Gambling and the Law

August 14, 2009

Massachusetts Residents Look to Get Online Poker on 2010 Ballot

If lawmakers won’t do it, masses of their constituents will. Some in Massachusetts know how the political system works and have launched an initiative to garner support for the regulation and taxation of internet poker in Massachusetts. The group of activists is reportedly led by Randall Castonguay, a 41-year old resident of the state who also holds the position of Massachusetts state director of the Poker Players Alliance. Read more

August 14, 2009

US Department of Justice Indicts Canadian Payment Processor

In June of 2009, the Southern District of New York ordered, by way of Assistant U.S. Attorney Arlo Devlin-Brown, a freeze on accounts held by three banks containing more than $30 million in online gaming funds. The case recently took a more serious turn when one Canadian man who ran a payment processor network was indicted by the same court on several federal felony charges. Read more

August 8, 2009

Menendez Introduces Internet Poker Bill to Senate

Since the introduction of Rep. Barney Frank’s online gaming bill was introduced to the House of Representatives in May, lobbying groups like the Poker Players Alliance have been busy lobbying Congress to support the legislation. But at the same time, Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) was working on his own bill, one that could be introduced to the Senate and focus solely on internet poker and other games of skill. And on August 6, he did just that with the Internet Poker and Games of Skill Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act of 2009. Read more

August 7, 2009

President and Founder Departs Poker Voters of America

Two years after founding the Poker Voters of America (PVOA) and leading the organization as its president, Jim Tabilio left the group to become a private sector lobbyists. Reportedly, his new duties will include advising gaming industry clients, governments, and regulatory agencies on public policy-friendly gaming solutions, but the move leaves PVOA with no leadership until the board of directors can make a decision in the coming months regarding a successor. Read more

August 2, 2009

Frank Bill Garners More Than 50 Cosponsors in Congress

Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) introduced his Internet Gambling Regulation Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act in May, and it has already garnered so much support by the end of July that it has more than 50 cosponsors and many more members of the House of Representatives considering attaching their names to it as well. Support for H.R. 2267 includes several Republicans and one Independent, which makes it an issue that transcends party lines and looks to gain more ground as hearings are set for September.When H.R. 2267 was first introduced, it was immediately co-sponsored by Rep. Read more

July 28, 2009

Accomplishments of the PPA During National Poker Week

The Poker Players Alliance announced it in June of 2009 and set out to accomplish quite a bit during National Poker Week. Not only was there to be an online poker petition delivered to President Barack Obama, but PPA state directors and poker pros planned to make a trip to Washington, D.C. between July 19 and 25 to lobby Congress for their support on pro-poker legislation. That week has now passed, and the PPA is calling it a rousing success. Read more

July 21, 2009

National Poker Week Plays Out

From the beginning of the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act), passed by Congress in 2006, the game has steadily been played like the original game between Jimmy the Greek and Johnny Moss; new cards are dealt and another hand is played out.  The game is in Washington D.C. this week and being played hand for hand during National Poker Week.Close to 100 meetings are being held with members of Congress and their aides. Read more