Poker

What are some of the hottest headlines in the world of poker? Here you will find all the latest juicy stories along with other important news and tournament results. A must read for the poker enthusiast with articles published throughout the day.

Merge Poker Moves Into Number 7 Place for First Time

Merge Gaming has moved into the number 7 position of the world’s most trafficked online poker networks for the first time ever.  Merge has sat in the number 8 position for the past few months.  Winamax.fr moves down a notch. 

In an ironic twist, Merge will be losing one of its biggest licensees June 1 when Lock Poker forms its own network, which will essentially be a rebranding of the Cake Network.  Cake is currently ranked as the 21st most trafficked in the world, according to PokerScout.com. 

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, May/28/2012

Illinois Internet Poker Bill Amended Once Again

A measure to legalize Internet poker in the state of Illinois underwent a third revision this past Friday.

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The bill would allow online poker to be run through the state lottery system with licenses handed out to one of 16 casinos and or racetrackes within the state.  Each property would have to pay $5 million per license.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, May/28/2012

Illinois Internet Poker Bill Amended Once Again

A measure to legalize Internet poker in the state of Illinois underwent a third revision this past Friday.

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The bill would allow online poker to be run through the state lottery system with licenses handed out to one of 16 casinos and or racetrackes within the state.  Each property would have to pay $5 million per license.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, May/28/2012

Carbon Poker Brings Back Rakeback

Over the weekend it was announced that Carbon Poker, the flagship brand of the Merge Gaming Network, would be returning to rakeback after more than a year’s absence. 

While popular with poker players, it’s not always considered the most profitable model where online cardrooms are concerned.  Merge Gaming has been reluctant to bring back rakeback.

As with when it was previously offered on the network, the max rate for players will be 35% rakeback. 

Submitted by Ace King on, May/27/2012

Tom Marchese Wins the WPT Super High Roller

Poker pro Tom Marchese has won the 2012 World Poker Tour Super High Roller event. 

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Marchese also won the more than $1.3 million that came with the WPT Super High Roller first place honor.

Coming into this event, the US-based player had won just over $770,000 in live tournaments to date.

Submitted by Ace King on, May/26/2012

Still All In at 2012 WPT World Championship Super High Roller: Daniel Perper, Andrew Robl

The 2012 WPT World Championship Super High Roller event was down to 6 by 7:30 pm EST Friday.

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Leading the pack was Daniel Perper, followed closely by Andrew Robl.  Justin Bonomo, who had led much of the way into Friday, was 4th in terms of chip count.

Submitted by Patrick Flanigan on, May/25/2012

Last Remaining Satellites for $500,000 Guaranteed Latin American Poker Series

For those of you looking for a different flavor of poker tournament there is still time to qualify for this year's inaugural Latin Series of Poker Peru. The $500,000 Guaranteed No Limit Holdem poker tournament takes place in Lima Peru, from June 6th to 10th at the Atlantic City Casino.

Submitted by Guest on, May/25/2012

Thank the Genovese Crime Family for Bringing Legalized Sports Betting, Online Poker to NJ

Should sports betting and/or online poker become legalized in the Garden State over the next 3 to 6 months, gamblers might want to give a big “Thank You” to the Genovese crime family, with its operations based out of Northern New Jersey.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, May/25/2012

PokerStars Ranked Among UK Top Employers

PokerStars has been selected as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces by The Great Place to Work® Institute, the world’s largest consultancy specialising in workplace assessment and enhancement. In order to establish the best workplaces, the Institute annually surveys employees and performs a cultural audit of some 5,500 organizations around the world representing 10 million employees. Companies are grouped and ranked in their respective countries on workplace values of credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie.

Submitted by Guest on, May/25/2012

Marvin Rettenmaier Enjoys Comfortable Lead at 2012 World Poker Tour Championship

Poker pro Marvin Rettenmaier had 6,715,000 chips to lead at this year’s World Poker Tour Championship.  His count was 2-and-a-half times greater than that of the second biggest chip leader, Michael Mizrachi. 

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Submitted by Patrick Flanigan on, May/24/2012

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie: Legalized Sports Betting in the State by September

Christie’s stance on legalizing sports betting leads many to believe he will finally support online poker in the state as well

In a speech Thursday, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie didn’t pull any punches, announcing he would like sports betting legalized in time for the start of the NFL season this September. 

Submitted by C Costigan on, May/24/2012

Justin Bonomo Leads at 2012 World Poker Tour $100 Buy-In Super High Roller

Poker ace Justin Bonomo was leading the 2012 World Poker Tour $100 Buy-In Super High Roller coming into Thursday.  27 big name players were taking part in the event, which will yield $1,282,905 to the winner and $822,375 for 2nd place. 

Justin Bonomo, Andrew Robl, Dan Smith, Phil Galfond, Daniel Perper, Tom Marchese, Sam Trickett, Roger Sippl, Bill Klein, Isaac Haxton, David Sands, Cary Katz, Jason Mercier, John Juanda, Brian Hastings, Justin Smith, Clemenceau Calixto, Sorel Mizzi, Jean Noel Thorel, Dan Shak and last year’s champion Erik Seidel.

Submitted by Ace King on, May/24/2012

Zombie Swipeout: Zynga Zombies Seen Rising From the Depths of New York City Subways

Just as Zynga’s trading came back from the dead last Friday, now we have Zynga zombies rising out of the New York City subway system and terrorizing what are usually tough New Yawkers. 

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The Zombie sightings were first observed on the streets of San Francisco yesterday.

It’s all part of a promotion introducing the social game maker’s newest iPhone-compatible entry, "Zombie Swipeout". 

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, May/24/2012

Payback: Spain Wants Back Taxes From Online Poker Operators

In order to obtain an Internet gambling and poker license in the country of Spain, operators must pay back taxes on the business taken in from Spanish citizens over past years.  The Spanish Government began regulating the sector this year. 

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Some have taken the bait. 

888 Holdings expects to pay a back-tax bill for its Spanish operations of less than $10 million.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, May/24/2012

Revolution Gaming Network, Lock Poker Full Online Poker Tournament Schedule Unveiled

In exciting news Wednesday, the Revolution Gaming Network has unveiled its full online poker tournament schedule.  You can join Lock Poker here to enjoy these great tournaments. 

The newly branded Revolution Gaming Network is set to debut June 1, 2012 and includes Lock Poker, Cake Poker and Intertops.com among others. 

Submitted by Nagesh Rath on, May/23/2012

Live Online Sports Betting and Poker Could Become Legal in Australia

A report in the Herald Sun on Wednesday claims that the Australia Federal Government is considering legalising live online sports betting and poker, activities that are currently banned down under.  Australia does permit phone betting and walk-in wagering.  The country is known for its popular bookmaking operations.

Submitted by Nagesh Rath on, May/23/2012

Poker Brat Phil Hellmuth Launches New Website

So what do you really think of Phil Hellmuth?  The self-proclaimed “Poker Brat” wants to know and you can now chime in at his newly launched website www.philhellmuth.com.

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Hellmuth, who is currently the World Series of Poker record bracelet holder, debuted the new site this week.

Submitted by Ace King on, May/23/2012

Online Gambling Sector Marks One Year Anniversary of 'Blue Monday'

Today, May 23, 2012, is the one-year anniversary of “Blue Monday”, the day in which the US Attorney’s Office in Baltimore seized nearly a dozen online gambling domain names following a two-year sting operation. 

The US Attorney’s Office set up a phony payment processor as part of its investigation and attempted to lure i-Gaming execs operating in other foreign jurisdictions to Guam, a US territory, where arrests could be made.  That never happened.

One company, BetED.com, ultimately shut down.  Hundreds of thousands of dollars were also seized from BetED.

Submitted by C Costigan on, May/23/2012

White House Response to Online Poker Petition

Over the past couple of months, over 10,000 electronic signatures have been collected asking that the Obama Administration consider the legalization of online poker.

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This week, the White House responded.

Brian Deese, Deputy Director of the National Economic Council, said in the press release:

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, May/23/2012

Malta has Yet Another Black Eye Following Purple Lounge Shutdown

The online gambling jurisdiction of Malta has said there is little it can do about the abrupt closure of Purple Lounge Casino and Online Poker Room.

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Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, May/23/2012

High Stakes Poker Games Featured in ‘Killing Them Softly’ with Brad Pitt

“Killing Them Softly”, starring Brad Pitt, Ray Liotta and James Gandolfini of “The Sopranos”, debuted Tuesday (May 22, 2012) at the Cannes Film Festival. 

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Submitted by Ace King on, May/22/2012

Colorado Latest State to Draft Online Poker Bill

The Colorado Gaming Association has said it drafted a bill that would legalize online poker in the state.

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Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, May/22/2012

Record-Breaking PokerStars SCOOP Crowns 3 Main Event Champions

LONDON, UK –This year’s record-breaking PokerStars Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) came to a thrilling climax on Monday, May 21 as the final two events awarded some huge six-figure prizes across the six different tournaments, with three Main Event champions crowned.

Submitted by Guest on, May/22/2012

Daniel Acevedo Wins Big at Heartland Poker Tour Majestic Star Casinos Circuit Event

When his kids are grown, 39-year-old Daniel Acevedo has aspirations of leaving his career as a product developer to play poker professionally.  With one son in college and another in high school, it’s time for the small stakes player to get serious.  Well on his way, he invested $300 in a WSOP Circuit event last year and Final Tabled for $30k.  Over the weekend in Gary, Indiana, he invested just $360 in the Heartland Poker Tour event at Majestic Star Casinos and took down the tournament for the $133,081 win. 

Submitted by Guest on, May/22/2012

New Facebook Casino RocketFrog Offers Real Cash Winnings: MySpace Founder Behind App

Tuesday marked the beginning of the first ever real winnings Facebook online casino, RocketFrog, and the names behind this venture are fairly well known.

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Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, May/22/2012

Delaware Would Form Online Poker Compacts With West Virginia, Rhode Island

The state of Delaware is pushing forward with legislation that would legalize various forms of Web gambling including online poker. 

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Submitted by C Costigan on, May/21/2012

UB.com Poker Exec Brent Beckley Sentencing Rescheduled for June 28

Brent Beckley, one of about a dozen men indicted on April 15, 2011, charged with bank fraud and money laundering in connection with running online poker sites, will face sentencing on June 28 at 2:30 pm EST (This will be on a Thursday).

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The sentence was to be handed down on May 21, 2012 but was rescheduled once again.

Submitted by Ace King on, May/21/2012

Zynga Shares Tumble After Trading Resumes: ‘Real Money’ Online Poker a White Knight

Following a halt in trading Friday, Zynga shares continued to tumble with trading once again available Monday, leading many to pray harder for real money online poker to surface in the US.

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Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, May/21/2012

AFL Star Tony Smith Back on Mermaid Beach: Once Sold Mega House to ‘Rat’ Daniel Tzvetkoff

AFL star Tony Smith is making a comeback on Mermaid Beach on Australia’s Gold Coast.  He just purchased a 1,220-square-metre holding on Surf Street, which runs off Albatross Avenue.

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Submitted by Ace King on, May/21/2012

PokerStars SCOOP 2012 Breaks All Records: Richest Online Poker Tournament Series Ever

More than $65 million awarded to players in latest online championship

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Submitted by Guest on, May/21/2012

Breaking News

The Impact of Gambling on Local Economies

Gambling is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the digital entertainment industry, bringing significant economic benefits to many regions. Although the impact of casinos on the local economy can be evaluated from various perspectives and viewpoints, it can be clearly stated that it has significant positive aspects.