US online poker law: California done for the year, New Jersey back in play, Nevada regulators unveil federal ground rules
California’s efforts to enact intrastate online poker legislation won’t be discussed until 2012; New Jersey state Sen. Ray Lesniak reintroduces essentially unchanged version of online gambling bill vetoed by Gov. Chris Christie in March; Phil Hellmuth rubbishes the District of Columbia’s online poker plans due to DC’s tiny population base. (Hear that, ladies? The Brat believes size matters); Nevada regulators reveal the rules they hope to employ nation-wide if/when federal politicians get their act together.
Party Poker rake moves suggest company lacks coherent strategy
After slashing rake in July, Party Poker announced this week that it was raising its rake above and beyond its previous levels, only to backtrack a couple days later after players staged an organized ‘sit-out’ of mid-stakes action. With this kind of sound, forward looking, well thought out strategy, can we look forward to a rebranded Bwin.party.schizophrenia?
Australian pols bark at online gambling, stadium bosses bite Betfair
Clamoring for a government review of the local online gambling industry, some Australian politicians objected to the “massive, in-your-face promotion of betting odds … at AFL football matches.” As if on cue, the Melbourne Cricket Ground decided not to renew Betfair’s deal to display betting odds on the stadium’s big screen during matches.
Full Tilt confirms potential investor’s exclusivity period has expired
FTP’s deal to talk exclusively with an unnamed party about taking an ownership stake in the troubled poker outfit expired without a resolution — and with it, players’ hopes of FTP’s salvation?
Facebook revises advertising guidelines to allow online gambling
While still maintaining a prohibition against the promotion of online gambling to US residents, at least one of Mark Zuckerberg’s testicles appears to have finally dropped, giving him just enough courage to permit gambling ads to be viewed by residents in less puritanical jurisdictions.
Mobile gambling to come of age in 2011 (seriously, this time)
CalvinAyre.com contributor Aideen Short examines past promises of mobile gambling’s impact, why they failed to match the hype, and why things are different this time.
I. Nelson Rose exposes flaws in anti-gambling logic, helps casino win case
Gambling And The Law guru I. Nelson Rose takes anti-gambling zealots to task for fudging the math, while a book Rose co-wrote in 1998 helps Caesars Entertainment triumph in a card-counting case.
Hurricane Irene shuts down Atlantic City casinos
The threat of Hurricane Irene forces the closure of Atlantic City’s struggling casinos for only the third time in history. At this point, about the only thing that could make things worse is if great white sharks take up residence in AC’s soon to be flooded streets.
Scientific Games inks New York lottery deal
Scientific Games has a seven-year itch to scratch instant ticket games for the New York Lottery, North America’s largest and most profitable lottery operation.
Footie sponsorships o’plenty
Man United inks more Asian deals; Real Betis clutches Cirsa to its sweaty chest; William Hill puts its name on the Scottish Cup.
This week’s quarterly report cards:
Playtech, Opap, Melco Crown, Tatts Group, Sportech, Fortuna Entertainment, IG Group, Loto Québec and Bet-at-home.
VIDEO PICK:
Calvin Ayre travels to Ayrshire in Scotland to check out the new Bodog-branded kit sported by Ayr United FC, while Bodog PR guru Ed Pownall can’t even put down his beer long enough to finish the press conference. Work hard, play harder!
