Let your mouth speak archive

SINGAPORE: It would be better for governments to license and regulate the online gambling industry than to turn a blind eye to the growing number of online punters worldwide, a PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) report released on Wednesday argued.

This, especially as the global financial crisis strains public sector finances, it said.

"With governments now facing severe fiscal constraints and eager to replenish their coffers, their attention has been caught by the potential of legalised and licensed online gaming services as a valuable source of tax revenues," it said.

"There is also a strong argument that, since consumers will engage in illegal online gaming anyway, it is better to license and tax it than to allow the revenues to go to unlicensed operators."

There are no studies on how big the online gaming community here is, but Singapore is one of the fastest growing casino gaming markets in the Asia-Pacific region, which is tipped to overtake the United States in 2013 to become the world's largest region for casino gaming.

Gaming revenue in Asia-Pacific, the PwC report projected, will grow from US$34.3 billion (S$43.96 billion) last year to US$79.3 billion in 2015. It also estimated that revenues from the two integrated resorts here will jump from US$4.4 billion this year to US$7.2 billion in 2015.

Online gambling is outlawed in Singapore but Singapore Pools allows punters to place lottery or sports bets through the phone using pre-paid accounts.

Noting that there is "tremendous growth in online gaming, especially in poker", gaming analyst Jonathan Galaviz felt that governments in the region should certainly seize the growth opportunities.

"It's probably an appropriate time for governments to, at the minimum, seriously research the issue and get up to speed on the topic for thoughtful policy discussions," said the chief economist of Galaviz & Co, a consulting firm for casinos.

But other gaming analysts Today spoke to were against such a policy decision, saying legalising online gambling will likely cause a significant social impact.

Said Mr Felix Ling, a senior partner at casino consultant Platform Asia Management Services: "Once you allow online gambling, you are indirectly encouraging more people to flock there.

"Yes, there are some people who are already gambling on the Internet anyway, but how many are there? If you legitimise online gambling, the number of problem gamblers will shoot up and you can't even track the problem or control it."

Agreeing, Dr Derek da Cunha, author of Singapore Places its Bets, a book on the social and economic impact of the entry of casinos into Singapore, said: "If the Government were to legalise online gaming, it would simply give respectability to this activity. A consequence of that would be to draw new or novice players who would not otherwise engage in online gaming."

He added that the social consequences would be "incalculable, especially when people who are supposed to be at work, use their computers or handheld mobile devices to start punting".

Dr da Cunha also noted that Singapore is not in a situation where it has to find new sources of tax revenues to plug significant budget deficits.

He said: "Government finances are healthy, and the Government already has a raft of revenue streams that draw in vast amounts of monies for the Government's coffers."

The Obama Justice Department scored the first conviction under a 2006 law that outlaws online gaming, including poker. More convictions may be coming. But monied interests are pushing Congress to scrap the law.



Five years after Congress outlawed gambling on the Internet, the Justice Department has finally scored its first conviction under the law. And just in time.

Powerful and wealthy political forces are pushing Congress to repeal the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. They even hope to slip a repeal measure quietly into a bill as Congress rushes to pass legislation this month.

In addition, a few cash-strapped states are moving toward legalizing this highly addictive type of gambling within their borders.

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The conviction under that act came Monday as a federal jury in Boston found Todd Lyons guilty of violating the federal ban on using US banks to pay Internet gambling debts incurred by American citizens. He and codefendant Daniel Eremian were also convicted on related charges. The two of them, along with two other men who remain fugitives, ran a large gambling ring based out of the Caribbean island of Antigua that catered to gamblers along the East Coast.

This successful endorsement of the act by a court will come in handy as more prosecutions are sought. Next March, a trial begins against top executives of PokerStars and Full Tilt, two major offshore gambling businesses shut down by the Justice Department last April. (Full Tilt was charged with operating “a Ponzi scheme” that bilked bettors.)

The prosecution has already had preliminary skirmishes in court over the issue of whether poker is really a game of skill. Fortunately, the Justice Department has come down on the side of those who say it is a game of chance – despite some recent waffling on that point by Attorney General Eric Holder.

Congress was clear on the act dealing with games of chance. And after all, remember the Kenny Rogers country song about knowing “when to fold ’em” in a poker game. The song title is “The Gambler.”

Justice officials have also helped the antilegalization cause by suggesting that La Cosa Nostra has infiltrated the shadowy world of online poker. If organized crime is eyeing this potential industry, all the more reason to ban it.

Momentum to overturn the act picked up steam last year when major casinos, which once feared any competition from the Internet, jumped on board. Sen. Harry Reid (D) of Nevada and Senate majority leader also flip-flopped. Since then, a powerful lobby for legalization has grown larger, even hiring a former FBI director and a former Homeland Security chief.

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The monied interests behind legalization know that Internet gambling would come with many social problems – especially among teens, who could not easily be deterred from using such websites. Hearings in the House this fall revealed the extent of the potential problem and how Internet gambling would require extensive regulation.

Simply stopping Internet gambling is the best course. And now the Justice Department is fully on board.

The online gambling market in Germany could be worth as much as €1bn according to a new report published today by industry intelligence and analysis service GamblingData.

The German Gambling Market Report - one of a series published this year by GamblingData analysing the gaming outlook for a number of countries including France, Greece, Spain and Canada - maps the current landscape in the German gaming sector following the interstate gambling treaty introduced at the start of 2008.

The controversial treaty, due to expire at the end of this year, saw a blanket ban in the country on online gambling yet despite this, the new report from GamblingData values the German online market at between €760m and €960m.

"Despite the dark clouds of recession gathering over much of Europe at the moment, this new report suggests the online German gaming market is in rude health," said Scott Longley, GamblingData managing editor.

"And this, despite online gaming having been made all but illegal in Germany under the terms of the interstate gambling treaty, makes the findings of this report which values the industry at just shy of €1bn, hugely significant."

He added: "However, with the treaty coming to an end at the end of this month the German gaming industry is at a significant regulatory crossroads, with some important decisions to be made by the 16 federal states early in the new year. The number of licences issued and the severity of the taxation regime agreed upon will shape the short to medium term future of the industry and determine the rate at which the industry continues to grow."

Understanding the game is paramount when putting some real money on the line and for novice online gamblers the choice is fantastic. Whether a beginner wants the thrill of letting the random number generator to do the work or the sports observer who thinks for themselves and places wagers on their team it still is a difficult world to negotiate.

Online gambling should be taken sort of seriously because after all, wagering is not a way to make a quick buck in spite of instinct and hunches the fun begins when we play with only what we can afford to spend. This simple rule avoids a lot of heartache later. Knowing the terms for bonuses is handy for the novice when it comes time to cash out. It is best to read the terms and conditions before hitting that accept button.

Sports betting can be especially interesting because the punter can play so many different ways. When it comes to betting on football and basketball, a bettor must have a solid understanding of the point spread if they hope to have a profitable season. The point spread is a handicap placed on one team, for betting purposes only, and it is designed to give both teams in any game an equal chance at winning in the eyes of sports bettors. When two teams come together on the playing field or on the basketball court, one team is usually a better team than the other. If all sports gamblers had to do was to pick the winning team in a game, everybody would simply wager on the best team and collect their money.
As an example lets say the best team in the league is set to play the worst team. One would think that would be an easy win but the odds makers for betting purposes create the over or under points spread so that both teams are attractive bets. The best team must win by so many points or the worst team must loose by so many points. If they tie all bets are refunded. Its simple and fun to keep tabs on.

A resolution on Internet gambling has been decided by the European Union and all parties are working together

Since coming out with a resolution on online gaming about a month ago, the EU and member countries seem to be compromising and working together. The European Parliament established that each of the European Union member countries must comply with new laws regarding online gambling. They stated that any nation that controls entr?e to the gaming in their state will be liable. For many in the industry and for general folks as well, this is good news.

One of the reasons behind the new resolution is a few member states were inclined to treat their gaming market as protected, especially with anything to do with online gaming. They were loath to allow foreign operators in as well. This proved to be monopolistic in the view of many, and the EU is set up to be an open marketplace. Thus the EU and its policy-setting bodies found fault with the system and worked to make global changes.

One group that has been in favour of the new laws is the Remote Gambling Association, a collection of many of the world’s major licensed gambling corporations. Clive Hawkswood, CEO of this group, said the resolution shows the transformation in how the European Union will approach online gambling to ensure it is regulated and not prohibited. In addition, he pointed out, the EU governing bodies can ensure compliance of the member states.

The European Commission has various guidelines on making sure member nations comply and what actions to take should any country violate this or any other EU treaty.
One example of this forced compliance happened when Italy refused to allow a British operator to run an online gaming company from its shores. The European Court fully and quickly addressed the situation.

The Missouri Gaming Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to allow gamblers to soon drop their self-imposed, state-enforced lifetime bans from state casinos, the latest move by a state to roll back safeguards aimed at protecting problem gamblers.

The commission unanimously approved a measure that would allow gamblers to opt out of their ban five years after signing up. Nearly 11,000 of the more than 16,000 people who have banned themselves from Missouri casinos will be eligible to gamble again as soon as the rule change takes effect in April. Advocates for problem-gambling programs had opposed the move. The self-exclusion list, implemented in 1996, has been a centerpiece of the state's efforts to manage gambling addiction. It was the nation's first such list and had been emulated in at least eight other states—usually without the lifetime ban.

The commission's move followed actions in other states to reduce prevention and treatment measures for problem gambling that were taken to ease concerns about legalizing casinos. South Dakota, Colorado and Florida in recent years have raised or eliminated gambling limits, while Nevada and other states have cut funding for programs that aid compulsive gamblers.

The moves were made as state governments balanced efforts to protect gambling addicts with the need to address fiscal woes. In addition, the gambling industry argued that the rules did little to curb gambling addiction.

James Mathewson, chairman of the five-member Missouri Gaming Commission, said ahead of Wednesday's vote that he wanted to give another chance to banned gamblers who said their circumstances had changed. He also said he and his colleagues believed a five-year suspension rather than a lifetime ban would encourage more problem gamblers to sign up—a notion with which some problem-gaming experts agree. Mr. Mathewson said the change wasn't aimed at raising revenue.

To remove themselves from the list, banned gamblers must fill out a one-page document and submit it to the commission's office. Their removal doesn't require approval, said commission spokeswoman LeAnn McCarthy.

"It was voluntary on and it's voluntary off," she said.

MARK COLVIN: A cross parliamentary inquiry has recommended tough new restrictions on online and sports gambling.

It's called for a ban on the promotion of live odds during televised sports broadcasts and a complete ban on gambling advertising during programs watched by children.

The committee's also called for better regulation of online gambling advertising but it hasn't been able to agree on how to stop Australians losing billions of dollars each year on overseas gaming websites.

From Canberra, Naomi Woodley reports.

NAOMI WOODLEY: The 13 month inquiry by the select committee produced 20 recommendations, and a report of over 400 pages.

Much of the interest is centring on its recommendations surrounding sports betting.

The committee's chairman is the independent MP Andrew Wilkie.

ANDREW WILKIE: It's estimated that about $800 million is lost by Australians each year on sports betting in Australia.

NAOMI WOODLEY: The Federal Government's already working with the industry and states and territories to phase out the promotion of live odds during sports broadcasts but the committee wants the Government to legislate a ban.

Andrew Wilkie says they're particularly concerned about the impact live odds has on children.

ANDREW WILKIE: They are being bombarded with advertising for gambling. And the committee have heard very worrying stories for example of children now who don't talk about their team's form but they talk about their team's odds.

NAOMI WOODLEY: The committee wants a ban on all gambling advertising likely to be seen by children and that should extend to sponsor's logos on players jumpers.

ANDREW WILKIE: That is something that the committee discussed quite a bit and wrestled with but the fact is that when you have a role model running around the field being shown on camera constantly with an advertisement for betting across his chest or across his back, that has a strong influence on young people.

NAOMI WOODLEY: The committee also made a swathe of recommendations about the broader issue of online gambling.

The Federal Communications Department is already reviewing the legislation which regulates online gaming, and many of the committee's recommendations refer problems to that review.

Another committee member, the independent Senator Nick Xenophon says the Interactive Gambling Act is out of date.

NICK XENOPHON: Online gambling laws in this country are 10 years old but they may as well be 100 years old because they're just not effective, they're not working and more and more Australians are getting ripped off.

NAOMI WOODLEY: The committee's chairman Andrew Wilkie says it found the legislation is doing a good job but some aspects, particularly around online advertising, could be strengthened.

ANDREW WILKIE: To include and we would recommend the Interactive Gambling Act to be amended to include a prohibition on the advertising of practice gambling websites, of links to gambling sites, of misleading advertising and inducements to gamble.

NAOMI WOODLEY: The legislation already prohibits Australian companies offering online gaming but the committee couldn't find consensus on how to help the growing number of Australians who lose and estimated $1.5 billion each year to overseas gambling sites.

The independent Senator Nick Xenophon says he'll introduce legislation next year to put such websites on a blacklist.

NICK XENOPHON: Where you can actually bar the transactions because if you can nip the transaction in the bud, in relation to credit card transactions, that makes a huge difference, that gives people a bit of breathing space in order to reconsider what they're doing.

NAOMI WOODLEY: Andrew Wilkie says he supports those moves but he also favours allowing Australian companies to offer online poker games.

He acknowledges that as an MP with a reputation based around restricting poker machines, his view might be surprising. He's the only committee member calling for such an approach but says it has been backed by the Productivity Commission.

ANDREW WILKIE: Let's at least acknowledge that this gambling is occurring, that Australians are losing a lot of money on unregulated sites and at least allow Australian providers to establish sites that can be well regulated, provide a better level of protection for gamblers.

NAOMI WOODLEY: The Communications Minister Stephen Conroy says the Government will look at the report and assess the implications of its proposals.

PM also contacted several gaming companies about the committee's report but did not receive a response.

Former NBA basketball player Antoine Walker was sentenced Tuesday to five years of probation and ordered to pay more than $750,000 in gambling debts to three Las Vegas casinos.

Walker, 35, pleaded guilty in June to felony bad check charges after he failed to pay back gambling debts from 2009 at Caesars Palace, Planet Hollywood and Red Rock Resort.

Walker, wearing jeans and a gray sweatshirt, was in Clark County District Court on Tuesday morning but did not speak at his sentencing. He declined to comment after the hearing.

His sentencing was initially scheduled for Nov. 1 but was twice delayed because Walker lives in Chicago and was in training camp attempting to make a return to professional basketball.

As part of a deal struck with prosecutors, Walker will have to pay back $770,050 in restitution to the casinos and is prohibited from gambling. He was also given a one-year suspended sentence, which would go into effect if he fails to meet the terms of his probation.

Walker played for the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2008, his last year in the NBA. He won a championship in 2006 with the Miami Heat and was a three-time all-star for the Boston Celtics.

After he left the Timberwolves, he played in two pre-season games with the Memphis Grizzlies then was waived. He played briefly in Puerto Rico in 2010 before deciding to attempt an NBA comeback.

Las Vegas Sands Corp. Chairman Sheldon Adelson has taken his opposition to online gambling to Capitol Hill, meeting with a key Republican senator involved in talks on legalizing Web poker.

Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., confirmed Thursday he discussed Internet gaming and other issues with Adelson in a meeting last week.

Kyl, the second-ranking Republican leader in the Senate, declined to discuss the details of the conversation. But he said Adelson, a billionaire casino magnate who has been a generous supporter of Republican causes, had his ear.

"I always listen to Sheldon," Kyl said in a brief interview. "He is a very bright guy, very well motivated and I always find what he says is very interesting."

Kyl reportedly is engaged with Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., in negotiations over a bill that would legalize online poker and establish regulations that would allow states to issue licenses for companies to set up virtual poker rooms.

Most of the Las Vegas casino industry has expressed eagerness to get online, viewing it as a lucrative new revenue stream and one that can be regulated effectively.

But Adelson publicly has broken ranks, telling leaders of the industry's government affairs arm, the American Gaming Association, that he doesn't believe technology has advanced to prevent underage gamblers from taking part.

Kyl, who is the Senate Republican Whip, declined to give a view on what impact an Adelson push against legalized Internet gambling may have on the Senate negotiations. He noted no legislation yet has emerged.

"That is all hypothetical stuff," Kyl said. "I don't even know what bill you are talking about."

Ontario will take a major step in its bid to enter the world of internet gaming, a source says.

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) is expected to put out a Request for Proposals Friday seeking help to develop its plan for online gambling.

The OLG announced in 2010 its intention to offer an online option, noting Ontarians were spending an estimated $400 million on offshore gaming sites.

Finance Minister Dwight Duncan said at the time that the OLG version would be regulated and include age and identity verification software.

“People want this. People enjoy gaming,” Duncan said in 2010.

At the same time, OLG Chair Paul Godfrey said the provincial agency intended to review best practices around the world before launching its site in early 2012.

“E-commerce is now part of our everyday lives, from online banking to e-media,” Godfrey said. “OLG needs to be current and to evolve with the changing needs of our customers ... It is an inevitable step in the ongoing transformation of the OLG.”

It was expected that the OLG would offer both casino-style games and online lottery ticket sales with an age limit of 18-years-old to buy the tickets and 19-years-old to play the games.

The provincial site, unlike the offshore varieties, would probably allow gamblers to set time and financial limits and to voluntarily exclude themselves from play.

Five online gaming operators have already applied for licenses to offer online gaming services within a gambling system that is meant for the residents of Nevada. 888 Holdings, Bally Technologies, International Game Technology, and Cantor Gaming have already submitted their application to the Nevada Gaming Control Board. South Point Poker, the fifth operator, has not yet gone through the entire application procedures. 888 Holdings, an online gaming company based in Gibraltar, has applied for a gaming license as 888 US Limited, a publicly traded corporation. The company wants to manufacture, distribute, and be a service provider. Service providers perform the task of maintaining and operating an online poker software platform for a licensed online poker operator.

This March, gambling regulators in Nevada approved an agreement between 888 Holdings subsidiaries and WSOP owners Caesars Entertainment. The first agreement of its kind to be signed by a gaming company licensed in Nevada, it gave Caesars Entertainment the opportunity to run a poker site in UK.

International Game Technology (IGT), which is based in Las Vegas, wants to be a service provider and manufacturer within Nevada. IGT, which produces computerized gambling machines at the international level, purchased a poker network called Entraction, based in Sweden, for over $100 million.

Bally Technology, based in Las Vegas, has applied for a license to manufacture and be a service provider. Another company based in Las Vegas, Cantor Gaming, has applied to become a service provider in Nevada.

South Point Poker, an online poker site belonging to South Point Casino, already offers free games, but wants to offer real money poker. The company has applied to be an online poker operator.

While 888 Holdings, South Point Poker, Bally Technologies, and International Game Technology applied in October, Cantor Gaming applied on May 18, exactly one month before Nevada’s proposal to legalize online poker was approved and made into a law. According to Mark Lipparelli, the chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, the regulatory framework has not yet been finalized, but the board has already begun reviewing the applications.

The draft regulations are scheduled to be finalized at the end of December and a gaming regulators’ meeting has already been convened. A regulatory framework is expected to be finalized by the end of January.

By February, players can expect a legalized online poker room offering real money poker to the poker players of Nevada although this might take longer because of pending software approval and lab testing.

The Remote Gambling Association and the European Gaming and Betting Association have recently filed a formal complaint with the European Commission. This was done in regards to a recent online gaming law created in Greece. The complaints address a variety of non-European Union complaint issues, especially in regards to brand new market entries. Both organizations have pushed the request that the European Commission quickly and efficiently handle this matter.

The European Commission, as the ‘guardian’ of free trade and treaties within the European Union, has jurisdiction over trade concerns between the different member countries. While Greece is opting to open the online gambling market, they are being extremely protectionist by not allowing outside online gambling companies into their borders.

This has not gone without criticism from the European Commission, but other than that, not much has been done to solve this dispute. When Greece decided to open up their market to online gambling, they entered in a draft that discussed a law that would place unjustified restrictions, making the industry very anti-competitive. This is extremely unfair as it places a huge burden on brand new operators. Licenses would need to be made permanent with physical buildings in the country and operators could only use banking establishments within the country. Many are arguing real evidence that supports Greece’s imposed restrictions does not exist.

Greece also created a tax regime that brings up numerous concerns for the Remote Gambling Association and the European Gaming and Betting Association. The Greek Organization of Football Prognostics, a public company that exclusively manages and operates all sports betting and numerical lottery in Greece, have been given their licensing rights already, providing them with an opportunity to continue monopolizing the entire gaming industry in the country, or at least until 2030. Furthermore, the Greek Organization of Football Prognostics does not pay any taxes and any new online gaming licenses will have to pay up 30 percent.

Online casinos are making progress because the internet and technology continues to expand at an amazing pace. Governments in the free world understand the safety factor and regulate the activity with the consumers and operators paying for the sanction and rules with taxation.

Some countries are making good decisions and are creating a place in their economies for online gambling. Some nations are sticking to the old ways and banning or controlling the activity completely where players are allowed to wager only at the state run operations.
Fair taxation and a system that allows for competition is the model Denmark has chosen to liberalize it online gambling industry. Denmark has the right idea, welcoming competition and tax measures that lets everyone in the game, gives the punter a fair shake.

Making money has been the driving force of the internet wagering industry, it is no different from the land based industry which has been and continues to be highly regulated. American terrestrial casinos are facing the internet influence on their bottom line head on by making sure they have a nice slice of the pie once all the legislating is done. Political leaders must see the writing on the wall by now, online activity, including gambling is going to increase exponentially in the next five years. It is like a snow ball rolling though cyberspace it is getting bigger and it is impossible to stop.

Online casinos have brought a lot of industry to places such as the Isle of Man, Antigua, Malta, Gibraltar, and Alderney to name a few. Without the presence of this clean high tech industry these locations would be less prosperous. Welcoming the world of internet gambling is a smart choice, proven over and over by real results in regulated and licensed environments around the planet. The template for responsible online gambling has been created now countries just have to follow the yellow brick road.

You know the online casino industry is booming when the biggest players in the internet world show interest. And there is no bigger player on the world wide web than Facebook, the world's largest social network.

Facebook Interested in Real Money Games

Facebook in talks with casinos, gambling experts and consultants as it decides whether to bring real money gambling to its platform, according to a report originating at eGaming Review that has the gambling industry in a spin.

According to the report, Facebook is looking for new revenue streams and the gambling industry - which is looking for new ways to access the public - could be a convenient match. However, the report added that it would take a long time before gambling companies and Facebook find agreement on revenue sharing and age verification procedures.

Gaining Acceptance

This news comes just one month after Facebook amended its advertising guidelines to enable online casino advertisements. The new regulations allow online casinos, poker rooms, sportsbooks, lotteries and other internet gambling-related companies to advertise on the site.

Facebook is already a leader in non-cash online gaming. Its Zynga-powered Facebook Games portfolio includes such smash hits as Castleville, Mafia Wars, Farmville and Empires & Allies. And then of course, there's Zynga Poker - which trains players to participate in the real thing.

Christmas is just around the corner. Many of you will be looking for that just right gift to give your poker playing husband or boyfriend. The following is my top five poker gifts not to give him or anyone else for that matter. Poker is simple game, avoid wasting your money on items that will end up in a tote in the garage. At best these gifts will end up in a garage sale or given to anyone who will take them.

1. Poker For Dummies Book

If your buying your guy a poker gift, he probably already has a knowledge of the game. Buying him a book like this will be a waste of money and insulting as well. There are much better books if you guy is a reader.

2. Automatic Shuffling Machine

While the concept is good, the table is already crowded. These machines will do nothing but take up space, get clogged, and mark cards. Blinds will be burnt up trying to unclog them.Unless your guy has arthritis or some other injury to his hands, save your money. They will look nice in a garage sell however.

3. Fold Up Table Tops

These had their day, but it is gone. With the price on fold up tables dropping to the price of these fold up table tops, splurge. You guy will like having his own table, and you will still be able to use the kitchen table while he and his buddies play. Another added benefit, no scratches on your dining room set.

4. Cutesy Poker Saying T-Shirts

Looking good on the shelf or hanger in the store, these shirts will end up in the back of the closet. Yes, he may wear it once to make you feel good. After his buddies clown on him for wearing it, you money will be wasted. Walk on by after a good laugh.

5. Odd Ball Sunglasses

These may have worked well for Greg Raymer in the World Series of Poker. Can you really see your guy wearing something that belongs as part of a Halloween costume if he is not drinking. Keep your money in your pocket and proceed to the door.

Buying your guy a poker gift will say, you care about his hobbies and you want him to be happy. Buying him one of these items will say, let's have a garage sale in a couple of years. Save your money and keep looking for that perfect gift.

Does it make sense to take $60 million from the billfolds of Iowans to gain $13 million in taxes?

Well, of course, say advocates of online poker, the latest proposed gimmick for separating you from your paycheck. Iowans should be able to go broke from the comfort of their living rooms via computer without having to waste money driving all the way to a casino.

And online poker wouldn’t hurt tax revenues derived from the casinos, the advocates assure us, because this $60 million would be over and above the millions the casinos already remove from Iowa’s consumer economy.

Never mind that players get nothing in return for the $60 million — no goods, no services, nothing beyond the thrill of watching their bank accounts shrink.

Does it make sense? Moot question. Iowa said “yes” years ago.

Online gambling giant William Hill Online was crowned last week as operator of the year at eGaming Review's 2011 awards night, edging out rival nominees bet365, Betfair and 888. The judging panel said William Hill was the turnaround story of the year.
Big Year for William Hill

William Hill Online has had a big year, expanding its international portfolio massively. In the past 11 months it established new Italian, Irish and Canadian sites, bringing to 26 the number of sites it has for specific languages and territories around the world.

The company's growing mobile betting division also grew rapidly this year, launching new mobile casino and sports betting sites, a host of innovative betting apps, and signing a deal that sees it become exclusive provider of the Racing Post mobile app.

Other betting agreements were signed with global sports network ESPN, with Scottish football, Super League rugby and more. Overall, these established William Hill's position as the most prominent sports betting provider in UK and one of the world leaders.

Revenue, Traffic Grow

As William Hill's betting options expanded, so too did the amount of wagers it took. In-play betting has almost doubled this year, thanks to increased offering such as point-by-point betting on all the grand slam tennis tournaments, and improvements in other sports too.

Most divisions saw steady growth in the first half of this year. Net gaming revenue rose by 15% in the first six months, thanks partly to more takings from its improved online casino. Bingo and poker revenue also grew strongly, with bingo rising by 25% and poker by 11%.

Oh heck i see i will end up with the poker for dummies.lmao

Recent reports indicate there might be possible debate during next year's legislative session over whether to allow Iowa's casinos to run Internet poker games people can access from their homes.

According to a recent study, it could bring in millions of dollars in tax revenue if they were allowed to be operated and the measure was discussed this past year.

Sen. Steve Sodders, D-State Center, said he voted the idea down in committee at this past legislative session because he said the proposal couldn't assure him that there were measures in place to keep kids off of the site. He also didn't like that there wasn't anything detailing how much money could be won or lost. Sodders is open to discussing it again, but said his concerns would have to be straightened out to get his approval.

"If my concerns aren't addressed, it would be hard for me to support it," Sodders said.

Sodders said online gaming will not be one of his priorities for the next session as those will include education reform and ways to attract businesses and jobs to the state.

If the opportunity was provided to the state's casinos to operate online poker, it may also be granted to the Native American casinos such as the one located at the Meskwaki Settlement.

Rep. Lance Horbach, R-Tama, agrees with Sodders in that it won't be a priority for him in the next session and he would need to see safeguards in place that would keep children off the site.

"At first, I'm kind of hesitant," Horbach said.

Horbach expects discussion about it during the 2012 legislative session.

Rep. Annette Sweeney, R-Alden, said there are plenty of ways to gamble in the state and is not in favor of adding online poker as another option.

"We don't need any more gambling in the state of Iowa," she said.

Rep. Mark Smith, D-Marshalltown, is very clear on his stance of possibly expanding gaming options on Iowa.

"I'm never a big fan of gambling, period," Smith said.

Smith said gambling can cause an increase in bankruptcies and social problems.

"In the end, I've always thought it costs a considerable amount more than what it brings in," he said.

Online gambling is one step closer to reality in Ontario.

The province's lottery agency has sent out requests for proposals seeking help to set up and run online games starting sometime next year.

Ontario Lottery and Gaming says it will phase in the online gambling, starting with casino-style games such as video poker and video slots along with online sales of lottery tickets.

OLG spokesman Tony Bitonti says the agency has never been in the online gaming business, and is looking for a company to set up the site and its security measures.

He says they're looking for a company than can provide "soup to nuts" service for a new business as it's built from the ground up.

Bitonti says the province examined how online gaming works and the problems encountered in British Columbia, Quebec and some European countries to make sure it gets it right in the first place.

He says OLG decided on a phased-in approach, with other games to be launched later, but with no firm timetable for that to happen.