26 December, 2007 | No comments

In Support of the Kahnawake Gaming Commission

The issue of whether the Kahnawake Gaming Commission is breaking the law is an American government issue, not a Canadian one. It’s no secret what the American Republican opinion of online gaming is, and now they want the new Canadian Conservative government to witch-hunt the industry in Canada. The reserve lands are no business of the Canadian government, or the American. Why can a reserve have a land-based casino but not an online one?

The Kahnawake Gaming Commission has always been willing to provide a full audit of their operations, which includes integrity of the software and proof that issues of underage and problem gamblers are identified and corrected. American media is even stating that Canadians are frightened to confront the Mohawk Nation on the issue because of the 1990 Oka Crisis. All in an attempt to force Canadian governments to attack the industry the way they themselves have.

23 December, 2007 | No comments

Skill Game Protection Act Gains Another Sponsor

Surely by now you’ve heard of Congressman Robert Wexler’s (Florida) new bill to make skill games exempt from the UIGEA? “The Skill Game Protection Act” has attracted 20 sponsors since its inception and this week Representative Robert E. Andrews (New Jersey) has signed up as the bill’s 21st co-sponsor.

If adopted, the new bill would add language to existing laws, like the UIGEA, that defines poker and certain other games (like mah-jongg, bridge and chess) as games of skill. It would also allow adults 18 and older to play real-money skill games online.

The bill also calls for a system to tax and regulate all real-money skill games to assure they remain fair and to prevent minors and compulsive gamblers from playing.

Good news for the online gambling industry? You bet! If this thing picks up speed and additional sponsors 2008 could be a great year for online poker fans everywhere!

18 December, 2007 | No comments

Top 10 Gambling Getaways

1. Aruba – sun and beaches in a tropical paradise with the elegant Crystal Casino on hand.

2. Macau – Twenty-six casinos inside of 11 square miles, including the $7.4 Venetian Macau in Southern China.

3. Las Vegas – best shows and great comps, the weather is always hot and so is the action.

4. Atlantic City – upgrades in 11 casinos make the new Atlantic City one of the best.

5. Niagara Falls – the natural beauty and the billion-dollar Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort.

6. Sun City – jungle-themed in beautiful South Africa, where you can safari between playing sessions.

7. Monte Carlo – still one of the hot gaming spots with luxury and celebrity everywhere.

8. Mississippi Gulf Coast – the riverboats are now barges with beautiful new venues and old-style feel.

9. South Florida – the Seminole Casinos, dog and horse racing, plus jai alai.

10. Reno – Little Vegas is a good economy choice.

11 December, 2007 | No comments

Will 2008 be a Better Year for Online Gambling?

We’re just about ready to drop the ball on this eminently forgettable 2007. It’s been nothing but lousy for online gambling in the United States; we had the  withdrawal of Neteller from the gambling market, the U.S. government treating the WTO like a red-headed stepchild, and there was that whole Tim Donaghy thing. They even banned fake online gambling on Second Life.

There is hope for a brighter 2008. Some books are finding it easier to run credit-card transactions.  The Frank Bill, aka the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act (IGREA), is gaining support. And whatever your politics, a change in government should do the online gambling industry a world of good.

At some point in 2008, there is a distinct and growing possibility that you will be able to place a legal sports bet on U.S. soil – all licensed and taxed by the government, of course. It’s inevitable.

4 December, 2007 | No comments

Latest Update on US Online Gambling Ban

Bob Goodlatte must have seen The Godfather one too many times. Three years ago, the Republican Representative from Virginia was criticized for blocking HR 857, The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. Now the man behind the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act is being slammed for taking money from the horse racing lobby. Horse racing happens to be exempt from the proposed online gambling legislation.

According to casino expert J. Todd on his Perspectives Weekly webcast, Goodlatte has received nearly $40,000 in donations over the last four years from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. This is no surprise to gambling analysts, who may recall the 2006 article by The Independent reporting nearly the nearly $3 million donated by the NTRA to Republicans, including $16,000 to Goodlatte.

Numbers on these contributions have been available for some time. And the NTRA made donations to nearly 100 federal candidates (including Democrats) during the 2006 elections. But Goodlatte still has some ‘splainin’ to do.

Here’s a video clip from Perspectives Weekly. Hopefully it helps keep you informed on the struggle to keep our right to gambling  alive.