The other smaller networks have had trouble gaining new players and licensees. Poker networks are all about liquidity, so it is very difficult for the small licensees to survive in the current environment. There is hope in the form of new regulation in the U.S. that could clear up the current post-UIGEA mess, and increase the number of U.S. citizens playing poker.

So, just how big of a threat is online poker to the people living in Kentucky?  The Governor of Kentucky had the following to say: “The owners and operators of these illegal sites prey on Kentucky citizens, including our youth, and deprive the Commonwealth of millions of dollars in revenue. It’s an underworld wrought with scams and schemes.” He described them as “leeches on our communities”.

Pretty harsh words for a state best known for horse racing and the gambling that goes along with it.

The U.S. is way behind when it comes to the regulation of online poker and gambling. Many U.S. players continue to participate at online poker sites like Full Tilt Poker, PokerStars, and others while the UIGEA is being sorted out. Within the last few days there was another bill in the House Financial Services Committee introduced by Barney Frank that would limit the UIGEA to online sports betting. The U.S. needs licensed and regulated online poker and gambling now. We are supposed to be the land of the free, but for now the Europeans are leading the way.

Could the party that supposedly stands for individual freedom be finally getting back to its roots?

The Poker Players Alliance executive director, John Pappas, said: “This is a small victory in our determined effort to educate both sides of the aisle that there is a true constituency in America that values its Internet freedoms.”

But, there is still the possibility that the ani-internet gambling language might make it back onto the Republican party platform before the Republican National Convention. If the Christian right raises a lot of stink about the Repblican party going soft on internet gambling then look for the language to be added back in. They have a lot more influence than the Poker Players Alliance, and the Republicans are already struggling to satisfy the Evangelicals who are not yet fully onboard with McCain who is seen as more liberal on social issues.

Let your voice be heard on internet poker and gambling by posting on gopplatform2008.com

Boss Media responded with their own press release assuring players that their funds are secure and cannot be seized by any courts. Read the full response by Boss Media below:

Boss Media assures player funds and no disruption in services

In relation to the statements made by Poker Trillion August 18 (“Trillion Limited -v- Boss Media Malta Limited and Boss Media AB”), Boss Media has issued the following statement.

Poker Trillion’s recent comments are a reckless attempt to support a legal action that is without merit and initiated as retribution for their dismissal from the Boss Media network. To be clear, player funds are not affected by the current proceedings. All players’ funds are held separately under the control of the Malta Lotteries and Gaming Authority and cannot be seized by any court.

Poker Trillion is a former customer of Boss Media who was terminated because of rake back violations. They have since then repeatedly tried to disrupt the Boss Media business through the dissemination of groundless rumors. In April 2008 Poker Trillion alleged in a press release a claim that among other things, Boss Media player funds were frozen. The allegations were false but typical of the type of tactics employed by Poker Trillion.

While there has been no hearing on the merits of the Poker Trillion suit, there have been preliminary hearings on the matter. Boss Media has assured that adequate security is provided in Malta in the event of an award of damages against it which we believe to be unlikely.

Boss Media is currently exploring various legal options regarding our Maltese assets and can assure that Boss Media has the requisite assets in place to ensure that our business will continue to operate with the highest standards. In the extremely unlikely event that any Malta operations would be affected, Boss Media have high-performance back-up systems in place to ensure continued service to all our customers and their players.

We may have beat them to the moon, but the Russians are way ahead of us on this issue. Maybe if poker becomes part of the Olympics someday the U.S. will finally wake up to the fact that poker is a sport and should be treated like one.

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!