For the last 10 years or so there have been many Internet gaming news websites that have been reporting on the Internet gambling laws in the United States. With the debate on the legality of online gambling going on in congress, these websites have showed the people in America the pros and cons of the regulation of the online gambling industry.
In the last couple of years the online gambling issues has been a hot one and it has caused the more mainstream media to give the issue more coverage. Recently a New York Times article detailed how big land-based casino companies are changing their views on whether only gambling should be legal or not.
Gaming Analyst Steve Schwartz recently stated, “For years, the online gambling issue has been championed only by those within the industry. But now what we are seeing is a shift. The mainstream media has determined that Internet gambling has become a major issue in the US, and the coverage of the issue has broadened to almost all media outlets.”
The articles in the New York Times showed how companies like Wynn Resorts, Harrah’s Entertainment, and MGM Resorts, to name just a few, are beginning to soften their views on online gambling. Harrah’s Entertainment even launched an Internet casino that can be played on by American citizens when the Internet gambling industry is legal and regulated.
US Rep. Barney Frank has been on the forefront of the issues since the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) was created back in 2006. This law puts the burden on US financial institutions to halt any transactions that are processed that deal with gambling over the Internet. Rep. Frank saw a flaw in this law from the get go, however, be decided to take a different direction to fight it.
The banks state that they are not a policing agency and there is no way for them to determine if an online transaction deals with gambling, as the websites change the codes for transactions. However, Rep. Frank decided to turn his attention on the prohibition of Internet gambling in the US, as he claimed that American citizens should have the right to chose if they want to gamble online or not and that the UIGEA should be overturned.
For several years land-based casinos have been against any law that would regulate the Internet gambling industry. They were under the belief that if gambling were legal online it would take away customers. However, the recent economic slump has made many of these companies change their views. With attendance dropping at land-based casinos the companies now see their potential to branch out on the Net to expand their brand.
There has been work going on to change the laws in Congress and now the mainstream media in the US is now on the side of those who want the UIGEA overturned. Lawmakers will have to be wary because of this, as voting on gambling laws these days comes with various repercussions. The issue will be one of the main ones, as the November elections are soon upon us.
Many Americans want online gambling legal not because their stance on the issue has softened, but because they want that form of entertainment. Now with more of the mainstream media taking that stance the legalization and regulation of the Internet gambling industry may not be far off.
October 10th, 2024 | Posted in Casinos, Gambling Thoughts, News | No Comments
Congress is entering their final weeks before they adjourn early for the elections this year and that gives Internet poker a small chance for Internet poker to get pushed through in a bill before the Congressional session comes to an end.
This year has already been one that has seem some advancements in American’s citizens right to play poker with Representative Barney Frank’s bill to both regulate and license online gambling through the House Financial Services this July. However, the progress will not carry over in Congress from year to year and if there are changes from the election this November it may halt the momentum Internet poker has gained on Capital Hill.
The next thing that needs to happen is for Representative Jim McDermott’s Internet Gambling Regulation and Tax Enforcement Act to get to the Ways and Means Committee. A representative for McDermott recently stated that the Congressman wants a bill markup that will take place in late September or early October.
However, McDermott is not in Frank’s position, as he has the power to make the decision if a bill will be marked up since he is the Financial Services Committee chairman. McDermott has to convince the Ways and Means Committee chairman Sander Levin to get a bill markup.
Congress is back in session on October 8th, but John Pappas, who is the Poker Players Alliance (PPA) director, expects the representatives to come back after the 2nd of November for an extended session.
Pappas recently stated, “In past experience, they’ve worked all the way through Thanksgiving and through Christmas eve when I worked on the Hill. I wouldn’t expect anything different this time around. They have a lot of bills that need to be taken up. They don’t have the appropriation bills done. The lame-duck session is going to happen. It’s a necessity, no question about it.”
Members of the PPA that live in the districts of representatives of the Ways and Means Committee are being asked to write them letters to try to get members of Congress to push for a bill makeup.
Papas does not think that the Ways and Means Committee markup has to held in this session in order for the momentum for the legalization of online poker to continue. He said, “If it doesn’t happen before the elections, we feel very good we can get a markup and vote during the lame-duck session.”
There will have to be some serious political wrangling in this extended session from Frank, as well as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, for legislation for online poker to go through in 2010.
Frank has been at the forefront of trying to get Internet poker legalized and regulated for several years and he may do everything in his power to pass his bill if there is a legitimate chance it will be passed. Reid comes from Nevada and he is one of the most powerful people in the Senate. Land-based casinos, such as Harrah’s, that want online poker to be legalized, have influenced him. Even though Reid may have warmed idea of legislation dealing only with poker, he has yet to show public support for the issue. It would be a major event if he were to come out and champion the idea of legalized online poker and make it happen this year.
Basically poker players should not get their hopes up. There is more of a chance. However, there is still a better chance at the current time then there has ever been to legalize online poker in the United States.
September 30th, 2024 | Posted in Casinos, Gambling Thoughts, News, Poker | No Comments
US Representative Shelly Berkley was not in favor of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) even before it became a law. She opposed the UIGEA and is currently a leading legislator in overturning the controversial law.
Berkley has stated that the UIGEA should be called the “Unworkable” Internet Gambling Enforcement Act since it places a major burden on US financial institutions. This is even more important for Berkley since she is a Representative from the state of Nevada, which is the biggest gambling state in America. Other lawmakers in the state have been hesitant to stand behind the legalization of gambling over the Internet thinking it will take away revenue from the state.
However, Nevada gaming officials are beginning to warm up to the idea of online gambling. The owner of Wynn Resorts Steve Wynn is a huge gaming mogul and he has not been quiet in his opposition to online gambling being legal. He has suggested that if the online gambling industry was regulated it would be detrimental to the land based gambling industry.
Conversely, Harrah’s Entertainment has already launched Caesar’s Palace on the Web where people can make wagers online outside of the United States. Harrah’s sees that online gambling will eventually be legal in the US and they are getting ready for it.
Representative Berkley has the same school of though that Representative Barney Frank does, as both are against the UIGEA. They both believe that citizens of the United States should be allowed to gamble online if they wish.
Berkley recently stated, “I firmly believe adults have the right to choose how they spend their leisure time and money, and that includes the ability to participate in Internet gaming from the privacy of their own homes and computers.”
Berkley has also explained that technology has changed and that websites can put safeguards in place that will keep underage people from laying wagers. Both underage gambling and problem gambling have been at the forefront of issues why Internet gambling should be illegal.
Frank has already introduced legislation that would overturn the UIGEA and make online gambling legalized and regulated in America. That legislation was to be talked about early in 2010, but the economic woes in the nation was a more important issue for the House Financial Services Committee, which Frank chairs.
The issue of Internet gambling will likely be spoken about in the fall or it may be the case that Frank will wait until the November elections are over. This would mean that talks would not happen until the early part of next year. However, Berkley is one lawmaker that wants to deal with the issue now stating, “Just as our nation learned from prohibition, when the law actually helps the bad guys instead of protecting Americans against criminals, and only makes matters worse all around, it’s time to start over.”
July 13th, 2024 | Posted in Casinos, Gambling Thoughts, News, Rumors | No Comments
House Speaker Robert DeLeo is not hurting for any supporters in his aim to try to bring land-based casinos to the state of Massachusetts. One of his biggest and most influential supporters is state Governor Duval Patrick. However, the governor is not in favor of the latest effort from DeLeo.
Recently DeLeo introduced a bill that would bring 2 brand new casinos to Massachusetts. The racing industry in the state, which is really going through major financial problems, may get a huge economic boost, as, in the bill, they would be allowed to have slot machines installed at the racetrack. However, that is where the support for the bill ends. Patrick is not a happy camper, to say the least, since there will not be any hearings in the public where the bill will be discussed. In the bill there is also wording that would make it illegal for residents of the state of Massachusetts to play poker for money over the Internet.
Massachusetts’s lawmakers have been discussing the expansion of gambling in the state for several months. Recently there has been quite a stir about the kind of legislation that DeLeo would be introducing. Unfortunately for him it does not look like the bill will get much backing from other politicians.
Governor Patrick has been trying to bring land-based casinos in Massachusetts since he became elected. His first try was blocked Salvatore DiMasi, who was the House Speaker in the state before DeLeo. DeMesi did everything in his power to block gambling in the state, as he was firmly against it. At the time he convinced other lawmakers in Massachusetts to vote in opposition of the proposal Patrick brought forth.
There looked as if there would be some momentum this year towards having gambling expanded in the state. DeLeo, Patrick, and Senate President Therese Murray are all for gambling expansion. However, all three do not see eye-to-eye as how the expansion in the state should occur.
The Internet gambling industry will keep a close eye on the bill in Massachusetts that is up for debate. There are many states in America that are looking into regulating and legalizing the online gambling industry. If DeLeo’s bill would pass it will be interesting to see how governments of other states look upon it and if they will follow the New England states’ lead.
The more states that regulate and legalize online gambling the more likely it is that it will happen on the national level.
April 10th, 2024 | Posted in Casinos, Gambling Thoughts, News, Poker | No Comments
In Nevada gaming revenues fell by 10.4% in 2009, which is the biggest drop in the history of the state. Throughout the state casinos made $10.39 billion from gaming revenue in 2009 and that was the lowest total since back in 2003. However, in the latter half of the year the decline was not so bad.
According to Control Board Tax and License Division Chief Frank Streshley Nevada gaming revenues in the first 6 months of 2009 were down 13.4% as compared with the same period in 2008. In the last 6 months of 2009 the drop was only 7.2% compared to the year before. Streshley recently stated, “I guess you can say we improved in the second half of the year. In reality, that stretch between October 2008 and March of last year was a horrendous period for the industry.”
The most recent drop follows a trend with the economic slump, as 2009 saw a 9.7% increase from 2008. The Nevada Gaming Control Board has been keeping records of casino revenues since back in 1956 and the only repeat in dropping revenues from year to year were in the past 10 years.
The Strip saw a big drop, as their revenues in 2009 were $5.5 billion, which is a drop of 9.4%. Clark County, which is the county that Las Vegas is located, fell 9.8% to $8.8 billion.
North Las Vegas actually saw an increase in revenue last year and the main reason was the opening of the impressive Aliante Station in November 2008. North Las Vegas was the only part of Clark County that saw a revenue increase last year. The Casinos in North Las Vegas reported gaming revenue of $286.2 million, which is a 1.2% increase over the totals from 2008.
In looking at the main games of the casinos slots saw the biggest drop in revenues from the previous year of 10.8% while table games fell 4%.
Every county in Nevada had a drop in revenue, but what is their loss can be your game. If you look all around Nevada, especially in Las Vegas, you can find killer deals on hotels and package vacations. If you go to Las Vegas and visit the Strip on down times of the year you can find really good bargains and you gambling money can go a lot further. Take some time to research some deals online and you will be surprised how much money you can save.
February 14th, 2024 | Posted in Casinos, Gambling Thoughts, News, Slots, Table Games | No Comments
Lawmakers in many states in America have been in discussions on whether or not to legalize Internet poker in their states. California is one of the big states that is mulling over the idea and recently New Jersey Senator Raymond Lesniak introduced a bill in the Garden State that would not only make Internet poker legal in the state, but other casino gambling games as well.
One of the main reasons that Lesniak is pushing the bill ahead of the federal government in making online poker legal is that he wants to make sure that gaming operators in the state of New Jersey have the first shot to get gaming customers in the state. One thing that is in Lesniak’s bill is that the online companies that offer gambling online has to be located in Atlantic City, which is the land-based casino capital on the East Coast.
The Internet casino industry would operate much like the land based casino industry in Atlantic City. Both the age requirements as well as the game rules would be copied after the Atlantic Casino industry. The proposed bill to legalize online gambling in New Jersey has been welcomed news by those that are looking to overturn the ban in the United States.
In a recent press release Joe Brennan, who is the Interactive Media Entertainment and Gaming Association Chairman, stated, “We’re happy that New Jersey has taken this issue into their own hands. New Jersey is recognized as having the toughest gaming regulators in the US, but as a leading gaming state with a long track record of doing things the right way, Internet gambling will have a great home here and the opportunity to begin normalizing the industry.”
As stated before New Jersey is not alone, as there are other states that are looking into legalizing gambling in their jurisdictions. Lawmakers in California have been in serious discussions and if the laws proposed are approved Internet poker, but not other gambling games, would be legalized and regulated in the state.
On the federal level U.S. Representative Barney Frank, who has been the main lawmaker to push the legalization and regulation of online poker, has introduced legislation to Congress that would overturn the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA). Frank’s proposed bill is gaining momentum with other lawmakers, as 64 of them have already signed onto the bill.
In Lesniak’s proposed bill in New Jersey Internet poker would be legal, but other games that would be legal would be slots, craps, blackjack, and roulette as well as other gambling games that can be played at land-based casinos.
January 18th, 2024 | Posted in Casinos, Gambling Thoughts, News, Poker | No Comments
California is known as being one of the more liberal states in America. This is why it is not surprising at all that lawmakers from the state of California will begin discussions about being the first state to legalize Internet gambling in the United States.
The Governmental Organization Committee, which is mainly responsible for laws dealing with gambling in California, will start talks in February about the legalization and regulation of online gambling. Chairman of the committee Roderick Wright has recently confirmed that these discussions will take place and the main topic will be about Internet poker.
California does not have a lot of wiggling room to bring more than the game of poker to Internet gamblers. The state has quite a few compacts with Indian tribes that involve gambling in land-based casinos and any foray into the Internet gaming market would have to be approved by the tribes before it is regulated and legalized.
One tribe that is in favor of the legalization and regulation of online gambling is the Morongo Band of Mission Indians. This tribe is a leading casino provider in the state of California and their view of the issue will carry a lot of weight with other state tribes.
If it is the case that California changes their laws to include Internet poker regulations it is probable that the Indian tribes would first want the chance to go online. It is a distinct possibility, in terms of gambling revenue, that it will be beneficial to both the state and the Indian tribes in the state.
The Internet gambling issue is one of the more popular and debated issues in the country these days. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIEGA) has been at the center of many of those discussions and debates.
US Representative Barney Frank has proposed legislation that would overturn the UIGEA as well as set up a special foundation that would regulate the Internet gambling industry in the United States. Frank, and many others who support the legalization of the online gambling industry, recently scored a victory for their cause by having the rules for the UIGEA, which were to go in effect on December 1, 2024, delayed until next June.
The talks in California dealing, mainly, with online poker will be watched closely by other states and by lawmakers at the national level. If online poker is legalized and regulated in the state it becomes more likely that it will happen at the national level as well.
January 9th, 2024 | Posted in Casinos, Gambling Thoughts, News, Poker, Rumors | No Comments
Nevada Senator Harry Reid has been saying for a long time that he would do whatever is best for his home state in terms of online gambling. For quite a few years what this meant was taking a strong stand against Internet gambling when it has been talked about in Washington between federal lawmakers.
However, now there are many gambling and economic experts that are under the belief that the casino industry in Las Vegas may, in fact, benefit if they changed their views on the legalization of online gambling. The stance of Reid may become very important in the upcoming fight in Congress in terms of the legalization and regulation of the Internet gambling industry in the United States.
U.S. Representative Barney Frank has been the main politician that wants to overturn the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). The UIGEA came into effect under the Bush Administration back in 2006, but the law has still not been enforced.
The UIGEA was slated to begin the enforcement phase on December 1st of this year. However, the Department of the Treasury recently delayed the act’s implementation until June 1st of next year (2010). What this does is give Frank more time in order to sway other lawmakers into thinking that reversing the Internet gambling ban would be a good thing for the United States and its citizens.
One of the lawmakers will be Senator Reid, who carries a lot of weight in the U.S. Senate. In past years there would be zero chance that Reid would have stood behind regulating the Internet gambling industry, but his views may be changing.
Many gambling analysts are under the belief that the casino industry in Las Vegas would actually benefit if the online gambling industry were regulated. The thinking is that the companies that own the casinos would have first crack at getting the licenses, which would be needed in order to offer online gambling to residents of the United States.
The views of the casino companies have varied even though it is the case that casino revenue is down with the slumping economy in America hurting the gambling industry. Wynn Resorts does not want to regulate online gambling while Harrah’s has already stated that they are in favor of it.
It will take some time for lawmakers in the U.S. to deal with the complicated details of regulating the online gambling industry. However, before that can happen Reid has to make a stance on one side or the other of the issue. The gambling industry will be watching this very closely and will have to side with Reid. A vote for the legalization and regulation of the Internet gambling industry may be the kick in the pants that Vegas needs to revive the gambling economy in the city, which is vital.
December 3rd, 2024 | Posted in Casinos, Gambling Thoughts, News, Rumors | No Comments
Choosing the right video poker game to play can be hard since there are so many available. All of the games deal with poker, but most of the games have various rules and pay tables. The very first thing you have to choose from, but there are around 12 that are played the most often.
Simple Video Poker Games
If you are looking to play a simple video poker game that is very easy to learn Jacks or Better may be the game for you. The strategy is simple to master in the game and you do not have to worry about any wild cards or bonus payouts. If you are a beginning video poker player Jacks or Better is a good game to start out playing.
Fun Video Poker Games
Some of the more exciting video poker games that you can play are Joker Poker or the very popular Deuces Wild. Your chances to hit a big hand, such as a Wild Royal Flush or Four of a Kind, increase significantly in the card games that do not offer wild cards. You can find Joker Poker and especially Deuces Wild at most Internet and land based casinos. Other games such as Multi-Strike poker, Quick Quads, and Super Times Pay poker, have a twist on normal games and it can make them very exciting to play.
Profitable Video Poker Games
If making money is your main goal when playing video poker than you will have to find a game that has a return of 100%+. There are some games that pay in excess of 100% such as Deuces Wild, Double Bonus, and Double Double Bonus, but always remember to check out the pay table at the machine you will play before you begin to play for real money. Even though Deuces Wild is a game of 100%+ there are some casinos that will decrease the pay tables on the game to bring down the return to less than 100%, which makes the game less profitable to play.
Progressive Video Poker Games
Progressive games offer a bigger jackpot for hitting the biggest hand, which is a royal flush. Every progressive game that is linked takes a small cut for every wager and adds it to the growing progressive jackpot. You can always check what the progressive jackpot amount is and many times it is pretty big. When the progressive jackpot hits it will start over again and begin to grow. Typically progressive video poker games have lower paying pay tables and because of this do not have great odds for the player. However, when the progressive jackpot hits a certain amount the machine actually does become profitable.
Multi-Hand Video Poker Games
In many video poker games you can play multiple hands simultaneously. You have the option to play 2,3,4,10,50, and even 100 hands at one time. You can bet more each hand when playing a multi-hand video poker game, but the profitability of the game is not altered at all.
September 18th, 2024 | Posted in Casinos, Video Poker | No Comments
There are declining gaming and sales tax collections in the Nevada, which has really hurt the state’s budget. However, Nevada is a state that would greatly benefit if there were a bill that would make online gambling legal in the United States. That deal has yet to be approved, but it seems like it will happen.
Even though Nevada would benefit from legal online gambling it is a big if. In May a House of Representatives resolution was introduced and it would create a blueprint to allow licensed Internet gambling operators to take wagers from residents of the United States.
Legal experts have stated that the state of Nevada has the statutory structure already in place to both investigate as well as license Internet gambling operators. Nevada also may become the main jurisdiction in the United States for hosting casinos online.
If the online gambling websites were to operate from Nevada gaming regulators have come out and stated that Internet businesses would have to play fees up front. The Internet casinos would also be taxed at the very same rate as casinos that are on the Strip, which is currently 6.67% on revenues on gaming.
Online gambling becoming legal again is a big if and the key to overturning the UIGEA lies in the hands of the lawmakers in Washington D.C. recently, Federal lawmakers have centered their attention on health care reform in the country and the economic crisis in the U.S and have set aside other issues like the online gambling one.
Former Sen. Richard Bryan, an attorney with Lionel Sawyer & Collins, who spent 12 years representing Nevada in the U.S. Senate recently stated, “(Debate on the bill) probably won’t happen this year. My sense, however, is that there is a gathering, gradual momentum where, eventually, Internet gaming will occur and be regulated. I’m just not sure if it has reached critical mass yet.”
Even though there has not been a lot of action on the online gambling issue in Congress it does not mean there is a lack of interest on the issue. Bryan and fellow Lionel Sawyer & Collins attorney Greg Gemignani stated that the firm has been approached by potential clients who are looking to set up online gambling businesses in the state of Nevada if the action were to be legalized.
Lawmakers in Nevada began the process to license online gambling way back in 2001, but the effort went dormant in 2002 when there was no action in the Federal Government about the issue.
If online gaming becomes legal under the current bill in Congress, Nevada could be picked by the Department of Treasury to determine whether an applicant is suitable for federal gaming licensing.
August 24th, 2024 | Posted in Casinos, Gambling Thoughts, News, Rumors | No Comments
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