Online Casino + Poker Posts

Founding Partner Jeff Ifrah: Why the DOJ Settlement With Poker Stars is a Win-Win

Sep 7, 2012

Founding Partner Jeff Ifrah: Why the DOJ Settlement With Poker Stars is a Win-Win

When online gaming is successful, Ifrah says, players participate in all aspects of the industry – including in the casinos. This is a great development for the gaming industry and great for business and for the nation’s economy.

Department of Justice Enters Historic Agreement with PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker

Jul 31, 2012

Department of Justice Enters Historic Agreement with PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker

Full Tilt Poker, PokerStars, and the U.S. Department of Justice announced today that PokerStars will acquire Full Tilt Poker’s assets in a transaction that ends the DOJ’s civil forfeiture case against Full Tilt.  Both Full Tilt and PokerStars ran online poker sites in the U.S., and in 2011 the DOJ charged both of them with…

After Legislature Acts, Delaware Ready to Become 2nd State to Legalize Online Gaming

Jun 29, 2012

After Legislature Acts, Delaware Ready to Become 2nd State to Legalize Online Gaming

Delaware is now poised to become the second state to legalize online gaming. On Wednesday, that state’s Senate passed a bill that would legalize web table games, including poker, video lottery games, and traditional lottery games to be offered online. Democratic Governor Jack Markell supports the bill and is expected to sign it into law…

New York Mah Jong Ruling May Help Cause of Online Poker

Jan 29, 2012

New York Mah Jong Ruling May Help Cause of Online Poker

Mah Jong, the ancient Chinese tile-based table game, can now count itself as a winner in the old debate of games of skill vs. games of chance, according to a New York state judge, who recently ruled that the game demands more than luck. On January 4, 2012, Criminal Court Judge John H. Wilson declared…

New DOJ Opinion Paves Way to Legal Online Poker

Dec 26, 2011

New DOJ Opinion Paves Way to Legal Online Poker

On December 23, 2011, the U.S. Department of Justice revealed that it has reversed a long-held position by stating that the Wire Act applies only to sports betting. This marks a major change in policy for DOJ, which has long contended that the Wire Act prohibits all forms of Internet gambling, including poker. Late that…

DC Attorney General Testifies That DC Online Gaming Law Does Not Violate Federal Law

Jun 30, 2011

DC Attorney General Testifies That DC Online Gaming Law Does Not Violate Federal Law

The D.C. Council held a hearing on June 29, 2011, to discuss the implementation of a new law that is scheduled to go into full effect on Sept. 8, allowing legal online gaming within the D.C city limits. This would make the District of Columbia the first jurisdiction in the United States to legalize online…

New House Bill May Open Door to Legal Online Poker

Jun 26, 2011

New House Bill May Open Door to Legal Online Poker

The momentum toward federal legalization of online poker took a significant step forward on Friday, June 24, when Rep. Joe Barton (R-Tex.) held a press conference to discuss the details of his legalization bill. The “Internet Gambling Prohibition, Poker Consumer Protection, and Strengthening UIGEA Act of 2011” would both legalize online poker and create a…

Online Poker Finds New Supporter on the Hill

Jun 17, 2011

Online Poker Finds New Supporter on the Hill

Legalization of online poker has found a new and unlikely supporter on Capitol Hill. Rep. Joe Barton (R-Tex.), an outspoken conservative, has announced that he will support legalization and is planning some parliamentary maneuvers to try to get it to the House floor eventually. It turns out that in addition to being a conservative, Rep….

Barney Frank’s Advice to Poker Players After ‘Black Friday’

May 9, 2011

Barney Frank’s Advice to Poker Players After ‘Black Friday’

In the wake of the catastrophic consequences of last month’s “Black Friday” for online poker players in the United States, many players are wondering about their next step. Pocketfives.com recently interviewed Congressman Barney Frank and although he agreed that is “difficult to figure out what to do,” he still had some concrete advice for the…

What’s Next for Online Poker Players?

May 5, 2011

What’s Next for Online Poker Players?

Online poker players in the U.S. were shaken on April 15 when the federal government shut down the country’s three biggest poker websites. Suddenly, players were without their favorite sites and could not access the funds that they kept there. Now, players are beginning to pick up the pieces. Since there is no federal law…