Marketing Code for PokerStars

No one could claim that the path towards regulated online poker in American has been an easy one. Various powerful figures have been lending their weight to laws that would combat the UIGEA, but so far no one has come close to succeeding. However, the winds are changing in Washington and another push for legal online poker is underway.

The House of Representatives is no stranger to online poker, thanks to the constant efforts of Barney Frank. By contrast, the Senate have not touched the issue since the original UIGEA was passed in 2006.

That’s all changed this week, thanks to a full blown hearing having been held. It was entitled ‘Future of Internet Gaming: What’s at Stake for Tribes?’ and took place on November 17th. It concerned how the existing online gambling marketplace is affective Native American groups and what a regulated market might mean for them. It was designed to consider not only poker, but games like real money slots.

It’s almost traditional in the U.S. for Indians to run casinos and many are understandably concerned about the impact of online gambling on their lifestyles. The hearing was called to consider how the influx of offshore providers… READ MORE

The fallout from Black Friday continues, with Absolute Poker/UB hitting back against bankruptcy rumors. After a splurge of communication earlier in the week – some official, some not – correspondence appeared to indicate that Blanca Games, the online poker duo’s parent company, was folding.

That information appears to have been only partly true. What is correct, is that the company are radically downsizing. They plan to effectively lay off their entire staff and then rehire just 20%. This all forms part of their strategy to focus on providing for non-U.S. players. American players are currently flocking to the likes of the true poker download, who still remain U.S. friendly.

“As previously stated, Absolute Poker and UB ceased their U.S.-facing operations due to recent legal developments in the United States. The company is currently restructuring and is focusing its resources on consolidating its non-U.S., rest-of-the-world operation and software business. In order to have a more efficient and successful future business, an immediate need to downsize and streamline operations significantly at both online poker rooms has been required. Absolute Poker and UB continue to operate their non-U.S.-facing business.”

Branching away from the U.S. will be tough work, with many players already… READ MORE

Veteran Senator and long time online poker opponent, Jon Kyl, has announced that he will not stand for re-election in 2012. The Arizonan senator has been in office for 18 years, but will be well known to online poker players as the man who has virulently opposed all attempts to legalize the game in the United States.

He was, in fact, part of the posse that began the upheaval of the U.S. market in the first place. When the UIGEA passed into law in 2006, Kyl was one of its major proponents. Since then he has taken every opportunity to take a shot at money poker sites, often claiming that it presents a serious danger to the nation’s children.

Last year, he was reported to have blocked the routine appointment of three U.S. Treasury  staff in protest over a delay on UIGEA regulations. His staunch refusal to give any quarter on the subject of online casino gambling won him many enemies among the poker player masses. His imminent departure is seen as a major boost to the potential for fully legal online poker in the U.S.

As the Senator for Arizona, there has been some speculation as to… READ MORE