Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Select your timezone:
A Republican congressman on Thursday introduced legislation to allow online gambling on a federal level, which he says will give consumers more uniformity than legalizing it on a state-by-state basis.
The move by Representative Peter King of New York follows industry lobbying for federal legislation to provide a larger, more liquid market across state lines, attracting more gamblers.
U.S. casinos operators like MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment Corp plan to launch Internet operations in states like New Jersey, which recently passed online gambling legislation.
"A common federal standard will ensure strong protections for consumers, protect against problem and underage gambling, and make it easier for businesses, players, lawmakers, and regulators to navigate and freely participate," said King in a statement.
Online gambling is pegged to generate $10 billion in added revenues by 2017 if allowed by federal statute, according to the American Gaming Association. About $4 billion is now being spent for illegal sites, the AGA said.
Previous bills in Congress have failed. King's bill, as currently contemplated, would allow individual states to opt out of federal online poker requirements.
Congressman seeks to legalize online gambling nationwide | Reuters
The move by Representative Peter King of New York follows industry lobbying for federal legislation to provide a larger, more liquid market across state lines, attracting more gamblers.
U.S. casinos operators like MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment Corp plan to launch Internet operations in states like New Jersey, which recently passed online gambling legislation.
"A common federal standard will ensure strong protections for consumers, protect against problem and underage gambling, and make it easier for businesses, players, lawmakers, and regulators to navigate and freely participate," said King in a statement.
Online gambling is pegged to generate $10 billion in added revenues by 2017 if allowed by federal statute, according to the American Gaming Association. About $4 billion is now being spent for illegal sites, the AGA said.
Previous bills in Congress have failed. King's bill, as currently contemplated, would allow individual states to opt out of federal online poker requirements.
Congressman seeks to legalize online gambling nationwide | Reuters
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Gamblers who prefer their laptops to blackjack tables could soon get a boost from Washington.
Republican New York Congressman Peter King proposed federal regulations Thursday that would rescue online gambling from the legal gray zone where it currently languishes.
The federal government cracked down on online poker in 2011. But the same year, the U.S. Justice Department issued a ruling making online gambling legal so long as it's permitted on the state level.
Congress flirted with an online gambling bill last year, but industry infighting and partisan disagreement ultimately doomed it. When that legislation failed, states began moving ahead on their own.
Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware have legalized some kind of online gambling, and legislatures in other states are weighing the issue.
Morgan Stanley predicts that by 2020, online gambling in the U.S. will produce the same amount of revenue as Las Vegas and Atlantic City markets combined: $9.3 billion.
But a larger, more fluid market is needed to drive up pots and create a robust stream of tax revenue.
King says his measure, called the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act of 2013, would help states and players to navigate the world of online betting with confidence.
"A common federal standard will ensure strong protections for consumers, protect against problem and underage gambling, and make it easier for businesses, players, lawmakers and regulators to navigate and freely participate," he said in a statement.
The bill would create an office of gambling oversight in the Treasury Department, impose uniform safeguards against underage and compulsive gambling, and facilitate interstate online wagering. Individual states could continue to ban the practice, or refuse to collaborate across their borders.
The gambling lobby has been pushing for uniform federal legislation, warning that a patchwork of state laws will make it impossible for the global corporations that run the gambling industry to do business.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., pursued federal Internet poker regulation last year but ultimately gave up before even introducing the legislation.
"We spent the last four years working very, very hard to get in a position to support such legislation if it was introduced," said American Gaming Association CEO Frank Fahrenkopf. "So we're now left in a situation where Kyl, who was very important in the process, has retired, and you've got a multitude of states starting to pass legislation. So we think the urgency is even more important now."
The lobby, which historically supported an online poker only strategy, is expected to decide whether to change its stance and support the King bill at a meeting next month.
This summer could see a relative flood of online gambling bills.
Texas Republican Rep. Joe Barton plans to introduce online poker legislation by the end of next month, according to his spokesman Sean Brown.
And Reid, who once called the passage of an online poker bill, "the most important issue facing Nevada since Yucca Mountain," continues to work on new legislation with Republican Nevada senator Dean Heller.
Bill to legalize online gambling introduced in Congress - San Jose Mercury News
Republican New York Congressman Peter King proposed federal regulations Thursday that would rescue online gambling from the legal gray zone where it currently languishes.
The federal government cracked down on online poker in 2011. But the same year, the U.S. Justice Department issued a ruling making online gambling legal so long as it's permitted on the state level.
Congress flirted with an online gambling bill last year, but industry infighting and partisan disagreement ultimately doomed it. When that legislation failed, states began moving ahead on their own.
Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware have legalized some kind of online gambling, and legislatures in other states are weighing the issue.
Morgan Stanley predicts that by 2020, online gambling in the U.S. will produce the same amount of revenue as Las Vegas and Atlantic City markets combined: $9.3 billion.
But a larger, more fluid market is needed to drive up pots and create a robust stream of tax revenue.
King says his measure, called the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act of 2013, would help states and players to navigate the world of online betting with confidence.
"A common federal standard will ensure strong protections for consumers, protect against problem and underage gambling, and make it easier for businesses, players, lawmakers and regulators to navigate and freely participate," he said in a statement.
The bill would create an office of gambling oversight in the Treasury Department, impose uniform safeguards against underage and compulsive gambling, and facilitate interstate online wagering. Individual states could continue to ban the practice, or refuse to collaborate across their borders.
The gambling lobby has been pushing for uniform federal legislation, warning that a patchwork of state laws will make it impossible for the global corporations that run the gambling industry to do business.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., pursued federal Internet poker regulation last year but ultimately gave up before even introducing the legislation.
"We spent the last four years working very, very hard to get in a position to support such legislation if it was introduced," said American Gaming Association CEO Frank Fahrenkopf. "So we're now left in a situation where Kyl, who was very important in the process, has retired, and you've got a multitude of states starting to pass legislation. So we think the urgency is even more important now."
The lobby, which historically supported an online poker only strategy, is expected to decide whether to change its stance and support the King bill at a meeting next month.
This summer could see a relative flood of online gambling bills.
Texas Republican Rep. Joe Barton plans to introduce online poker legislation by the end of next month, according to his spokesman Sean Brown.
And Reid, who once called the passage of an online poker bill, "the most important issue facing Nevada since Yucca Mountain," continues to work on new legislation with Republican Nevada senator Dean Heller.
Bill to legalize online gambling introduced in Congress - San Jose Mercury News
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
A Republican congressman on Thursday introduced legislation to allow online gambling on a federal level, which he says will give consumers more uniformity than legalising it on a state-by-state basis.
The move by Representative Peter King of New York follows industry lobbying for federal legislation to provide a larger, more liquid market across state lines, attracting more gamblers.
US casinos operators like MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment Corp plan to launch Internet operations in states like New Jersey, which recently passed online gambling legislation.
"A common federal standard will ensure strong protections for consumers, protect against problem and underage gambling, and make it easier for businesses, players, lawmakers, and regulators to navigate and freely participate," said King in a statement.
Online gambling is pegged to generate $US10 billion in added revenues by 2017 if allowed by federal statute, according to the American Gaming Association. About $US4 billion is now being spent for illegal sites, the AGA said.
Previous bills in Congress have failed. King's bill, as currently contemplated, would allow individual states to opt out of federal online poker requirements.
US mulls legalising online gambling | Business Spectator
The move by Representative Peter King of New York follows industry lobbying for federal legislation to provide a larger, more liquid market across state lines, attracting more gamblers.
US casinos operators like MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment Corp plan to launch Internet operations in states like New Jersey, which recently passed online gambling legislation.
"A common federal standard will ensure strong protections for consumers, protect against problem and underage gambling, and make it easier for businesses, players, lawmakers, and regulators to navigate and freely participate," said King in a statement.
Online gambling is pegged to generate $US10 billion in added revenues by 2017 if allowed by federal statute, according to the American Gaming Association. About $US4 billion is now being spent for illegal sites, the AGA said.
Previous bills in Congress have failed. King's bill, as currently contemplated, would allow individual states to opt out of federal online poker requirements.
US mulls legalising online gambling | Business Spectator
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
It is truly amazing how fast the online gambling industry in America is changing. The launch of real money and legal online poker in Nevada and the passing of the laws permitting online gambling in New Jersey and Delaware has seen internet wagering become a reality.
Now the Nevada state legislature has passed Assembly Bill 360 which allows online gambling compacts with other regulated US states, as well as regulated offshore and Tribal operations. The passed bill was designed with compacts in mind allowing the operators in Nevada to connect with other regulated environments and create bigger more lucrative prize pools and tournament numbers.
AB 114 the original legislation that Governor Brian Sandoval gave his approval to was criticized by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission for omitting language authorizing compacts beyond US borders. Bill 360 puts that language back in the text and allows for compacts and alliances between other states in America as well as foreign governments. The approved Bill has replaced the word ‘state’ with the far broader ‘jurisdiction.’ AB 360 defines eligible compact partners as “any governmental unit of a national, state or local body exercising governmental functions, other than the United States Government. This term includes, without limitation, national and sub-national governments, including their respective departments, agencies and instrumentalities and any department, agency or authority of any such governmental unit that has authority over gaming and gambling activities.”
AB 360 also requires compact-signatory governments to prohibit operators from taking part unless they are found to be suitable “pursuant to requirements that are materially consistent with the corresponding requirements. ” This refers to the possibility of so called ‘bad actors’ using the laws of Nevada to enter the market in the USA and it effectively keeps the rules tight and secure.
New Jersey’s online gambling law has now entered into the sixty day consultation period after which the possibility of a compact between Nevada and New Jersey will be discussed.
Nevada Passes Online Gambling Compact Legislation
Now the Nevada state legislature has passed Assembly Bill 360 which allows online gambling compacts with other regulated US states, as well as regulated offshore and Tribal operations. The passed bill was designed with compacts in mind allowing the operators in Nevada to connect with other regulated environments and create bigger more lucrative prize pools and tournament numbers.
AB 114 the original legislation that Governor Brian Sandoval gave his approval to was criticized by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission for omitting language authorizing compacts beyond US borders. Bill 360 puts that language back in the text and allows for compacts and alliances between other states in America as well as foreign governments. The approved Bill has replaced the word ‘state’ with the far broader ‘jurisdiction.’ AB 360 defines eligible compact partners as “any governmental unit of a national, state or local body exercising governmental functions, other than the United States Government. This term includes, without limitation, national and sub-national governments, including their respective departments, agencies and instrumentalities and any department, agency or authority of any such governmental unit that has authority over gaming and gambling activities.”
AB 360 also requires compact-signatory governments to prohibit operators from taking part unless they are found to be suitable “pursuant to requirements that are materially consistent with the corresponding requirements. ” This refers to the possibility of so called ‘bad actors’ using the laws of Nevada to enter the market in the USA and it effectively keeps the rules tight and secure.
New Jersey’s online gambling law has now entered into the sixty day consultation period after which the possibility of a compact between Nevada and New Jersey will be discussed.
Nevada Passes Online Gambling Compact Legislation
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
A new Internet gambling regulation bill was introduced in Congress today by Rep. Pete King (R-NY) and it has the support of both the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative and the Poker Players Alliance.
The purpose of the Internet Gambling Regulation, Enforcement and Consumer Protection Act of 2013 is to create a uniform regulatory framework to control the activity and protect consumers. It will, say supporters, ensure Internet gambling is not governed by inconsistent state laws adopted since the Department of Justice’s opinion in December 2011 that the activity is not prohibited under federal law unless it involves sports.
Modeled after legislation approved by a 41-22 vote in the House Committee on Financial Services in July 2010, Rep. King’s bill would assign licensing and enforcement responsibility to a new Office of Internet Gambling Oversight within the Department of the Treasury. While state and tribal licensing bodies could apply directly to this office to receive accreditation to assist with the licensing process, the legislation respects the right of each state and tribe to determine whether to allow Internet gambling within their respective borders or to apply other restrictions on the activity. Existing intrastate regimes would be recognized while state lotteries and the horse racing industry would also be treated equally.
“I’d be shocked if Congress didn’t move quickly to consider this new legislation, which is desperately needed to create uniformity across the country and protect consumers regardless of where they are located,” said Michael Waxman, spokesman for the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative, a leading advocate for Internet gambling regulation. “Rather than cede the regulation of Internet gambling to state lawmakers, Congress should ensure there is consistent oversight of this industry and move to generate significant new revenues without having to raise taxes or cut programs.”
John Pappas, executive director of the PPA said, “Congress cannot ignore progress and the facts. Americans want the freedom to play online poker in a regulated market and states are filling the void. Already three states have authorized online gaming and several more are on the precipice of joining them.
“Poker players recognize the benefits of a federal law over the current state-by-state approach,” Pappas continued. “However, as more states lead, it will be difficult for Congress to follow – and even more difficult to see the necessity of federal legislation. We hope that all of Congress can work together and support this bill. We look forward to supporting this vital legislation and urge its swift movement through the legislative process.”
Internet gambling oversight legislation introduced :: GamingToday-com
The purpose of the Internet Gambling Regulation, Enforcement and Consumer Protection Act of 2013 is to create a uniform regulatory framework to control the activity and protect consumers. It will, say supporters, ensure Internet gambling is not governed by inconsistent state laws adopted since the Department of Justice’s opinion in December 2011 that the activity is not prohibited under federal law unless it involves sports.
Modeled after legislation approved by a 41-22 vote in the House Committee on Financial Services in July 2010, Rep. King’s bill would assign licensing and enforcement responsibility to a new Office of Internet Gambling Oversight within the Department of the Treasury. While state and tribal licensing bodies could apply directly to this office to receive accreditation to assist with the licensing process, the legislation respects the right of each state and tribe to determine whether to allow Internet gambling within their respective borders or to apply other restrictions on the activity. Existing intrastate regimes would be recognized while state lotteries and the horse racing industry would also be treated equally.
“I’d be shocked if Congress didn’t move quickly to consider this new legislation, which is desperately needed to create uniformity across the country and protect consumers regardless of where they are located,” said Michael Waxman, spokesman for the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative, a leading advocate for Internet gambling regulation. “Rather than cede the regulation of Internet gambling to state lawmakers, Congress should ensure there is consistent oversight of this industry and move to generate significant new revenues without having to raise taxes or cut programs.”
John Pappas, executive director of the PPA said, “Congress cannot ignore progress and the facts. Americans want the freedom to play online poker in a regulated market and states are filling the void. Already three states have authorized online gaming and several more are on the precipice of joining them.
“Poker players recognize the benefits of a federal law over the current state-by-state approach,” Pappas continued. “However, as more states lead, it will be difficult for Congress to follow – and even more difficult to see the necessity of federal legislation. We hope that all of Congress can work together and support this bill. We look forward to supporting this vital legislation and urge its swift movement through the legislative process.”
Internet gambling oversight legislation introduced :: GamingToday-com
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Michael Jackson’s jailed doctor Conrad Murray has sent a consoling message to the late pop icon’s daughter Paris after she tried to commit suicide, saying he loved her like a “precious father.”
“You are not alone,” the medic — convicted of involuntary manslaughter in 2011 over Jackson’s death — says in the nearly four-minute message posted by celebrity news website TMZ, citing the title of one of Jackson’s songs.
“This is a letter to you. I don’t know what you’re going through, but I’m sure that whatever it is, it must be difficult,” he said.
The 15-year-old, whose father died in 2009, was rushed to hospital early Wednesday after trying to cut one of her wrists, a family source told AFP. TMZ said she had also taken 20 Motrin (ibuprofen) pills.
She remained in hospital near her family’s home in Calabasas, northwest of Los Angeles, reportedly under a 72-hour psychiatric hold.
“I can tell you’re not doing well, and I don’t know if there’s anything I can do to solve your pain, or help you with your problem. But I wanted you to know that I am here for you,” said Murray, serving four years behind bars.
“I always will be available to listen to you, answer your questions or to share with you a plethora of beautiful and favored untold stories of your father, as well as his venerable thoughts of you that he shared with me.”
And Murray, found guilty of giving Jackson an overdose of the powerful anesthetic propofol to help him sleep, added: When you feel all alone or when your heart feels heavy… just know that you’re not alone.
“Your daddy loved you beyond any explanation,” he told the teenager, adding: “Paris, I too love you as a precious father loves his own child, and I always will.”
Paris Jackson has suffered from depression before and is understood to have been treated at least once previously after saying she felt like killing herself.
The family source played down media reports that she was angry because she could not go to a concert by goth rocker Marilyn Manson in Los Angeles on Thursday — although admitted that may have been a factor.
“It wasn’t because of that. It was just because of her depression. Probably the last straw she was told that she couldn’t go… It’s like a teenager, ‘I want what I want, I want to do what I want,’” she said.
Manson — real name Brian Hugh Warner — also sent a message to the teenager, via TMZ.
“I hope you feel better. You will be on my guest list anytime you want,” he said, hours before his Thursday night show.
Read more: Jailed medic consoles Paris Jackson after suicide bid | Inquirer Entertainment
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook
“You are not alone,” the medic — convicted of involuntary manslaughter in 2011 over Jackson’s death — says in the nearly four-minute message posted by celebrity news website TMZ, citing the title of one of Jackson’s songs.
“This is a letter to you. I don’t know what you’re going through, but I’m sure that whatever it is, it must be difficult,” he said.
The 15-year-old, whose father died in 2009, was rushed to hospital early Wednesday after trying to cut one of her wrists, a family source told AFP. TMZ said she had also taken 20 Motrin (ibuprofen) pills.
She remained in hospital near her family’s home in Calabasas, northwest of Los Angeles, reportedly under a 72-hour psychiatric hold.
“I can tell you’re not doing well, and I don’t know if there’s anything I can do to solve your pain, or help you with your problem. But I wanted you to know that I am here for you,” said Murray, serving four years behind bars.
“I always will be available to listen to you, answer your questions or to share with you a plethora of beautiful and favored untold stories of your father, as well as his venerable thoughts of you that he shared with me.”
And Murray, found guilty of giving Jackson an overdose of the powerful anesthetic propofol to help him sleep, added: When you feel all alone or when your heart feels heavy… just know that you’re not alone.
“Your daddy loved you beyond any explanation,” he told the teenager, adding: “Paris, I too love you as a precious father loves his own child, and I always will.”
Paris Jackson has suffered from depression before and is understood to have been treated at least once previously after saying she felt like killing herself.
The family source played down media reports that she was angry because she could not go to a concert by goth rocker Marilyn Manson in Los Angeles on Thursday — although admitted that may have been a factor.
“It wasn’t because of that. It was just because of her depression. Probably the last straw she was told that she couldn’t go… It’s like a teenager, ‘I want what I want, I want to do what I want,’” she said.
Manson — real name Brian Hugh Warner — also sent a message to the teenager, via TMZ.
“I hope you feel better. You will be on my guest list anytime you want,” he said, hours before his Thursday night show.
Read more: Jailed medic consoles Paris Jackson after suicide bid | Inquirer Entertainment
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Representative Peter King has introduced a bill in the United States House that would legalize online gaming.
The Associated Press reported that King, a Long Island Republican, wants this legislation to clarify American gambling rules, which currently put online gaming in a legal grey area. Specifically, a new office would be created as part of the Treasury Department to oversee this particular industry, and the bill would also give each state leeway on determining how much it wants to participate in interstate gaming, the report said.
Attempts to create a national set of rules for online gaming have each failed, most recently last year when Senators Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, and Jon Kyl, an Arizona Republican, pushed such a bill, the AP said.
The Hill noted that a movement to legalize online gaming activity has been gaining momentum since a 2011 Justice Department ruling that only online sports betting was prohibited, leading to legalization measures at the state level. In February, New Jersey legalized online gambling via Atlantic City casinos, and some analysts estimated it could generate hundreds of millions of dollars in new revenue for the state.
While it’s not clear how much support the bill may have in the wider Congress, the New York Daily News cited “an aide” saying that the bill will probably have to be attached to other, unrelated, legislation to get through the House.
King has a history of supporting such causes. According to a New York Times story from 2011, reporting on the US government's crackdown of online poker web sites, King was one of 19 Congressmen who, in 2009, asked the Treasury Department to refrain from cutting off payments to those online companies.
Online gambling bill introduced by U.S. Rep. Peter King, Long Island Republican - New York Business Journal
The Associated Press reported that King, a Long Island Republican, wants this legislation to clarify American gambling rules, which currently put online gaming in a legal grey area. Specifically, a new office would be created as part of the Treasury Department to oversee this particular industry, and the bill would also give each state leeway on determining how much it wants to participate in interstate gaming, the report said.
Attempts to create a national set of rules for online gaming have each failed, most recently last year when Senators Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, and Jon Kyl, an Arizona Republican, pushed such a bill, the AP said.
The Hill noted that a movement to legalize online gaming activity has been gaining momentum since a 2011 Justice Department ruling that only online sports betting was prohibited, leading to legalization measures at the state level. In February, New Jersey legalized online gambling via Atlantic City casinos, and some analysts estimated it could generate hundreds of millions of dollars in new revenue for the state.
While it’s not clear how much support the bill may have in the wider Congress, the New York Daily News cited “an aide” saying that the bill will probably have to be attached to other, unrelated, legislation to get through the House.
King has a history of supporting such causes. According to a New York Times story from 2011, reporting on the US government's crackdown of online poker web sites, King was one of 19 Congressmen who, in 2009, asked the Treasury Department to refrain from cutting off payments to those online companies.
Online gambling bill introduced by U.S. Rep. Peter King, Long Island Republican - New York Business Journal
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
History is repeating itself in the United States as the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act of 2013 is introduced in American Federal politics.
The new federal legislation that would allow for legalized online gambling has come from Peter King, a Congressman representing the state of New York. The legislation would cover online gambling in the US as well as specific areas such as regulatory measures based on the ruling by the Department of Justice in 2011. It was then when the agency ruled that online gambling of any type legal on the federal level if the individual state rules it legal.
The introduction of the Federal plan for online gambling will create a more comprehensive protection scheme for consumers than the individual state laws provide. According to Congressman King the new measures will assure there is help available to problem gamblers and that underage use of the systems is better monitored.
The new rules are set to create a system that will license and regulate online gambling at the federal level. The move will also allow the acceptance in any existing state that has legalized the past time but is limited to the boundaries of the state. This would include the states of Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey.
The press release indicated there will be these issues addressed, and the establishment of a uniform federal system for states that choose to participate, enabling adults to gamble online, with controls to protect against compulsive gambling and to prevent underage persons from gambling. It also stated that an Office of Internet Gambling Oversight in the Department of the Treasury be established to create criteria for state and tribal bodies to carry out licensing activities for the government. There is an opt-out option allowing tribal organizations or state governments to prohibit online gambling or to operate intrastate gaming within its borders as authorized under state or tribal law.This legislation is comprehensive and thought out with the lobbing groups for online gambling praising its contents.
USA Federal Online Gambling Regulations Introduced
The new federal legislation that would allow for legalized online gambling has come from Peter King, a Congressman representing the state of New York. The legislation would cover online gambling in the US as well as specific areas such as regulatory measures based on the ruling by the Department of Justice in 2011. It was then when the agency ruled that online gambling of any type legal on the federal level if the individual state rules it legal.
The introduction of the Federal plan for online gambling will create a more comprehensive protection scheme for consumers than the individual state laws provide. According to Congressman King the new measures will assure there is help available to problem gamblers and that underage use of the systems is better monitored.
The new rules are set to create a system that will license and regulate online gambling at the federal level. The move will also allow the acceptance in any existing state that has legalized the past time but is limited to the boundaries of the state. This would include the states of Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey.
The press release indicated there will be these issues addressed, and the establishment of a uniform federal system for states that choose to participate, enabling adults to gamble online, with controls to protect against compulsive gambling and to prevent underage persons from gambling. It also stated that an Office of Internet Gambling Oversight in the Department of the Treasury be established to create criteria for state and tribal bodies to carry out licensing activities for the government. There is an opt-out option allowing tribal organizations or state governments to prohibit online gambling or to operate intrastate gaming within its borders as authorized under state or tribal law.This legislation is comprehensive and thought out with the lobbing groups for online gambling praising its contents.
USA Federal Online Gambling Regulations Introduced
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (YJHD), which lost out a few screens to Yamla Pagla Deewana 2 (YPD 2), has continued to rock the viewers in the second week. Undeterred by the new Hindi release, the Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone starrer has raked in a decent amount of Money at the Indian Box Office on its second Friday. It is giving a tough feat to the new release at the ticket counters in the domestic market. Trade analysts had predicted that Yamla Pagla Deewana 2, which is one of the most-hyped and highly-awaited movies of 2013, would slow down the collection of Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. But to their surprise, the latter has received very good response on its eighth day. The Karan Johar's latest production had a tough time in North India due to the Deols hold in circuits like Delhi, UP and Punjab, but the film had very good occupancy in other parts of the country. Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani has minted Rs 7 crores nett at the domestic Box Office on its second Friday, taking its eight-day collection to Rs 114.61 crores nett. Its second Friday numbers are close the first Friday collection of Ranbir Kapoor's previous release Barfi, which had raked in Rs 8.56 crores on its opening day. Trade experts feel that it is a record business for the movie. However, Yamla Pagla Deewana 2, which is also as entertaining as its prequel, has garnered mixed reviews from film critics, who have given average ratings for the movie. Due to these reviews, some viewers might take Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani as their first choice in this weekend too. If it happens, there is no doubt that the Ranbir and Deepika starrer will once again top the collection chart in the second week.
Read more at: Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani 2nd Friday collection at Box Office - Oneindia Entertainment
Read more at: Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani 2nd Friday collection at Box Office - Oneindia Entertainment
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
The US Government’s window to regulate the online gambling industry is quickly closing. Representative Peter King (R-NY) introduced the Internet Gambling Regulation, Enforcement, and Consumer Protection Act of 2013 today to address the short time the federal government has left to regulate online gambling before that power is taken completely by the state. The bill would regulate all forms of online gambling in the United States. The one exception to this bill is sports betting, which is prohibited in most states through the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act.
Rep. King’s bill introduces framework that would legalize and regulate online poker and casino games. No list of allowable games is included, but all casino games that fall under class III gaming would presumably be allowed. Class III games include craps, roulette, slot machines, video poker and any table game banked by the house involving cards. Poker is also specifically allowed.
The Office of Internet Gambling Oversight would be created within 180 days of the bill becoming law. This office would enforce the federal regulations and settle some disputes although some action, including licensing, could not be appealed.
States Would Have 120 Day Window to Opt Out
The bill assumes all states opt in unless stating otherwise within 120 days of the bill’s passage into law. The state governor or similarly positioned leader must contact the federal government that they wish to opt out before the 120 days and must include the reason for doing so. These reasons include that state law already requires an opt out or that the state is against federal laws that expand gambling. A state legislature could also opt out through a majority of both chambers. A state could later change its mind with 60 days notice.
Tribes would have similar rights and obligations. Reservations could opt in, even if their state opted out. Play would then be restricted to players physically located on tribal land at the time of login.
Level Playing Field Between States and Reservations
The bill creates a level playing field between commercial gaming interests and tribes. Both would have the opportunity to participate with the same terms. Tribal sovereignty is recognized, though this law would trump the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act as it pertains to online gambling. It does not affect existing gaming pacts between tribes and states.
State lotteries would be permitted to sell lottery tickets online. The horseracing industry would be allowed to operate existing off track betting over the internet. Neither of these industries is specifically permitted to operate online gambling under this bill. Licensing is ultimately up to the states though so either group may be able to get licensed, especially in states with lottery monopolies and large horseracing industries.
Licensing Requirements
Licensing would be handled in one of two ways. States and tribes could set up regulatory framework through existing gaming commissions or create a new one. If a state or tribe fails to create a licensing body then the federal government would control the process. Internet licensing must be at least as stringent as the brick and mortar process, provided a casino industry already exists in the state.
Licenses would initially be issued for five years. There would be fees associated with background checks to confirm suitability. Licensing requirements include not being convicted of a felony or owing back taxes.
Taxes are not addressed in this bill. These details would be added at a later date.
Significant vendors would be required to receive licensing. These include white label operators. Minor participants, including marketing affiliates, would be required to at least register their business. The operator would be obligated to pay all fees associated with their partners.
Bad Actor Clause
The only bad actor clause associated with the bill would exclude any company that accepted or participated in offering illegal sports betting to US residents. This appears to also include affiliates or anyone else that directly profited from illegal sports betting. States would be able to adopt stricter regulations that could exclude other companies.
Orderly Exit of Unlicensed Sites
Existing unlicensed sites would be given the opportunity to exit the US market in an orderly fashion. Players must be given instructions on how to withdraw their balances within seven days of the enactment of this bill. Balances must be paid within 30 days. Any operator that fails to submit payments to players is subject to fines of three times the amount owed and up to two years in jail. The bill does not appear to give immunity to existing unlicensed operators; it simply gives the companies reasonable access to the US banking system to process payments.
Enforcement of Unlicensed Operators
Operators that continue to offer online gambling to US players without a license would be subject to fines of up to $1 million a day or the amount of all wagers accepted. Penalties may also include up to ten years in prison. Players that continue to play on unlicensed sites could find their funds subject to forfeiture. All fines would go to the US Treasury.
Internet Cafes Banned
Businesses that cater specifically to online gambling would be banned under this bill. These types of businesses have been a problem in many states that operated under gray area sweepstakes laws. This federal enactment would put all of these establishments out of business permanently.
International Players Accepted
US operators would be allowed to accept players from other countries as long as online gambling was legal in both jurisdictions. Safeguards mentioned in the bill repeatedly only mention US players. It is unknown if international players would enjoy the same safeguards.
Player Protection
Any person under the age of 21 would be banne
Rep. King’s bill introduces framework that would legalize and regulate online poker and casino games. No list of allowable games is included, but all casino games that fall under class III gaming would presumably be allowed. Class III games include craps, roulette, slot machines, video poker and any table game banked by the house involving cards. Poker is also specifically allowed.
The Office of Internet Gambling Oversight would be created within 180 days of the bill becoming law. This office would enforce the federal regulations and settle some disputes although some action, including licensing, could not be appealed.
States Would Have 120 Day Window to Opt Out
The bill assumes all states opt in unless stating otherwise within 120 days of the bill’s passage into law. The state governor or similarly positioned leader must contact the federal government that they wish to opt out before the 120 days and must include the reason for doing so. These reasons include that state law already requires an opt out or that the state is against federal laws that expand gambling. A state legislature could also opt out through a majority of both chambers. A state could later change its mind with 60 days notice.
Tribes would have similar rights and obligations. Reservations could opt in, even if their state opted out. Play would then be restricted to players physically located on tribal land at the time of login.
Level Playing Field Between States and Reservations
The bill creates a level playing field between commercial gaming interests and tribes. Both would have the opportunity to participate with the same terms. Tribal sovereignty is recognized, though this law would trump the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act as it pertains to online gambling. It does not affect existing gaming pacts between tribes and states.
State lotteries would be permitted to sell lottery tickets online. The horseracing industry would be allowed to operate existing off track betting over the internet. Neither of these industries is specifically permitted to operate online gambling under this bill. Licensing is ultimately up to the states though so either group may be able to get licensed, especially in states with lottery monopolies and large horseracing industries.
Licensing Requirements
Licensing would be handled in one of two ways. States and tribes could set up regulatory framework through existing gaming commissions or create a new one. If a state or tribe fails to create a licensing body then the federal government would control the process. Internet licensing must be at least as stringent as the brick and mortar process, provided a casino industry already exists in the state.
Licenses would initially be issued for five years. There would be fees associated with background checks to confirm suitability. Licensing requirements include not being convicted of a felony or owing back taxes.
Taxes are not addressed in this bill. These details would be added at a later date.
Significant vendors would be required to receive licensing. These include white label operators. Minor participants, including marketing affiliates, would be required to at least register their business. The operator would be obligated to pay all fees associated with their partners.
Bad Actor Clause
The only bad actor clause associated with the bill would exclude any company that accepted or participated in offering illegal sports betting to US residents. This appears to also include affiliates or anyone else that directly profited from illegal sports betting. States would be able to adopt stricter regulations that could exclude other companies.
Orderly Exit of Unlicensed Sites
Existing unlicensed sites would be given the opportunity to exit the US market in an orderly fashion. Players must be given instructions on how to withdraw their balances within seven days of the enactment of this bill. Balances must be paid within 30 days. Any operator that fails to submit payments to players is subject to fines of three times the amount owed and up to two years in jail. The bill does not appear to give immunity to existing unlicensed operators; it simply gives the companies reasonable access to the US banking system to process payments.
Enforcement of Unlicensed Operators
Operators that continue to offer online gambling to US players without a license would be subject to fines of up to $1 million a day or the amount of all wagers accepted. Penalties may also include up to ten years in prison. Players that continue to play on unlicensed sites could find their funds subject to forfeiture. All fines would go to the US Treasury.
Internet Cafes Banned
Businesses that cater specifically to online gambling would be banned under this bill. These types of businesses have been a problem in many states that operated under gray area sweepstakes laws. This federal enactment would put all of these establishments out of business permanently.
International Players Accepted
US operators would be allowed to accept players from other countries as long as online gambling was legal in both jurisdictions. Safeguards mentioned in the bill repeatedly only mention US players. It is unknown if international players would enjoy the same safeguards.
Player Protection
Any person under the age of 21 would be banne
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Rep. Peter King says it’s time to for the U.S. to legalize betting online.
The Seaford Republican presented a bill Thursday to license online gambling and establish a federal standard throughout the country, the New York Daily News reported. King had previously tried to win such a bill, in response to 2011 Justice Department ruling that rejected restrictions on online gambling except on sports betting, the Daily News wrote.
“A common federal standard will ensure strong protections for consumers, protect against problem and underage gambling, and make it easier for businesses, players, lawmakers, and regulators to navigate and freely participate,” King said in a statement.
States or Native American tribes could opt out of a federal system and keep their own internal gaming practices, the Daily News reported. States could also hold online lotteries.
King Wants to Legalize Online Betting - Government - West Islip, NY Patch
The Seaford Republican presented a bill Thursday to license online gambling and establish a federal standard throughout the country, the New York Daily News reported. King had previously tried to win such a bill, in response to 2011 Justice Department ruling that rejected restrictions on online gambling except on sports betting, the Daily News wrote.
“A common federal standard will ensure strong protections for consumers, protect against problem and underage gambling, and make it easier for businesses, players, lawmakers, and regulators to navigate and freely participate,” King said in a statement.
States or Native American tribes could opt out of a federal system and keep their own internal gaming practices, the Daily News reported. States could also hold online lotteries.
King Wants to Legalize Online Betting - Government - West Islip, NY Patch
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Bitcoin has been talked about a lot lately as it has found its way into everyday financial transactions. The latest news about the virtual currency besides the government of the USA shuttering the possibility that Bitcoin would allow for online gambling in the country is the fact that Bitcoin has taken root in China of all places.
Bitcoin has been touted as an ideal method for Asian-facing online gambling operators to get around China’s prohibition on moving money on and off online sites. That being said there are some sceptical individuals who claim the virtual currency would not be able to handle the large volume of transactions needed to supply the junket operators in Macau.
Last month China was at the top of the Bitcoin client download list for the first time, outpacing US downloads by a ratio of 85k to 64k, that’s nearly one-third of all Bitcoin downloads in May. This trend has accelerated quicly since the beginning of 2013, with China’s share of the total downloads to date rising from 5 percent to 9 percent over the past five months making China number two on the list for all Bitcoin downloads.
Over the same period Bitcoin’s trading volume in China has gone up more than 300 percent accounting for nearly 6 percent of all trading. China still has the lowest number of client downloads compared to the number of people connected to the internet so the potential for future expansion is obvious. Fueling the Bitcoin interest remains in part a mystery but a Chinese state-run broadcaster aired a documentary on Bitcoin that gave the currency a bright future.
While other jurisdictions are tempering their Bitcoin buy up China is moving forward even though the country has strict policies against moving money offshore.
Speculation is the Chinese authorities will clampdown on the virtual anonymous currency exchange eventually and especially if online gamblers start employing it for their fund transfers.
Bitcoin Ideal for Asian Online Gambling Operators
Bitcoin has been touted as an ideal method for Asian-facing online gambling operators to get around China’s prohibition on moving money on and off online sites. That being said there are some sceptical individuals who claim the virtual currency would not be able to handle the large volume of transactions needed to supply the junket operators in Macau.
Last month China was at the top of the Bitcoin client download list for the first time, outpacing US downloads by a ratio of 85k to 64k, that’s nearly one-third of all Bitcoin downloads in May. This trend has accelerated quicly since the beginning of 2013, with China’s share of the total downloads to date rising from 5 percent to 9 percent over the past five months making China number two on the list for all Bitcoin downloads.
Over the same period Bitcoin’s trading volume in China has gone up more than 300 percent accounting for nearly 6 percent of all trading. China still has the lowest number of client downloads compared to the number of people connected to the internet so the potential for future expansion is obvious. Fueling the Bitcoin interest remains in part a mystery but a Chinese state-run broadcaster aired a documentary on Bitcoin that gave the currency a bright future.
While other jurisdictions are tempering their Bitcoin buy up China is moving forward even though the country has strict policies against moving money offshore.
Speculation is the Chinese authorities will clampdown on the virtual anonymous currency exchange eventually and especially if online gamblers start employing it for their fund transfers.
Bitcoin Ideal for Asian Online Gambling Operators
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Kubrick's adaptation of Stephen King's novel about the Torrance family's headlong plunge into insanity during a secluded Colorado winter remains better known for its T-shirt quotables (''Heeeere's Johnny!'' ''All work and no play make Jack a dull boy'') than as a beautiful and pleasing horror film. It's a shame. With a haunting score, luscious, near-eternal Steadicam shots, and Jack Nicholson's grand pirouette into murderous madness at its heart, it's one of the most artful horror films in history.
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Casinos will win with new gambling revenue. New Jersey will win with new tax revenue. Consumers will win with a new entertainment option that they can play from the comfort of a coffee shop or their own sofa.
Everybody, it seems is guaranteed to win. Except Atlantic City itself.
New Jersey is rolling out legalized Internet gambling, betting that it will help casinos fend off fierce competition from neighboring states, bolster the state's tax revenue and be a powerful economic engine once again. It is a chance, casinos say, for New Jersey to remain on the cutting edge of the gambling industry by taking advantage of technology that businesses from banks to retailers rolled out long ago.
Looming over the transition, however, is whether casino customers will find Internet gaming so appealing that they decide to skip the lengthy drive to Atlantic City and simply stay home, leaving the city no better off than it was before.
That scenario, while possible, isn't likely, one expert said, particularly if casinos can convince occasional gamblers who find them online to visit their properties.
"The extent to which this behavior online will translate to people saying, 'I like playing at XYZ's website, I have so many points for meals and drinks,' it can be a positive," said Patrali Chatterjee, associate professor of marketing at Montclair State University, who has studied the potential effect of Internet gambling. "That's the big challenge that casinos face: to what extent can they make the transition from bricks-and-mortar to online seamless?"
In February, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed a bill legalizing Internet gambling, allowing New Jersey residents 21 and older to play casino games online. Gamblers first would need to visit a casino to register. And only casinos with licenses in New Jersey — those that already have properties here — could offer online gambling.
The state published proposed regulations for Internet gambling June 3; the public has 60 days to comment. It could be in place by the end of this year or early 2014, experts said.
New Jersey is one of three states, joining Nevada, Delaware and Louisiana, that have enacted Internet gambling laws in recent months. It was only seven years ago that Congress banned the use of credit cards for illegal Internet gambling. But the Justice Department in 2011 ruled that the law applied only to sports betting, opening a lucrative door.
Internet gambling generated as much as $6 billion a year through 1,700 illegal offshore websites, according to the American Gaming Association, a trade group.
New Jersey's elected officials have high hopes. The state plans to tax casinos 15% on online gambling revenue, compared with 8% on gambling revenue at the casinos.
Christie anticipates casino tax revenue in fiscal 2014 will be $435.8 million, up 85% from fiscal 2013, when the tax revenue from brick-and-mortar casinos was $238.9 million.
The rosy outlook assumes online gambling will supplement rather than chip away casinos' existing customer base. Yet for every movie theater that still manages to fill seats despite Netflix, there is a retailer such as Tower Records or Borders that can't compete with Apple or Amazon, leaving a strip center with an empty tenant.
"It will certainly increase the value of the licenses and assets of casinos in Atlantic City," said Christopher Jones, an analyst who follows the gaming industry for Telsey Advisory Group in New York. "Sort of the unknown — and most people don't seem too worried about this — is, how much does it cannibalize their existing operations?" For casinos, movie theaters may be a better comparison than bookstores. Chatterjee said some retailers are merely the channels consumers use to buy the end products, while casinos are considered, at least by some Atlantic City visitors, to be the end products themselves.
Online gaming could pay off for the casino properties and, by extension, Atlantic City if it becomes a new outlet for casinos to reach new customers. Casinos in turn could offer promotions for hotel rooms, restaurants and entertainment. And a new audience could decide to visit, Chatterjee said.
"There's a lot of people that believe that the development of online gaming is going to be the end of bricks-and-mortar gambling," said Jeremy Aguero, principal analyst for Applied Analysis, a consulting firm in Las Vegas. "Fair enough."
"I guess we'll have to see how it plays out," he said. "But I think what both sides agree is that it's coming, one way or another. We're either going to figure out how to take advantage of that, or we're going to be left behind."
Will online gambling help or hurt Atlantic City?
Everybody, it seems is guaranteed to win. Except Atlantic City itself.
New Jersey is rolling out legalized Internet gambling, betting that it will help casinos fend off fierce competition from neighboring states, bolster the state's tax revenue and be a powerful economic engine once again. It is a chance, casinos say, for New Jersey to remain on the cutting edge of the gambling industry by taking advantage of technology that businesses from banks to retailers rolled out long ago.
Looming over the transition, however, is whether casino customers will find Internet gaming so appealing that they decide to skip the lengthy drive to Atlantic City and simply stay home, leaving the city no better off than it was before.
That scenario, while possible, isn't likely, one expert said, particularly if casinos can convince occasional gamblers who find them online to visit their properties.
"The extent to which this behavior online will translate to people saying, 'I like playing at XYZ's website, I have so many points for meals and drinks,' it can be a positive," said Patrali Chatterjee, associate professor of marketing at Montclair State University, who has studied the potential effect of Internet gambling. "That's the big challenge that casinos face: to what extent can they make the transition from bricks-and-mortar to online seamless?"
In February, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed a bill legalizing Internet gambling, allowing New Jersey residents 21 and older to play casino games online. Gamblers first would need to visit a casino to register. And only casinos with licenses in New Jersey — those that already have properties here — could offer online gambling.
The state published proposed regulations for Internet gambling June 3; the public has 60 days to comment. It could be in place by the end of this year or early 2014, experts said.
New Jersey is one of three states, joining Nevada, Delaware and Louisiana, that have enacted Internet gambling laws in recent months. It was only seven years ago that Congress banned the use of credit cards for illegal Internet gambling. But the Justice Department in 2011 ruled that the law applied only to sports betting, opening a lucrative door.
Internet gambling generated as much as $6 billion a year through 1,700 illegal offshore websites, according to the American Gaming Association, a trade group.
New Jersey's elected officials have high hopes. The state plans to tax casinos 15% on online gambling revenue, compared with 8% on gambling revenue at the casinos.
Christie anticipates casino tax revenue in fiscal 2014 will be $435.8 million, up 85% from fiscal 2013, when the tax revenue from brick-and-mortar casinos was $238.9 million.
The rosy outlook assumes online gambling will supplement rather than chip away casinos' existing customer base. Yet for every movie theater that still manages to fill seats despite Netflix, there is a retailer such as Tower Records or Borders that can't compete with Apple or Amazon, leaving a strip center with an empty tenant.
"It will certainly increase the value of the licenses and assets of casinos in Atlantic City," said Christopher Jones, an analyst who follows the gaming industry for Telsey Advisory Group in New York. "Sort of the unknown — and most people don't seem too worried about this — is, how much does it cannibalize their existing operations?" For casinos, movie theaters may be a better comparison than bookstores. Chatterjee said some retailers are merely the channels consumers use to buy the end products, while casinos are considered, at least by some Atlantic City visitors, to be the end products themselves.
Online gaming could pay off for the casino properties and, by extension, Atlantic City if it becomes a new outlet for casinos to reach new customers. Casinos in turn could offer promotions for hotel rooms, restaurants and entertainment. And a new audience could decide to visit, Chatterjee said.
"There's a lot of people that believe that the development of online gaming is going to be the end of bricks-and-mortar gambling," said Jeremy Aguero, principal analyst for Applied Analysis, a consulting firm in Las Vegas. "Fair enough."
"I guess we'll have to see how it plays out," he said. "But I think what both sides agree is that it's coming, one way or another. We're either going to figure out how to take advantage of that, or we're going to be left behind."
Will online gambling help or hurt Atlantic City?
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
After a big 2011 crackdown on Web-based poker, the world of online gambling is slowly crawling back.
But the road to change is murky: The rules vary by state, and they're dependent on the very specific legal definitions of "gambling" versus "betting."
Currently, 37 U.S. states allow online betting on games that require at least a moderate degree of "skill." Only three states -- Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey -- have legalized gambling on games of "chance," which, under the law, includes poker.
"The game-of-skill space has not been very well understood," said Andrew Paradise, the CEO and founder of Skillz, which launched a U.S. betting platform for skill-based mobile games in April and partnered with Glu Mobile (GLUU) in May. "The determination can be confusing between games and between states, both for players and companies. But the business opportunity is big."
Globally, it's huge: Analysis firm Juniper Research estimates that gambling on mobile devices will hit $100 billion worldwide by 2017.
The U.S. gambling industry wants to legalize online chance games across the country, and its lobbying efforts are gaining some momentum. Meanwhile, smaller upstarts like Skillz are taking advantage of the larger skill-based gaming field.
As of now, both gambling and betting apps have to tiptoe the divergent laws currently on the books.
Games of chance vs. skill: Some games are easy to classify. Chess is considered a game of skill, for example, while a slot machine is a game of chance.
But some are less clear cut: Despite rewarding skill, both poker and blackjack are considered games of chance. That means residents of 47 states can't play them online for money.
The delineation can get squishy, and states use a handful of tests to help them classify, according to Paradise, the Skillz CEO. But the states still vary on which tests they use, and how they interpret the results -- for example, some states say any degree of luck makes a game "chance-based," while others allow some bit of chance in what they deem skill-based games.
Some use the "predominance test," which says that if a skilled player beats an unskilled competitor at least 75% of the time, that's a game of skill. A "material element" test discovers whether chance is an important component in determining the outcome of a game. The third test figures out whether a game requires a player to bet on his or her own ability to win a game (games of skill do, but games of chance don't).
Skillz hopes that widespread pickup of skill-based betting "may be a precursor to [gambling on] games of chance," Paradise said. "But I think it will take five or more years before we see that really happen. It's one of the biggest discussions in the industry." The poker problem: The No. 1 most-debated issue in the field, however, is the Big Kahuna of online gambling -- poker.
Poker is generally considered a game of chance under the law, but that determination is hotly debated. In a case last year, a federal judge in New York ruled that poker is skill-based, adding another wrinkle to the state-by-state differences.
Today, the only legal online poker service is the Las Vegas-based Ultimate Gaming, which launched UltimatePoker-com exclusively for Nevada residents in April. New Jersey officials didn't reply to a request for comment on where its online poker plans stand, and Delaware Lottery director Vernon Kirk said his state hopes eventually to cut deals for its residents to play against people in other states.
Ultimate Gaming's co-founder Tom Breitling said he thinks online poker will spread through the United States in one of two ways: Either federal legislation will legalize poker specifically and give states the right to opt out, or games-of-chance legislation will slowly be passed in the majority of states.
"We're focusing on poker right now, but online gambling is a lot bigger than just that," Breitling said. "And it could be so much bigger. It took a lot of work to get to this point, but now that it's here I just don't see it stopping."
Online gambling and poker toe a confusing legal line - Jun. 10, 2013
But the road to change is murky: The rules vary by state, and they're dependent on the very specific legal definitions of "gambling" versus "betting."
Currently, 37 U.S. states allow online betting on games that require at least a moderate degree of "skill." Only three states -- Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey -- have legalized gambling on games of "chance," which, under the law, includes poker.
"The game-of-skill space has not been very well understood," said Andrew Paradise, the CEO and founder of Skillz, which launched a U.S. betting platform for skill-based mobile games in April and partnered with Glu Mobile (GLUU) in May. "The determination can be confusing between games and between states, both for players and companies. But the business opportunity is big."
Globally, it's huge: Analysis firm Juniper Research estimates that gambling on mobile devices will hit $100 billion worldwide by 2017.
The U.S. gambling industry wants to legalize online chance games across the country, and its lobbying efforts are gaining some momentum. Meanwhile, smaller upstarts like Skillz are taking advantage of the larger skill-based gaming field.
As of now, both gambling and betting apps have to tiptoe the divergent laws currently on the books.
Games of chance vs. skill: Some games are easy to classify. Chess is considered a game of skill, for example, while a slot machine is a game of chance.
But some are less clear cut: Despite rewarding skill, both poker and blackjack are considered games of chance. That means residents of 47 states can't play them online for money.
The delineation can get squishy, and states use a handful of tests to help them classify, according to Paradise, the Skillz CEO. But the states still vary on which tests they use, and how they interpret the results -- for example, some states say any degree of luck makes a game "chance-based," while others allow some bit of chance in what they deem skill-based games.
Some use the "predominance test," which says that if a skilled player beats an unskilled competitor at least 75% of the time, that's a game of skill. A "material element" test discovers whether chance is an important component in determining the outcome of a game. The third test figures out whether a game requires a player to bet on his or her own ability to win a game (games of skill do, but games of chance don't).
Skillz hopes that widespread pickup of skill-based betting "may be a precursor to [gambling on] games of chance," Paradise said. "But I think it will take five or more years before we see that really happen. It's one of the biggest discussions in the industry." The poker problem: The No. 1 most-debated issue in the field, however, is the Big Kahuna of online gambling -- poker.
Poker is generally considered a game of chance under the law, but that determination is hotly debated. In a case last year, a federal judge in New York ruled that poker is skill-based, adding another wrinkle to the state-by-state differences.
Today, the only legal online poker service is the Las Vegas-based Ultimate Gaming, which launched UltimatePoker-com exclusively for Nevada residents in April. New Jersey officials didn't reply to a request for comment on where its online poker plans stand, and Delaware Lottery director Vernon Kirk said his state hopes eventually to cut deals for its residents to play against people in other states.
Ultimate Gaming's co-founder Tom Breitling said he thinks online poker will spread through the United States in one of two ways: Either federal legislation will legalize poker specifically and give states the right to opt out, or games-of-chance legislation will slowly be passed in the majority of states.
"We're focusing on poker right now, but online gambling is a lot bigger than just that," Breitling said. "And it could be so much bigger. It took a lot of work to get to this point, but now that it's here I just don't see it stopping."
Online gambling and poker toe a confusing legal line - Jun. 10, 2013
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Montreal multimillionaire Mitch Garber is CEO of Caesars Interactive Entertainment, the people who run the World Series of Poker. The company’s Las Vegas parent, casino giant Caesars Entertainment, is a money-loser with major debt issues, but Garber is betting on a bright future for his subsidiary here. A week ago, he bought out part of struggling software developer Electronic Arts, a major local supplier, acquiring 19 of its Montreal employees and the intellectual property to the Facebook and mobile game apps they make for the World Series.
Garber, 48, earned $17 million a year between 2006 and 2008 when he ran Gibraltar online gambling company PartyGaming. He lived in London and Tel Aviv before jumping to Caesars in 2009 and returning to his hometown, Montreal. With degrees in industrial relations and law, in the 1990s he practised as a gaming industry lawyer and also worked as a Montreal radio sportscaster. Active in the charitable causes of Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté and singing superstar Céline Dion, Garber lives with his wife, Anne-Marie, and their two teenage sons in Westmount.
(This interview has been edited and condensed.)
Q: What’s the advantage of being based in Montreal?
A: It’s a good mid-point between Vegas and Europe to do a lot of things that we do. And we’re very interested in expanding here, because there’s a lot of great software development talent and a great appreciation for poker and gaming in general.
How big is the company?
We’ve had over 100 million downloads, and we have almost 500 employees in Tel Aviv, Ukraine, Belarus, Santa Monica and now Montreal. We’re one of the largest social mobile app development companies in the world.
In 2009, you told us you’d soon have “hundreds” of employees working for you here. You’re only up to 46 now. What happened?
Good question. Back then, we were anticipating a federal bill that would legalize online poker in the U.S., but that hasn’t happened; it stagnated. Two states did pass their own legislation, however, and that will have a big effect on us.
How?
It’ll mean we’ll be operating online real-money poker in Nevada this summer and it should also mean we’ll be operating online real-money poker and casino games in New Jersey by the end of 2013 and beginning of 2014.
That means more work here in Montreal?
I do plan to build out a larger part of that operation in Montreal. We’re also in the middle of developing a very sophisticated online poker platform, and we’re actively hiring high-level Montrealer developers now for that.
Do the money woes at the parent company concern you?
Interactive requires a low level of capital expenditure and is experiencing a very interesting growth phase now. We’re very happy to contribute to the parent company, which remains highly profitable — highly leveraged, but profitable.
Twenty billion dollars in debt, missed estimates on declining revenues, net losses over the last three years — those don’t worry you?
No, we have a lot of exciting new developments: a casino in Baltimore, an incredible observation wheel in Vegas, renovating one resort and opening another, several restaurant openings. And on the online side, it’s extremely exciting, too.
Why are most governments, including Canada’s, still reluctant to legalize your industry?
I really believe it’s just an educational process. People used to be scared of online commerce, but now they’re not. Same with gaming — they’re getting less skeptical. But politicians are of an older generation; they take longer to educate.
Has the poor economy made them more receptive?
The need for taxes in the States has helped our lobbying efforts dramatically, I think. Money that’s being made offshore that could be made and regulated locally, create employment income, and be taxed — that’s becoming more important.
How do you address concerns over money-laundering and other forms of organized crime traditionally associated with gambling?
I think we address them pretty easily. We are the most regulated business in North America, maybe even in the world. The licensing process is more arduous for us than in banking or health care or securities or any other area.
Sounds like you get asked that question a lot.
All the time. It’s the gaming industry, it’s a sexy industry and there’s a lot of old movies about it. But anyone who’s been to Vegas in the last 10 years realizes it’s more than just that. It’s about Cirque du Soleil and Céline and Gordon Ramsay.
Funny that you should be based in Montreal, with all its corruption scandals these days.
Actually. I think we’re very lucky. People love Montreal. Certainly the recent scandals are not great, but they’re not unique to Montreal. A lot of other cities and municipalities have them — and we don’t have Rob Ford (laughs).
What do you think of Loto-Québec?
I used to be one of their lawyers, so I have a great affinity for them. It’s the best government-run lottery and casino business in the world. They’ve been great partners to the World Series of Poker, and we’ll talk to them about getting involved online.
What do you think of compulsive gamblers?
They’re a very small minority, but a very important minority. We don’t like it when people lose money — that’s a misnomer, it’s emphatically not the case. We like it when people are entertained and have fun, when they gamble within their limit.
It is harder to weed out a problem gambler in the virtual world, though, isn’t it?
You know, we have algorithms and software that can detect certain types of behaviour, and we can flag it. It’s not the same as seeing a human being in a casino, but if anyone feels they have a problem, they can reach out to us for help.
Read more: Montrealer Mitch Garber betting big on future of online gaming
Garber, 48, earned $17 million a year between 2006 and 2008 when he ran Gibraltar online gambling company PartyGaming. He lived in London and Tel Aviv before jumping to Caesars in 2009 and returning to his hometown, Montreal. With degrees in industrial relations and law, in the 1990s he practised as a gaming industry lawyer and also worked as a Montreal radio sportscaster. Active in the charitable causes of Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté and singing superstar Céline Dion, Garber lives with his wife, Anne-Marie, and their two teenage sons in Westmount.
(This interview has been edited and condensed.)
Q: What’s the advantage of being based in Montreal?
A: It’s a good mid-point between Vegas and Europe to do a lot of things that we do. And we’re very interested in expanding here, because there’s a lot of great software development talent and a great appreciation for poker and gaming in general.
How big is the company?
We’ve had over 100 million downloads, and we have almost 500 employees in Tel Aviv, Ukraine, Belarus, Santa Monica and now Montreal. We’re one of the largest social mobile app development companies in the world.
In 2009, you told us you’d soon have “hundreds” of employees working for you here. You’re only up to 46 now. What happened?
Good question. Back then, we were anticipating a federal bill that would legalize online poker in the U.S., but that hasn’t happened; it stagnated. Two states did pass their own legislation, however, and that will have a big effect on us.
How?
It’ll mean we’ll be operating online real-money poker in Nevada this summer and it should also mean we’ll be operating online real-money poker and casino games in New Jersey by the end of 2013 and beginning of 2014.
That means more work here in Montreal?
I do plan to build out a larger part of that operation in Montreal. We’re also in the middle of developing a very sophisticated online poker platform, and we’re actively hiring high-level Montrealer developers now for that.
Do the money woes at the parent company concern you?
Interactive requires a low level of capital expenditure and is experiencing a very interesting growth phase now. We’re very happy to contribute to the parent company, which remains highly profitable — highly leveraged, but profitable.
Twenty billion dollars in debt, missed estimates on declining revenues, net losses over the last three years — those don’t worry you?
No, we have a lot of exciting new developments: a casino in Baltimore, an incredible observation wheel in Vegas, renovating one resort and opening another, several restaurant openings. And on the online side, it’s extremely exciting, too.
Why are most governments, including Canada’s, still reluctant to legalize your industry?
I really believe it’s just an educational process. People used to be scared of online commerce, but now they’re not. Same with gaming — they’re getting less skeptical. But politicians are of an older generation; they take longer to educate.
Has the poor economy made them more receptive?
The need for taxes in the States has helped our lobbying efforts dramatically, I think. Money that’s being made offshore that could be made and regulated locally, create employment income, and be taxed — that’s becoming more important.
How do you address concerns over money-laundering and other forms of organized crime traditionally associated with gambling?
I think we address them pretty easily. We are the most regulated business in North America, maybe even in the world. The licensing process is more arduous for us than in banking or health care or securities or any other area.
Sounds like you get asked that question a lot.
All the time. It’s the gaming industry, it’s a sexy industry and there’s a lot of old movies about it. But anyone who’s been to Vegas in the last 10 years realizes it’s more than just that. It’s about Cirque du Soleil and Céline and Gordon Ramsay.
Funny that you should be based in Montreal, with all its corruption scandals these days.
Actually. I think we’re very lucky. People love Montreal. Certainly the recent scandals are not great, but they’re not unique to Montreal. A lot of other cities and municipalities have them — and we don’t have Rob Ford (laughs).
What do you think of Loto-Québec?
I used to be one of their lawyers, so I have a great affinity for them. It’s the best government-run lottery and casino business in the world. They’ve been great partners to the World Series of Poker, and we’ll talk to them about getting involved online.
What do you think of compulsive gamblers?
They’re a very small minority, but a very important minority. We don’t like it when people lose money — that’s a misnomer, it’s emphatically not the case. We like it when people are entertained and have fun, when they gamble within their limit.
It is harder to weed out a problem gambler in the virtual world, though, isn’t it?
You know, we have algorithms and software that can detect certain types of behaviour, and we can flag it. It’s not the same as seeing a human being in a casino, but if anyone feels they have a problem, they can reach out to us for help.
Read more: Montrealer Mitch Garber betting big on future of online gaming
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Four years ago every conversation regarding real-money gaming in the U.S. would be prefaced with, “if regulation happens”. Two years ago that changed to, “when regulation happens”. Now, nearly halfway through 2013, we can talk about “where” regulation is happening.
Already this year, more tangible progress has been made than in the preceding six years since the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act (UIGEA) banned online gambling in the U.S.
The level of regulatory progress by states is impressive, according to Chris Krafcik, North America research director at Gambling Compliance and long-time watcher of gambling legislation in the U.S. He told this blog:
“In recent years, the number of states considering Internet gambling has risen markedly. Just two states considered such legislation in 2008, but this year, 10 states (and counting) have considered it. Clearly, states are beginning to move toward Internet gambling regulation with increasing interest and in decidedly increasing numbers.”
Who, What, When, Where
In December 2011, a reinterpretation of the Wire Act by the Department of Justice (narrowing the law’s scope to only apply to prohibiting online sports wagering) opened the door for states to regulate real-money games. Fast-forward 18 months and we are seeing some real results.
In April 2013, Nevada made history by approving the first company to offer licensed real-money online poker in the U.S. It took a long 16 months from the approval of regulations to the first licence being issued, but Ultimate Poker is now taking online bets from players within the Nevada state border.
Anxious to not be left behind, New Jersey ended a 12 year campaign to legalize real-money gaming in February, after Governor Chris Christie signed online gambling bill into force. According to draft regulations (a mere 78 pages long) published earlier this month, N.J. hopes to approve its first licensees as soon as the Fall. What makes this market particularly interesting is that licensees will be able to offer casino games as well as poker.
Elsewhere, Delaware hopes to start offering keno and casino games online via its state lottery before the end of the year. Illinois, Kentucky and Georgia have already given the go-ahead for their lotteries to move online, but they will be limited to offering a narrow selection of existing lottery products.
Early Days, But More to Come
Currently opportunities in the U.S. are largely theoretical. States like Delaware and Georgia intend to operate as closed markets with only the state lottery allowed to offer games. Nevada and N.J., on the other hand, will offer a competitive licensing process to companies with a land-based presence within the state. Still, but there are questions as to how viable these markets will be.
Estimates place annual online poker revenue in the Nevada market at somewhere between $35m to $60m. N.J. has the potential to be somewhat more lucrative. Areport from Gambling Data predicts casino gross gaming yield of $158.9m and poker GGY of $103.1m in the first year of operation. By comparison the U.K., which is one of the oldest regulated online real-money gaming markets, is thought to be worth around ₤1.7bn ($2.58bn) in net revenue, according to accounting firm Deloitte.
Given the limited size of these markets, companies currently applying for licences may be doing so more to win good will of authorities and learn the business of regulated online gaming, than to make any serious money. But this will change, if more states join these first trailblazers.
In California, there are three pieces of legislation on the table looking to bring online poker to the state’s 38 million residents. David Quintana, a tribal lobbyist, told reporters he believes there is a 50-50 chance of laws changing in 2013, up from a zero percent chance in prior years. Other Tribal representatives have put the odds of success as high as 75 percent. If an agreement can be reached between diverse interests – tribal casinos, card rooms, and racetracks – the state has said it would work quickly to legalize online gambling.
Elsewhere, just a few weeks ago Illinois published draft language, which if passed into law would legalize: “fee-based [i.e. games in which a fee or rake is charged, such as peer-to-peer poker] or non-fee based games [i.e. house banked games] of skill or chance…”
Laws are also pending in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, while Louisiana has just commissioned a study into the feasibility of legalizing internet gaming. A further 8 states have recently considered legislation on online gambling which failed to progress, but as others forge ahead, many are expected to re-introduce laws.
Interestingly, there are also signs that politicians in Washington D.C. may be reconsidering the issue. According to reports, Senators Harry Reid and Dean Heller may team up again to introduce a bill, while New York State congressman Peter King and Texas congressman Joe Barton may also introduce legislation.
Historical attempts to take federal action on gambling regulation have all failed. So, it will be interesting to see if progress by states does anything to move the conversation on, or whether any forthcoming bill will be as doomed as its predecessors.
The Future for the U.S. Market
One danger is that state-by-state regulation could lead to a fractured landscape, where, like in Europe, laws differ from region to region and companies cannot pool players from one jurisdiction to the next. The theory goes that if the liquidity of a market is too small, players will not be interested and companies who have invested in licences will be unable to recoup their costs.
A solution is the potential for states to sign compacts, which would allow sharing of information and pooling of players between jurisdictions.This would transform a small market like N.J., into a base from which to access the larger ecosystem of customers from
Already this year, more tangible progress has been made than in the preceding six years since the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act (UIGEA) banned online gambling in the U.S.
The level of regulatory progress by states is impressive, according to Chris Krafcik, North America research director at Gambling Compliance and long-time watcher of gambling legislation in the U.S. He told this blog:
“In recent years, the number of states considering Internet gambling has risen markedly. Just two states considered such legislation in 2008, but this year, 10 states (and counting) have considered it. Clearly, states are beginning to move toward Internet gambling regulation with increasing interest and in decidedly increasing numbers.”
Who, What, When, Where
In December 2011, a reinterpretation of the Wire Act by the Department of Justice (narrowing the law’s scope to only apply to prohibiting online sports wagering) opened the door for states to regulate real-money games. Fast-forward 18 months and we are seeing some real results.
In April 2013, Nevada made history by approving the first company to offer licensed real-money online poker in the U.S. It took a long 16 months from the approval of regulations to the first licence being issued, but Ultimate Poker is now taking online bets from players within the Nevada state border.
Anxious to not be left behind, New Jersey ended a 12 year campaign to legalize real-money gaming in February, after Governor Chris Christie signed online gambling bill into force. According to draft regulations (a mere 78 pages long) published earlier this month, N.J. hopes to approve its first licensees as soon as the Fall. What makes this market particularly interesting is that licensees will be able to offer casino games as well as poker.
Elsewhere, Delaware hopes to start offering keno and casino games online via its state lottery before the end of the year. Illinois, Kentucky and Georgia have already given the go-ahead for their lotteries to move online, but they will be limited to offering a narrow selection of existing lottery products.
Early Days, But More to Come
Currently opportunities in the U.S. are largely theoretical. States like Delaware and Georgia intend to operate as closed markets with only the state lottery allowed to offer games. Nevada and N.J., on the other hand, will offer a competitive licensing process to companies with a land-based presence within the state. Still, but there are questions as to how viable these markets will be.
Estimates place annual online poker revenue in the Nevada market at somewhere between $35m to $60m. N.J. has the potential to be somewhat more lucrative. Areport from Gambling Data predicts casino gross gaming yield of $158.9m and poker GGY of $103.1m in the first year of operation. By comparison the U.K., which is one of the oldest regulated online real-money gaming markets, is thought to be worth around ₤1.7bn ($2.58bn) in net revenue, according to accounting firm Deloitte.
Given the limited size of these markets, companies currently applying for licences may be doing so more to win good will of authorities and learn the business of regulated online gaming, than to make any serious money. But this will change, if more states join these first trailblazers.
In California, there are three pieces of legislation on the table looking to bring online poker to the state’s 38 million residents. David Quintana, a tribal lobbyist, told reporters he believes there is a 50-50 chance of laws changing in 2013, up from a zero percent chance in prior years. Other Tribal representatives have put the odds of success as high as 75 percent. If an agreement can be reached between diverse interests – tribal casinos, card rooms, and racetracks – the state has said it would work quickly to legalize online gambling.
Elsewhere, just a few weeks ago Illinois published draft language, which if passed into law would legalize: “fee-based [i.e. games in which a fee or rake is charged, such as peer-to-peer poker] or non-fee based games [i.e. house banked games] of skill or chance…”
Laws are also pending in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, while Louisiana has just commissioned a study into the feasibility of legalizing internet gaming. A further 8 states have recently considered legislation on online gambling which failed to progress, but as others forge ahead, many are expected to re-introduce laws.
Interestingly, there are also signs that politicians in Washington D.C. may be reconsidering the issue. According to reports, Senators Harry Reid and Dean Heller may team up again to introduce a bill, while New York State congressman Peter King and Texas congressman Joe Barton may also introduce legislation.
Historical attempts to take federal action on gambling regulation have all failed. So, it will be interesting to see if progress by states does anything to move the conversation on, or whether any forthcoming bill will be as doomed as its predecessors.
The Future for the U.S. Market
One danger is that state-by-state regulation could lead to a fractured landscape, where, like in Europe, laws differ from region to region and companies cannot pool players from one jurisdiction to the next. The theory goes that if the liquidity of a market is too small, players will not be interested and companies who have invested in licences will be unable to recoup their costs.
A solution is the potential for states to sign compacts, which would allow sharing of information and pooling of players between jurisdictions.This would transform a small market like N.J., into a base from which to access the larger ecosystem of customers from
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
EuroMillions will jackpot to €112 million and UK EuroMillions will jackpot to £95 million on Tuesday night, and Lotterymaster customers can purchase tickets to both draws thanks to their online lottery service.
Two Big Draws
To play EuroMillions at Lotterymaster, simply do the following: choose your five numbers from the guess range of 1-50 and the two additional numbers (called Lucky Stars) from a range of 1-11. If your seven numbers match all the numbers drawn on Tuesday night, you strike the jackpot.
UK EuroMillions works on the same lines. Simply choose your digits from 1 through to 50, select your two supplementary lucky stars, and cross your fingers that the numbers will come up in the big Tuesday night lotto draw.
Lotterymaster Features
Lotterymaster's Lotto-Matic feature can help you in the event that you wish to purchase a ticket but don't have lucky numbers. Just click Proceed to activate the feature and it will select your EuroMillions numbers at random. Who knows, maybe these digits will come up with the goods.
If you're the winner of the EuroMillions jackpot, UK EuroMillions jackpot, or any of the other hundreds of cash prizes on 40+ lotteries on offer at this online ticket agent, then they will contact you straight away and help facilitate collection of your jackpot.
Two Big Draws
To play EuroMillions at Lotterymaster, simply do the following: choose your five numbers from the guess range of 1-50 and the two additional numbers (called Lucky Stars) from a range of 1-11. If your seven numbers match all the numbers drawn on Tuesday night, you strike the jackpot.
UK EuroMillions works on the same lines. Simply choose your digits from 1 through to 50, select your two supplementary lucky stars, and cross your fingers that the numbers will come up in the big Tuesday night lotto draw.
Lotterymaster Features
Lotterymaster's Lotto-Matic feature can help you in the event that you wish to purchase a ticket but don't have lucky numbers. Just click Proceed to activate the feature and it will select your EuroMillions numbers at random. Who knows, maybe these digits will come up with the goods.
If you're the winner of the EuroMillions jackpot, UK EuroMillions jackpot, or any of the other hundreds of cash prizes on 40+ lotteries on offer at this online ticket agent, then they will contact you straight away and help facilitate collection of your jackpot.
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
Rep. Tina Davis of Pennsylvania introduced a bill to legalize online gambling in the state in April this year, however lawmakers opposed to the introduction of internet wagering through HB 1235 have vowed to make it extremely difficult for Davis to see any real progress in her proposal.
The chair of the Pennsylvania Gambling Oversight Committee, Rep. Tina Pickett announced this week that she didn’t think there was a good chance that Davis’ bill would move through her committee in the Pennsylvania House this session, which ends only in 2014.
Unfortunately for Davis, Pickett’s committee is an unavoidable stop for her proposed bill. Pickett cited fears of “bringing gambling to everyone’s kitchen table” as her reason for wanting to stall Davis’ bill, although other opponents have offered more practical arguments for their lack of support.
Many believe that the tax rates proposed by Davis were simply too high to sustain a viable online poker industry in Pennsylvania. But while the 20% suggested in HB 1235 may be high compared to other states, it reflects the same rate paid by the state’s terrestrial gambling industry.
Pickett’s opposition is just one of many bumps in the road for Tina Davis’ bill. The lawmaker attempted multiple times since the beginning of this year to introduce it and when it finally came forward, the negativity from the floor was enough to make anyone realize that there is little hope for online gambling in Pennsylvania in the near future at least.
Interestingly, Pickett has said that should it become evident that New Jersey’s newly regulated online gambling market is affecting the profits of Pennsylvania’s terrestrial casino industry, she would be willing to seriously consider online gambling laws in the Keystone State. In recent years, revenue from the terrestrial industry has grown significantly, and it is difficult to tell how the introduction of online gambling will impact this market.
Pennsylvania Online Gambling Faces Additional Obstacles
The chair of the Pennsylvania Gambling Oversight Committee, Rep. Tina Pickett announced this week that she didn’t think there was a good chance that Davis’ bill would move through her committee in the Pennsylvania House this session, which ends only in 2014.
Unfortunately for Davis, Pickett’s committee is an unavoidable stop for her proposed bill. Pickett cited fears of “bringing gambling to everyone’s kitchen table” as her reason for wanting to stall Davis’ bill, although other opponents have offered more practical arguments for their lack of support.
Many believe that the tax rates proposed by Davis were simply too high to sustain a viable online poker industry in Pennsylvania. But while the 20% suggested in HB 1235 may be high compared to other states, it reflects the same rate paid by the state’s terrestrial gambling industry.
Pickett’s opposition is just one of many bumps in the road for Tina Davis’ bill. The lawmaker attempted multiple times since the beginning of this year to introduce it and when it finally came forward, the negativity from the floor was enough to make anyone realize that there is little hope for online gambling in Pennsylvania in the near future at least.
Interestingly, Pickett has said that should it become evident that New Jersey’s newly regulated online gambling market is affecting the profits of Pennsylvania’s terrestrial casino industry, she would be willing to seriously consider online gambling laws in the Keystone State. In recent years, revenue from the terrestrial industry has grown significantly, and it is difficult to tell how the introduction of online gambling will impact this market.
Pennsylvania Online Gambling Faces Additional Obstacles
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
.jpg?v=1.014689161)
.png?v=1.014689161)
Peter Jackson and his co-writers invented Tauriel for The Hobbit films in an effort to expand the world of the elves of Mirkwood and add a female presence to the movie trilogy's male-dominated cast.
That has upset some purists who want Jackson to stick to the characters featured in J.R.R Tolkien's original book.
Lilly, 33, told Entertainment Weekly Tauriel is "slightly reckless and totally ruthless" and "doesn't hesitate to kill".
She is the head of the Elven Guard in Mirkwood and is rumoured to be involved in a romance with the elf Legolas, who was played by Orlando Bloom in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
"She will definitely have a love story," Lilly told Entertainment Weekly.
"I can't give away too much about it. It's not a huge focus but it is there and it is important and it does drive Tauriel and her story and her actions."
Lilly acknowledged that her character was likely to upset some Tolkien fans.
However, she said Jackson and his collaborators have proved they know how to respect the world created by the British author.
"I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there are going to be people who will totally hate Tauriel, think that she shouldn't be in the movie, that it's a betrayal of Tolkien, and no matter what I do it won't be right," she said. "There will be everything between that and people who adore her and think it's such a fun thing to have added to the film."