help boost the US economy, some believe this measure could offer an opportunity to attach such legislation.
Could Online Poker be on the Agenda as Part of Harry Reid’s Payroll Tax Cut Proposal
With Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid preparing to introduce a proposal Monday as a compromise to extend a popular payroll tax cut, the poker community had its ears perk up, if only for a brief moment.
Reid, who represents the gambling state of Nevada and its casino interests, is reportedly attempting to push through a measure that would legalize online poker as a means of reducing the deficit, creating jobs, and, most importantly, generating millions (if not billions) of dollars in taxable income.
CNN Introduces Intrade.com Monitoring for its Political Power Rankings
CNN on Friday introduced a new weekly segment, Political Power Rankings.
Contributor John Avalon presented the segment while a panel came on to discuss the trending related to the GOP candidates, referencing the betting exchange intrade.com.
Intrade is a prediction market that attempts to act as an indicator of possible outcomes for specified events such as Presidential elections.
So who was on top of the CNN Political Power Rankings?
CNN Puts More Pressure on Bachus, Pelosi Regarding Insider Trading and Congress
Following a “60 Minutes” report, CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Thursday night made insider trading and Congress his top story of the evening. The “violators” were none other than former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, current House Speaker John Boehner and Alabama Republican Congressman Spencer Bachus. Mr. Bachus has been one of the biggest advocates for online gambling prohibition and he is also allegedly one of the biggest of the “violators”.
What they did was not illegal but…
From Wikipedia…
Herman Cain to Drop Out of US Presidential Race at 45 percent
The prediction markets at intrade.com have GOP US Presidential candidate Herman Cain with odds set at 45 percent of dropping out of the US Presidential race before December 31.
The market has given the former Godfathers Pizza CEO a 1 percent chance of becoming the nominee to represent the Republican party in 2012.
Bad News for Online Gambling: Foe Maxine Waters to Replace Supporter Barney Frank
Bad news for bettors!
It could be rocky Waters ahead!
U.S. Congressman Barney Frank made news this week when he announced he won't seek re-election and will retire at the end of his current two-year term, which expires on December 31, 2012.
The news was of particular interest to those in the online gambling community, as Frank has been the leading proponent among elected government officials for the legalization of online gambling in the U.S.
He wasn't just a proponent though.
Joe Barton on Legalized Internet Poker in the US: “I Think We Have the Votes”
Texas Republican Congressman Joe Barton believes his bill to legalize and fully regulate (not to mention tax) Internet poker in the United States will likely come to fruition by next summer, which, if you are able to keep up with the time, is just about 6 months away.
From Poker News Report:
Sources: Jon Kyl Adamant About Getting UIGEA Retooled
Sources within the online gambling community have advised Gambling911.com that outgoing Arizona Republican Senator Jon Kyl is working hard to re-enforce his Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act (UIGEA) through amended legislation that would help loosen the grip over licensed online poker sites in the US.
“A lot of his constituents were not pleased with what Kyl did in 2006,” our source tells us.
December Bills Could Create Opportunity for Internet Poker Measure
Lawmakers may be planning to attach online poker legislation to upcoming bills, more specifically an omnibus appropriations bill that needs to be passed by December 16.
It’s déjà vu perhaps, harping back to last December when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid worked feverishly to get his own online poker bill passed by year’s end. That never happened. This year, there is more momentum.
The New York Post earlier in the month reported that Reid and one time industry nemesis Arizona Republican Senator Jon Kyl were co-authoring a bill to legalize Internet poker.
Barney Frank Won’t Run for Reelection: Online Poker Sector Must Act Fast
The online poker and gambling industry as a whole is about to lose one of its greatest allies as Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank has announced he will not be running for reelection in 2012.
