The NFL has joined the moral high ground against all us poker players and gamblers to protect the integrity of the game? Ok I have a few choice words here that I won’t use because I do consider myself to be professional but sounds like to me the NFL is protecting its own profit while pushing the fight of Americans losing their freedoms. On a Sunday evening I can no longer play a hand of online poker but of course I can tune into the big game and listen to them talk about all the bets and so on.

The NFL has gone as far as hiring their own lobbyist, sitting up an office in Washington D.C. and forming a donation committee. So it’s not like the NFL is just publicly stating they are against online gambling. They are throwing money into it just like all the land based casinos in the states and using morals as an excuse. Last time I checked Fantasy football involved betting, but I’m sure those bets are carved out of the morals guidelines used by the NFL just like horse racing was carved out of the UIEGA.

 It will be interesting to see how all the poker players will react to the NFL coming in their homes and robbing them of their freedoms to play a hand of online poker because it’s immoral. I would love to hear any opinions offered on the matter. Well that’s all I have for now and as always happy betting!

On another gambling forefront Party Gaming has settled with the US Justice Department, which sent gambling stocks soaring. The settlement includes a payment to the US of $105 million over the next 3 years in trade the US will not prosecute. Seems like a steep price for doing nothing wrong but at least it will put their foot back in the door on the US market. Other companies such as 888.com will probably soon follow the settlement path. Everyone wants to be in good standing with the US when the door does open again.

So here are my two cents on both topics mentioned. Barney Franks may still have an uphill battle with overturning the UIEGA especially since the country is in such bad shape. Congress has its hands full with bailouts, job loss, and healthcare, not to mention the never ending war, so we will really have to see how this fits into the schedule. I believe the one good thing about the bill right now is the tax revenue it would bring the US. I mean this country is in shambles right now and really could use the extra money so let’s see.

As far as Party Gaming, I see why they did the settlement. I mean they are now in good standing with the US. But I don’t like that they backed down to the US because they were doing nothing wrong. There was no law before 2006 so they shouldn’t be punished for allowing US players to gamble before 2006. But who am I in this big world of online gambling….until next time….happy gambling!!

You can donate money to the site to keep it going and hopefully Judge Wingate will see this is not what the people want or support because it seems it’s too late for Governor Beshear. In my opinion he has already lost his way and the will of the people is out the window.

There is other breaking news on the case. IMEGA has filed for Judge Wingates ruling to be overturned. This will have to go to The Kentucky State of Appeals but this will definitely be a development worth watching. So there is a lot going on the next few weeks. Not to mention the Presidential election in the US. Be sure to check my article later this week on the candidates and online gambling and until then happy betting.

Ok personally I dont see that happening, but maybe a boycott to horse racing and lottery tickets would be worth a try. It all comes down to how much pull groups such as The Poker Players Alliance, and IMEGA has in Kentucky. Besides that is what this is all about, the tax dollars that Kentucky loses to online poker rooms. Statements made by Governor Steve Beshear that he is all about protecting the children are just nonsense. At the end of the day it comes down to Governor Steve Beshear being a hypocrite and greedy. This is absolute protectionism at its worst, so maybe giving Governor Beshear a little taste of his own medicine just might be a remedy. So what could it hurt to spread the word right? So here is what Online Casino Advisory recommends:

“If you are a resident of Kentucky, buy your lottery tickets across state borders, or online from another state. If you attend Kentucky tracks, drive to Indiana or other states featuring full racinos. If you live near the state border, buy groceries and cigarettes outside Kentucky.

“Arlington Park in Illinois, Calder Race Track in Florida, and the Louisiana Fair Grounds are all Churchill Downs owned, and should also be boycotted.

“The more that all the people who are appalled at Beshear’s Internet censorship and violation of the Constitution let him know that his actions will be met with reaction, the sooner he realizes his mistakes.”
It just so happens that the live season for Churchhill Downs is about to begin so lets just see how what pull the online gambling community has on the great state of Kentucky. I would love to hear your thoughts on this one so be sure to comment. As always happy betting…

“Governor Beshar is right to acknowledge that Internet gambling is flourishing in an underground marketplace and a change is needed to protect Kentuckians and all Americans. Unfortunately, his solution is flawed. Prohibition has failed before and is not likely to stop Kentuckians or anyone in the U.S. from continuing to find a way to gamble online.

“The movement to regulate Internet gambling, led by House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank, advocates for a more responsible approach to protect consumers and capture billions of dollars to fund critical government programs, money that otherwise is lost to offshore businesses and out of the U.S. economy. Based on pending legislation, the Investing in our Human Resources Act (H.R.6051), Kentuckians could receive an estimated $556 million over 10 years to fund critical programs from regulated Internet gambling revenues. The bill also includes provisions to encourage responsible Internet gambling behavior and an awareness of unsafe practices, something problem gambling advocates praise.

“Gov. Beshar has shown great leadership in protecting Kentuckians’ individual right to gamble on horse racing and in casinos if they wish to opt for that form of entertainment. He should extend that right to those constituents who seek the freedom to gamble online, whether on poker, sports or other games.
“We encourage Gov. Beshar to reverse his position and support Internet gambling regulation as a sensible approach to protect the interests of his constituents.”

Meanwhile in Frankfurt Kentucky, the Franklin Circuit Court judge Thomas Wingate listened to more than three hours of arguments yesterday on the domain seizure case. Then he informed the court that he would need at least a week to make a decision on the case.

And while all this was happening the big domain hosting company Godaddy.com started handing over domain names to the state of Kentucky. Obviously someone doesn’t read the news. On the other hand Network Solutions is holding strong and waiting for the ruling from Judge Wingate. Shame on you GoDaddy. So what does this mean for the average gambler? In my opinion it’s a big step to finally see someone stand up and fight for the gambling industry in court. Maybe just maybe this will be the beginning of the end of the UIEGA. My fellow gambling patrons and yes I am talking about the poker players too, pay attention to this case and be ready to put the pressure on your state politicians when the time comes. Well that’s it for now and as always…..happy betting!!!

Breaking news after a world wind affair with the American market Duplicate poker is now shutting its doors.  Gambling 911 is reporting today that Duplicate Poker is closing due to the hard economical times. 

So now if you go to the Duplicate Poker site you will get their following heartfelt message:

 Dear players,

Duplicate is sadly bidding farewell to its players. Caught in the middle of the global financial situation the company is not able to continue to provide service. We are a small victim of the global financial crisis.

Regretfully as of the today, October 5th, 2008 we are closing our service. We thank our players for being with us. Hopefully at later time and in a better economic climate Duplicate Poker will re-appear.

Sincerely,
The Duplicate Poker Team

If passed the bill would allow poker and other skill games to be regulated and taxed. According to John Pappas, Executive Director for the Poker Players Alliance, “This is really a bill that poker players could love.”

This is a bill the congress will take up next year which makes the upcoming elections just as important as ever for all you poker players.  So be sure to study up on whose who with your elected officials. 

Will online poker become legal in the US or will sites like Pureplay.com win out?  For those of you who don’t know Pure Play have been around since 2005 and charge a membership fee so you can play online poker for prizes.  Does anyone out there have any experiences with Pureplay.com?  And if so be sure to include them in your comments.  So the hot button question of today, will the US finally start to get back on track when it comes to our gambling freedoms or will sites Pureplay.com take over???? Notice I used the word start because casinos are not included in the new bill, but hey we have to start somewhere right? Have a great weekend and happy betting!!