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Recently, John Kyl was tapped to fill the seat of late Senator John McCain. Online gambling and sports betting enthusiasts are probably less than thrilled with the choice.

Kyl not a friend of online gambling

Kyl was the junior senator from Arizona from 1995 to 2013. During his initial tenure, he championed legislation that targeted online gambling operations.

The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) didn’t make gambling illegal. Instead, it focused on the processing of payments and passed the issue of legalized and regulated online gaming to the states.

Kyl, with support from the major sports leagues and the NCAA, was successful in passing the legislation in 2006. The UIGEA and the subsequent prosecution of online gambling sites brought the industry to a standstill.

The UIGEA included language that unintentionally exempted daily fantasy sports sites from the UIEGA. Hence, the rise of popular DFS sites, DraftKings and FanDuel.

Kyl thought internet gambling “would be a very difficult kind of activity to regulate because we don’t have jurisdiction over the people abroad who are doing it.” His remedy was “to simply pull the plug at the point of entry into the United States.”

To be fair, the UIGEA set the stage for regulated online gaming in such states as Nevada, Delaware, and New Jersey. Pennsylvania is set to join the trio soon.

And since the overturning of PASPA, sports betting is taking the Eastern US by storm. Joining Nevada in the sports betting market are New Jersey, Delaware, Mississippi, and West Virginia.

Kyl’s appointment may impact sports betting

When the Supreme Court overturned PASPA, Justice Samuel Alito made it clear that the federal government could regulate sports betting. If it chooses not to, however, then regulation is left to the states.

Once several states started discussing regulating sports betting, the major sports leagues set out to get a piece of the profit pie through integrity fees. The leagues quickly realized collecting integrity fees was unlikely to happen. That is when they switched their tune and began touting the benefits of federal legislation.

Two senators have gone on record in support of such legislation: Orrin Hatch and Chuck Schumer. Knowing Kyl’s history in supporting online gaming regulation, it would not surprise anyone to see Kyl join the duo.

McCain’s term ends in 2023. According to the Senate website, Kyl is set to serve through the end of the term. However, it is possible that a special election for McCain’s seat will happen in 2020.

The leagues most likely support Kyl’s appointment because there is a direct connection to the Senator. After Kyl left the Senate, he went into private practice and was an advisor to Covington & Burling. The law firm represents several top sports leagues and has tackled such issues as sports data for clients like the NFL.

Federal sports betting legislation won’t happen soon

It is unlikely there will be any significant movement on national sports betting legislation in the near future, if at all. There is a contentious mid-term election ahead where both Republicans and Democrats are busy fighting for every seat.

Congress has not been capable of late in passing major legislation that supports the President’s agenda. It seems far-reaching that a federal sports betting law is the sword the Republican-controlled Legislature wants to bet on.

For now, the sports leagues will have to settle for the increase in revenue projected from sports betting activity. For instance, the American Gaming Institue recently released a report that estimates the NFL will grow by $2.3 billion thanks to legalized sports betting.

Photo by Christopher Halloran / Shutterstock.com

The post John Kyl’s Return To The Senate Has Many Gambling Enthusiasts On Alert appeared first on Play USA.

With four of the 78 bracelet events on its 2018 schedule held on the virtual felt, the World Series of Poker stepped up its online presence in a big way this summer. Now, the World Series of Poker Circuit is doing even more.

In fact, the WSOPC is hosting its first ever completely online circuit event series this month for players in Nevada and New Jersey, with 13 WSOPC gold rings up for grabs over 13 days. Plus, $700,000 in guaranteed prize pools.

WSOP.com Nevada held the first ever online WSOPC gold ring event in February of this year. The $365 buy-in tournament ran alongside the WSOPC series at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

A WSOP.com legend

It drew 420 entries and generated a prize pool of $137,760. North Carolina’s Anthony Spinella, the WSOP.com legend who won the first ever online WSOP bracelet event in 2015, won the ring.

In March, alongside the WSOPC Harrah’s Atlantic City circuit stop in New Jersey, WSOP.com New Jersey held a second $365 buy-in WSOPC online ring event.

This one drew 181 entries, creating a $59,368 prize pool. Old Bridge, NJ’s Paul Scaturro took home the ring. However, online poker legends Olivier Busquet and Asher Conniff were among the 15 players that cashed.

Since then, WSOP.com sites in New Jersey and Nevada have started sharing player pools under a tri-state agreement with Delaware, signed by New Jersey in October 2017. In fact, the four online WSOP bracelet events held this summer had players from both New Jersey and Nevada competing.

The first-ever WSOP.com Online Circuit stop

Players from both states are also being invited to play when the first-ever WSOP.com Online Circuit schedule kicks off on Sept. 18.

The series starts off with a $200 No Limit Hold’em KO event featuring a $12,500 prize pool guarantee. However, it really heats up with a $320 No Limit Hold’em Monster Stack event on Sept. 23, featuring a $100,000 prize pool guarantee.

Twelve of the events are No Limit Hold’em tournaments. However, a $215 Pot Limit Omaha 6-Max tournament with a $25,000 guarantee is running Sept. 28.

The series culminates with a $525 No Limit Hold’em Main Event featuring a $200,000 prize pool guarantee on Sept. 30.

This series counts towards points for the WSOPC’s season-ending Global Casino Championship. The full schedule of 13 ring events is available online.

15 years on the WSOP Circuit

WSOP.com marketing material says that for fifteen years, the WSOP Circuit has been characterized by big prize pools, prestigious circuit rings, and large player turnouts. Now, it says it is bringing the Circuit to the players, allowing them to play in a WSOP Circuit stop from anywhere in Nevada or New Jersey. They call it a must play series.

Despite some technical issues, all the 2018 WSOP’s online events were a success, setting entry and prize pool records:

• $365 WSOP.com ONLINE No-Limit Hold’em – 2,972 entries, $974,816 prize pool
• $565 WSOP.com ONLINE Pot-Limit Omaha 6-Handed – 1,223 entries, $635,960 prize pool
• $1,000 WSOP.com ONLINE No-Limit Hold’em Championship – 1,635 entries, $1,553,250 prize pool
• $3,200 WSOP.com ONLINE No-Limit Hold’em High Roller – 480 entries, $1,459,200 prize pool

New Jersey player Matthew Mendez actually made history. He won the $565 WSOP.com ONLINE Pot-Limit Omaha 6-Handed event. That marked the first time a WSOP bracelet was won in New Jersey.

The success appears to give WSOP.com the incentive to move even more action online. In fact, this first ever completely online WSOPC stop seems to be the first step in that direction. The next step will likely be the announcement that the 2019 WSOP will feature more than four online bracelet events.

The Double Stack, Monster Stack, and Deep Turbo structures on the WSOP.com Online Circuit schedule are the most likely candidates to become online WSOP bracelet events next summer.

Considering the ease of access, can it really be long before even more of the WSOP goes online?

The post WSOP Increasing Online Presence With First WSOP Online Circuit Series appeared first on .

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board recently declined to give any specifics regarding when its soon-to-launch online poker industry would join with other states’ shared player pools. Pennsylvania regulators told Online Poker Report that they “cannot predict the likelihood” that in-state operators would be allowed to share liquidity.

The commission’s tentative response may seem overly cautious. However, the success of shared player pools remains very much up in the air.

Shared player pools up to this point

New Jersey

There were high hopes in New Jersey when the state joined the Multi-State Internet Gaming Association. Regulators believed that the shared player pools of Nevada and Delaware would boost the state’s online poker revenue.

Initially, when 888/WSOP got the green light from the state, the results were promising. The presence of the All-American Poker Network briefly pushed WSOP.com past Pokerstars in terms of revenue.

However, the renaissance didn’t last. As PlayNJ reported, the decision to join the MSIGA has had little to no impact on New Jersey’s online poker revenue.

None of the changes have made any impact on New Jersey’s bottom line. Increased game selection and variety would seem to attract players, but failed to do so.

Monthly revenues, which were already anemic, continued their slow decline. In fact, monthly revenues in the Garden State have remained beneath $2 million for an entire year. Long gone are the days in 2014 when revenue soared past $3 million.

Delaware

On the other hand, shared liquidity has been nothing but golden for Delaware. The three months of dipping into New Jersey have generated some of the best revenue the state has seen.

In fact, June 2018 was Delaware’s best month to date, with revenue soaring past $25,000. Three out of the four highest revenue months in Delaware have occurred since the joining.

Outlook for Pennsylvania and other states

So why the improvement in Delaware but not in New Jersey? The reasons are unclear, but Steve Ruddock speculates that the infusion of play from New Jersey softened the player pool for the two existing states.

In other words, Delaware players had sharpened their teeth on the salty professionals and better rec players from Nevada. New Jersey’s inclusion dumped a large number of fish into the pond, but only to be devoured.

It’s possible that as much has occurred to the members of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Frankly, the effect might be more pronounced because of Pennsylvania’s larger size.

However, as Ruddock mentioned, a player pool needs a certain critical mass to survive and thrive. Increasing the player pool size represents a network externality, where the system improves as more people join and use it.

The situation in New Jersey might have been inevitable

Regardless of whether it joined the MSIGA or not, New Jersey’s online poker market was in trouble. The industry’s revenues have trended consistently downward, and there is considerable inertia toward that direction as we move forward.

It’s hard to blame New Jersey or its operators for joining up, however. There was nothing to indicate that things would improve otherwise.

As it stands, online poker is a pittance as a percentage of each online casino‘s budget. Many sites don’t even offer poker, and the ones that do account for a contribution at or below 20 percent of slot revenue.

Furthermore, both operators and gamblers in the state are far more interested in sports betting now. The opportunities to bring in new players and incentivize play are far more likely for wagers on NFL games, NBA games, and MLB contests.

New Jersey online poker is unlikely to ever cease completely. However, as sports betting and live dealer functionalities continue to establish and grow their presences, it will become tougher for it to remain relevant.

The post Shared Online Poker Player Pools Not A Sure Bet For Pennsylvania appeared first on .

It appears European Union data protection and privacy laws have forced the most comprehensive poker tournament data aggregator on the internet to make some changes.

In compliance with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation rules, The Hendon Mob Poker Database is now allowing players to delete accounts or rename an existing account with a nickname.

The Hendon Mob Poker Database is the most accurate poker tournament results database on the planet. The majority of poker media consider it a trusted resource. Plus, tournament players often use its results as a way to size up the competition.

The aggregator uses results provided directly by most major poker venues and tours around the world. Of course, it is not 100 percent accurate. There are venues and tours that do not provide Hendon Mob with results. Plus, others allowing players to opt out of having individual results publicized.

However, Hendon Mob is still long considered a way to force players from countries where poker winnings are taxed, like the US, to report all published results. Now, players with a desire to hide their results may have a way to do it.

Global Poker Index acquires The Hendon Mob

The Global Poker Index (GPI) acquired parent company The Hendon Mob Limited (UK) in July 2013. It now provides the data behind the GPI’s global poker rankings.

At the time of the acquisition, Hendon Mob was hailed the most comprehensive database of poker players and live tournament poker results in the world. It contains information on over 250,000 players and nearly 70,000 events.

It is also home to an online poker forum, representing the UK’s largest online poker community.

GPI CEO Alexandre Dreyfus called Hendon Mob the best poker database in the world. Additionally, he vowed to support and grow it as the premier destination for live poker tournament information.

The Hendon Mob actually began as a group of four pro poker players from London, England who regularly appeared on various UK poker TV shows. The four players are:

• Joe Beevers
• Barny Boatman
• Ross Boatman
• Ram Vaswani

The group’s poker tournament database website launched in 2000.

Barny Boatman said GPI would ensure Hendon Mob’s legacy is safe and its future secure.

Additionally, Beevers said the coming together of the two entities would make Hendon Mob bigger and better.

GPI said it planned to continue investing and developing The Hendon Mob website. It has made various cosmetic changes over the years. The database has expanded to include a broader range of tournaments. Plus, results show up on the site faster than ever.

Abusive data collection allegations

In response to a post on the Two Plus Two Poker Forums outlining the effect of the GDPR laws on the site and calling its data collection “abusive,” a member of the Hendon Mob team said Hendon Mob is no more guilty of abusive data collection than major tennis or golf tours that publish event results.

The Hendon Mob spokesperson admitted GDPR laws have forced some changes to the way it operates. However, casinos and tours release all the information it publishes in accordance with terms and conditions players agree to in registering for a tournament.

The Hendon Mob spokesperson went on to say the site will continue to work hard to serve the poker community.

Players who want their account removed or changed to a nickname can contact The Hendon Mob through email at [email protected].

However, since the changes to the site’s policies are based on European laws, Hendon Mob may not delete accounts for US players.

The post The Hendon Mob Poker Database Now Allowing Account Deletion appeared first on .

A tradition gradually becoming like no other in poker starts up on Sept. 7. Poker Masters returns to ARIA in Las Vegas, NV, and PokerGO will be streaming a full week of High Roller events with millions up for grabs.

Last year’s inaugural champion Steffen Sontheimer is not expected to be in attendance for this year’s run at the Purple Jacket. But even with the repeat winner storyline pushed to the back page, there are more than enough items to bring excitement into the preview headlines.

Four buy-in levels, two new games, and an entirely revamped scoring system make Poker Masters must-watch every night.

Short Deck

The game sweeping poker off its feet is a part of the Poker Masters process. The fourth event on the schedule is a $10,000 buy-in of the format expected to draw strong numbers. When cards are officially in the air on September 10, the era of Short Deck tournaments begins in the United States.

Pot Limit Omaha precedes Short Deck the day before for a $25,000 buy-in. Expect to see all players part of the Poker Masters process play Short Deck out of curiosity and fun. Nick Schulman and Cary Katz both gained top-three results in the format over the summer in South Korea during the Triton High Roller Series.

This tournament is a favorite to have the most entries of the Poker Master series.

Sontheimer does not plan to be in town but is already attempting to get a leg up on future Short Deck competition.

Shortdeck is fun, no solvers but your brain so far.
Officeday feels pretty good actuallypic.twitter.com/hHhW2r9xE2

— Steffen Sontheimer (@RunGo0seRun) September 4, 2018

Justin Bonomo

Superman returns to ARIA after a week in the desert of Burning Man. Bonomo was last seen winning the Big One for One Drop for $10 million at the World Series of Poker to cap off his amazing summer. The Super High Roller Bowl China and Super High Roller Bowl were both conquered by Bonomo and he now owns the No. 1 spot on the all-time earnings list.

Assuming Bonomo is motivated to play Poker Masters to the best of his ability, he is the favorite to win the Purple Jacket. Variance is a friend for Bonomo in 2018 but his skill displayed across live streams this entire year prove how elite he is playing against the best in the world.

A Poker Masters win launches Bonomo into Thanos-level of power compared to the Avengers around him. He’s already earned three stones on the 2018 High Roller Gauntlet. Why not make it four?

High Roller Leaderboard

Sontheimer was victorious in Poker Masters because he literally won more money than anyone else. This year’s champion will be decided based on the scoring system created by Poker Central to correlate with the High Roller Leaderboard standings.

Seven total events on the schedule lean toward the possibility of the player who is consistently finishing at least on the podium to emerge with new formal outerwear for the fall season. Stephen Chidwick’s run in the U.S. Poker Open would have won under the new High Roller Leaderboard format.

Two wins, a fourth-place, and a fifth-place comprised Sontheimer’s Poker Masters. Will those same results be enough to win the 2018 title? We’ll know by September 15.

Currently, Cary Katz is number-one on the High Roller Leaderboard with 945 points giving him a slight lead over Sam Soverel’s 930.

Jason Koon and Jake Schindler

Bonomo rules the headlines but Koon and Schindler have collectively accumulated strong respective campaigns. The pair owns titles including the SHRPO Big 4 $25,500, Triton Super High Roller Short Deck, and partypokerLIVE MILLION €100,000 Super High Roller.

Count a few more World Series of Poker final tables, U.S. Poker Open runs, and a Super High Roller Bowl bronze medal, the duo presents a formidable opposition.

Both players have come close to championship glory in the best High Rollers ARIA has to offer but don’t have any hardware to show for their efforts just yet. Outside of Bonomo, the two figure to be among the top picks to claim the Purple Jacket.

2018 Poker Masters Schedule

Date	Event	Buy-in
September 7	No Limit Hold’em	$10,000
September 8	No Limit Hold’em	$25,000
September 9	Pot Limit Omaha	$25,000
September 10	Short Deck	$10,000
September 11	No Limit Hold’em	$25,000
September 12	No Limit Hold’em	$50,000
September 13	No Limit Hold’em (Main Event)	$100,000

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