July and August of 2011
August 19, 2011
– So now we have pretty big news being reported on the “Debt Super Committee”, as a way to possibly secure legalized online poker. Among the reports being published, many believe corrupt Senator Jon Kyl and Harry Reid could possibly include, among many other things, internet poker in an effort to raise capital to help fund the massive US debt relief. It is quite disgusting that one man has so much power over a mult-billion dollar business, and the only reason they would consider it would be to raise “debt money”. It’s no surprise so many countries hate Americans when these scum bag government officials “represent” us.
August 9, 2011
– The Merge Network (Carbon, Lock, Pokerhost etc) will re-open to new US players within 2 weeks announced a rep for the company today. We will keep you posted.
August 8, 2011
– Well apparently Full Tilt has paid some backed fees to their licensee, about $400k. Hopefully all this BS gets resolved soon and everybody gets their cash.
July 26, 2011
– The Bodog “Brand” will be leaving the US towards the end of the year. Dont worry, it is just the brand name of Bodog that is leaving. Basically you will be placing bets, playing poker etc, at Bodog but just under a new domain name. Pretty much everything will be the same including your account and everything will be just transferred to the new domain they will use for the USA market. I personally like this move, Bodog is not the type of site that is run like Full Tilt Poker where many are waiting to get paid, they are run more like Pokerstars where they have plenty of cash on hand to play players in the event of seizures etc.
Also, the hearing for Full Tilt Poker has been delayed to September 15th so that Full Tilt Poker can get investments in order, bla bla bla…
July 26, 2011
– Keep an eye on Egaming Review tomorrow. They will be covering the Full Tilt poker case live…
July 15, 2011
– A very large brand of casino sites are set to vanish into the sunset at the end of the month. While the news hasn’t been officially reported on, the brands run by the “casino coins” network will shut down all of their online casinos. They have been one of the largest US facing casino networks since the UIGEA. From what I was told, it’s basically a “get out while you’re ahead” type of thing. I am sure players will get the email shortly to withdraw funds. The sites will eventually go to a dead page, even their sports domains such as VIP dot com and Nine dot com, both profitable domain names in their own right.
July 15, 2011
– Word on the street is that Merge is ….on the merge of allowing new US customers again. Pocketfive rumors are reporting 2 weeks. This is great news for the essentially dead US market in comparison to a few months ago. Some steps that you can see already are that places like Carbon poker (on merge) has changed from dot (com) to dot (ag). Lock Poker has followed suit in changing to dot (eu). Also, some important news recap video on the most recent poker bills are being reported by J. Todd. Good for cliff notes if you haven’t been following.
July 13, 2011
There have been so called “confirmed reports” that Absolute Poker is in talks to get their license back from Kahnawake. My hopes are still abismal, at least its a sliver of hope that we get our funds back from AP/UB. I’m not really sure why they’re trying to regain their license, it’s not like anyone would play there ever again with the way they’ve handled or “lack of handled” this whole thing.
July 8, 2011
Reports from eGaming Review came in today that the investors are likely to lock the deal and take over Full Tilt Poker as early of next week. Among this they will negotiate with the DOJ. All signs are point towards players getting their money back shortly! Unfortunately the source of the news is Jeff Ifrah, the same lawyer who contacted me on behalf of Pokerstars owner demanding I take down an article stating Isai Sheinberg was wanted by the DOJ. Do I trust this guy, not at all, do I trust lawyers in general, not at all. All in all a positive step forward for what Full Tilt/investors are surely trying to resolve literally asap and around the clock.
July 7, 2011
The American Gaming Association will be introducing their poker only legalization bill shortly they have announced. For the most part, same stuff, different day. Some notables are that the bill would bar sites for a couple years that did not exit the US after the UIGEA. The bill is expected early fall.
July 4, 2011
It appears once Full Tilt Poker gets financing to payout US players (which it has been reported to be doing so) they will be allowed back their gaming license from Alderny. This will allow them to offer real money games again, but not to the USA. Also, whatever it means, the appearance at the WSOP is up 10%, I witnessed someone get beat to death outside the cosmopolitan casino. I tried to stop it but he looked pretty dead to me. They were not poker players as far as I know at least. Good old Vegas.
July 3, 2011
Also, a class action lawsuit is brewing against Absolute Poker according to Gambling911. If this source is correct, “outside means” are being taken as well against owners.
July 3, 2011
I received an email this morning asking to cover the Barton Bill more. To be honest, it is basically the same as all the other bills to come our way, and will only change as it progresses. I wasn’t really posting about it as I figured readers were sick of hearing about the endless supply of bills since 2006. Anyways some things worth noting are the 21 year old age limit, no use of credit cards, and a US only environment meaning no play on a worldwide scale ( I don’t believe this would be in the final bill). I believe this bill only has a chance because of what just happened (black friday). Needless to say, the morale of US poker site players is low, frozen funds, no trust in any site they play, and constant problems with depositing at the few sites that are left. There really is no better time to pass a bill to regulate internet poker in the US to look as if they are “protecting us”. Most who read my posts are informed but in reality the general public thinks its the poker sites fault. Unfortunately it’s my belief the government shouldn’t of had any say in the matter to begin with. US Government and gambling money are a combination that spells corruption dating back since inception. Anyways, I will be heading to the WSOP today to watch the main event go under way and see what’s going on. At this time I feel the bill is a pipe dream to pass this year, but what do I know. 
July 1, 2011
It appears that the $150 million dollars tied up in Full Tilt Poker owed to US customers might actually get released. News sources are saying that Full Tilt is going to be sold to a European investors in order to raise the capital so that you can cashout. Oh yeah, Phil Ivey dropped his lawsuit…go figure! Now all they have to do is pay $150million, the fine ~$3bill being sought by the 3 poker sites, and get their website back up after being shut down for breach of their license! I can’t imagine Full Tilt Poker has too many friends right now in the US or in Europe with all the funds being in limbo. I hope they’re prepared for the massive withdraws by both European and US customers.
