Politics

Hearing On Internet Poker With Justice Department Officials Likely

House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Manufacturing Chairwoman Mary Bono Mack (R-Calif.) advised Tuesday that she is considering holding another hearing on legalized Internet poker that would feature experts from the US Justice Department.

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Submitted by Ace King on, Jan/25/2012

PaddyPower Regrets Paying Out on Early Romney Bets

Following Newt Gingrich’s big South Carolina primary win this past Saturday, the Mitt Romney camp was not the only bunch banging their respective heads against the wall. 

The bookmakers at PaddyPower.com shed some tears as well.

That’s because PaddyPower.com, an Irish bookmaker that accepts wagers from all over the world except for the United States, paid out Mitt Romney wagers after his big New Hampshire primary win.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Jan/24/2012

New Jersey Congressmen Introduce Sports Betting Bill

New Jersey Congressman Republican Rep. Frank LoBiondo introduced legislation that would bring legalized sports betting to all states that want it, not just the Garden State. 

New Jersey residents overwhelmingly voted in favor of a referendum that would legalize sports wagering in the state.  Governor Chris Christie signed the legislation that passed through both the House and state senate last week.  New Jersey legislators must now overturn a federal law that makes it illegal to bet on sports in all but four states.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Jan/24/2012

Connecticut Tribes Want Online Poker

Connecticut’s two Tribal casinos are watching carefully for any developments concerning the Department of Justice change of stance as it applies to online poker.  The DOJ last month announced that The Wire Act will no longer apply to poker.  The decision allows individual states to move forward with their own regulation of the industry. 

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Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Jan/24/2012

Senate Hearing on the U.S. DOJ Opinion on Internet Poker to be Held Feb 9

Yet another hearing will take place as it involves legalizing online poker and potentially other forms of Internet gambling. 

A Senate hearing on the U.S. Department of Justice opinion on Internet poker will be held February 9.  Gambling911.com will provide a link to the live hearing as that date nears.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Jan/23/2012

Another $5 Million Check From Sheldon Adelson to Pro-Newt Gingrich Pact

Las Vegas casino mogul Sheldon Adelson was reportedly sending yet another $5 million check to a pro-Newt Gingrich pact following the former House Speaker’s big South Carolina primary win.

From the New York Times:

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Jan/23/2012

The Ron Paul Online Gambling ‘Gaffe’ Good for Industry (Video)

During a post-South Carolina primary speech, Texas Congressman and US GOP Presidential candidate made mention of how US citizens had stood together, forcing politicians to essentially back off unfavorable policy as it relates to online gambling.  The speech was widely broadcast on all three major cable networks (scroll down to watch the video of his speech below). 

Submitted by C Costigan on, Jan/22/2012

Ron Paul South Carolina Speech Mentions Online Gambling

While it appeared likely GOP Presidential hopeful Ron Paul was getting online gambling legislation confused with the Stop Internet Piracy Act (SOPA), it was interesting to see the Texas Congressman mention online gambling and how the US people essentially got the issue off the docket.

Paul was a co-sponsor of a bill to legalize Internet gambling in the US along with Democrat Barney Frank.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Jan/21/2012

Huffington Post: Where the GOP Candidates Stand On Gambling

The Huffington Post’s Ron Dicker published a piece this weekend on the four remaining US GOP candidates and their stance as it relates to gambling

Gambling911.com founder Chris Costigan was quoted in the piece as it relates to former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. 

"I can't see Romney supporting gambling. I just can't see it," said Costigan.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Jan/21/2012

Social Security Payroll Tax Extension Bill Could Carry Online Poker Measure

Harry Reid this past week confirmed he is in talks with Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona to draft legislation that would essentially override the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act (UIGEA) and make online poker legal at the federal level.  Kyl was the architect of UIGEA, which requires banks to halt transactions related to Internet gambling, with some exceptions.  Financial institutions have, however, chosen to ignore those exceptions, opting instead to block nearly all gambling-related transactions. 

Submitted by C Costigan on, Jan/21/2012

Poker News: Zynga Shares Up 6.1 Percent on News of ‘Real Money’ Play: Reid i-Poker Insertion Plan

The world’s largest online poker room, Zynga, witnessed a 6.1 percent surge in its share price on Friday following news it was in talks with another party to provide a “real money play” platform.  Zynga, which also produces popular games like Farmville, is currently free to play on Facebook.   

Zynga already claims to have some 30 million monthly users.

A statement released by the company on Friday read:

Submitted by Patrick Flanigan on, Jan/20/2012

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid Postpones Vote on Antipiracy Bill

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has delayed vote on a controversial antipiracy bill originally set for consideration this coming Tuesday.

A massive protest by hundreds of Internet websites including Wikipedia, Reddit.com and Google resulted in a number of the bill’s co-sponsors bailing on Wednesday. 

Reid did not offer an explanation for the delay.

The Senate Majority Leader said he still hopes a compromise can be reached "in the coming weeks."

Submitted by C Costigan on, Jan/20/2012

Joe Biden in San Fran: “Giants on Their Way to Super Bowl” (Video)

Appearing in San Francisco Wednesday before a crowd of crazed San Francisco 49ers fans readying for their team to take on the New York Giants this upcoming weekend, US Vice President Joe Biden boldly proclaimed:  “The Giants are heading to the Super Bowl”.

Can you say “Major League Gaffe”.

Biden was already thinking baseball apparently.  The Giants are San Fran’s baseball team. 

He was then showered with boos and quickly corrected himself. 

The “49ers on their way” to the Big Game, Biden said. 

Submitted by Carrie Stroup on, Jan/19/2012

Newt Gingrich Ex ‘Open Marriage’ Claims, Rick Perry Out and the Latest South Carolina Primary Odds

Appearing on ABC’s ‘Nightline’, GOP US Presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich’s ex wife claimed the candidate desired an “open marriage”.  The network released excerpts from the previously recorded show scheduled for airing Thursday night at 11:30 pm EST. 

Marianne Gingrich said her ex conducted his affair with current wife Callista "in my bedroom in our apartment in Washington."

"He always called me at night and always ended with `I love you,' " she said. "Well, she was listening."

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Jan/19/2012

Poker News: DOJ Unlikely to Change Recent Stance on Internet Poker: ACR 1-3 Day Payouts

Here is a recap of today’s poker news for January 19, 2012 (AM/Early Afternoon Edition) including I. Nelson Rose’s insistence that the Department of Justice will remain firm with its latest stance on Internet poker and how states should have little concern jumping into the fray. 

Submitted by Ace King on, Jan/19/2012

Harry Reid: ‘We Cannot Have a Series of Laws Around the Country Related to Gambling’

Following an appearance on NBC’s “Meet The Press” this past Sunday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was confronted by Tony Batt of GamblingCompliance.com.  Reid told Batt that a recent change in stance by the US Department of Justice should help push to get federal legislation through that legalizes online poker.

“It’ll give us an incentive to get something done,” Reid told Batt as he departed the studios.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Jan/19/2012

Poker News: Phil Galfond Wins $400K in Less Than 7 Days, Maine Looks at Internet Poker

Here is a recap of today’s poker news for January 18, 2012 evening edition including Phil Galfond’s big week and Maine becoming the latest state to explore legalizing online poker.   

Submitted by Ace King on, Jan/18/2012

Iowa Multi-State Online Poker: Could Combine Players With Nevada, Washington DC

Iowa lawmakers were discussing the possibility of legalizing online poker as part of a multi-state platform that would tap into the populations of other states considering the option such as Nevada and the District of Columbia.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Jan/17/2012

Senate Leader Harry Reid Back Working With Jon Kyl on Internet Poker Bill

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada on Sunday said December 23’s legal opinion by the Department of Justice will accelerate efforts in Congress to pass a bill authorizing federal regulation of Internet poker, according to subscription-based GamblingCompliance.com.   

Reid said he is working with Arizona Republican Senator Jon Kyl and that they “are making progress”.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Jan/17/2012

Lawmakers: Act Now or Never to Legalize Online Poker at Federal Level

With a handful of states already announcing their intentions to begin offering online poker to residents and the potential for multi-state pacts, Poker Players Alliance (PPA) President John Pappas has sent out an urgent plea to lawmakers in Congress.

“The writing is on the wall. The states are going to do this,” John Pappas, executive director of the Poker Players Alliance, told Politico this past week. “The first three or four months of the year is going to be pretty important for Congress to act.”

Submitted by Ace King on, Jan/16/2012

Ron Paul Gambles on Nevada: Will Skip Florida

GOP candidate Texas Congressman Ron Paul will bypass Florida and focus in on the next state to hold a caucus, Nevada.  Last time Paul ran for President of the US in 2008, he finished a distant second in the state of Nevada.  It was one of his best showings during the 2008 campaign.  The Congressman has so far come in a very close third in Iowa and second in New Hampshire. 

From Time.com:

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Jan/13/2012

Former Tribal Casino Lobbyist Jack Abramoff Doubts Federal Legislation Will Pass (Video)

Infamous and once imprisoned Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff has his doubts as to whether a bill to legalize online poker at the federal level will pass.

If anybody should know a thing or two about casino lobbying, it would be Abramoff.  He was once considered among the most powerful of the Washington lobbyists, assisting the Tribal casinos.

He served more than three years behind bars for mail fraud and conspiracy and even worked briefly at a Washington DC area kosher pizza shop while on parole. 

Submitted by C Costigan on, Jan/12/2012

Ohio Open to Internet Poker: Nevada Permitted Private Testing of Poker Sites

Ohio has become the latest state exploring its options to allow residents of the Buckeye State the opportunity to play “real money” Internet poker.

“We’re exploring this topic,” Dennis Berg, interim director of the Ohio Lottery Commission, told The Cincinnati Business Journal on Wednesday. “We want to be in the forefront of being able to generate revenue for the lottery commission. But it’s a policy decision that we will not make on our own.”

Submitted by Ace King on, Jan/12/2012

Sununu Takes Aim at Sheldon Adelson: “Not So Bright” (Video)

If ever there was a time when US citizens could cry foul over big businesses and campaign donations influencing politicians, that time might be now.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Jan/11/2012

Ron Paul Pays 1 to 3 Odds With 2nd Place Win in New Hampshire

Ron Paul has been declared as the 2nd place finisher in the state of New Hampshire for their Republican Primary Tuesday night.  Paddy Power had been offering the Texas Congressman with 1 to 3 odds of winning without Mitt Romney, who easily won the state he calls his second home.

At press time, Paul appeared to be grabbing over 20 percent of the state vote after finishing a very close third in Iowa (only four percentage points behind the co-winners, Romney and Rick Santorum).  Santorum was not a major factor in the New Hampshire race. 

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Jan/10/2012

Ice, Ice, Baby - Bigger and Better ICE Online Gambling Affiliate Party January 2012

The Sports Betting Community (SBC) in association with iGaming Super Show announced that its second Ice, Ice, Baby party will be bigger and better than last years.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Jan/10/2012

New Jersey Approves Sports Betting in Final Minutes

With only hours to go before a legislative session deadline, the New Jersey Assembly approved legalized sports betting in the state. 

Early in the day, the Senate had approved the measure.

Last November, voters gave the approval for legalized sports betting in the state by a 64/35 margin.   Bets could be placed on professional sporting events at Atlantic City’s 11 casinos and 4 racetracks. 

Submitted by C Costigan on, Jan/09/2012

Online Poker Tournament $100,000 Guaranteed, Newt’s New Money Man is Adelson

There is an amazing online poker tournament going on at Carbon Poker, a Sunday $100,000 Guaranteed Freezout.  We also have some important news related to Sheldon Adelson, Chairman of the Sands of Las Vegas, and his efforts to ensure President Barack Obama is not a two-term President.  First, he had to get frontrunner Mitt Romney out of the way. 

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Jan/09/2012

New Jersey Measure to Legalize Sports Betting Approved by Senate Lawmakers Monday

A measure to legalize sports betting in New Jersey was sent to the legislation on Monday and approved in the Senate.  New Jersey voters overwhelmingly approved the referendum by more than 65 percent this past November. 

The measure would allow casinos, racetracks and some restaurants and bars to take bets on sporting events.

A legislation vote was seen as highly likely since a similar measure was approved last year prior to New Jersey Governor Chris Christie vetoing it.  He now has offered his support for the bill. 

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Jan/09/2012

Casino Billionaire Sheldon Adelson Behind Super PAC Ad Blasting Mitt Romney

The casino billionaire magnate Sheldon Adelson is reportedly spending $5 million to a Super PAC group supporting Newt Gingrich.  Adelson is said to be a huge supporter of the former House Speaker. 

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Jan/09/2012

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