Politics
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.
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.
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.
Lesniak Cites Mob Bust as Reason Why New Jersey Must Legalize Online Gambling
Following a New Jersey Mob bust tied to offshore Internet gambling on Wednesday, State Sen. Raymond J. Lesniak called on Governor Chris Christie to embrace his bill to legalize Web gambling in the state, including sports betting.
Illinois Passes Gambling Expansion Bill: Major Ethical Shortcomings, Claims Governor
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- (Associated Press) - - Gov. Pat Quinn is blasting the Illinois House for passing a gambling expansion bill he says has "major ethical shortcomings."
Quinn said Wednesday the bill passed by a 69-47 vote does not provide the Illinois Gaming Board with "sufficient time to make critical licensing and regulatory decisions." He says the bill also fails to ensure clear oversight of the proposed Chicago casino.
Quinn said that as long as he is governor, he will not support a gambling bill that "falls well short of protecting the people of Illinois."
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.
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.
[The Revolution Begins June 1. Scroll Down to Learn More About the World's Newest Online Poker Network]
This week, the White House responded.
Brian Deese, Deputy Director of the National Economic Council, said in the press release:
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.
Illinois Online Gambling Bill Introduced: New Jersey Voters Favor iGaming (Video)
Natalie Rydström of SBR Forum breaks down some recent developments in online gambling that include a new bill in Illinois and a poll showing New Jersey residents favor legalization. The video appears below.
Lesniak Says Christie Back on Board Regarding Internet Gambling: June 30 Target Date
State Sen. Ray Lesniak, D-Union, said that he believes that Governor Christie is “back on board” regarding online gaming, and predicted that the Legislature would pass a bill by the end of the session on June 30. This was according to John Brennan of NorthJersey.com.
Illinois Could Jump Into Online Poker Fray
Illinois Senate President John Cullerton suggested Tuesday that Illinois could benefit significantly from the multi billion dollar online poker industry.
Cullerton noted that Illinois would be in a position to become a hub for the industry. His proposal comes to the table just two weeks before a scheduled May 31 adjournment.
Nevada Online Poker to Take Another 7 to 10 Months Says Regulator: 3 More States Want In
While intrastate online poker has already been made legalized in Nevada, real money Web card rooms won’t be available for another 7 to 10 months, regulators announced during a meeting with operators and the state’s Governor on Monday.
The first licenses are expected to be issued within the next 30 to 60 days or by the end of June 2012. Security remains a vital issue with regulators noting that another 6 to 8 months will be necessary for testing of any Internet poker site.
Mississippi Controversial Online Poker Bill May Return
One of the more controversial pieces of legislation on the state front involving the legalization of online poker sites may ultimately be revived.
A proposed measure by Mississippi lawmakers looked dead in the water earlier in the year. Some of the more contentious aspects of that bill included allowing the state to confiscate accounts that were inactive for at least a year’s period as well as the imprisonment of citizens that were caught playing on unlicensed Web card rooms. A steep licensing fee would also be required to operate in America’s poorest state.
Barack Obama Still Greater Than 2 to 1 Odds of Being Re-Elected Despite Rasmussen Poll
US President Barack Obama remains better than a 2/1 favorite to retain his presidency despite a Rasmussen poll that gives his GOP opponent, Mitt Romney, a 7 percent lead.
Rasmussen is generally seen as a more conservative-leaning poll.
Online Gambling Passes Yet Another Hurdle in New Jersey
Following word this week that Governor Chris Christie may not be so gung ho about online gambling in New Jersey after all, yet another milestone was reached on Thursday.
Doubt Shed on a Chris Christie About Face Related to Internet Gambling
John Brennan, reporter for the Bergen Record, shrugged off the notion that New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has turned his back on legalizing Internet gambling and bringing sports betting to the Garden State.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has Online Gambling ‘Change of Heart’
The Philadelphia Inquirer on Tuesday published a report suggesting that “politics” may be behind New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s “change of heart” as it pertains to legalized online gambling in the Garden State.
Ron Paul Wins Majority of Delegates in Nevada, Maine
US GOP Presidential candidate and supporter of legalized online gambling, Ron Paul, has won the most delegates in both Nevada and Main, it was revealed on Sunday.
The results gave the Texas congressman last state victories even with Mitt Romney’s nomination all but sealed.
"It's certainly a significant victory," said Jim Azzola of South Portland, Cumberland County coordinator for Paul.
Paul, the last challenger to remain in the contest, finished a close second behind Romney in Maine's GOP caucuses in February, but those results were nonbinding.
Mass Gambling Commission Hires Executive Once Accused of Sexual Assault of Young Boy
The state of Massachusetts is moving right along in its quest to expand legalized gambling, including on the Web. But a recent hire by the state Gambling Commission has certainly raised some eyebrows.
Online Gambling Zealot Spencer Cleared in ‘Insider Trading’ Probe
Alabama GOP Representative Spencer Bachus was cleared of wrongdoing in a Congressional “insider trading” probe.
The investigation followed a “60 Minutes” segment where Bachus was said to have been engaging in insider trading and improperly profiting from the 2008 market meltdown.
The Office of Congressional Ethics unanimously dismissed all of the potential charges.
Federal Bills Introduced to Overturn Sports Betting Ban
Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ 2nd) and Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ 6th) have asked members of the US House of Representatives to support two bills introduced to roll back the Federal ban on expanded state-licensed sports betting.
CyberSecurity Bill Passes in House: No Tack-on for Internet Poker
A controversial CyberSecurity bill has passed in the House despite a veto threat from the Obama administration. The bill does not contain any amendment pertaining to the legalization of Internet poker.
The Poker Players Alliance had hoped to attach legislation legalizing Web poker onto this bill.
Sports Betting Gains Ground in California
A measure to legalize sports betting in the state of California moved forward in the legislature but could be all for naught.
A bill was approved unanimously by the state Senate Governmental Organization Committee on its way toward the Senate floor, but sports betting won’t happen in the state until it is approved at the federal level and this is highly unlikely to occur any time soon.
Gambling911.com World Exclusive: Everest Poker Network Vying for Massachusetts License
Gambling911.com had an opportunity to sit down with Ethan Park, Internal Counsel for Cambridge Interactive Development Corp. (CIDC), an Everest Poker Network subsidiary based in the US. Park discussed the latest move to legalize online poker stateside, this time in the commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Everest is vying for one of three licenses that will be available once legislation is passed.
CISPA Vote Anticipated Today – April 23: Online Poker PAC Funds Dry Up
A vote on the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA) was anticipated in the House on Monday (April 23, 2012). With funds drying up at the federal level for online poker PACs, expect the Poker Players Alliance to “tack this bill onto anything that is moving”, as Director John Pappas recently stated. CISPA looks like an “imperfect” host for now, but it is the only thing remotely acceptable that is “moving”.
Veepstakes Odds for the GOP Just Posted: Marco Rubio Favored
Carrie Stroup here with important news that Sportsbook.com just opened up Republican Veepstakes odds..
Marco Rubio was coming in as the 3/1 favorite.
Other notables included Rob Portman with the next shortest odds at 5/1. Chris Christie 8/1 and Rick Santorum 10/1 were right up there as well.
For the best payouts, here were a few longshots for the GOP Veepstakes: Condoleeza Rice 25/1, Newt 50/1 Palin 100/1.
Massachusetts Rep Wants Three Online Poker Licensees to Pay $10 Mil Each
Norfolk, Massachusetts Republican Rep. Dan Winslow is looking to create three Massachusetts licenses for intrastate internet poker.
Winslow wants to make his colleagues in the House aware of options to generate additional state revenues in the state, according to the Boston Herald. He hopes to have his measure passed in the House and Senate in the coming months.
From the Boston Herald:
Internet Gambling, Horse Racing Regulated Simulcasting on Agenda in Massachusetts
By STEVE LeBLANC, The Associated Press
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is pressing lawmakers and Gov. Deval Patrick to push back a key deadline for the panel to take over the regulation of horse racing and simulcasting, saying the expanded duties will make it harder to get new casinos up and running.
Commission chairman Steven Crosby said Tuesday that the panel will meet the May 20 takeover deadline if needed, but said delaying the change makes more sense for the state.
Mitt Romney Wins GOP Nomination in Eyes of Oddsmakers Who Already Paid Out Bets
The oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com on Monday announced that they have paid out on all bets that former Massachusetts Republican Governor Mitt Romney will win the GOP Presidential nomination.
The payouts fluctuated based on when the bets were placed. At some points early on in the campaign, front runners changed regularly, however, Romney always maintained relatively short odds.
The Bill the PPA Wants Online Poker Measure Attached to: Civil Liberties at Stake (Video)
Dozens of civil liberties groups plan to protest the very bill the Poker Players Alliance is touting as one that will provide freedom for countless numbers of card players in the States.
The PPA wants to attach a bill that would legalize online poker to the controversial Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA). It is a cybersecurity bill that allows the sharing of information between government agencies and private companies.
Scroll Down To Watch Video…
Washington Post: Gambling’s ‘Unholy’ Grip in the State of Maryland
First it was the US Attorney’s Office in Maryland setting up a phony payment solutions company then spending the nearly two years worth of seized funds on brand new police cars for Anne Arundel County, now state politicians have come under fire for allegedly holding “spending hostage to the gaming industry’s interests”, claims the W
