CAESAR'S CEO SPEAKS UP FOR ONLINE POKER LEGALISATION
2011-04-27

But Loveman insists on a federal solution, and it only embraces poker
Achieving wide coverage that included major newspapers, CNN Money, Fortune magazine and Associated Press articles this week was an op-ed article written by Caesars Entertainment CEO Gary Loveman, supporting the idea of legalised online poker in the USA through the federal rather than individual state route.
The piece was prompted by the recent enforcement actions against major online poker sites (see previous InfoPowa reports), which Loveman sees as an opportunity for the United States to fully
legalise and regulate the $6 billion industry...but the tone of the article suggests that he's focused particularly on internet poker.
“Only federal legislation can clear up the current ambiguities in U.S. law and crack down on other online gambling like sports betting and casino games,” Loveman wrote.
Loveman appears to share the controversial US Department of Justice view that internet poker is expressly illegal in the United States, asserting: "Online poker is currently illegal in the U.S. and, as a result, the $6 billion industry has developed overseas, catering to the wishes of millions of Americans playing from their homes in Ohio, California, Mississippi and every other state. That's crazy."
But the land gambling executive points out that legal actions against PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and Absolute Poker won’t change whether millions of Americans want to play online poker.
“Instead, the question is this: Should we seize the moment to legalize online poker, permit a safe and legitimate industry in the U.S., and bring these jobs and revenues home?” Loveman wrote.

“Unequivocally, the answer is yes.”

Associated Press noted that Caesars has long espoused the need to regulate and tax online gambling, and that Loveman’s comments are the first public statements about the indictments from the company that owns the World Series of Poker.

In his piece, Loveman compares the current US market enforcement moves to alcohol prohibition in the 1920s, saying adults are being hamstrung by a law keeping them from activities they consider appropriate.
“Business is being diverted from legitimate, respected companies that employ thousands of people to fly-by-night, underground (and in this case, foreign) operations,” Loveman said in his article, titled "Online Poker - Legalize It.”
"Just like Prohibition, consumers lose all of the protections that come with a government-regulated onshore business. And millions of otherwise law-abiding adult Americans are hamstrung by a law they disrespect and consider to be a barrier to a perfectly appropriate activity," he warns.
Loveman claims that the latest Department of Justice actions have created a unique opportunity to "...bring thousands of jobs home to America, to generate revenues that benefit Americans rather than foreign companies and to bring clarity to the current ambiguous set of federal laws.”
And he recommends: “We should seize the moment."
He adds: "The question we face isn't "will there be online poker?" Millions of Americans have already answered that question through their regular play, and the latest indictments won't change that. In fact, less than 24 hours after the three poker sites were closed, other foreign operators began filling the void."

Turning to the mechanics of regulation, Loveman emphasises the need for a federal solution, saying: "Unfortunately, however well-intentioned it may be, state level legislation will not adequately address the problems that currently exist.
"The goals of legislation are simple: let Americans play online poker in the privacy of their homes, and create jobs and revenues here in America. Only federal legislation can accomplish that, by creating a well-regulated system of online poker. And only federal legislation can clear up the current ambiguities in U.S. law and crack down on other online gambling like sports betting and casino games."
Loveman goes on to detail the generally accepted requirements for sound regulation, covering fair gaming, problem gambling and under-age precautions, financial probity, measures to guard against criminal involvement, money laundering and cheating, and shielding the privacy of players.
"In short, this bill should recognize the reality of the world we live in....And it should acknowledge that as a game of skill, poker deserves to be treated differently than other forms of gambling," Loveman opines.
He optimistically concludes: "One day, we'll look back at 2011 and laugh at the folly of a ban on Internet poker -- just like we now think about Prohibition. The sooner that day comes, the better."

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Tips and Tricks to Playing Poker Online
2011-02-08

Recent years have seen online poker becoming somewhat of a ‘gold rush’ for casino entrepreneurs as well as poker players. Websites offering poker have gained a sort of celebrity status, with thousands of registered members already and several hundred signing up each day. The craze of being able to play poker online has led to several website debuts and new innovations in poker variants besides millions, or actually billions of dollars in revenue. The online poker industry is really massive, hosting thousands of poker rooms online for millions of regular players.
Poker has been played face to face in casinos, pubs, homes and community poker rooms for over a century (or maybe two) now. Online poker’s emergence in late 1990s started to change the definition of this legendary card game. Launched in May 2000, Poker Spot become the first online poker room to begin poker tournaments. Poker Stars and Party Poker now the two most dominate online poker firms realized the sector’s potential back then and jumped in to capture the huge market in 2001. 2003/2004 brought phenomenal success for online poker with tripled revenues, and it has not looked back since. According to reports, the revenue from online poker was $ 5.9 billion in 2008, and is expected to touch a staggering figure of $ 6.7 billion this year.
There are several differences in how poker is now played (online) versus traditional table/room poker and though most of such differences are beneficial and well taken by the younger generation, veterans probably still enjoy their traditional poker rooms and games. Overall, the evolution of online poker has made it more superior than live poker, as well as all other casino games available online. The availability of downloadable poker software and the several innovative variations introduced has certainly made online poker very alluring. The possibility of being able to play from the comfort of home, at any time of the day or night or year, and the selection of tables has given it the power to literally (and aggressively) pull people to play poker online. The biggest attraction people have currently in playing online poker is the bonus offers and promotions doing the rounds.
Online poker has moved on from its traditional styles to quite a few new variants to suit all player preferences on the basis of their skills, level of comfort, complexity of the game and wagering budget. The most played variants of online poker are Texas Holdem Poker (most popular), Omaha Poker and Seven Stud Poker each of which is available in different and numerous sub-variants and bet sizes. As a matter of fact, people can also play poker online for free, thanks to the cutthroat competition, compelling websites to offer either totally free games, or bonuses on registration, winnings or deposits.
Although playing poker online has been illegal in the USA for several years in spite of public pressure and continuing legislative debates, more than 45% of people who play online poker are USA residents. In fact, through the years, most websites have accepted payments only or primarily in US dollars, and have had the payments processed via non-USA third party servers to avoid being a part of the ‘crime’ on the face. However, it probably has been increasing legal pressure that has lead to the creation of what will be a true benchmark in the history of online poker in USA. An alliance has been signed very recently (Sept 2010) between two organizations namely Cake Gaming and the Atlantis Internet Group, for the historic launch of USA’s first legal poker network. They will be launching Lucy’s room poker website
so the residents of USA can play poker online legally to the hilt.
While that’s some exceptionally great news for the $ 6.5 million people in USA who play online poker regularly with money, it is also time for the law-fearing players to brush themselves up and be ready when online poker legally arrives.
Head over to the home of online casino games Sportsbook.com’s Casino, the fastest growing casino for USA players today.

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FULL TILT POKER ADDS NEW FEATURES IN LATEST UPGRADE
2010-11-11

New draw poker formats added to Full Tilt Poker's offering
Full Tilt Poker has upgraded its software to include draw poker games that give players the opportunity to replace any of the cards in their hand by drawing new cards from the deck.
Full Tilt now offers five variants of draw poker:
- 5-Card Draw, classic game features one draw round and is played for the high.
- 2-7 Triple Draw, one of the most popular draw games, features three draw rounds to make the best possible low hand.
- 2-7 Single Draw, also known as Kansas City Lowball, is similar to 2-7 Triple Draw, but only features one draw round.
- A-5 Triple Draw, played from the low, A-5 Triple draw differs from 2-7 games in that the Ace is always considered a low card rather than a high card, and straights and flushes are ignored.
- Badugi: A unique draw game of Asian origin, Badugi is played using only four pocket cards. There are three draw rounds, and the goal of the game is to make a low hand using four different cards of all different suits.
Draw variants will be available as ring games and tournaments, including a 10-game mix tournament.
Improvements to the FTP Hand Replayer are included in the update and there is a promise of more to come.

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BRIT POKER AWARDS ANNOUNCED
2010-09-16

Respected names in inaugural round of accolades
Some of the UK's most respected poker players on the international circuit were recognised this week at the first outing of the British Poker Awards - a new official awards event designed as part of the London Poker Festival to honour the best of British poker.
The event not only supports British poker but also encourages poker fans to get involved either by voting for their favourite players or by attending the awards event.
The inaugural ceremony took place at London’s Kensington Close Hotel and was well supported by big name pros, card room managers and online operators, all celebrating a year in which British players have done well.
The accolades went to:
Neil Channing: Best Cash Game Player
James Akenhead: Best Tournament Player
Sam Trickett: Player’s Choice; Best Newcomer
Victoria Coren: Best Contribution to Poker
Richard Ashby: Player’s Choice; Best All Round Player
Other notable winners included;
Praz Bansi: Editor’s Choice; Player of the Year
The Nuts Poker League: Best Poker League
Phil Ivey: Best International Player
Chris Moorman: Best Online Player
The Hendon Mob: Best Poker Forum
More than 3,000 poker enthusiasts voted online for their favourite players.
BILLIONS INVOLVED IN CHINESE CRACKDOWN (Update)

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FRENCH ONLINE POKER SITE TO EXPAND INTO SPORTS BETTING
2010-04-06

NetBetPoker.fr operator in deal with French white label sports betting provider
The French online poker provider of free poker play, NetBetPoker.fr has strengthened its appeal in the soon-to-liberated French gambling market through a sports betting white label deal with French betting provider France Pari.
Itechsoft Game, the owner of the online poker site, signed the agreement this week, which will enable to it to expand its offering with a free-play sports betting product, positioning it for further developments in the French market. Launch of the new product could be achieved before the end of April, a company spokesman revealed.
France Pari will additionally assist Itechsoft in its preparations to achieve licensing status in the liberated market from the French regulator, Arjel (Autorite De Regulation Des Jeux En Ligne).
The deal is the first in moves to expand the activities of France Pari, says chief executive Herve Schlosser, pointing out that this sort of activity enables it to participate in the business-to-business market in addition to its existing business-to-consumer action, thus increasing overall profitability.
France Pari gets around the current constraints of French law by offering a free-to-play service in which players are offered virtual tokens that can be used to bet on a variety of sports for the chance to win prizes. The firm, which has been active for the past two years, recently signed a two and a half year sponsorship deal with soccer club RC Lens.

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2010'S FIRST FTOPS
2010-01-11

February dates for online poker action

The first Full Tilt Online Series of Poker tournament for 2010 and the new decade has been announced, and will take place between February 10 and February 21.

FTOPS XV will provide 27 events featuring various gamestyles and over $17 million in guaranteed prizes.

Full Tilt has also confirmed that Mini FTOPS events for lower rollers will follow between March 10 and March 21, offering a further 27 events with lower buy-ins and a guaranteed prizepool of $6 million.

In related news, Full Tilt's major rival Pokerstars has also started the new year with a bang, attracting a massive entry field of 668 entrants on Day 1A alone of the Pokerstars Caribbean Adventure main event.

The event is currently running in the Bahamas and a record entry is anticipated.

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