Poker Tips and News

Online Poker Tips :Absolute Poker Head Fesses Up in Manhattan Courtroom

admin — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:25:55 +0000

Yes its more Black Friday news to report. A quick recap? On April 15 of this year the three major online poker sites operating in the U.S. were shut down by the Depart of Justice pending an investigation. The sites were accused of operating illegally, breaking the Wire Act and money

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Yes its more Black Friday news to report. A quick recap? On April 15 of this year the three major online poker sites operating in the U.S. were shut down by the Depart of Justice pending an investigation. The sites were accused of operating illegally, breaking the Wire Act and money laundering. In court this week Brent Beckley, the co founder of Absolute Poker website plead guilty to charges.

Beckley admitted before the court that he knowingly filtered American player funds through cover companies so their payment could be processed by American banks. In American online gambling is illegal and most banks will automatically stop any payment to a known poker website. Because Absolute Poker laundered the money through shell companies they manage to process millions of dollars within American borders.

Beckley was facing a thirty year plus jail sentence before he plead guilty to fraud and money laundering charges. According to news sources he has worked out a plea bargain with the court system which will assure he spends less than two years in jail. Beckley is 31 years old.

U.S. Attorney in the case Preet Bharara released a press release from his office discussing the Absolute Poker case. He discusses the Internet Gambling Act of 2006 and the choice of several casino sites to ignore the official prohibition against online gambling within United States. Because the casinos had their headquarters in other countries they managed to operate for a few years before the Department of Justice had enough evidence to shut down their domain names.

There was no mention of a plea bargain by the District attorney’s office and sentencing is set for April 2012.

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Online Poker News :Wire Act Interpretation Set to Change the Face of State Economy

admin — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:25:55 +0000

Well we mentioned briefly the other day that the Wire Act had been officially reinterpreted to specifically relate to sports betting online and not game playing. After a few years of political pressure combined with a dire need for money across the states, it seems baby step one for

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Well we mentioned briefly the other day that the Wire Act had been officially reinterpreted to specifically relate to sports betting online and not game playing. After a few years of political pressure combined with a dire need for money across the states, it seems baby step one for a federally organized online gaming industry has been taken.

Since the economy took a plunge back in 2008 states have been scrambling to save money. There have been rolling black outs,canceling public programs and funding and basically looking to cut corners across the board. A state based online gambling system, eventually back by federal mandate, could ostensibly boost a state economy and provide sustainable new growth.

Besides the fact that online casinos will provide a place for state residents to spend their money it will provide a number of new jobs in related industries. If new websites are about to spring up across the country those new sites need web designers, computer programmers, app developers and content writers to sustain them. There needs to be publicist, marketing departments and accountants; not to mention lawyers, underwriters and policy makers. Job creation would be almost instantaneous.

But of course we are still in the possibilities stage with the Wire Act interpretation. There has been no official ruling or report regarding the relationship between online poker gambling and the Wire Act. The recent ruling regarding sports betting being different from state based lotteries is just the opening of a door. It is something that online poker proponent can build upon in the coming year.

We’ll see which states begin work on their own online gaming policies in the coming month. I’m sure a large majority will finally see the light and boost their local economy.

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Poker Tips and News :Absolute Poker and Ultimate Bet Making Small Refunds to Players

admin — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:25:55 +0000

Pokernewsreport.com is reporting that Absolute Poker and Ultimate Bet, two of the casualties of Black Friday, are now in a position to pay back their players. The money was frozen when the websites were seized by the Justice Department. The problem is that not only are the refunds

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Pokernewsreport.com is reporting that Absolute Poker and Ultimate Bet, two of the casualties of Black Friday, are now in a position to pay back their players. The money was frozen when the websites were seized by the Justice Department. The problem is that not only are the refunds late in arriving they will not compare to the actual money lost.

The rumor is that the poker giants will be paying back as little as 25 cents on the dollar. Other rumors have suggested that folks that want to receive their payment may have to go through quite a process. As the Department of Justice will be facilitating refunds to the Full Tilt customers we can expect something similar with Absolute and UB. Becoming a part of the federal record for illegal gambling is probably not going to be a popular choice.

Its hard to believe that so many months have passed and the players of the Big Three casino sites are still not getting their payday. The amount of money that has been spent on lawyers, investigators, report writers and court fees could explain why players will be losing their winnings. I’m pretty sure you can’t claim gambling losses occurring on an illegal website.

The drama that has been 2011 in the world of poker shows no signs of stopping in the new year. With board members and owners still to be prosecuted, transfer deals still to be worked out and of course federal legislation still to pass, the world of poker will be in a turmoil for quite a while to come. Lets just hope after the dust settles that poker will emerge a stronger game, more regulated and with better clearer rights for the players.

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Poker News :UIGEA Next on the Clarification List After Wire Act?

admin — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:25:55 +0000

In 2006 the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) passed through Congress on the back of another bill. Its goal was to stop banks from processing monies earned through online gambling sites. Of course with the Black Friday affair we know this wasn’t very successful.

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In 2006 the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) passed through Congress on the back of another bill. Its goal was to stop banks from processing monies earned through online gambling sites. Of course with the Black Friday affair we know this wasn’t very successful. Online casinos found other ways to get around the process or blatantly broke the law hoping they wouldn’t get caught. This week the 1961 Wire Act was reinterpreted and many think the UIGEA is next.

After the UIGEA the number of violations actually increased rather than decreased showing the law was in effective. With the new clarification of the Wire Act it no longer appears to apply in the Black Friday cases. Prosecutors are holding on to the violation of the UIGEA not to mention money laundering and fraud. But do they have the right?

The UIGEA is an American law applying to businesses operated in America. The Big Three poker sites actually hold licenses from other countries and have a physical address in other countries. They are not businesses in America. They do however have American players and that’s where the Depart of Justice finds its justification for the upcoming court cases.

It looks as though the lawyers of the accused will be arguing that the UIGEA law is vague and hard to apply to the individual cases. It is a vague law. The UIGEA does not define what a bet is. It does not discuss differences between a game of chance and a game of skill. It does not define poker as a game of skill or a game of chance. Vague is an understatement. The UIGEA is an afterthought.

With the Black Friday trials coming up early next year it will be interesting to see who calls for official clarification of the UIGEA. It could be the Poker Players Alliance, the Department of Justice or the legal counsel of the defendants. We’ll wait and see.

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Poker Tips :WSOP Winner Duhamel Assault Update

admin — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:25:55 +0000

Last week the poker forums were buzzing with the news of the break in at former WSOP champion Jonathan Duhamel’s residence. His WSOP gold bracelet, a WSOP watch and a large sum of cash were taken. Duhamel suffered a physical attack during the break in. Authorities acted quickly

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Last week the poker forums were buzzing with the news of the break in at former WSOP champion Jonathan Duhamel’s residence. His WSOP gold bracelet, a WSOP watch and a large sum of cash were taken. Duhamel suffered a physical attack during the break in. Authorities acted quickly and now PokerNews.com is reporting that four suspects are being held in custody in connection with the home invasion.

In his first statement to the press Duhamel offered a reward for information leading to the arrest of his attackers. Calls to the local police in Quebec, Canada (where Duhamel resides) ended in the arrest of Bianca Rojas-Latraverse last Saturday. She has been charged with conspiracy to commit a criminal act. After being questioned by police Rojas-Latraverse offered up two more names: John Stephan Clark Lemay and Andre Robert Perron. The suspects ages are 20, 22 and 26 respectively. A fourth individual went into custody Friday morning although police have yet to release any personal details.

It seems Duhamel’s watch which was a Rolex submariner’s watch presented to him by PokerStars was actually in one of the suspects possession at the time of their arrest. There is no word that it has been released to Duhamel and will probably end up as an exhibit in the court case.

What is still missing is Duhamel’s irreplaceable one of a kind diamond encrusted gold bracelet giving to him after wining the 2010 WSOP Main Event. Estimates state the bracelets are valued between K to K although I don’t see how you could sell it on the street. A tad conspicuous to say the least. In the weeks to come there should be more details as well as some solid court dates to report.

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Poker Tips :A Year in Poker: Card Player Resolutions

admin — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:25:55 +0000

That time has come again when we all start scribbling in our journals or tapping out lists on our keyboards. Yes poker fans its resolution time. The year is over and what a year it has been for poker, poker players and the world of online poker. We all need to try and do better in

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That time has come again when we all start scribbling in our journals or tapping out lists on our keyboards. Yes poker fans its resolution time. The year is over and what a year it has been for poker, poker players and the world of online poker. We all need to try and do better in the coming year so what about some poker related New Year’s resolutions?

I resolve…

Well I think that’s plenty enough New Year’s resolutions to be getting along with. When I was younger I always made twelve resolutions. I also broke most of them before summer arrived. A smaller list is more doable and hey its the thought that counts right?

Have a great New Year in poker!

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Poker Tips :Lots of Changes for Pokerstars

admin — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:25:55 +0000

Pokerstars has been in the spotlight lately because of some of their choices in regards to the Black Friday affair but this week Pokerstars has a bit of positive spin to share. The online poker giant is one of only three sites that will offer real money gambling in Belgium. Belgium,

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Pokerstars has been in the spotlight lately because of some of their choices in regards to the Black Friday affair but this week Pokerstars has a bit of positive spin to share. The online poker giant is one of only three sites that will offer real money gambling in Belgium. Belgium, like the United States, is attempting to crack down on illegal websites. Their new Gambling Act has enough stipulations to keep casinos kosher.

Pokerstars established a relationship with a Belgium gaming group almost two years ago possibly in preparation for this new legislation. The Pokerstars.be site will be blocked to any player who is not authorized to play real money poker in their physical location.

Pokerstars is Belgium’s largest poker site. It provides the country and surrounding area with the majority of its poker tournaments. Having a recognizable name on the books is always good for business.

As Pokerstars.be gets underway John Duthie, an established member of the Pokerstars team declined to renew his contract for 2012. Duthie was a foundation stone for the Pokerstars Europe team and is often thought to be the catalyst behind the European Poker tour. Poker forums are speculating on the reason for the split but Duthie claims no politics or company changes have anything to do with his decision.

Pokerstars weathered the Black Friday affair much better than its competitors. Pokerstars is a world wide brand with casinos in a lot more locations than just the United States. Seems they took their American slap on the wrist and used it as a catalyst for new marketing strategies in other parts of the poker playing world. We’ll see how it goes.

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Poker News :Poker Relations Predictions for 2012

admin — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:25:55 +0000

Yes its that time of year when everyone likes to predict what is going to happen in the coming months. 2011 was quite a year full of scandal, gossip, unexpected wins and newly created poker tournaments. If you were paying attention last year to the poker news then the predictions

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Yes its that time of year when everyone likes to predict what is going to happen in the coming months. 2011 was quite a year full of scandal, gossip, unexpected wins and newly created poker tournaments. If you were paying attention last year to the poker news then the predictions below make sense. I’m just not sure if I want to be proved right in every case.

Predictions

The Black Friday saga will continue to fill up poker chat forums for most of the year.
The increased pressure for federal online poker registration will get some preliminary ideas passed through the house. More governors will get on board as the national economy struggles to get back on its feet.
There will be an explosion of new online sites to play poker including sister sites to some of the physical casinos in Vegas and New Jersey.
At least five more states will pass some form of intrastate gambling law to increase their state economy.
Erik Seidel will break a few more records and become one of the new inductees for the poker hall of fame.
Phil Ivey’s private life will have him off the tournament grid for most of the year.
Full Tilt Poker will attempt a relaunch under new ownership. The slow start will affect the future of the brand forever.
Creation of new poker apps endorsed by some of the big players.
Another tournament organization will come into being and rival traditional sources for schedule space.
The Full of Poker blog will take off with a few thousands subscribers.

A new year a lot of new possibilities. It will be interesting to see how things turn out.

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Online Poker News :New Jersey Tries for Intrastate Online Poker Law…again.

admin — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:25:55 +0000

For a long time it seemed as if New Jersey would be the first state to pass online intrastate gambling laws. Last year there was quite a push for the legislation that would create thousands of jobs and thousands of dollars in tax money for the beleaguered state. Even though the bill

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For a long time it seemed as if New Jersey would be the first state to pass online intrastate gambling laws. Last year there was quite a push for the legislation that would create thousands of jobs and thousands of dollars in tax money for the beleaguered state. Even though the bill passed through the house without a problem, Governor Bill Christie vetoed it at the last minute. Once more Sen. Raymond Lesniak is trying to get the bill approved. He has until the session ends on January 9th.

Since the last time Lesniak tried to get the bill passed there have been a number of key changes that may make it easier for Governor Christie to consent to the new set of regulations. On December 22, 2011 the state of Nevada working with the Nevada Gaming Commission legally began the application process for intrastate online poker licenses. Already a half dozen gaming companies have applied for a license.

The folks in Nevada feel their new state regulations and licensing system provides casinos and gaming companies a foundation stone on which future federal regulation can rest. New Jersey is looking for something similar. Last December the federal government issued a statement regarding the application of the 1961 federal Wire Act in regards to online poker. It was made very clear that the Act applied to sports betting and not online poker play.

Governor Christie’s previous rejection of a New Jersey intrastate gambling law was supposedly based on the old interpretation of the Wire Act. With the recent clarification there doesn’t seem to be anything but a house vote standing in Lesniak’s way. The decision should be made in the next couple of days. We’ll keep you posted.

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Online Poker News :Another Casino Owner Opposes Legislation: Anthony Marnell of M Resort

admin — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:25:55 +0000

Sometimes I just don’t understand the offline casino world. Another casino executive is saying publicly that they do not support online gambling legislation. Anthony Marnell of the M Resort in Vegas feels legalizing online poker won’t provide structure to the industry

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Sometimes I just don’t understand the offline casino world. Another casino executive is saying publicly that they do not support online gambling legislation. Anthony Marnell of the M Resort in Vegas feels legalizing online poker won’t provide structure to the industry it will increase the number of underage gamblers.

Marnell explained that with “real” casinos it is much easier to regulate play than you can online. Legal online gambling will produce more gambling addictions according to Marnell. The logic is hard to determine in Marnell’s case. Addicts don’t need help feeding an addiction and to presume anyone under age will succumb to a problem simply because of their age is silly. Perhaps instead of focusing on what can’t be controlled (and currently isn’t controlled) Marnell and people like him should use their press time to promote gambler education and addiction assistance. Online poker did not invent gambling addiction.

As the push for online gaming legislation and intrastate gaming laws increases so will opposition; its just the nature of the beast. The reason the sentiments of folks like Anthony Marnell and Sheldon Anderson get press time is because they are an influential part of the established casino industry. It seems like a strange stance for folks that make money, live comfortably and benefit daily from gambling should raise such an objection. Is it fear of the Internet or fear of too much competition?

It seems a little naive to me to think that minors today don’t already know how to operate illegally online no matter the rules in place. Minors buy drugs, watch pornography and organize violent acts online all the time. If a child wants to do something illegal they will. Raising your child to know the difference between right and wrong is a parent’s responsibility not the poker industry’s responsibility. If fear of misuse is enough to stop online gaming legislation in its tracks, I’m afraid we’re getting nowhere fast.

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