Let your mouth speak archive

BB King Blues Club, the hot spot on the Vegas Strip welcoming blues artists from around the country has filed for bankruptcy in an effort to revitalize the club and work through their $3.7 million debt.

The club, named after legendary blues singer B.B. King, is owned by the Beale Street Blues Company Las Vegas and owns a number of clubs throughout the United States including Orlando, Memphis, Nashville, West Palm Beach and Las Vegas.

The club chain has a long list of debts including their landlord, MGM Resorts International, which is claiming that they are owed $585,000 for the use of their property within the Mirage Hotel and Casino as well as many debtors which have provided services to the club, reported the Las Vegas Sun.

Many Vegas hotels and casinos have struggled to rise from the effects of the recession as well as the overwhelming amount of competition of entertainment venues in Las Vegas. The B.B. King Blues club hopes to recover from their debts and with $1.1 million in revenue raised so far this year.

The club welcomes big names in the Blues scene including Willie Nelson and Robert Cray and if visitors are lucky, they just may catch the King of Blues himself, Mr. B.B. King.

Rocker Ozzy Osbourne may not be the first person that would come to mind when seeking advice about health and romantic woes but that seems to be his latest occupation after taking on a gig with Rolling Stone Magazine as an advice columnist.

You can imagine all of the crazy stories Ozzy has accumulated over the years and with all of that life experience, he’s ready to help a few misguided souls with his words of wisdom. I’m not sure many people know exactly what those words may be but his fans will be in for a bit of a treat whether it’s useful advice or not.

In his most recent attempt to help an advice seeker, he warned the masses about the uses of LSD and touched on his personal experiences with the hallucinogenic. According to the SF Gate, he wrote, “LSD is a great time until it isn’t. One minute you’re running down Miami Beach with a foam finger on your head, the next you’re sticking a gun in your friend’s face. “

He claimed to still be suffering from the effects of the drug and experiencing flashbacks which he calls “wobblers” and claims that it can hit him at any time, making life difficult at times.

His advice to his reader who apparently is a big fan of the stuff was, “Seriously, man, be careful. If you keep taking that sh*t, it’s gonna bite you on the balls.”

You got that kiddos, sound advice from one guy who knows what he’d talking about and if you want to keep the flying monkeys away then stay away from the stuff.

A New York Post article has suggested that Governor Chris Christie is prepared to veto the bill to legalize online gambling in the state of New Jersey but others close to the situation disagree. Joe Brennan Jr, the President of iMEGA doesn’t believe the report is accurate and others directly involved with the bill expect Christie will sign the bill.

The dilemma which seems to be making Christie’s decision difficult, relates to Caesar’s opposition to the gambling bill. Caesar’s, which owns Caesar’s, Bally’s and Harrah’s casinos in Atlantic City also owns close to 40 casinos elsewhere in the United States, and runs Casino Windsor in Ontario, Canada. While the New Jersey bill would help their casinos in New Jersey, Caesar’s is pushing for a federal bill to overturn the UIGEA that would make internet gambling legal throughout the U.S. Without doubt Caesar’s believes that an online network available to all U.S. citizens would generate far more revenue for the company than the intrastate model being proposed by New Jersey and Caesar’s is concerned that if this bill is passed interest in pursuing a federal bill will dwindle. Moreover, even if other states follow New Jersey’s lead and legalize intrastate gambling, there are numerous states that Caesar’s has an interest in that will not follow suit which they believe in the end will hurt their aspirations. As well, with Ontario prepared to legalize online gambling, Caesar’s is likely hoping that Canadians will be able to bet into Caesar’s online network stateside also which would be impossible if only intrastate gambling is legalized.

William J Pascrell III ESQ, of the Princeton Public Affairs Group earlier stated that he believes Caesar’s had enough time to generate interest in a federal bill, and in spite of their efforts, have been unable to make much progress towards overturning the UIGEA and passing a federal online gambling bill. Barney Frank has had 2 bills on the table for nearly 2 years and even with the co-sponsors is nowhere close to passing HR2267. Moreover, the Republican domination in the recent midterm elections, combined with the change of leadership in the House of Representatives almost ensures online gambling will not be addressed federally for at least another 2 years. Hence, Pascrell thinks it’s time for New Jersey to move into plan B and introduce an intrastate gambling network.

There have also been rumours that Christie may be considering vetoing the bill because he has Presidential aspirations in 2012 and may be concerned that being linked to gambling could hurt his image. However, the New Jersey Senate and Assembly overwhelmingly passed the online gambling bill (including the support of numerous Republicans) so vetoing their decision, which technically represents the wishes of all New Jersey residents, could have even more damning results to his reputation.

Reports suggest that Christie only has until February 24th to veto the bill or it becomes law, but the legislature is set to go on recess on February 24th and the constitution allows him until the legislature returns to make the decision. Consequently, Christie really has until March to veto the bill should he choose. As well Christie also has the option of issuing a conditional veto where he can demand some changes to the law for it to take effect. This buys him more time but also allows him to eliminate any conditions of the bill he may not be comfortable with.

Christie may think he is between a rock and a hard place with the New Jersey gambling bill, but vetoing the bill outright and opposing the will of the New Jersey Senate and Assembly will almost certainly hurt his political career more than succumbing to pressures by Caesar’s.

Add Montana to the growing list of states that may turn to gambling expansion as a way to combat the economy. Two gambling expansion bills have been proposed this session, one in the House, and the other in the Senate.

The first piece of legislation, Senate Bill 361, unanimously passed the Senate Business and Labor Committee last month, by an 11-0 vote. The bill would update the video gaming laws in Montana and allow upgrades to the current machines being used in the state. The bill is aimed at bringing Montana up to speed within the gaming industry.

"We're getting to a place in Montana where we have machines that have been out there for twenty years," said Montana Gaming Advisory Councilman Mark T, Kennedy. "And it's like an old Volvo. It runs well, but you can't get parts for it anymore."

The other bill is considered to have little chance of passing. House Bill 423 would bring legalized blackjack to Montana. While the state has become more liberal in their views of gambling, many analysts believe that the blackjack addition would be too great of a change to the current gaming structure.

The advantages of legalized blackjack can be seen in several different states. Florida and Pennsylvania have both recently allowed blackjack, and the two states have received millions of dollars in tax revenue from the blackjack tables. Pennsylvania has also legalized craps, roulette, and other table games.

Montana has their fair share of gambling options, and some lawmakers believe that blackjack and other table games are simply the next progression in the movement towards full-scale casino gambling. Despite that belief, it is expected that the blackjack bill will fail this session.

When you make a $1K bet that you can score a date with former Friends star Jennifer Aniston, you probably have a pretty high level of confidence or just a lot of money to burn. Kutcher, who is currently married to Demi Moore, recently confessed on a talk show to placing the bet back when he was 17-years old and years later when he actually met Aniston and managed to ask her out, she turned him down. Someone got Punked….

Kutcher confessed to the wager while on the British talk show, “The Graham Norton Show” and spoke openly about how when he finally met Aniston, she was married to Brad Pitt and believe it or not, he had the guts to ask the guy for permission to take his wife out on the date.

Brad, who agreed and had absolutely no problem with the arrangement and told Kutcher, “You go for it.” So did Kutcher go ahead with it? Heck yeah he did but unfortunately he was turned down, which meant he lost the bet but they all still remain good friends.

Imagine the media storm that would surface if those two went out together. Well, now Aniston is single again but Kutcher is happily married to the forever-young Demi Moore so yeah, not going to happen.

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Reports out of New Jersey are now saying that the deadline for an online gambling and poker bill in New Jersey is March 3, not this Thursday as was originally reported.

The bill, which would permit Atlantic City casinos to establish online versions of their gaming operations open to anyone living in New Jersey, was passed by the state assembly last month with little problem. Bills in New Jersey can sit on the governor’s desk for up to 45 days before action must be taken on them, or they become law.

Feb. 24th is 45 days after the passage of the bill; however, Juliet Fletcher in the Press of Atlantic City reports that a legislative rule extends that deadline for the online gambling bill. (Read her entire story here). Because the New Jersey Assembly’s committees aren’t meeting again until March 3, Gov. Chris Christie does not have to act on the bill until that date.

The governor has several options available on the bill. He could sign it into law, at any time up to the March 3 deadline, or on March 3; he could veto the bill; or he could do nothing, and the bill would become law on March 4. If Christie vetoes it, then the Assembly can override his decision.

A story in the New York Post by Josh Kosman last week said Christie was leaning toward vetoing the bill, and that the legislators behind the bill would not try to override a veto. Christie, who many believe has aspirations for the presidency in 2012, could veto the bill so as not to link his name to online gambling, a stance that would be roughly in line with the base of the Republican Party.

However, the story in the Press of Atlantic City made the prospects of the bill sound more promising. Joe Brennan, the CEO of the Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Association, a lobbying group, said he believes Christie will sign the bill into law. A quote from the Press by Brennan: “We’ve spent 90 percent of our efforts working with lawmakers. The governor looks to be using all of the time available to study the legal issues, the job-creation issues, economic-development issues and how this fits into his plans to revitalize Atlantic City.”

Meanwhile a public opinion poll conducted by Fairleigh Dickinson University showed that the citizens of New Jersey are not fully behind the bill. A press release on the poll said that 67% of respondents opposed the bill that would allow online gambling and poker in the state, and just 26% were in favor of the bill. The lack of support for the bill came from across the political spectrum, as Democrats, Republicans and independents all opposed the bill by similar margins.

After averaging $1.6 million each week in table game revenue, Sands Casino in Pennsylvania will be expanding their gambling floor, bringing 139 new jobs to the Bethlehem area, according to The Morning Call.

The casino is looking to add 29 tables to the 100 already on the floor.

The additional tables will make Sands Casino in Bethlehem the second-largest table game floor in the state -- right behind Parx Casino.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board anticipates the table expansion to be approved by Thursday.

The Scandinavian online gambling marketplace has been in review by the governments of countries such as Norway Sweden, Denmark and others, with the hope that there will be reforms in the gambling laws in that region.
The European Union and the European Commission is making an effort to bring the member countries with gambling monopolies in line with a fair trade solution for e commerce and trade. Sweden and Norway are two Scandinavian countries with state owned online gambling monopolies that are having difficulty finding solutions to satisfy E.C. compliance.
Norway for example since July 2010 put in place financial blocking devices similar to those in the USA in an effort to discourage offshore betting by Norwegians. The state gambling monopoly Norsk Tipping, has released the results of a survey that suggests 4% of Norwegians that are of legal age still place bets on foreign gambling web sites.
Culture Minister of Norway, Anniken Huitfeldt, has publicly stated that tougher measures will be forthcoming to curb he use of offshore online gambling sites. Dagbladet the Norwegian newspaper reports that the tougher measures may include Internet Service Provider blocking or filtering of foreign online gambling operators. Huitfeldt, commented, "Such measures have been successfully used in Italy, Estonia and France, and the concept has found favour in Denmark."
As with most controversial measures that curtail people’s freedom of choice some of the liberal voices are crying foul and unfair. Ove Vanebo the Liberal leader has come out against the moves and has stated that it is impossible for politicians to do this to it citizens. Liberalen a publication backing the liberal point of view suggested that the introduction of ISP filtering is blatant internet censoring. The Liberalen editorial stated, "The proposal breaks completely with the liberal values that should be bipartisan consensus in Norway."

A new film about the online gambling industry is set to star Bruce Willis and a number of other Hollywood stars.

A number of entertainment news websites are reporting that a new film based upon the rise of online gambling in the late 1990s is set to star Bruce Willis and a number of other Hollywood stars. The film is to be directed by Steven Frears who has said that he hopes to begin filming in April as long as either Catherine Zeta-Jones or Justin Timberlake sign up for the film. The film’s plot is based upon Beth Raymer’s memoirs “Lay the Favourite”.

Frears is hoping that Zeta-Jones will take the part of Raymar, a cocktail waitress who becomes involved with a group of online sports betting enthusiasts. It has been confirmed that Willis will be playing an unlucky gambler named Dink. It is hoped that Justin Timerlake will take the part of the Long Island based head of an online sportsbook.

Should the film go ahead it will join a number of other films based upon the gambling industry. Other films in the genre include the 1970s Paul Newman classic “The Sting” and more recent examples such as the 2006 James Bond hit Casino Royale. However, until now online sports gambling has not featured much in the film industry. Instead films have been focusing on land based gambling such as the film

“21” which is about casino blackjack and films about poker such as “Rounders” and “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels”. The most famous appearance of sports betting in a film is probably in the 1995 Scorsese film “Casino” in which Robert DeNiro played the part of the Chicago bookmaker Sam “Ace” Rothstein.

Better to have tried and failed than never to have tried at all. Does not make sense to ask out a married girl in the first place.

Governor Robert Riley will be remembered in Alabama for his clear focus on ridding the state of gambling. The governor used much of his resources while in office for going after gaming establishments, causing thousands of Alabamians to lose their job along the way.

With the job not completed by the time he left office, Riley decided to give incoming Attorney General Luther Strange some ammunition in the fight against gambling. Riley transferred almost $8 million to the new AG, funds that came from BP, in an effort to ensure his gambling legacy would be carried out.

The funds were marked for the use of paying the state's litigation fees in gambling related cases in both 2011 and 2012. The issue has become contentious at the state capital where some lawmakers believe that money would have been better served in trying to create jobs for unemployed Alabama residents.

After the controversy broke, Governor Robert Bentley weighed in with his thoughts on the issue, and according to Bentley's Communication Director, Rebekah Caldwell, the attorney general was asked to return the funds to the state. AG Strange has reportedly agreed to do so.

Bentley is anti-gambling, but he has not been as aggressive towards its elimination in the early part of 2011. The governor disbanded the Task Force on Illegal Gambling, and turned over the issue to the attorney general. Strange has already negotiated a deal with electronic bingo machine manufacturers that calls for the manufacturers to pull the machines out of Alabama.

The gambling debate has been one of the most controversial topics in Alabama over the past several years. Lawmakers have been split on how to proceed with the issue in the future, with some wanting regulation, and others seeking to follow Riley's lead and rid the state of gambling completely. Alabama is one of the only states in the country that has not expanded gambling in some form in recent years.

Once a state starts gambling expansion, it very rarely turns away from further expansion. That is the situation in West Virginia, a state that has expanded their gaming industry in recent years. Now, the Senate is moving forward with legislation that would expand gambling even further.

The Senate Judiciary Committee passed legislation by a voice vote on Wednesday that will allow gamblers to bet more when they go to West Virginia casinos. The Greenbrier, which recently opened a new casino, would gain the right to offer off-track horse racing at their facility if the bill passes.

West Virginia casinos have been struggling not only because of the economic recession, but also due to increased competition. Other states such as Maryland have added casinos for the first time, while Pennsylvania and some other Northeastern states have expanded their gaming offerings. In each case, it has been West Virginia casinos that have been hurt.

Currently, the slot limit at casinos in the state is $5. If this bill passes that limit would be eliminated and gamblers would be free to play at much higher stakes. This part of the legislation would allow West Virginia to compete with Pennsylvania and Ohio, where there are no maximum bet limits.

Ohio casinos will be particularly troubling for West Virginia facilities. In Ohio, there has never been any form of casino gambling, so residents have always had to travel out of state to enjoy their gambling entertainment. With four new casinos being built in Ohio, residents of the state will no longer need to travel.

The amount of cash accepted in slot machines is also at issue. The new legislation would allow gamblers to enter $50 and $100 bills. Currently, only smaller denomination bills are accepted. The next step for the bill is to pass the Senate Finance Committee.

More than $25 billion dollars are wagered online at offshore gambling web sites each year -- with $6 billion coming from United States players, even though there is a federal law against it.

Internet gambling is untaxed and unregulated in the U.S., but now New Jersey lawmakers want a piece of the action. They have passed a bill legalizing Web betting and are waiting to see if the governor will sign it.

Under the bill, the gambling websites would be based at Atlantic City's 11 casinos, which would share in the profits. Players would have to prove they are state residents before they could legally gamble online.

Under the bill, New Jersey casinos could see profits of more than $300 million a year, while the state would collect an estimated $28 million.

Gov. Chris Christie has not signed onto the bill yet, but may be feeling pressure from New Jersey’s projected $10 billion deficit. And if signed into law, the legislation could provide thousands of new jobs for the state.

National gaming company Caesar’s Entertainment hopes the entire country will soon play online, even though some concerns within the industry need to be addressed.

“Even if all the states move to pass laws, you still have not fixed the problem that you have a huge industry operating outside U.S. law with no consumer protections or oversight,” said Jan Jones Blackhurst, Caesar’s senior vice president of corporate communications and government relations.

Lindsay Lohan is headed to court today to face the charges that she stole a necklace from a Venice Beach jewelry store. She is reportedly expected to take a plea bargain in her felony grand theft case, but prosecutor Danette Meyers is gunning for jail time, while Lohan thinks she should remain free.

TMZ is reporting that the judge in the case agrees with Meyers, and will obviously be the deciding factor in arguments between Lohan's lawyer, Shawn Holley and Meyers.

It is unclear to this blogger, however, why Holley would say that her client will accept a plea deal when Lohan steadfastly refuses to do jail time.

Reportedly, Judge Schwartz will recommend that Lohan do jail time for the probation violation and three years felony probation for the grand theft case – meaning, if Lindsay gets in trouble during that three-year period (which is likely, considering her track record), she'll go to state prison.

Meanwhile, surveillance footage of Lohan leaving the store wearing the necklace will be shown to Holley for the first time. The footage from the store apparently reveals the troubled actress wearing the necklace around the store, then leaving with it on. When the store reported the $2,500 necklace missing, police obtained a warrant to search Lohan’s home, but the piece was turned over by Lohan's assistant before they could do so.

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BOOKMAKERS IN Northern Ireland could open on Sundays, ending a decades-old ban, under proposed legislation.

A draft law governing betting, which has been put out for consultation, would bring Northern Ireland into line with bookies’ practices in the Republic and in Britain.

Gambling is already allowed on-track at Sunday race meetings and online and the Stormont Minister for Social Development Alex Attwood believes the law needs to be brought up to date.

The SDLP Minister is proposing bookies pay a levy to fund charities that help those with chronic and addictive gambling problems. One person in 50 in the North has a gambling problem, more than four times the figure in Britain.

Announcing his proposals and the consultation process, Mr Attwood said: “My priority will be the public interest; striking a balance between developing gambling as a leisure pursuit and minimising its harmful effects. These have been the standards I have adopted and am adopting in regulating other industries including the drinks industry and the shops trade.”

Mr Attwood is proposing a new statutory social responsibility code of conduct for bookies. He is also is proposing his own department could become the single regulator for gambling. At present licensing and enforcement is shared by the courts, the North’s 26 district councils and the PSNI.

The Minister believes the law is outdated and needs to reflect current leisure practice. He has been criticised by Sunday observance groups for his stance on the liberalising of Sunday shopping and drinking.

But his proposals have been welcomed by figures in the gambling industry. A spokesman for Paddy Power, which operates a chain of eight betting shops in the greater Belfast area, said his company “would be a great supporter” of liberalisation.

The race to the Academy Awards has began and Sunday, live from the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, the stars will arrive hoping to strike some Oscar gold.

If you're hoping to also walk away a winner on Oscar night, the Bodog Sportsbook has enticing Oscar odds for you to sink your teeth into.

For Best Actress, Natalie Portman is Bodog's favorite to win at 1/12. Annette Bening follows behind at 13/2 for her role in The Kids Are All Right. In fact, although Portman is the heavy favorite, Bening has a legitimate shot since she's Hollywood royalty and has been nominated by the Academy and lost three other times. Perhaps 2011 is finally her year? If you're looking to make some serious cash, you could try betting on the Best Actress longshots like Michelle Williams, for her portrayal as a woman in a failed marriage in Blue Valentine, as well as Nicole Kidman, who plays a mother in mourning in Rabbit Hole – both actresses have 66/1 odds in the Bodog Sportsbook.

Colin Firth is the overwhelming 1/33 favorite to win Best Actor for his starring role as the stammering King George VI in The King's Speech. Bodog's oddsmakers are betting that Firth's win is pretty much a lock. Far on his heels is James Franco for his depiction of a man who severs his own arm in 127 Hours at 18/1. Bodog is betting that longshots Jeff Bridges in Coen brothers True Grit and Javier Bardem in Biutiful don't stand a chance at 33/1 and 40/1 respectively. The Social Network's Jesse Eisenberg sits somewhere in the middle at 25/1.

The Fighter co-stars Christian Bale (1/7) and Melissa Leo (4/11) are both expected to pick up the Best Supporting Oscars. In The Fighter, Leo plays a momager with a bite, while Bale's portrays a drug-addicted former boxer. Bother performances make the duo Bodog's favorites to win.

And Best Picture is slated to go to The King's Speech with 2/9 odds in the Bodog Sportsbook. At 7/2, The Social Network follows closely behind. If you're serious about a gamble and think there's a chance these films won't prevail, Winter's Bone and Toy Story 3 are the staggering 150/1 longshots. 127 Hours has 100/1 odds – so there's a chance to make a lot of money.

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According to a new report published by Global Betting and Gaming Consultants, the online gambling industry has grown by 12% over the course of the last year. The industry has shown significant signs of improvement since 2009, but there has yet to be solid proof and financial figures support the claim.

The report reveals that the online gambling industry is now worth $29.3 billion, with sportsbetting account for 41% of that total. The combination of online casino and online poker websites accounts for 46%. Recently, bingo has also contributed to these numbers, earning $1.3 billion over the course of 2010.

Over the course of the next three years, online gambling is expected to generate more than $40 billion. Global Betting and Gaming Consultants this statistic will be obtained with the help of previously unregulated online gambling markets. As interests grows in the industry, so do profits. Some of 2010’s performance is likely due to the sheer number of countries that regulated their online gambling markets during the year.

The firm also believes that online gambling is gaining more of a mainstream audience and is becoming less taboo. Poker has gained a huge cult following and is now making it into the mass media, garnering a great deal of attention for the industry at large. From here, things can only go up for the online casino industry.

While Californians voted last year not to tax and legalize marijuana to help solve the state's financial problems, two Democratic state senators and a Republican congressman are betting that residents are ready instead to embrace legal online gambling as a way to generate jobs and revenue.

Supporters of online gambling say that the recession - and California's $26.6 billion budget deficit - have improved the prospects of tapping the state's estimated 500,000 online poker players to eventually bring the state $100 million a year in tax revenue and 1,100 to 3,000 new tech-related jobs.

At the same time, a recent survey showed that a strong majority of Californians - 66 percent - would back state regulation and taxation of online poker profits. The survey of 600 voters was done by San Francisco pollster Ben Tulchin for Indian gambling organizations and cardrooms.

"For the first time, I have real hope," said Tom Goldstein, a Washington attorney who has long worked on gaming issues. "I think we'll see either state or federal legislation in the next 18 months."
Offshore gambling

Federal prohibitions on financial transactions connected to online gambling means that Internet gamers now must use offshore sites if they want to wager - and none of that cash can generate tax revenue or jobs.

The interest in legal online gambling in California comes as the New Jersey Legislature has approved a bill to legalize online poker that awaits the consideration of Gov. Chris Christie. Regardless of what the Republican governor does, the bill has caused a rush among competing state and federal online gaming supporters to get legislation passed.

In Sacramento, one of two bills to legalize online poker and other games got a boost in the Legislature in recent days when it received the blessing of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association - a collection of 29 tribes that are among the state's largest.

A bill by Sen. Lou Correa, D-Santa Ana, would allow California card clubs, racetracks or Indian casinos to host online poker. In the 2009-10 fiscal year, the state received $370 million from tribal casino compacts.

At the same time, a bill sponsored by state Sen. Roderick Wright, D-Inglewood (Los Angeles County), would include games other than poker and would allow businesses other than California tribes, racetracks or card clubs to apply for licenses.
House bill

In Washington next month, self-described "libertarian-leaning Republican" Rep. John Campbell of Newport Beach (Orange County) will join Massachusetts Democratic Rep. Barney Frank to introduce a bill that would lift federal restrictions to online gambling.

It will be similar to a measure that the Democratic-controlled House Finance Committee passed 41-22 last year with seven Republican votes.

Campbell remains optimistic, even though the House is now controlled by his fellow Republicans. He could attract Tea Party support describing it as "freedom issue" and as a matter of consumer protection.

"I don't think this is something we should be banning or making illegal," Campbell said. "Americans want to gamble online and they're doing it now in droves, but they're using offshore sites that don't provide anything for the economy of the United States and don't provide any protections for these people who are gambling."

In addition, he said, offshore gamblers "don't know if they're going to be paid or not."

To conservatives who are morally opposed to gambling, Campbell said online gaming "is already happening. All you need now is Internet access and a checkbook."

While Correa said he thinks support for legal online gambling is building, he said passing legislation "is not going to be easy." Previous bills to legalize it in California went nowhere.
No regulations

Online poker is essentially an unregulated, underground economy, which means there isn't a consensus about how many people are playing, how much they are spending, or how much tax revenue could be generated with regulation. And there's a split about whether it is better to approve online gambling on a state-by-state basis or nationally.

"We have some concerns with the state-by-state approach," said John Pappas, executive director of the 1.2 million-member Poker Players Alliance, which is pushing for federal legislation.

Poker players want to play in the widest possible pool - and no individual state could provide that, Pappas said.

But San Francisco pollster Tulchin, whose survey of online players found they wouldn't be deterred by a state-only pool, said, "We're not talking about Rhode Island here. California has more poker players than anyplace in the country."

Everyone thought the decision by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on what action he would take regarding the Internet gambling bill on his desk would be made by Feb. 24, because that date marked 45 days after the legislation was passed by the State Assembly.

Christie has decided that he actually has until March 3 to make the decision. That isn't an extension. The governor's office claims a legislative recess in New Jersey gives him the extra time, according to Interactive Media Entertainment and Gaming Association chairman Joe Brennan Jr.

The bill would establish intrastate Internet gambling in New Jersey, including online poker, operated out of Atlantic City casinos. Christie has the options to sign the bill, veto it, veto it conditionally by sending it back to the legislature with instructions, or letting the time elapse, in which case it will become law on March 4. Brennan believes that no one knows what the governor is going to do. He said Christie is taking time to understand all sides of the issue and notes that the legislature had the bill for the better part of a year and that Christie has only had it since Jan. 10.

"I've heard people say they heard the governor is going to veto the bill," Brennan said. "Our people are as close to the governor as anybody and they don't know what he's going to do because the governor hasn't indicated to any party of this what he's going to do. Anyone saying they know, they're not involved in anything but rumors and prognostication."

Brennan particularly begrudges an article printed in the New York Post last week, which quoted sources as saying that after intense lobbying Christie was unlikely to approve the measure. The Post then quoted a "source close to the situation" as saying "My gut tells me he is not going to sign."

Brennan said the article was "stupid," "based on nothing," and public relations rather than news. He also said he believes it doesn't play well in the governor's office that the article seems to indicate Christie is caving under pressure from Caesar's Entertainment.

The NY Post article quoted Democratic State Sen. Raymond Lesniak, who sponsored the bill, as saying he would not attempt to override a veto. Although the bill passed by overwhelming margins in both state houses, enough to override a veto with a two-thirds vote, it makes sense that Republicans in the legislature would support their Republican governor by not allowing a veto to be overturned.

Brennan estimates the bill could generate $7 billion in annual revenue, 57,000 jobs and $472 million in annual tax revenue to boost the struggling Atlantic City economy.

He did it, he finally did it! Two and a Half Men actor Charlie Sheen has finally caused enough friction with the show’s creator Chuck Lorre and CBS to put an end to the show for the rest of the season. After calling in to the Alex Jones Radio Show, Charlie seemed to develop verbal diarrhea as he made a few shocking comments about his employers, his ex-wife, his ability to magically remain sober and the rant went on and on until CBS just decided to shut down production.

Charlie’s behavior has been in the spotlight for quite some time now due to his uninhibited behavior involving hookers, blow and well, that about sums it up. During the radio show, Charlie just seemed to unload all the pressure he’s been feeling from the media and started by commenting on his recent efforts to stay clean by saying, “Here’s your first pee test, the next one goes in your mouth and no, you won’t get high.”

In regards to his “goddesses” (porn star gal pals) and his ex-wife Brook Muller who were all spending time in the Bahamas when this took place, “There were four, now there are three, “Good luck on your travels, you’re going to need it….badly.” Brooke left the group and why she would join them is odd but apparently she is now out of the picture.

Going on to “Two and Half Men” creator Chuck Lorre, he completely bashed the guy calling him a clown, turd and referred to Chuck’s real name, “Haim Levine”. In an interview with TMZ, Sheen also went on to call him a stupid, stupid little man and a p**sy punk that I’d never want to be like.”

So I guess that means that he just flushed his $1.8 million per episode gig down the toilet or will the studios decide to keep him on for another season? Is the guy really worth it?

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