February 2008 United States Poker Info
The updates are from February 2008 regarding US gambling news with regards to US poker. Please visit our US page for updated news.
February 29
8:07pm – J. Todd is feeling some heat after this weeks Perspectives Weekly video. In it he did a review of the predatory terms being done to Full Tilt affiliates (which I think is sickening). The drama is coming over his audit of Full Tilt Poker’s RNG where he says it manipulates hands to create more rake revenue. I’m not big on RNG conspiracy theories and to be honest wouldn’t even know where to start in analyzing a RNG but most people are saying the sample size is too small etc. You’re still the man J. Todd, I don’t care what the haters say, but I prefer APCW videos to focus on the US situation. 
February 28
2:56am – Another new deposit provider has entered the scene. From my research it looks to be mostly casino related. It is primapin.com which is just another one of those phone deposit cards. I’ve been asked to remove the second deposit option that was listed here.
2:36am – Microgaming has pulled the software license with Tusk Investment Corporation which includes a few popular poker rooms including Battlefield Poker and RedNines. For a full list of sites you can visit mypokerprofit.com. It is unclear how these poker rooms will proceed as most of the poker sites affected are just as shocked as the players.
February 27
3:00am – In addition to my last post, the PPA published an article expressing the concerns of two more Senators regarding the ambigous nature of the proposed regulations of the UIGEA ( in which comments are now being viewed ). Both Senators Sununu and Domenici basically say the regulations are a cluster F#&$ and overblocking would undoubtedly occur. They are asking for “final rules to contain a list of restricted transactions and instances that are covered by the law and the corresponding rules.” There solution which goes on to talk about the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act all seems very confusing and I don’t see how it would solve any “overblocking” or logistical nightmares created by the UIGEA.
2:04am – According to CBS News, the Poker Players Alliance in contribution money last year in their efforts in lobbying to make online poker legal. Where did the money go? “Oldbookguy” a respected member over at twoplustwo did some investigation at opensecrets.org to find out where the money went towards. I give a brief review of what these companies do but they all seem to be broad governmental relations groups so it would be impossible to list exactly what each company did for the PPA.
- $480K went to Ogilvy Government Relations – (Use knowledgeable staff to represent corporations with regulatory concerns in Washington)
- $180K went to Patton Boggs LLP – (Firm specializing in litigation and works closely with Congress and regulatory agencies in Washington)
- $160K went to Park Strategies – (Founded by PPA’s Alfonse D’amato for public policies ranging from just about anything.)
- $60K went to Barnes & Thornburg – (One of the 100 largest law firms in the US)
- $60K went to Mattox Woolfolk LLC – (Government relations including grassroots campaign management)
February 24
2:35pm – Youtube has been crapping out on me but here is J. Todd’s Perspectives Weekly weekly video. From posts in the forum it sounds like he covers audits of affiliate sites and an announcement of a newly formed APCW social media site. Also in news this week was the announcement by the Poker Players of America who introduced a study bill (AB2026) which would attempt to legalize online poker in California via a loophole. Basically people living in CA would be able to play state run California poker sites. When I say legally, I mean no deposit restrictions which would mean credit cards and fish galore. In weekly traffic news PokerStars 7 day cash player average was 15,200, Full tilt with 7200, and Party poker in third with 5800 according to Pokerscout. I expect to see Full Tilt lose traffic because of unethical treatment towards affiliates and PokerStars to get even bigger because of this.
February 21
2:37pm – Bodog has introduced a new deposit and payout option in their cashier queue called “Rapid Transfer”. Minimum deposit is $100 and max is $2500. The only difference for cashouts is the max is $2k. It uses Moneygram instead of W.U. which is the difference between Rapid Transfer and ”Money Transfer” found in the bodog cashier. You’re only allowed one transfer per day. Bodog covers any charges for deposits over $200.
February 19
12:14am – Pappas and the Poker Players Alliance released a semi-statement on their plans for 2008. While it seems to outline the same tactics used as last year, it seems to focus more on a political side rather than gaining more members. Here is the article my author did on the 2008 PPA plans. More can also be found at PPA’s website.
February 17
12:40am – Here is this week’s episode of the Perspectives Weekly. Topics include supposed subpoenas issued to a poker site advertising operator (sites like ours, even though I think the article mentioned doesn’t have much credibility at this point), arrests in Israel, Bulgaria legalizing online gambling, and lastly a wonderful quote by President Bush.
February 15
2:47am – Mark Mendel, the Antigua and Barbuda attorney fighting in the WTO gambling dispute seems like a man who just won’t give up, or one who is being paid extremely well. In an article posted by the Antigua Sun he says he doesn’t expect the disappointing $21 million awarded to Antigua to affect the results of the second arbitration. He and WTO experts then go on to say that because the first ruling of compensation was based on horse racing solely, that the second arbitration will go much more in their favor, calling the first ruling “completely wrong”. Mendel says it will take 1-2 months for arbitration to begin and several more months for a ruling, but he plans to keep “soldiering” on.
February 13
11:14pm – Bodog is reporting they have cleared up their payment processor problem and players who were having problems cashing out will no longer have that problem. Latest reports over the past few days are suggesting that no more checks are bouncing for recently issued checks.
February 11
9:20am – Playtech is reporting a 101% increase in revenues when comparing previous years revenues while excluding any US generated money. The software is focused on European and Asian markets they announced today and is very confident in trading for 2008.
February 10
12:57am – There has been another online gambling bust, or should I say online sportsbook bust. The Gambino mob was indicted on 29 counts. This is another blow to the online gaming industry but it is still important to note, this involved sportsbetting not poker.
February 9
2:32pm – Here is J. Todd’s Perspectives Weekly video on how “Online gambling is considered a national security risk by the US”. 
February 5
10:44am – Viva la Party Poker in France. I was talking to an affiliate director from Partygaming this morning and she said PartyPoker will be re-entering France. This is expected to happen sometime in the first quarter of 2008. I can’t recall the exact date but about 6 months ago Party Poker IP blocked real money players in France like they did with US players. Considering France is such a big online poker market this should give a little bump to Party’s stock value if all comes to fruition.
February 2
2:55am – Antigua and Costa Rica are at it again according to Reuters. Antigua has asked the WTO to again arbitrate in the dispute over internet gambling, in which discussions with Antigua and the US continue despite the $21 million in sanctions given to Antigua. Costa Rica joined them, filing for arbitration by the Jan. 28th deadline. Yeeesh, anyone else starting to think this whole debacle will get dragged on for years and years to come?
A new tax revenue analysis conducted by Pricewaterhousecoopers says that internet gaming would generate $8.7 billion to $48 billion in tax revenues in the first 10 years. At least the numbers don’t have much variance. 
Congressman Mcdermott is urging Congress to support internet gambling legislation to recoup desperately needed tax dollars in this recent article by FoxBusiness news. (article removed by Fox)
And last but definitely not least in our weekly recap is J. Todd’s Perspectives Weekly video, filmed in London on location of the “Casino Affiliate Programs” conference. Props to J. Todd for getting this video done despite the long trip.
