1597 Internet Poker and Games of Skill Regulation

9/1/09 - Senator Robert Menendez's S 1597 Internet Poker and Games of Skill Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act has been acknowledged by the National Council on Problem Gambling for its provisions on funding problem gambling bodies. S. 1597 allocates $200 000 per year for awareness, $4 million per year for research, and $10 million per year for treatment.

In his bid to legalise skill games like online poker, Senator Menendez included a proposal that an annual $14.2 million be set aside over a five-year period for problem gambling awareness, treatment and research, a provision which NCPG executive director Keith Whyte acknowledged as "responsible." Whyte emphasised that he was in no way supporting any expansion of gambling.

There is no reason to play poker anywhere else, the most tournaments, the top ring games, biggest prizes and most players. In addition we will give you $50 free on signup. Visit Pokerstars to play.

The problem gambling provision is a reflection of HR 2906, the Comprehensive Problem Gambling Act of 2009 introduced by Congressmen Jim Moran, Lee Terry, and Frank Wolf earlier this year with the support of the NCPG. The bill has yet to be debated on the floor.

Whyte explained, “We’re pleased that there’s a responsibility to mitigate problem gambling and we’re glad it’s the language from HR 2906. However, this would still only be the first ever federal funding for prevention and treatment programs. There is a lot more language in our House bill than what Menendez added. It’s not the entire bill.”

Whyte revealed that, although remaining opposed to any expansion in gambling, his organisation had asked Senator Menendez to introduce a companion bill to HR 2096, focused on problem gambling, in the Senate.

Cryptologic 14 top games to be provided to Loto-Quebec - 02/08/2012 : The companies have signed a multi-year agreement that will see Cryptologic providing a portfolio of quality games to the Societe du jeu virtuel du Quebec, the online gaming division of the provincial state lottery corporation Loto-Quebec, known as Espacejeux.

Utah : Online Gambling : HB108 - 02/08/2012 : An intrastate attempt by Utah politician Stephen Sandstrom to introduce state legislation banning any legalisation of internet gambling has failed at the start gate.

MORE U.S. DISCUSSION ON INTERNET GAMBLING DUE THIS WEEK - 02/08/2012 : Interest in online gambling in the United States is set to continue on Thursday this week when the US Senate Committee on Indian Affairs meets to hear the views of a wide cross section of interested parties on the possible impact of legalised internet gambling on tribal gaming.

Judge wont dismiss DoJ Black Friday charges - 02/08/2012 : Former Utah banker John Campos and e-processor Chad Elie, who face charges relating to the payment processing of online poker transactions, suffered a setback Tuesday when a Manhattan judge refused to allow their motion for dismissal of Black Friday indictments against them.

ANOTHER MAJOR INTERNET GAMBLING BUST IN MALAYSIA - 02/08/2012 : Police units in Malaysia raided a series of premises in a week long anti-online gambling operation, seizing 225 computers and detaining 47 men, according to reports from the Bernama news agency. All of the detained men were later released on bail.