Intrastate of War?
From OnlinePokerReport.com for the week of March 11th …
3 STORIES TO WATCH THIS WEEK
#1. PokerStars and the AGA threw first punches last week in what could develop into an extended and mutually bruising battle. Are they interested in cooling down, or escalating further? This week should provide some clues. Also: It turns out PokerStars’ NJ application could drag out well into summer.
#2. IL and PA could both take legislative steps toward regulation. PA State Rep Tina Davis “might” introduce her bill mid-week (20% gross tax, no compacts, licenses to existing operators only). As for IL, look for clarification on the next step for online gambling after a planned Senate vote on the combined live/online gambling expansion bill was scuttled late last week. Seems like some IL Dems didn’t like what they saw?
#3. New Jersey was supposed to finish up a first draft of online gambling regulations last week. No word on what shape they’re taking, but with the pace to date I would expect more details – and more launch projections – as we move into the middle of March.
+ THE WEEK THAT WAS
- Iowa online poker died – for this session.
- Reuters reported on a rekindled push for federal regulation. But I didn’t see much new there.
- Speaking of federal, Politico reported the online poker dustup did real harm to relationship between Heller and Reid. Really?
- Minted Poker threw Everleaf right under the bus. But players are still struggling to get funds from the network.
- An iPoker skin added Bitcoin for deposits and withdrawals.
RECENTLY FROM OPR
I offered my quick take on the Illinois gambling bill . And on the timing of the AGA’s petition to bar PokerStars from NJ, which I also discussed on last week’s TwoPlusTwo Pokercast.
PICKS
@Follow – It’s tax time, and U.S. poker players with questions would do well to follow both @QuantPoker and@taxdood.
#GoodRead – …and to check out their respective blogs: quantitativepoker.com and taxdood.com
