Poker
Poker News
Dutch Gaming Authority Sets Out Priorities for Targeting Gray Market Operators

 The Dutch Gaming Authority (DGA) has set out its priorities for targeting gray market operators.

The statement comes a week after fining Mansion Poker €150,000 for the activities of its Casino.com site. It fined Global Stars €150,000 back in September 2013.
The statement published this week points out that the criteria listed are not exclusive—operators who ensure that they are not culpable on any of the issues may still be prosecuted—but they will determine the order in which the DGA tackles offenders.
The three criteria are using dot-NL domain name, using the Dutch language, and targeting the Dutch market with advertising on radio, television or the print media.
Sites meeting the criteria will first be given the opportunity to amend their ways. Should they fail to do so, the DGA will use “administrative enforcement tools.” If that does not work, the DGA will refer the case to the public prosecutor.
Fines that can be levied by the DGA itself can be up to €780k or 10% of turnover in the year preceding the decision.
The DGA also confirmed that it is made agreements with social media sites, including Facebook, to block advertising. It is also preparing a cooperation agreement with financial services providers to block gambling transactions, and is in discussions with TV, radio and print media to end advertising by unlicensed providers.
Operators have previously been warned directly to cease targeting Dutch players directly. Forty operators were warned in 2013 to change their ways and, according to the DGE at the time, half complied.
Operators would do well to heed the DGE’s advice if they want to be in good standing when new online gaming regulation, now not expected until next year, comes into effect.
Author: Ekaterina
14 . 02 . 2014 y.
Convicted Black Friday Payment Processor Chad Elie Loses Claim Against Gaming Attorney

 A US District Court Judge has dismissed all claims by Chad Elie against Ifrah Law.

In March 2012 Chad Elie plead guilty to charges leveled at him on Black Friday as a result of processing online poker transactions. Following his release from prison, he sued gaming law firm Ifrah Law for multiple acts of malpractice and negligence.
“We can’t speculate why Chad Elie chose to strike out and blame us for his own actions … we can only speak to the facts. And those facts are clear, unambiguous, and directly contradict Elie’s claims against us,” stated Jeff Ifrah, founder of Ifrah Law, in a press release issued to pokerfuse.
Elie alleged that Ifrah Law served as a secret government source for the United States’ investigation against US-facing poker firms, and that Ifrah “provided testimony against his own clients to avoid being indicted, denying his involvement in the Black Friday affair.”
All such allegations were dismissed by the Judge James C. Mahan, who said that Elie’s claims directly contradicted his own sworn statements.
“Prior to his guilty plea, Elie contradicted his later statements under oath, claiming he relied upon the advice of several lawyers about the legality of his actions,” Ifrah is quoted as saying.
“However—and this is important—he never once claimed to have received any legal advice from my firm or myself. Even more damning is the fact that Elie knowingly and illegally processed payments for nearly two years before his first-ever contact with our firm and myself.”
Author: Ekaterina
13 . 02 . 2014 y.
Canadian Budget Commits to Online Casino Compliance with Money Laundering Regulations

 The Canadian budget released on Tuesday includes a commitment to bring regulated casinos under the authority of money laundering and counter terrorist legislation aimed at financial institutions. The commitment extends to regulating virtual currencies such as Bitcoin.

Strict suspicious activity reporting and formal notification of all transactions over $10k will be required if the measure is enacted.
Canada is considered to have a liberal online gaming environment. Major companies such as Caesars Interactive Entertainment and Amaya Gaming have their headquarters there. However, in practice, a number of companies have found it difficult to operate and have left the market.
Neteller left the Canadian market several years ago, and Skrill followed suit at the beginning of this year. Several poker sites stopped serving the market in 2013, including a flip flop decision by Titan Poker which said that it was leaving, but then decided to stay.
Many online players have relocated to Canada from the US after Black Friday, and there have been many reports of difficulty getting Canadian banks—which have strong correspondent relationships with US banks—to accept gambling transactions.
While the latest announcement does not signify a threat to online gambling, it is a small step further on the road to making the Canadian environment less gambling friendly.
Author: Ekaterina
13 . 02 . 2014 y.
Daniel Negreanu Voices Opinion on Resurrecting Poker

 The "poker is dying" comment made by 2005 WSOP Main Event champ Joe Hachem last week continues to stir debate on the current state of the game and has resulted in many players expressing their sentiments regarding the best approach to take in order to shine a spotlight on poker and make it more attractive to potential players.

Six-time WSOP gold bracelet champ Daniel Negreanu, who is never one to hold back when voicing his opinion, recently tweeted a few nuggets of wisdom with regard to the issue. KidPoker points to the Winter Olympics and the way in which the broadcasts delve into the background of the athletes as an example of how poker should focus on the characters of the game as opposed to the game itself.
"Public doesn't know the people or the sports but with great story telling fans & stars are created," Negreanu tweeted. "Out with the high end analysis during broadcasts and in with the back stories, character development, and connection to fans."
While poker strategy is exciting to some, the life of professional players and how they got to where they are is likely much more appealing to casual players. That appeal is even more compelling when learning that a number of players started out at small stakes online and moved up the ranks to attain pro status. That is an accomplishment that low budget players can relate to and even strive to achieve themselves.
"There is something interesting about EVERYONE!" Negreanu added. "It's up to the production team to find out what that is, then sell it to the public. We waste time appeasing the wrong demo[graphic]."
KidPoker gives credit of the poker boom of years gone by to ESPN, "who spent time developing stars of poker." Negreanu further stated that poker broadcasts of late "have gotten away from" the approach of creating big-name stars when airing poker on TV.
The type of broadcasts Negreanu is calling for that highlight the players themselves may soon be making a comeback. Poker Night in America has announced that their first television broadcast will air around April 1, 2014. Before kicking off their first tour stop at the Empire State Poker Classic at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New York last August, PNA representatives made some exciting promises regarding what's in store for fans watching at home.
“We’re going to bring a fresh approach to how poker is shown on TV, making the show relevant to the average viewer," said PNA tour co-founder and president Todd Anderson. "We think the world is ready to watch poker in a whole new way.”
With an emphasis on variety that includes story telling and engaging viewers at home by awarding prizes and possible appearances on TV for contest winners, PNA aims to revolutionize poker broadcasting.
"One week you might see a celebrity-filled poker game from a Hollywood mansion and the next week could feature a high stakes cash game between poker heavyweights like Phil Hellmuth and Daniel Negreanu," Anderson said. "What you'll always be able to count on is interesting story lines and variety. We'll only be limited by our imagination."
Sounds a bit like the kind of programming that KidPoker is clamoring for. We'll have to find out when the first telecast makes it to living rooms throughout the country in April. In the meantime, Negreanu has promised to further expound on his ideas on ways to make poker more attractive to the masses in a blog to be released shortly.
Author: Ekaterina
12 . 02 . 2014 y.
Two New Free Training Options Offer Hands from Big Name Players

 Two new options for free low level training have been launched, 1to5.com and the first of a series of blog videos by Joe “ChicagoJoey” Ingram. While adopting a completely different approach, both use high stakes hands by well known players to provide learning examples.

1to5.com
1to5.com is based in New York and uses a hand replayer to display hands taken from major tournaments and TV shows such as High Stakes Poker. The hand plays out up until a critical decision point, and the viewer is then asked to choose between a selection of decisions. On making a choice, players can see what percentage of other viewers made the same selection.
Pressing play on the video then restarts the hand to see what decision was actually made. When the hand is played out, viewers can replay it, or switch to an analysis video where a narrator explains the finer points of poker strategy that the hand has been chosen to exemplify. The advantages and disadvantages of each possible decision are explained.
The methodology means that the site doesn’t need a stable of high paid coaches in order to show hands from top players such as Phil Ivey and Tom Dwan. The narrator has pitched the analysis at a level which will suit many recreational players as well as being of interest to regular players who may see deeper into the decision making process.
Hands identified as in Series 1 are available to everyone. Membership is currently free, requiring just a password and email address. Registration as a member provides access to “series 2 and series 3” which will be delivered at the rate of two new hands a week.
ChicagoJoey VideoBlog
Using his screen name JoeIngram1, prolific 2+2 poster and high stakes PLO player Joe “ChicagoJoey” Ingram has announced that he will regularly produce video blogs to be posted on YouTube. Each video will discuss hands posted by high stakes PLO players in the 2+2 forums.
Joe jokes that his “aim is to get the whole world to play PLO.” His take on each hand goes far beyond a simple analysis, involving comments and explanations about the players and the poker sites as well as strategy discussion.
He has pitched his blog at the recreational player, who may not even play PLO, but hopes that high stakes players will also find value and entertainment in what he has to say.
4-5-6-8 turns out to be Joe’s favorite hand, and he advises “3-betting, 4 betting, get it all in, do whatever you want.” His humorous exaggerations, such as this, work well as they are immediately followed by solid analysis.
His analyses use a full range of poker jargon, so they are not beginner friendly, but for players with a better knowledge of poker, some of his insights are as valuable as anything available on the fee based training sites.
Author: Ekaterina
12 . 02 . 2014 y.
Caesars New Jersey Online Poker Revenue Spikes 42% in January

The monthly internet gross revenue figures released by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement for the month of January show a sizeable increase in online poker revenue for Caesars Interactive Entertainment. Revenues from internet poker rose nearly 20% across the board with the Caesars/888 partnership accounting for the biggest increase at 42%.

The partnership of the Borgata and partypoker notched a more modest 6.5% increase, while Ultimate Poker’s revenue was flat. Borgata/partypoker still accounts for more than half of the revenue generated from online poker in New Jersey with over 53%, but Caesars/888 has increased its share by 7% up to 44%.
Overall internet gaming revenues were reported at $9.5 million, up 28% from the $7.4 million reported for December 2013. The DGE also reported that 197,782 igaming accounts have been created in the state since the soft launch began in late November 2013.
The 15% gross revenue tax on internet gaming generated $1.4 million for New Jersey in January with an additional $237,000 earmarked for the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. Those numbers still fall short of the projected $160 million in tax revenues projected for the first year.
 
Author: Ekaterina
12 . 02 . 2014 y.
PokerTube Software Upgrade Benefits Players

 PokerTube, the favorite website of poker players the world over that is dedicated to providing the best and largest assortment of poker-related videos, has been upgraded with some new features that greatly enhance the top-rated poker media website.

The new software includes mobile optimization that allows poker enthusiasts on the go to access the site's incredible amount of poker content from mobile devices. You can now watch exciting poker videosthat include poker television shows such as Poker After Dark, High Stakes Poker and World Series of Poker broadcasts from virtually anywhere.
Online poker players are always looking for the best deals at poker sites and many new and exciting opportunities await those who become members of PokerTube. Due to its status as the world's greatest poker media resource and close working relationships with a number of the biggest and best poker rooms, PokerTube can offer players some incredible deals.
William Hill, PaddyPower, PartyPoker, Ladbrokes and Betfred are just some of the sites where PokerTube members can get in on amazing promotions and bonuses. Those awesome promos included winning gadgets such as iPhones or stylish poker apparel, and money added tournaments exclusive to PokerTubers!
The PokerTube store now offers a wide array of goodies such as poker tracking software, coaching videos, and poker books that will help you to step up your game and crush your opponents on the poker tables. Whether its SitNGos, MTTs or ring games that you'd like to focus on, PokerTube has the videos and text available to increase your profitability on the felt.
The software upgrade at PokerTube also includes a cleaner interface, a pop out video player, and an enhanced "My Account" area that has a new wealth of features that allows you to keep track of the videos you have watched, a section where you can store your favourite videos, and monitor your activity history that includes your forum posts.
While PokerTube is widely-acclaimed for its exhaustive library of poker videos, keep in mind that the PokerTube Forum is also available for players to interact and discuss just about any topic that comes to mind. Whether its poker strategy, the best tourney deals and poker room promotions available, feedback on videos, or lifestyle concerns beyond poker, PokerTube members are part of a vibrant community and are there to add their opinions in a unified effort of improvement.
It's been widely reported that players who have successfully moved up in stakes on their way to achieving pro status have the best chance of doing so by talking poker with other players and improving their game by watching videos that include coaching and training. All that and more is available for students of the game of poker who are intent on using the priceless resources found at PokerTube.
Those resources include videos of your favorite stars in action such as Tom Dwan, Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu and Antonio Esfandiari. We've already mentioned some of the poker TV shows on the PokerTube menu. But you'll also be able to watch the pros competing at some of the biggest events in the game on livestream that include the EPT, PCA, UKIPT, Irish Open and WPT.
The best part is that PokerTube is free to join! While other sites are charging for coaching videos, PokerTube allows you to browse through a list of thousands of poker training videos at no cost. Not only coaching videos, but a wide variety of live events, online games, video blogs, interviews and TV shows.
Author: Ekaterina
11 . 02 . 2014 y.
Alleged Poker Cheat Christian Lusardi Accused of Pirating DVDs

 Christian Lusardi, the poker player accused of boosting his chip stack by introducing fake chips at a Borgata poker tournament in Atlantic City in January, is facing copyright infringement charges for allegedly pirating DVDs.

Under investigation by customs agents for about a year and a half, Lusardi's home in Fayeteville, North Carolina contained over 37,000 bootleg DVDs when authorities conducted a search. Also recovered was equipment used to burn DVDs to further the illicit pirating operation, WRAL.com reported.
While on to Lusardi's alleged scheme, agents began intercepting packages containing DVDs coming from China that were addressed to his residence. Lusardi also reportedly admitted to investigators that he attempted to avoid detection by having several DVD deliveries make their way to the residences of his friends and relatives.
Lusardi allegedly made nearly $1 million selling the bootleg DVDs over the Internet. Flea markets in Fayeteville and Raleigh were also reportedly used to unload the pirated entertainment for additional cash.
Fake poker chips valued at 2.7 million in tournament play were found by casino maintenance employees after unclogging a hotel room pipe at Harrah's Resort and Casino during the Borgata Winter Open late last month. The clogged pipe was traced to the room of Lusardi, who seemingly failed to connect on a straight flush after dumping the counterfeit chips in the toilet.
Some 800,000 in fake chips were found in play at the tournament in which Lusardi cashed for over $6k. Lusardi was arrested and booked on charges of rigging a public contest and theft. The tournament was subsequently canceled, with online poker forums now filled with posts from players suggesting ways to increase security.
Custom agents in the bootleg DVD case pointed out that among the recent shipments from China addressed to Lusardi was a box said to be labeled as containing "plastic chips." Lusardi is not a stranger to law enforcement in his home state of North Carolina, where authorities charged him almost six years ago with operating an illegal gambling house.
Lusardi has two live tournament cashes to his name, according to the Hendon Mob database. In 2008, a second place finish at Harrah's Atlantic City in $300 + $40 No-Limit Hold'em on the WSOP Circuit was good for $29,189. Just one month later at the 2009 Borgata Winter Open, Lusardi claimed 28th place and earned a payday of $1,556 after buying in for $750 + $60.
Author: Ekaterina
11 . 02 . 2014 y.
Cake Takes a Partner

 Cake Entertainment N.V has announced a strategic partnership with Free Web Holding Ltd. to form Cake Next Entertainment Ltd.

“The company will strive to maintain a customer first focus at the center of its activities with a commitment to the highest levels of integrity, responsibility and value creation,” according to the press release.
Free Web Holding Ltd. is a licensed Maltese company boasting Francesco Merighi and Carlo Costanzia among its owners. Merighi is the founder of Play2B Ltd. and Goalgaming Ltd. which offered bonuses to victims of Gutshot Poker. Costanzia is one of the founders of Italian company Gioco Digitale and Bwin France.
Cake Poker launched in 2006 as the first skin on its own independent network. Other skins including Doyles Room and Sportsbook.com contributed to its rapid growth. However, the exodus of a number of popular skins, payment issues and eventually Black Friday left the network in poor shape.
In 2012 Lock Poker left Merge Gaming, and in a deal with Cake established the Revolution Gaming Network. Cake Pokertransferred its US players to the skin Juicy Stakes and eventually rebranded as WinCake.
The Revolution Network initially saw a boost in numbers, but plagued by cash out problems, its cash game traffic collapsed. From being a significant player in the industry, Cake’s fortunes have dwindled.
Author: Ekaterina
10 . 02 . 2014 y.
Online Poker Industry Holds its Breath as Euro Court to Rule in Austrian Online Gambling Case

 The Austrian Supreme Court has handed a hot potato of a legal decision to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), an issue that demands an explicit ruling on whether “gray” market operators in nationally regulated EU markets are acting legally.

The case concerns an Austrian gambler who lost €950k playing roulette on two sites which hold remote gaming licenses granted by Malta’s Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LGA).
Austria operates a monopoly licensing system for online gambling, and the player argued that—because the sites where he played were not licensed in Austria—they were operating illegally and therefore he had the right to the return of the money. The unnamed gambler had embezzled the money from his employer.
The operator, who is not named in the public court documents, but described as being a multi-national headquartered in Dusseldorf, argued that the Austrian gaming law breached the EU treaties and that it has the right to offer services, and therefore the right to keep the money.
The Austrian Supreme Court has asked the CJEU to clarify a number of points before it can make a final judgment, including whether the Austrian gambling laws are compliant with EU Treaties.
In a second case from Austria currently before the CJEU, a legal opinion by one of the EU’s Advocate Generals made similar points to those raised by the Austrian Court of Appeal when it ruled in favor of the operator in this case.
Judge Eleanor Sharpston wrote that Austrian national courts “must ascertain whether criminal and fraudulent activities as well as addiction to gambling might have been a problem in Austria … and whether expansion of authorised and regulated activities might have solved that problem.”
Commenting on that opinion, the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) Secretary General Maarten Haijer said: “It becomes clear from today’s opinion that the Advocate General does not consider the Austrian gambling legislation as fulfilling the consistency requirement in order to comply with EU legislation and existing jurisprudence.”
 
Author: Ekaterina
10 . 02 . 2014 y.
pages: << 1 ... 31 32 33 34 35 ... 80 >>
  • 1669

  • 1816
  • 1537

  • 1543

  • 1549

  • 1546

  • Getting Started Poker in 4 steps

    Step 1 Step 2
    Step 3 Step 4
Sportsbook
Live betting
Mobile betting
Freeroll Tournaments
Poker
Casino
Bonuses