Experts testify on benefits of regulated Internet gambling

Washington, D.C., Dec. 3, 2009 — Experts in the fields of online security and consumer safety testified today before the House Committee on Financial Services to address legislation introduced by Chairman Barney Frank (D-MA) that would regulate Internet gambling in the United States. Witness testimonies provided further evidence to Committee members that a regulatory framework for Internet gambling would protect consumers and ensure the integrity of Internet gambling financial transactions. Chairman Frank has previously indicated interest in having the House Financial Services Committee vote on his legislation, the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act of 2009 (H.R. 2267) as the next step in getting the bill enacted into law during this Congress.

The hearing highlighted the success of existing systems and technologies in blocking minors from gambling online, combating compulsive gambling and protecting consumers against money laundering, fraud and identity theft.

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Go down under for the Aussie Millions

One of the premier events on the live circuit
The Aussie Millions has fast become one of the most enduring and exciting events on the live circuit. Taking place in Melbourne, Australia, the event annually plays host to all of the major pro players, looking to snap up one of the most attractive prize pools on the circuit. Join bwin for a trip of a lifetime to the prestigious Aussie Millions.

An Aussie Millions prize package from bwin
bwin is offering comprehensive prize packages including a Main Event Buy-in of $8,800, a 6 Handed Side Event Buy-in of $1,800, flights and spending money of $2,500 and a stay in a luxury hotel worth $2,900, bringing the total package value to $16,000.

Qualify today with bwin
bwin is offering four incredible ways to qualify for the Aussie Millions. The four routes are as follows: the $300+20 qualification route paying out prize packages via the Online Finals, qualify for this route for just $2 or buy in directly to the Online Finals. A 100k freeroll paying out superb Aussie Millions prize packages for free! Prize packages are also available via the regular Big Bounty tournament at bwin. And finally, the Head Hunter tournament: knock out the most players in this all-new tournament concept and you’ll win a superb Aussie Millions prize package.

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The Actual Effects of Poker Prohibition

The debate about legalization of online poker still continues in the US.

But let us take a look at the overall effect of poker prohibition so far. The ultimate goal of the US Justice Department and the UIGEA was to eliminate the money flow that went into gambling websites, with hopes of bullying them into shutting their doors to American consumers. Let us grade them.

1. Eliminating money to poker websites on the internet was a complete failure. Merely several days ago, a friend of mine tried to make an account on Epassporte and then he deposited money into it through his bank that was issued with a Visa Debit card, so that he could get money into Absolute Poker. And after fifteen minutes, he succeeded in doing this whole process, with no problems whatsoever.

2.  Bullying poker websites into shutting their doors to American players ended up being merely below average. Although they convinced Party Poker and handfuls of other smaller websites to shut their doors to American consumers, other websites such as Full Tilt, Poker Stars, Absolute Poker, Bodog and Ultimate Bet still stay open to American players. This is solid proof that legal issues that face online poker did not get much of their desired effects.

So what exactly has this ban actually accomplished?

1. They have made it difficult for people to transfer their winnings into their pockets since some taxes cannot be paid unless they are obtainable from the bank.

2. They have caused the highly reliable and respected e-wallet called Neteller to completely close down its operations in the US, giving space to tons of scam operations.

Will US Government succeed in facing the fact that a wide array of American citizens thinks that poker on the internet should not get banned and a lot of poker websites, as well as online casinos, all around the world still accept American players?

SC judge says poker a skill game

WASHINGTON, D.C — (PRESS RELEASE) — The Poker Players Alliance (PPA), the leading poker grassroots advocacy group with more than one million members nationwide (nearly 10,000 in South Carolina), today (October 5th) lauded the ruling of a South Carolina court that confirmed that poker is a game of skill, and thus should not be considered gambling under the law.

“Poker is not a crime in South Carolina or anywhere else, and we are grateful to the court for compiling the overwhelming evidence that proves this case and protects the rights of players,” said John Pappas, executive director of the PPA. “This ruling is fully consistent with the declarations of other judges and juries across the country that Texas Hold’em is clearly a game of predominant skill and adults who play should not be criminalized.”

Five individuals had been convicted of illegal gambling. The trial court found that poker is a game of skill, but left it to a higher court to decide if state gambling laws were overly vague. The higher court agreed and reversed the convictions. In addition to holding that the law was overly broad and vague (as it could be used to convict anyone playing poker in their home), the court embraced the use of the predominance test, citing the “overwhelming” evidence that skill dominates chance.

“All poker players are well aware that the game is based on making the correct, informed decisions, not just mere chance, and games of predominant skill should not be classified in the same league as slot machines or lotteries,” said John Ridgeway, South Carolina State Director of the Poker Players Alliance. “We’re very pleased that the judge considered the overwhelming evidence and came to the same conclusion. This is a well deserved legal victory for the players, the American game of poker, and for common sense under the law.”

PPA’s Litigation Support Network has been involved in a string of legal victories by providing expert witnesses, preparing arguments for trial, and filing amicus briefs with the courts. For more information on these cases and a copy of the judge’s order, please visit. www.theppa.org.

[source: http://www.gpwa.org/article.asp?id=179905]

2010 Aussie Millions Schedule release

The Aussie Millions is the sixth biggest tournament of poker in the world and the biggest poker tournament in the southern hemisphere. The 2010 Aussie Millions Schedule has now been released with 20 Offical Events and Daily Satellites! Here you can find the full schedule.

If you want to visit this beautiful country and want to battle against the best australian poker players it may be your chance.

The tournament will run from January the 14th till the 31st, 2010 in Melbourne and expects to have an eight million dollar prize pool, with two million going to the winner.  The Main Event will take place at the Crown Casino Resort – and will run from the 24th January until the 31st January.  The buy-in has been set at 10,500 Australian Dollars.

By the way there will something for everyone. In fact, during the main tournament, about twenty smaller tournaments will take place, including the High Roller tournament – where $100,000 is played in two days – and a HORSE tournament.

In 2009 the game started as a duel between two of the biggest of all, Tom Dwan and Patrik Antonius. But other big names soon joined the game: Jamie Pickering, Andrew Robl, Niki Jedlicka, Phil Laak and … yes … the man … Chris Ferguson, whose total live tournament winnings exceed $7,800,000, as of 2009, and whose 59 WSOP cashes staggering an amazing $4,031,499 crown him 3rd for most all time cashes at the WSOP, just behind Phil Hellmuth and Men Nguyen.

Satellite tournaments offering packages for this event are currently running on several online poker rooms. Don’t miss!