BetFair $100,000 Promo Won On First Day
BetFair Poker had a great idea for a long-term poker promotion, however it did not turn out to be very long-term; it was won on the first day.
The poker promotion awarded $100,000 to the first player that won the $20k guaranteed and the $5k or $6k guaranteed in the same day. Betfair Poker regular redmist1 accomplished the feat and took home the $100,000 promotion. Congrats!
Congress Attempts To Clarify UIGEA
Ever since the UIGEA was passed there has been confusion all over the online poker/gambling industry ranging from the poker rooms, to the payment processors, to the banks, and yes even the geniuses that come up with these ridiculous pieces of legislation.
One of the main concerns seems to be defining what is considered “unlawful internet gambling’ in the United States. Is poker considered unlawful internet gambling, even though many that play poker consider it a game of skill? Online casinos offering slots, blackjack, and other games of chance are definitely gambling, but are they unlawful?
Well, the very smart people on capitol have attempted to clarify exactly what is considered unlawful internet gambling, and in the process have actually made things more confusing and ridiculous than they were before. A new bill introduced by Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) is called the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Clarification and Implementation Act of 2008 (H.R. 6663) tries to offer further insight on what exactly the 2006 UIGEA is supposed to accomplish.
According to H.R. 6663, “No provision of this Act, or any amendment made by this Act, shall be construed as clarifying or implying that Internet bets or wagers, other than sports bets or wagers, which were accepted subsequent to October 13, 2006, are in violation of Federal law.”
“Federal Internet gambling prosecutions have involved sports betting, creating a lack of authoritative court decisions on the applicability of other federal criminal statutes to Internet poker and casino-style gambling.”
Shortly after the introduction of this bill the Poker Player’s Alliance came out with the following statement: “We are, however, puzzled by the introduction of H.R. 6663 and by the purpose of this legislation. While we agree with several findings in the bill that correctly identify the illegality of sports wagering, the PPA remains concerned with the implication H.R. 6663 asserts in that the [UIGEA] has made Internet poker an unlawful activity that needs special protection from prosecution.
“Previous federal case law (re: Mastercard 2002) made it clear that existing federal criminal law (WIRE Act of 1961) applies only to sports wagering, and not to internet poker. Further, the UIGEA itself states, ‘No provision of this law shall be construed as altering, limiting or extending any Federal or State law.’ Thus, H.R. 6663 only confuses a clear judicial standing on this matter.”
The PPA further comments on the bill by stating that it “does nothing to clarify the UIGEA” and “contradicts its own rule of construction by implying in its findings that the sites on which millions of Americans currently play are offering poker services in defiance of federal law.”
Confused yet? Or did this new bill make everything crystal clear for you?
The poker world may be crazy, but politics mixed in just makes everything insane.
BoDog Denies That Feds Seized Funds
It was reported by Forbes.com that the Feds seized $24 million from accounts that belonged to BoDog. However, BoDog denies the news and came out with the following statement written by Alwyn Morris, the CEO of Morris Mohawk Gaming Group:
An article was recently released on Forbes.com that creates several misimpression’s that the Morris Mohawk Gaming Group feels compelled to clarify for our customers. As most of our customers already know, all operators outsource payment processing functions to third parties and these payment processors are subject to regulatory constraints wherever they operate, and, occasionally in the US, are subject to legal action because of the uncertain legal environment there. However, the seizure of funds from these US payment processors was mischaracterized in this article, which refers to two specific legal cases against US processors. Rightly or wrongly, the article does not make a clear distinction between these cases, which, as a result, paints a misleading picture.
The facts are these: the first of these cases – relating to a seizure of funds from a processor known as JBL Services – happened some time ago and has absolutely nothing to do with the current payment processing challenges being experienced in the US. The constraints being experienced by payment processors in the US are universal in that region and not specific to any particular processor or site. Also, note that not one single player failed to get paid when this processor was disrupted.
The second case refers to a payment processor known as Zippayments.com and seizure of funds from this processor’s bank accounts in Nevada. The article falsely implies – but notably does not go so far as to state – that $9.9M seized from Zippayment’s Nevada bank accounts were funds on account for “Bodog”. This is simply false.
Processing partners with whom the Morris Mohawk Gaming Group does business are sophisticated organizations that are perfectly clear as to the actual facts of these cases and their contexts. They are unfazed by such media hype and Morris Mohawk wishes to ensure that its customers are similarly informed. Customer deposits are safe and every player has and will always be paid.
Ultimate Bet And Absolute Poker Scandal
The depth of the cheating scandal at Ultimate Bet Poker continues to grow. The parent company, Tokwiro Enterprises, is left to clean up the mess left by the fraud. Apparently they are combining the two poker rooms and online casino under one site to be called CEREUS. I guess they think two negatives always equal a positive.
The Kahnawake Gaming Commission recently Issued the following statement:
KAHNAWAKE GAMING COMMISSION APPOINTS INDEPENDENT MONITORING-INVESTIGATION TEAM
Effective immediately, the Kahnawa:ke Gaming Commission (KGC) has appointed an independent monitor to investigate the KGC Licensee, Tokwiro Ent., parent company of both Absolute Poker and Ultimate Bet, led by former New Jersey State Gaming Regulator, Frank Catania.
Mr. Catania is a former Director of the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE), the regulatory and enforcement agency responsible for maintaining integrity and trust in all Atlantic City gaming operations. As division director, he was a driving force in updating the New Jersey Casino Control Act by fine tuning the balance between regulatory necessity and economic stewardship. After leaving the DGE, he served as the vice president in charge of compliance for Players International, Inc. where he was instrumental in resolving compliance issues the company had encountered in the State of Louisiana, prior to his appointment. He is a principal in Catania Gaming Consultants and the Law Offices of Catania & Associates LLC
The Independent Monitoring Team will be given the task of completing a full forensic audit/investigation of the online gaming business of both licensed entities. The main purpose of the investigation is to ensure that the games offered to the public are fair and honest and that all player protections as required by the Kahnawa:ke Gaming Regulations are being complied with, without exception. The monitoring team will also be charged with verification that all those involved in the fraudulent activities in any manner, no matter how slight, have been or are removed from the licensee company and verify that Ultimate Bet and Absolute Poker have submitted to full compliance with the directives issued by the KGC and recommended by the independent monitor.
Furthermore, Mr. Catania’s team will be empowered by the KGC to have full access to interview all employees, past or present, review all records, contact and interview all sub contractors and individuals whom the monitoring team believes necessary. Any failure by the licensees could result in immediate revocation of their license privileges with the KGC. In the event that any criminal activity is found to have occurred, such activity will be reported to the appropriate authorities for possible prosecution.
KGC License Holder, Tokwiro Enterprises has agreed to comply fully and submit to this independent monitor.
KGC Chairman, Dean Montour adds, “While the ongoing investigative process has dominated the attention of the KGC in recent months, we are fully confident in the ability of the Independent Monitoring Team to deliver results and assist the Commission in bringing this matter to a decisive conclusion.”
As per the terms of the monitoring agreement, and at the conclusion of the process, the KGC will review the report of the monitoring team and enter the results into their final considerations at the time of ruling in the Ultimate Bet and Absolute Poker investigations.
Murray Marshall
Senior Advisor
Kahnawa:ke Gaming Commission
Gus Hansen Loses $796K In One Poker Session
Gus Hansen was playing 2,000/4,000 Limit Omaha Hi/Lo at FullTilt Poker and left the session with a $796,000 loss. I can only wish that someday I am in the position to lose that much playing online poker. To the average poker player that would be crazy, but to Gus Hansen it is probably just another day at the office.