Politics
New Jersey State Senator Raymond Lesniak Not Wasting Time With Online Gambling Move
Following his success at getting a referendum to pass legalizing sports betting in the state this past November, State Senator Raymond Lesniak was quick to jump on the Internet gambling bandwagon even before most of us were through nursing our New Year’s Eve hangovers.
Iowa Caucus Odds of Winning Have Rick Santorum, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney in Dead Heat
Rick Santorum has become the “new flavor of the week” at just the right time with the Iowa Republican Caucus taking place Tuesday evening. The former Pennsylvania Senator is in a dead heat among the oddsmakers with Ron Paul and Mitt Romney to win it. This promises to be one of the most exciting Caucuses to watch the results flow in. Paddy Power, which does not accept bets from US citizens, had Santorum and Paul at 15/8 odds while Romney was listed at 5/4.
American Tribal Casino Industry: DOJ Stance No Big Deal
The US Department of Justice decision not to apply online poker to The Wire Act had the Indian Tribes greeting the news with a shrug of the shoulders, claims Gail Courey Toensing of the Indian Country News.
Toensing referenced Indian gaming expert Joe Valandra.
Kelly Clarkson Twitter Endorsement of Ron Paul
GOP candidate Ron Paul got an unusual endorsement from none other than American Idol Season One winner Kelly Clarkson.
She tweeted on Thursday:
"I love Ron Paul. I liked him a lot during the last Republican nomination and no one gave him a chance. If he wins the nomination for the Republican party in 2012 he's got my vote. Too bad he probably won't."
Clarkson fans don’t appear to be Ron Paul fans. She came under their wrath for her endorsement.
Michele Bachmann Calls Former Iowa Campaign Chairman “Sell Out” to Ron Paul
GOP Presidential candidate Michele Bachmann called her former Iowa campaign chairman, Kent Sorenson, a “sell out” after he jumped ship Wednesday and headed over to the Ron Paul campaign. She accused Sorenson of essentially being paid off by the Paul camp. Texas Congressman, Ron Paul, is leading in some Iowa caucus polls while Bachmann trails far behind.
Commission Must Act on NADEX Political Betting Request by January 4
The North American Derivatives Exchange (NADEX) has filed with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to permit offering of betting on the upcoming political elections. The deadline for a decision is January 4 and should the Commission fail to act, NADEX could begin offering such bets (or trades) within the next couple of weeks.
Three of those on the Commission must vote against the proposal for it to be discarded. So far, only one Commissioner has come forward to oppose the NADEX request.
Ron Paul Surging in Iowa: 4 to 5 Odds Favorite to Win Caucus
GOP candidate Ron Paul continues to climb in Iowa state polls. His odds of winning next week’s Caucus were now at 4 to 5 at PaddyPower.com, which does not accept bets from US citizens at this time.
Fox News noted that Paul’s success places him first in line to become the primary political punching bag.
SOPA is the End of Us Say Bloggers: TwoPlusTwo.com Could be Wiped Off the Web
Politico had an interesting read Wednesday morning on how bloggers believe SOPA will ultimately kill their business, not to mention those around them. As Gambling911.com has been reporting, there is something truly ominous about this particular ACT and its far reaching consequences.
TheHill.com Talks DOJ New Stance on Internet Poker
Over the past couple of days, industry experts have been attempting to determine the possible impact of the Department of Justice new stance on Internet poker.
The Friday before Christmas, the DOJ decided to play Santa for poker players. A ruling issued in September but only made public last week clarifies that the Wire Act's ban on interstate transmissions related to gambling applies only to sports betting. As such, there now appears to be an opening for intrastate poker, and quite possibly the pooling of players from multiple states.
Nadex Derivative Exchange Asks Permission to Trade Political Contracts
Intrade.com has been doing it for years, but now Nadex wants to get in on the act. The popular derivative exchange Nadex asked the federal Commodity Futures Trading Commission for permission to sell contracts involving the predicted outcome of next year’s US Presidential race as well as which political party will control the House and Senate come next November.
Quadjacks Thursday 5 PM EST: PPA Director to Discuss I. Nelson Rose Joe Bartton Flap
The Poker Players Alliance (PPA) Richard Muny is slated to appear on the popular Quadjacks.com Live Internet Radio Stream Thursday afternoon to offer his opinion on the controversy swirling around noted industry attorney I. Nelson Rose and his disparaging comments about Republican Texas Congressman Joe Barton.
Rep. Barton has sponsored a bill that would allow online poker at the federal level.
California Online Poker Bill on Back Burner Until the Summer
California wants online poker legalized and they need online poker legalized to help pay the bills.
But for once maybe, the state legislature wants to sit back and “do things right”.
That will happen after they return from a three-month vacation. Yes, this is the state that is dead broke and the state legislators get to take a three month vacation.
Barney Frank Has Joined the Infamous Club of Celebrity Nip Slips (Video)
Yes it’s true, Democratic Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank has joined the infamous club of celebrity nip slips.
Frank, who has been a huge supporter of one’s right to gamble online, appeared in a CSPAN video recently with a wardrobe malfunction.
From PerezHilton.com:
Jews for Tebow
Gambling911.com Special Contributor, Wayne Allyn Root, who just happens to be the former Libertarian Vice Presidential Nominee, speaks up in defense of Denver Broncos star Tim Tebow. The following is an editorial piece by Mr. Root..
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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:
