PayPal Founder Donates $1.7 Million to Ron Paul Campaign
The co-founder of the popular online payment platform PayPal, Peter Thiel, donated $1.7 million last month to a super PAC supporting GOP Presidential hopeful Ron Paul.
In total, Thiel has donated $2.6 million to the Endorse Liberty super PAC created last year to aid the Paul campaign.
All four Republican candidates are in the process of filing fundraising reports for the month of January along with their super PACs. These must be submitted to the Federal Election Commission today.
Sheldon Adelson Pumping Another $10 Million Into Newt Gingrich Campaign
CBS News has learned that billionaire casino magnate Sheldon Adelson is pumping yet another $10 million into GOP Presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich’s faltering campaign.
Maine May Not Have Been a Win for Romney
It is beginning to look like yet another state got it wrong in the Republican primaries/caucuses.
Harry Reid: ‘No Internet Poker in Payroll Tax Extension Bill’
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Thursday put an end to rumors that a measure to legalize Internet poker might be attached to a Payroll Tax Extensions bill.
He declared Thursday that the bill does not contain any such Internet poker attachment.
From the Las Vegas Review Journal:
As details of the payroll tax bill were being unfurled, Reid, the Senate majority leader from Nevada, said online poker was not in there.
He did not elaborate on a quick comment made to a reporter as he entered a Senate elevator.
New Harry Reid Cyber-Security Bill a Likely Vehicle for Internet Poker
After two controversial Internet piracy bills were shelved last month, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is back with a revised bill that could potentially include an amendment to strengthen the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act (UIGEA) while legalizing Internet poker. Gambling911.com should stress that there is no confirmation of such plans to tie the two bills at this early stage. That may all change shortly.
PPA Director: ‘Payroll Tax Extension Bill Probably Not Right Vehicle for Internet Poker’
A lot of excitement is building in the online poker community with news that a Payroll Tax Extension bill could be passed within the week. There has been much speculation that Senate Leader Harry Reid and Arizona Republican Senator Jon Kyl might attempt to attach an amendment to legalize Web poker by strengthening current prohibition, The Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act (UIGEA).
Payroll Tax Extension Measure Could be Voted on This Week: Internet Poker Inclusion?
A measure to extend payroll tax cuts through to the end of 2012 is expected to be voted on this week. Those in the online poker sector are eyeing this bill as one that could contain an amendment legalizing Web poker in the U.S.
Agreement Made to Add Internet Poker to Payroll Tax Extension Bill
A tweet by the highly reputable gaming news media outfit GlobalGamingBiz reveals that an amendment to legalize Internet poker in the U.S. is heading for attachment to the upcoming Payroll Tax Extension legislation.
The tweet was made during the early AM hours.
Online Gambling Foe Spencer Bachus Subject of Insider-Trading Probe
One of the online gambling industry’s most outspoken opponents, Republican Spencer Bachus of Alabama, is being investigated as part of an insider-trading probe.
From Market Watch:
Jon Kyl on Legal Internet Poker in US: ‘Quite Possibly Something Will be Done’
In an interview with the National Journal conducted recently, Arizona Republican Senator Jon Kyl revealed that he and Senate Majority Leader Democrat Harry Reid are in discussions on how to get Internet poker legalized in the US.
Oversight Hearing on the U.S. Department of Justice Opinion on Internet Gambling Recap
An Oversight Hearing on the U.S. Department of Justice Opinion on Internet Gambling was held Thursday afternoon.
When it comes to legalized online poker in the US, Chairman Akara said “Tribal casinos concerns must be considered (before legalizing).”
Rick Santorum Against Online Gambling: ‘Dangerous for Our Country’ (Video)
Last week when it was learned the US Republican Presidential hopeful Rick Santorum came out against legalized online gambling, this appeared to be a nonissue. After all, candidate Mitt Romney already had the nomination “in the bag” with Newt Gingrich “that other guy” who “might be standing in the way with his Southern states stronghold”.
Lobbyist Claims Harry Reid Poised to Attach Online Poker Bill to Upcoming Payroll Tax Extension
An article discussing plans to legalize online poker and the potential for decreased funding for lottery scholarships makes reference to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s plans to attach a measure to the upcoming Unemployment payroll tax bill later this month.
It is widely believed that the Congress is working hard to get something passed prior to the introduction of legislation at the state level.
Oversight Hearing on the U.S. Department of Justice Opinion on Internet Gambling Live Webcast
Those wishing to follow today’s Oversight Hearing on the U.S. Department of Justice Opinion on Internet Gambling will be able to do so at 2:15 pm EST via the Web here. *Note: The hearing has commenced as of 2:47 pm EST. This hearing is taking place February 9 2012.
Odds to Win Minnesota Caucus, Colorado Caucus
The latest odds to win Tuesday’s Minnesota Caucus as well as the Colorado Caucus had Mitt Romney with a 57 percent chance followed by Rick Santorum at 39 percent in Minnesota and Romney at close to 100 percent winning in Colorado.
If there is any type of competition for this Republican race for the US Presidency, it will occur in Minnesota where Santorum is actually leading in one poll.
Gingrich was coming in under 3 percent to win Minnesota.
Legalized Internet Poker in Washington D.C. Unlikely Any Time Soon
After becoming the first jurisdiction in the United States to legalize Internet poker, Washington, D.C. is looking less likely to allow the activity for its half million residents any time soon.
The District of Columbia’s move to legalize Internet poker was met with accusations of cronyism with contentious hearings taking place this past week.
From The Washington Times:
US State by State Internet Poker News: A Breakdown of Each
ADI News this weekend featured a pretty comprehensive look at the potential for Internet poker on a state-by-state basis.
Jon Kyl on Internet Poker Regulation: ‘Quite Possibly Something Will be Done’
Arizona Republican Senator Jon Kyl was the co-author of legislation that would ultimately become the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act (UIGEA) and now he’s apparently looking for ways to overturn the law, or at least make it more favorable towards Internet poker websites.
New Jersey Politicians Meet With Gov Chris Christie to Discuss Internet Gambling
New Jersey politicians, including State Senator Raymond Lesniak, were taking part in closed door meetings with Governor Chris Christie to discuss a measure that would legalize online poker.
The objective, Gambling911.com has learned exclusively, is to get something passed through the state House and Senate without the need for a voter referendum.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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).
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.
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.
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.
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:
