Two more Representatives stepped as much as co-sponsor Barney Frank's online gambling regulatory bill, bringing the entire to sixty-one.

Barney Frank's bill to control and license online gambling sites would possibly not have reached committee as quickly as hoped, however the lengthy delay has allowed a variety of supporters to step up and announce themselves. This week, the choice of official sponsors at the bill grew to 61, with the addition of Representative Peter Welch of Vermont.

Earlier within the week, Representative John Larson of Connecticut had also attached his name to Frank's cause.

Co-sponsors don't seem to be necessary for passage of a bill. Representatives may vote for or against an offer with none prior declaration, but sponsoring a bill allows a Congressman to turn his constituency where his allegiance lies, a valuable tool when running for re-election.

Frank has promised repeatedly to bring the bill into discussion before Congress adjourns for the year, but several self-set deadlines was missed because the economic crisis and resulting legislation continue to occupy Frank's Financial Services Committee. The delay raises the significance of Frank's second bill, seeking a year-long suspension of the implementation of the UIGEA.

Recently, Frank and 20 other Congressmen wrote the dep. of the Treasury, seeking that it use administrative powers available to it to carry off at the UIGEA introduction, scheduled for December 1st. A number of the points raised were that the problem likely faces legislative changes, making the implementation both problematic and temporary, at best.

Published on October 17, 2009 by A.J.Maldonado

Read More... [Source: Gambling Bill News]

Devan Tang: One in 100

With about QUARTER-HOUR left at the clock in Level 9, Lori Lagrosas, Operations Manager of PokerStars LIVE Macau, came around to her colleagues within the tournament area and offered them a high five. The collection of entries into the HKD$50,000 freezeout at this APPT festival had just ticked to 100--significant particularly for Lagrosas as she had boldly "guaranteed" that the tournament would attract that many players. She hit her guarantee with 1 / 4 of an hour to spare.

So it's that the general warm-up before tomorrow's main event hits a record high, boding well for a bumper turnout for the week's flagship tournament. When the clock ticked to the tip of the level, representing the top of the late-registration period, there have been still a good 100 involved. That created a prize pool of greater than HKD$4.4 million, with the entire prize breakdown to be determined soon.

The young New Zealander Thomas Ward continues to dominate proceedings at this early stage. When he moved tables shortly before the top of Level 9, he needed racks sufficient to hold a stack of about 210,000, that is greater than four times what he started with.

"How good is that this guy?" a table-mate said as Ward found his new seat assignment, half in relief and half in frustration that the table's chips were heading elsewhere. Ward now sits at the same table as Dong Guo, who's in China's top 20 money earners and can be trying to add to his career total this week.

Speaking of China's rich list, Devan Tang was one of the most late registrants to this tournament. Tang lies fourth at the all-time China money list, largely way to four huge scores. In January of this year, Tang picked up USD$1,405,500 for finishing third behind Fedor Holz and David Peters in a great high roller tournament in Manila. The five men who finished immediately behind him were Steve O'Dwyer, Phil Ivey, Daniel Colman, Paul Phua and Mike McDonald. He can play tough.

Winfred Yu showed up late to this tournament, but he has already been eliminated. So has Quan Zhou, who currently ends up in APOY leader board. Zhou is becoming a typical at the European Poker Tour too and most recently cashed within the €25,000 high roller on the EPT Grand Final.

But he couldn't get A♣K♥ to overcome Xin Liu's J♦J♥, especially after a J♣ flopped. "Runner runner!" Zhou encouraged the dealer, however the dealer couldn't oblige.

There's still some distance to head for the 57 players who remain at this stage. They'll play another two one-hour levels tonight before returning to play to a winner at 3pm tomorrow.

We'll return an hour previous to that for the commencement of the principle event, and in addition to make amends for what's been happening within the various side events. 

The APPT Macau main event starts Wednesday, May 25 at PokerStars LIVE on the City of Dreams. Full details can be found at the official APPT website or via the PokerStars Macau page.

Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: PokerStars Macau]

For the third time in a year, PokerStars hosted a web-based poker tournament that set records because the largest poker event ever held.

Breaking a record it set itself this past summer PokerStars, the web poker operator, held the biggest poker tournament ever on December 27th. Authenticated by the Guinness Book of worldwide Records, the development hosted 149,196 players.

PokerStars had set the former record with an internet poker tournament in July, featuring over 65,000 players. This marks the third time in not up to a year PokerStars has broken the sector record.

While the choice of countries participating this time hasn't been released, the July event had players from 155 different countries, out of 194 recognized on this planet by the united states State Department.

Last December, PokerStars set its first record when 35,000 players paid $11 to shop for into the tournament. This year's online poker extravaganza had a buy-in of only $1, with a guaranteed $300,000 prize pool.

PokerStars has surpassed such early industry leaders as PartyGaming and newer competition from Full Tilt Poker to become the world's largest poker network, as measured by independent site PokerScout.

Published on January 5, 2010 by EdBradley

Read More... [Source: Poker News]

Everyone likes an even old-fashioned summer holiday, right? Spain has long been a spot where the British and Irish descend for his or her annual time within the sun. Marbella had always been a well-liked spot and had evolved over time. Bars showing Only Fools and Horses repeats while serving up an entire English/Irish breakfast are slowly being replaced by poolside day clubs serving sushi over ice. One consistent trend during the last few years have been the UKIPT popping out mid June to fulfill up with its Estrellas cousin, and together they host the PokerStars Marbella festival.

The Main Event kicked off today with Day 1A and attracted 284 players. It played out over twelve 45-minute levels and in the end the bagging up took place, Tinlay Tsontu amassed essentially the most chips with 281,800. He's closely followed by Grzegorz Idziak (260,700), Bob Janssens (254,700) and Alexander Voytko (229,100).

Great day on the office for Tsontu

The last of those players could even have ended the day as chip leader but for a controversial last hand of the night. Voytko was forced to pay an opponent almost 60,000 after the dealer accidentally mucked his hand. He had raised and collected two callers before a player within the blinds squeezed all-in for slightly below 60,000. Voytko called and that prompted the 2 callers to fold their hands however the dealer thought all three players had folded and dragged all cards into the muck. It was an especially unfortunate situation for Voytko however the rules state it's his responsibility to give protection to his hand although the dealer made a mistake. It might probably have cost him the chips lead but no less than he'll be back on Day 2 to fight another day.

Expensive lesson for Voytko

Raine did well within the sun

Other players though to Day 2 are: Milos Skrbic (218,100), Jon Gonzalez (209,200), Seun Oluwole (201,800), Neil Raine (114,600), Guy Taylor (100,900) and can Davies (96,200). A COMPLETE of 70 players made it through to Day, and the entire counts will also be read here.

Vicente Delgado may now live within the UK but he's still one in all Spain's hottest young poker talents and crushed the web satellites leading as much as this event. He came 20th on this event two years ago and was counting on course to move deep on this event. He shot to an early chip lead with 80,000 but not long after he was out with Tomasz Wrobel looking like his executioner.

Delagdo is usually back for Day 1C tomorrow night

Tom Holke's first ever tournament cash was a win. The vibrant player from Hamburg, who's a walking, talking German flag took down the inaugural Eureka in his hometown just over a year ago but he couldn't repeat the similar success here. Noelia Ivars Rico and Sabina Hiatullah were two of several females within the field today but suffered bad beats to bust though. Each of them got their stack in good with sets but neither could hold to the river and can be trying their luck in Day 1C tomorrow.

Tom Holke always plays with a smile

Day 1C tomorrow I hear you ask? Isn't it presupposed to be Day 1B tomorrow? Day 1B will play out tomorrow just as Day 1A played out today, but then at 10pm, they'll be a third, turbo flight. It's something that's been tried out at the Eureka Poker tour and proven highly regarded. It is only open to those that have already busted from either Day 1A or Day 1B, no players could be in a position to enter it as their first entry. The degrees might be 20 minutes long and it'll last a bit of over four hours.

Fatima Moreira De Melo here last year

Day 1B will start at midday CET and Team PokerStars SportStar Fatima Moreira De Melo may be in the home! She's here with friend and Spanish star Leo Margets. They'll be joined by the likes of Asif "Poker Tourist" Warris, Dave "I literally won the entire buttons last night" Clarkson, Diego "I'M a gentleman" Gomez, Chris Dowling, Tudor Purice, Rasmus Agerskov and Kjell Lindqvist.

You can win your seat to 1 of countless PokerStars live events around the globe. Click here to open an account and get started.

Join the PokerStars Blog team back here tomorrow where we'll bring you the entire major talking points we witness, except when the britain vs Wales game in at the TV, then the blog could be a little bit light. Until then it's good night from a baking Spain. Compensate for all today's action by clicking here.

PokerStars Blog Reporting Team at UKIPT6 Marbella: Marc Convey and Nick Wright. Photos by Mickey May and Rene Velli. Follow the PokerStars Blog on Twitter: @PokerStarsBlog

Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: UKIPT]

PLAYSTUDIOS, a developer of award-winning, free-to-play casino games that supply real-world rewards, announced that it has acquired Scene53, an Israel-based game studio focusing on real-time, multi-player mobile games. The 2 companies jointly developed the most recent PLAYSTUDIOS mobile app, POP! Slots. The sport allows players to play in groups, share jackpots, and have interaction with friends as they explore virtual versions of iconic Las Vegas resorts. The initial release features MGM Grand, the Mirage, and Excalibur, with additional resorts soon to be added. POP! Slots is now available world-wide for Apple and Android mobile devices and is already earning 5-star reviews because it climbs to the highest of the app store charts.

After working with Scene53 to create and launch POP! Slots, PLAYSTUDIOS moved to procure the corporate and establish it as an independently operated studio, PLAYSTUDIOS Israel (PSI). The Tel Aviv team will now take care of growing the POP! Slots product while pursuing new opportunities within the casual, free-to-play casino category.

Andrew Pascal, CEO of PLAYSTUDIOS, said, "Scene53 built an unbelievable platform for running multi-player, real-time games and hosting virtual events in a 3D setting. They used this technology to create some very promising online experiences. We quickly saw their company's potential and believed that together shall we build something really great."

Yonatan Maor, founder and CEO of Scene53, said, "WE'RE big fans of PLAYSTUDIOS. Their games are beautiful and fun to play. They've extensive knowledge of the casino industry and so they possess an overly unique set of assets - their real world rewards platform and their exclusive rights to the largest and best resorts in Las Vegas, corresponding to Bellagio, Aria, and Mandalay Bay."

Pascal continued, "WE'RE delighted to welcome Yonatan, Yossi, Ofer, Oded and the remainder of the Scene53 team to the PLAYSTUDIOS family. Their entrepreneurial spirit is clear in all that they do, and their passion is inspiring."

POP! Slots is the most recent release from PLAYSTUDIOS, and takes its place alongside the company's other top-ranked casual casino games, myVEGAS Slots, my KONAMI Slots, and Lucky Life. As with the company's other titles, it gives players real rewards from an exclusive choice of travel, leisure, and entertainment partners akin to MGM Grand, Bellagio, ARIA, Royal Caribbean International, Genting UK, Resorts World, Wolfgang Puck, Cirque du Soleil, the Hippodrome, and lots of more. These rewards include complimentary hotels stays, meals, shows, free slot play, and VIP nightclub access, with new offers added regularly.

PLAYSTUDIOS currently operates within the U.S., Hong Kong, and Israel. The company's apps are currently available on iOS, Android, and Kindle mobile devices. myVEGAS Slots may also be played on Facebook.

Read More... [Source: Gaming Industry News]

A new website permits US students online gambling in keeping with future grade performance.

US residents uninterested in being denied access to traditional casino gambling on the net now have a fresh alternative while awaiting the advancement of H.R. 2267. A BRAND NEW service is allowing students to make use of their academic records for online gambling.

Ultrinsic is a web site which uses an algorithm to calculate betting odds in keeping with course difficulty, personal history and current workload. Site operators say taking bets and placing lines on a student's future success acts as a motivating tool.

Further, the location hopes to flee the nefarious clutches of the UIGEA ban while it still exists, as site designers say the system tests skill, not luck, and is therefore not gambling.

"Other people's belongings you bet by yourself; belongings you invest in," CEO Steven Wolf told the Boston Globe.

Participants set their goals, and the web gaming site determines odds of the achievement coming to miss. 30 universities are already accepted by the database, including Stanford, Ny University, and five Ivy League institutions, and more are being added each term.

Online gambling foes might object to the targeting of young people, but site operators claim most participants are expected to make use of the wagers as motivation to check and excel. Internet and technology website Switched.com talked about the corporate should expect to lose money, unless "the goal is to prey upon the under-performing students of America. Through which case, Facebook's beat you to it."

Published on August 10, 2010 by JoshuaMcCarthy

Read More... [Source: Casino News]

Today's announcement of our settlement with the united states.. Department of Justice (DOJ) closes one chapter in our corporate history and opens another.

We have admitted to no wrong-doing in regards to our past U.S. operations and will now focus all of our energy and resources on advancing our global business, which now includes operating Full Tilt Poker. You'll discover details of the announcement at our PokerStars press center.

We plan to re-open the whole Tilt site and, most importantly, we will be able to make available all funds for players outside the united states.. within 90 days of the formal close of the deal, on the way to occur within the next seven days. The money paid to the U.S. Government will partially be used to reimburse former Full Tilt Poker customers within the United States, through a remission process to be administered by the dept of Justice.

Paying back Full Tilt players was a key component in our agreement to obtain the assets. This isn't only important to the person players who've had their bankrolls tied up for greater than a year, but additionally it is vital to re-building trust in online poker and instilling confidence within the global poker economy.

It's too early to start disclosing many information about our strategic plans for Full Tilt, but our first order of commercial is to re-open the site, pay back all the players and start rebuilding Full Tilt's reputation. Going forward, we will be able to operate Full Tilt as a separate brand, giving players another leading and trusted platform to benefit from the game. The re-launched Full Tilt site will bring back the innovative features, the authentic poker and the cutting-edge software that made it so well-liked by millions of players worldwide.

Getting the positioning up-and-running and paying back players is a fancy challenge involving technical, practical and logistical hurdles affecting millions of player accounts. We're confident we will work in the course of the challenges and our track record as a responsible and responsive company will hopefully bring some comfort to the players that experience waited see you later for resolution. We ask for only a bit more time and patience as we sort throughout the details. For now, we've posted an FAQ for Full Tilt players. There's also a brief FAQ for PokerStars players.

One final word concerning the future U.S. market. Our settlement acknowledges that both PokerStars and entire Tilt are eligible to use for a license within the U.S. to supply real money poker when states or the government offer such a chance. We glance forward to this chance and are confident that we bring tremendous value, regulatory experience, market credibility and fiscal integrity to the marketplace.

We're optimistic in regards to the future and we glance forward to sharing the following chapters in our history with you.

Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: Corporate Blog]