Poker Legislation News
This last week, the city of Dallas, TX, made a decision regarding the poker “clubs” that have sprung up around the city. The City Attorney for Dallas, Gary Powell, had been pushing for the closure of these rooms. But the attorney forgot one thing – he would have to provide evidence as to a reason… Read more »
There are now seven players in the state-by-state online poker industry in the States of America. Connecticut became the seventh state to open the doors for online poker inside its borders earlier this month. However, there has also been molasses-slow response to this new development as there have been no operators stepping up to offer… Read more »
For those who were expecting a quick decision on the legality of the gaming compact between the Seminole Indians and the Florida gubernatorial leadership, you might be waiting much longer. A decision in the U. S. Court of Appeals has set back even further any consideration for the case. At this time, there is no… Read more »
Not totally privatized, actually The long road to legal, privatized online gambling in Ontario is about to end. On Friday, iGaming Ontario (iGO) announced the launch date for operators to start offering games is April 4. There was hope that this would have already happened near the end of 2021, but this is government and… Read more »
The battle is beginning to heat up in Florida regarding sports betting and it seems that neither side is playing fair. Allegations of improper petition collections and outright fraud have been claimed by one side. But that organization making the accusations has not disclosed that the “grassroots” effort that people assume it is representing is… Read more »
Peer into the future When we fantasize about having poker superpowers, one that is usually at the top of people’s lists is the ability to see what cards are coming next. This power could be extremely useful in other forms of casino gambling, as well, and guess what? It exists in some cases. There are… Read more »
The leading online poker proponent in the Senate Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D – Nev.) passed away on Wednesday at the age of 82. Reid underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer in 2018 and said in early 2019 that he was in remission. According to his wife, it does appear that his death was… Read more »
When the gaming compact between the Seminole Indians of Florida and the state of Florida was signed in April many, including the governor of Florida Ron DeSantis, expected challenges to the compact. DeSantis and others felt, however, that gaming would be allowed to continue unabated. That ended last week as the Seminoles decided to shut… Read more »
One of the realities of the online poker world is that some countries have legislated that their citizens can only play on sites that cater to their country. This is called “ring fencing,” or the government ensuring that they will be receiving the appropriate revenues from the site in question. The latest country to be… Read more »
Need a license to get in the game The Netherlands is cleaning its online gambling house, ready to start fresh in October. After Dutch lawmakers passed the Remote Gambling Act in April, internet gambling became legal, but operators must be licensed to offer their games. As such, Dutch regulator De Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has set a… Read more »
Stars had already paid $100 million Flutter Entertainment, parent company of online poker giant PokerStars, has settled its legal battle with the state of Kentucky, agreeing to pay $300 million in fines. It is a healthy chunk of change, but a far cry from the $1.3 billion Flutter was starting at in case that dates… Read more »
2020 saw the casino industry worldwide suffer at the hands of the COVID pandemic. For several months in 2020 and 2021, casinos were shuttered around the world and poker rooms have been the ones that have suffered the most. In Massachusetts, these poker rooms have remained in a state of limbo, but that could change… Read more »
After a long wait, the Florida Legislature, the office of Governor Ron DeSantis and the office of Seminole Tribe chair Marcellus Osceola, Jr., got the answer they were waiting for. The U. S. Department of the Interior, by taking no action against the compact signed in April, has given their consent to said compact. That… Read more »
Because of the ease and speed of deposits, some jurisdictions place legal limits on how much one can deposit on an online gambling site in a day, week, or month. Belgium is one such place, which currently has a €500 weekly cap on igaming deposits per person. It looks like that may soon change, however,… Read more »
When the Florida General Assembly met in May, it seemed it was just a “rubber stamp” session of the body. Pulled together for a “special session” to consider the new compact signed by Governor Ron DeSantis and Seminole Tribe leader Marcellus Osceola regarding gaming in the state. While the General Assembly did eventually put their… Read more »
The ability of states to pass regulations regarding online gaming, especially online poker, have been in existence since 2011. In 2013, three states rapidly passed online poker into law. But it has taken almost eight years for that number to double, with the state of Connecticut becoming the seventh state to pass legislation authorizing online… Read more »
For a long time, many online casinos, poker rooms and sports books have operated in the realm of “gray” legality. They are not necessarily against the law, but many states (and countries, for that matter) are not rushing to lock people out of the sites or prosecute the principals. That will be changing in the… Read more »
State and tribes amended their compacts It appears that online casino and sports betting are closer to becoming a reality in Connecticut. On Thursday, the state House of Representatives passed HB06451 easily by a 34-6 vote, sending the bill over to the Senate. On Thursday, Governor Ned Lamont tweeted his thanks to the House for… Read more »
After more debate than was originally thought, legislators in the state of Florida have ratified the compact between the state and the Seminole Indian tribe of the state. The ratification alone does not mean that the 30-year deal is effective immediately, however. There are still several challenges that loom ahead, including federal approval and an… Read more »
In what would be the largest expansion of gaming in the state in over a decade, the Florida legislature will debate changes to their laws on gaming in the state. Governor Ron DeSantis signed a new compact with Chairman Marcellus Osceola, Jr., and the Seminole Indians of Florida at the end of April, forcing the… Read more »
After extensive debate, Germany is looking to increase the taxes on internet gaming, in particular slots and poker. The discussion over the increases is not over quite yet, but time is running out to stop the proposed increases. If nothing is done to prevent it, implementation of the new taxes will begin July 1. All… Read more »
After five years of debate over the subject, the state of Florida and the Seminole Tribe of Florida have come to an agreement over gambling rights in the Sunshine State. It will allow for the Seminoles to build three more casinos, but perhaps more important is that it will open the state for sports betting.… Read more »
There are two things that I have learned about time: it is undefeated when it comes to a human’s lifespan and opinions and it continually marches forward. Ten years ago, the poker world was tossed into turmoil by what became known as “Black Friday,” or the shutdown of the most powerful poker rooms on the… Read more »
In a decision rendered by the Oregon Court of Appeals, Portland poker rooms that are operating outside of traditional Indian casinos may soon become a thing of the past. The decision on whether the “membership” version of poker rooms violated gaming laws was deemed a violation of the law by the Court of Appeals, a… Read more »
Just when you think a case is over, it comes roaring back to life. This time, however, we are not talking about the Mike Postle situation. The Kentucky Supreme Court denied a motion on Thursday from Flutter Entertainment regarding their court case that dates to 2015. The motion would have opened the case for reexamination… Read more »
