Although Kentucky’s culture is generally considered to be Southern, it is unique and also influenced by the Midwest and Southern Appalachia. The state is known for bourbon and whiskey distiling, tobacco, horse racing, and gambling.
The biggest day in horse racing, the Kentucky Derby, is preceded by the two-week Kentucky Derby Festival in Louisville. Louisville also plays host to the Kentucky State Fair, the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, and Southern gospel’s annual highlight, the National Quartet Convention. Owensboro, Kentucky’s third largest city, gives credence to its nickname of “Barbecue Capital of the World” by hosting the annual International Bar-B-Q Festival. Bowling Green, Kentucky’s fifth largest city and home to the only assembly plant in the world that manufactures the Chevrolet Corvette, opened the National Corvette Museum in 1994. (Wikipedia)
Kentucky Threatens to Forfeit Gambling Domains
Supporters of online gambling on Friday lashed out at a Kentucky circuit court ruling ordering owners of 141 domain names to appear at a hearing next month …
Decision in the Kentucky Gambling Domain Seizure Case
boogster
… against the state of Kentucky’s initiative and ruled that the owners of the websites — other than those sites that are used only for advertising or information and not gambling — start blocking access to Kentucky residents. … Kentucky Gambling Decision to be Released Thursday
The governor is not claiming to protect the citizens of the commonwealth from ‘the evils of gambling.’ Instead, he is trying to have them all to himself. That is because Gov. Steve Beshear is a big supporter of gambling in Kentucky, …
kentucky gambling decision to be released today
trujm
instead, he is trying to have them all to himself. that is because gov. steve beshear is a big supporter of gambling in kentucky, and he wants to keep the money. so why not use his and the kentucky courts’ power to take out the … Computer Glitch Defers Kentucky Gambling Domain Ruling
The future of 141 online gambling domains was left in the hands of Franklin Circuit Court Judge Thomas Wingate yesterday, but late in the day, the word came down from the judge’s office that the ruling would have to wait until Thursday, …
Kentucky judge rules against gambling domains
18, the Commonwealth presented evidence that computers located in Kentucky were, “through the use of domain names,” able to access gambling Web sites over the Internet offering online slot machines, roulette and poker. … Timeline Unclear for Wednesday Release of Kentucky Gambling Verdict
Dan Cypra
The verdict in the case that pits the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet of the Commonwealth of Kentucky against 141 internet gambling domain names is scheduled to be released on Wednesday. However, how and when the decision will be …
kentucky gambling verdict to be released today
EmmaMav
the kentucky gambling verdict is a ruling that will decide whether if several poker websites will be quarantined and not used in governor steve beshear’s state, kentucky, or if the websites will be permitted there. it has been anxiously … Ruling Expected Soon in Kentucky Gambling Domain Case
A decision is expected to be passed down shortly by Franklin County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Wingate in the ongoing gambling domain name saga. Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear wants 141 of the most popular online gambling domain names …
Kentucky Gambling Domain Decision Delayed
It looks like the judge in charge of the online gambling domain seizure case in Kentucky will render his decision late. More… Kentucky Circuit Court Dismisses Objections to Seizure of Gambling …
Fate89
Last month, the Commonwealth of Kentucky seized a number of gambling domain names because the â€oedomains were being used in connection with illegal gambling activity.†The names included widely popular online destinations such as …
Video: Are We Witnessing the Death of Online Gambling (Tension is continuing to build as Kentucky moves forward with its action against illegal gambling websites. As we have reported, Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear ordered a seizure of 141 gambling domain names. A hearing took place last week in which many motions were filed. [WebProNews, 10/03/08])
Get real on web gambling Kansas City Star, MO Rick’s Gambling & Tourism column in today’s Star Business Weekly looks at the US’s untenable position in the worldwide on-line gambling industry. …
State cracks down on Net gambling Kentucky.com, KY By Jack Brammer FRANKFORT — Kentucky is commandeering 141 domain names of Internet gambling sites in a novel legal move to crack down on the unregulated …
Ky. governor seeking to block online gambling Forbes, NY By JOE BIESK 09.23.08, 7:39 AM ET Kentucky’s pro-gambling governor is looking to make sure all bets are off for more than 140 online gambling Web sites that … Online gambling takes its toll Aftenposten, Norway Top community officials are among those who unwittingly lent large sums of money to finance a Norwegian bishop’s son’s gambling debts. …
Casino gambling, poker table revenue up in FL CBS 4, FL But the stakes weren’t as high for other kinds of gambling. Racing at horse and dog tracks and other sports wagering declined 43 percent, to $159 million. Gambling case fallout remains as Donaghy reports to prison USA Today The league has determined that for the first time in major professional US sports, a referee will walk into prison a convicted felon on a gambling charge …
Former gambling site worker cops to ID theft Register, UK The former employee of an internet-based gambling website has admitted he used his position in the company’s credit department to steal the identities of … Arizona gambling feels economic pinch, report shows East Valley Tribune, AZ “Gambling is a form of recreation,” she said. Morago compared it to people making decisions whether to go to a movie, go out to dinner or even “go shopping …
Gambling grows to unexpected levels in Poland Puls Biznesu, Poland Last year, the Poles spent more on gambling than on beer, vodka and medical services. If the upward trend continues the gambling market will be worth as … Unexpectedly, Las Vegas hit by US downturn Reuters And while free rooms and room discounts have kept hotels relatively full — occupancy is down just 1 percent in the year to July — gambling revenue is down …
Blogosphere:
Online Sports Gambling Ken The best sites to find Online Sports Gambling, a leading online casino gambling guide. Includes online casino reviews and recommendations, online casino directory, best payouts and bonuses, blackjack strategy and tips, … BetOnSports.com Gambling Site Worker Pleads Guilty After Stealing … CyberInsecure An employee of the offshore Internet gambling website BetOnSports.com has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from his role in a large Internet-based identity theft ring. BetOnSports PLC does not exist since July 2006 and the Antigua …
Kentucky Seizes Gambling Domains MHB The seizure was taken after the Commonwealth found that the “domains were being used in connection with illegal gambling activity”. The domains seized include:. fulltiltpoker.com. indiancasino.com. bet21.com. allslots.com. bodoglife.com … Kentucks Seizes 141 Gambling Domain Names Chad Kettner There were a number of popular gambling sites listed for seizure including PokerStars.com, FullTiltPoker.com, BodogLife.com, GoldenPalace.com, Bet21.com, DoylesRoom.com and also Rick Schwartz’ IndianCasino.com. …
KY governor after online gambling domains maconlinepoker To be very frank and honest, this is not a good news at all for online gambling industry. US Kentucky state governor, Steve Beshear is trying all his efforts to crack down online gambling industry and in oder to boost offline local … NBA Ref Starts Prison Term for Gambling The NBA referee who admitted gambling on basketball begins his 15-month federal prison sentence today, reports USA Today . The conviction of referee Tim Donaghy, 41, has rocked the NBA, even though officials determined he didn’t bet on …
Bingo Betting gamblingguide online gambling has typically been a mans world (sorry for the huge generalisation but this is a blog after all). Perhaps the influx of Bingo sites will even that up slightly. Certainly Bingo seems to be a more social than playing a … Judge Tosses Gambling Attorney’s $20 Million Lawsuit Against Casinos Law.com – Newswire A federal judge has dismissed a $20 million racketeering lawsuit against seven casinos by a former New York City attorney who said they had a duty to stop her from gambling. The judge wrote that Arelia Margarita Taveras failed to …
Responsible Gaming – Psychology of a Gambler To be honest, gambling gets a bad rap, especially when you consider that it’s one of the prime driving forces of humanity. Nobody has ever gotten rich by playing it safe, and if you have a stock portfolio, you’ve bet your money that … Seniors Doubt Study’s Finding of Gambling Problems Wholesale Bingo Supplies Blog – Bingo Bob But a new gambling study published in the journal Psychology and Aging suggests not all senior citizens have Fava’s self-control. It concludes the elderly are more likely to develop gambling problems than younger people. …
Video: NFL Football Best Bet of the Week with Odds from Gamblers Television
On the campaign’s national website, Obama ask for donation between $5 and $2300 in exchange of a chance for every donor to be chosen as one of the 10 supporters to meet Barack backstage in Denver.
Tom Barrett, head of the Minnesota Gambling Control Board, consider that this is an illegal raffle and a violation of the of Minnesota gambling laws.
Nick Kimball, a spokesman for the Obama campaign in Minnesota, says that “we are not conducting a raffle of any kind“.
As far as I can see, there is no more such offer on the Donation section of Barack Obama web site.
Advantage player is a term used to describe a person who has the ability to play a casino gambling game so skillfully that even without cheating, that person can negate or reverse the casino’s typical built-in house advantage in that game. Examples of advantage play include card counting in blackjack and dice control in craps.Casinos will generally eject an individual whom they identify as being an advantage player. And habitual offenders may ultimately find themselves listed in the Griffin Book, and thus become unwelcome in most casinos. However, advantage players are abiding the established rules of the game, and thus committing no actual fraud against the casino. Therefore, unlike those who cheat outright at the games, advantage players can operate without fear of being criminally prosecuted if they are discovered.
The House Financial Services Committee voted down a bill, H.R. 5767, that would have prevented federal agencies from issuing rules implementing the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). Lawmakers failed to agree on setting a clear definition of illegal Internet gambling.
Alabama Republican Rep. Spencer Bachus says that “Today’s vote was a victory for young people because illegal Internet gambling brings the casino into their bedrooms and dorm rooms, sometimes with tragic consequences.”
But the tie vote, 32-32, meant the legislation failed under committee rules. The original bill proposed by Rep. Barney Frank and Rep. Ron Paul was defeated in a voice vote.
“The financial institutions are in the position of being told not process bets, but it’s not clear what is legal and what is illegal,” said Rep. Barney Frank, the committee’s chairman.
Rep. Peter King says that this “was a banking issue, not a gambling issue” and that the banking industry shouldn’t be in the position of determining what is legal and illegal.
“The PPA is surprised that the Financial Services Committee today failed to clarify what constitutes ‘unlawful Internet gambling’ under the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA),” said Alfonse D’Amato, chairman of the Poker Players Alliance.
Football is popular among children as well as adults.
Overview of the Laws
There are seventeen Laws in the official Laws of the Game. The same Laws are designed to apply to all levels of football, although certain modifications for groups such as juniors, seniors or women are permitted. The Laws are often framed in broad terms, which allow flexibility in their application depending on the nature of the game. In addition to the seventeen Laws, numerous IFAB decisions and other directives contribute to the regulation of football. The Laws can be found on the official FIFA website.
Players, equipment and officials
Each team consists of a maximum of eleven players (excluding substitutes), one of whom must be the goalkeeper. Competition rules may state a minimum number of players required to constitute a team; this is usually seven. Goalkeepers are the only players allowed to play the ball with their hands or arms, but they are only allowed to do so within the penalty area in front of their own goal. Though there are a variety of positions in which the outfield (non-goalkeeper) players are strategically placed by a manager or coach, these positions are not defined or required by the Laws.
The basic equipment players are required to wear includes a shirt, shorts, socks, footwear and adequate shin guards. Players are forbidden to wear or use anything that is dangerous to themselves or another player (including jewellery or watches). The goalkeeper must wear clothing that is easily distinguishable from that worn by the other players and the match officials.
A number of players may be replaced by substitutes during the course of the game. The maximum number of substitutions permitted in most competitive international and domestic league games is three, though the number permitted may be varied in other leagues or in friendly matches. Common reasons for a substitution include injury, tiredness, ineffectiveness, a tactical switch, or as a defensive ploy to use up a little time at the end of a finely poised game. In standard adult matches, a player who has been substituted may not take further part in the match.
A game is officiated by a referee, who has “full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game in connection with the match to which he has been appointed” (Law 5), and whose decisions are final. The referee is assisted by two assistant referees. In many high-level games there is also a fourth official, who assists the referee and may replace another official should the need arise.
Playing field
Standard pitch measurements (Metric version)
Due to the original formulation of the Laws in England and the early supremacy of the four British football associations within IFAB, the standard dimensions of a football pitch were originally expressed in imperial units. The Laws now express dimensions with approximate metric equivalents (followed by traditional units in brackets), though popular use tends to continue to use traditional units.
The length of the rectangular field (pitch) specified for international adult matches is in the range 100-110m (110-120 yards) and the width is in the range 65-75m (70-80 yards). Fields for non-international matches may be 100-130 yards length and 50-100 yards in width. The longer boundary lines are touchlines or sidelines, while the shorter boundaries (on which the goals are placed) are goal lines. On the goal line at each end of the field a rectangular goal is centered. The inner edges of the vertical goal posts must be 8 yards (7.32m) apart, and the lower edge of the horizontal crossbar supported by the goal posts must be 8 feet (2.44m) above the ground. Nets are usually placed behind the goal, but are not required by the Laws.
In front of each goal is an area of the field known as the penalty area (colloquially “penalty box”, “18 yard box” or simply “the box”). This area is marked by the goal-line, two lines starting on the goal-line 18 yards (16.5m) from the goalposts and extending 18 yards into the pitch perpendicular to the goal-line, and a line joining them. This area has a number of functions, the most prominent being to mark where the goalkeeper may handle the ball and where a penal foul by a defender becomes punishable by a penalty kick.
The field has other field markings and defined areas; these are described in the main article above.
Duration and tie-breaking methods
A standard adult football match consists of two periods of 45 minutes each, known as halves. There is usually a 15-minute break between the halves, known as half time. The end of the match is known as full-time.
The referee is the official timekeeper for the match, and may make an allowance for time lost through substitutions, injured players requiring attention, or other stoppages. This added time is commonly referred to as stoppage time or injury time. The amount of time is at the sole discretion of the referee, and the referee alone signals when the match has been completed. In matches where a fourth official is appointed, towards the end of the half the referee will signal how many minutes remain to be played, and the fourth official then signals this to players and spectators by holding up a board showing this number.
In league competitions games may end in a draw, but in some knockout competitions if a game is tied at the end of regulation time it may go into extra time, which consists of two further 15-minute periods. If the score is still tied after extra time, some competitions allow the use of penalty shootouts (known officially in the Laws of the Game as “kicks from the penalty mark”) to determine which team will progress to the next stage of the tournament. Goals scored during extra time periods count towards the final score of the game, but kicks from the penalty mark are only used to decide the team that progresses to the next part of the tournament (with goals scored in a penalty shootout not making up part of the final score).
Competitions held over two legs (in which each team plays at home once) may use the away goals rule to attempt to determine which team progresses in the event of an equal aggregate scoreline. If the result is still equal following this calculation kicks from the penalty mark are usually required, though some competitions may require a tied game to be replayed.
In the late 1990s, the IFAB experimented with ways of making matches more likely to end without requiring a penalty shootout, which was often seen as an undesirable way to end a match. These involved rules ending a game in extra time early, either when the first goal in extra time was scored (golden goal), or if one team held a lead at the end of the first period of extra time (silver goal). Golden goal was used at the World Cup in 1998 (France) and 2002 (Japan-South Korea). The first World Cup game decided by a golden goal was France’s victory over Paraguay in 1998. In the 1996 European Championships Germany was the first nation to score a golden goal in a major competition, beating Czech Republic in the final. Silver goal was used in Euro 2004 (Portugal). Both these experiments have been discontinued by IFAB.
Ball in and out of play
Under the Laws, the two basic states of play during a game are ball in play and ball out of play. From the beginning of each playing period with a kick-off (a set kick from the centre-spot by one team) until the end of the playing period, the ball is in play at all times, except when either the ball leaves the field of play, or play is stopped by the referee. When the ball becomes out of play, play is restarted by one of eight restart methods, the method used depending on the reason for the ball going out of play:
A direct free kick taken by IFK Göteborg.
Kick-off: following a goal by the opposing team, or to begin each period of play.
Throw-in: when the ball has wholly crossed the touchline; awarded to opposing team to that which last touched the ball.
Goal kick: when the ball has wholly crossed the goal line without a goal having been scored and having last been touched by an attacker; awarded to defending team.
Corner kick: when the ball has wholly crossed the goal line without a goal having been scored and having last been touched by a defender; awarded to attacking team.
Indirect free kick: awarded to the opposing team following “non-penal” fouls, certain technical infringements, or when play is stopped to caution/send-off an opponent without a specific foul having occurred.
Direct free kick: awarded to fouled team following certain listed “penal” fouls.
Penalty kick: awarded to the fouled team following a “penal” foul occurring in their opponent’s penalty area.
Dropped-ball: occurs when the referee has stopped play for any other reason (e.g. a serious injury to a player, interference by an external party, or a ball becoming defective). This restart is uncommon in adult games.
Fouls and misconduct
Players are cautioned with a yellow card, and sent off with a red card.
A foul occurs when a player commits a specific offence listed in the Laws of the Game when the ball is in play. The offences that constitute a foul are listed in Law 12. Handling the ball, tripping an opponent, or pushing an opponent, are examples of “penal fouls”, punishable by a direct free kick or penalty kick depending on where the offence occurred. Other fouls are punishable by an indirect free kick.
The referee may punish a player or substitute’s misconduct by a caution (yellow card) or sending-off (red card). Misconduct may occur at any time, and while the offences that constitute misconduct are listed, the definitions are broad. In particular, the offence of “unsporting behaviour” may be used to deal with most events that violate the spirit of the game, even if they are not listed as specific offences.
Rather than stopping play, the referee may allow play to continue when its continuation will benefit the team against which an offence has been committed. This is known as “playing an advantage”. The referee may “call back” play and penalise the original offence if the anticipated advantage does not ensue within a short period of time, typically taken to be four to five seconds. Even if an offence is not penalised because the referee plays an advantage, the offender may still be sanctioned for any associated misconduct at the next stoppage of play.
Offside
The most complex of the Laws is the offside Law, which limits the ability of attacking players to remain forward (i.e. closer to the opponent’s goal-line) of both the ball and the second-last defending player. It is often assumed that the purpose of this Law is to prevent “goal scrounging” or “cherry picking”, but in fact the offside law has similar roots to the offside Law in rugby. The details and application of this Law are complex, and often result in controversy.
Because religious authorities generally frown on gambling to some extent, and because of various perceived social costs, most legal jurisdictions limit gambling to some extent. Some Islamic nations prohibit gambling; most other countries regulate it. Most countries’ laws do not recognise wagers as contracts, and views any consequent losses as debts of honour, unenforceable by legal process. Thus organized crime often takes over the enforcement of large gambling debts, sometimes using violent methods.
Because contracts of insurance have many features in common with wagers, legislation generally makes a distinction, typically defining any agreement in which either one of the parties has an interest in the outcome bet upon, beyond the specific financial terms, as a contract of insurance. Thus a bet on whether one’s house will burn down becomes a contract of insurance, as one has an independent interest in the security of one’s home.
Furthermore, many jurisdictions, local as well as national, either ban or heavily control (by licensing) gambling. Such regulation generally leads to gambling tourism and illegal gambling, the latter often under the auspices of organized crime. Such involvement frequently brings the activity under even more severe moral censure and leads to calls for greater regulation. Conversely, the close involvement of governments (through regulation and gambling taxation) has led to a close connection between many governments and gambling organisations, where legal gambling provides much government revenue, such as in Monaco.
There is generally legislation requiring that the odds in gambling machines are fair (i.e. statistically random), to prevent manufacturers from making some high-payoff results impossible (since these have very low probability, this can quite easily pass unnoticed).
The Lloyd D. George Federal District Courthouse in Las Vegas is the first Federal Building built to the post-Oklahoma City blast resistant standards.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department provides most law enforcement services in the city and surrounding county. Exceptions include cities with their own law enforcement agency; including North Las Vegas, Henderson and Boulder City.
Most of the people and businesses who call Las Vegas home actually live in neighboring unincorporated communities that have no city government or in other nearby cities, some of which are listed below. In fact, of the nearly 1.6 million people who live in the Las Vegas valley, only 575,973 live inside Las Vegas city limits. The largest of these towns are Paradise (188,768) between Las Vegas and Henderson(224,829), Sunrise Manor (184,801) east of Las Vegas and North Las Vegas, and Spring Valley (161,286) southwest of Las Vegas. These towns formed during a 1940s water dispute between the City of Las Vegas and early homeowners south of San Francisco Street, now Sahara Avenue. Residents of these towns cannot vote for the Mayor and City Council of Las Vegas, but they can vote for members of the Clark County Commission, which governs their areas. They are also represented by advisory boards, which are appointed by and give nonbinding suggestions to the Clark County Commission.
The City of Las Vegas government operates as a council-manager government. The Mayor sits as a Councilmember-At-Large and presides over all of the City Council meetings. In the event that the Mayor cannot preside over a City Council meeting the Mayor Pro-Tem is the presiding body of the meeting until such time as the Mayor returns to his seat. The City Manager is responsible for the administration and the day to day operation of all of the municipal services and city departments. The City Manager also maintains an intergovernmental relationships with federal, state, county and other local governments.
A Paiute Indian reservation occupies about 1 acre (4,000 m²) in the downtown area of Las Vegas.
Oscar B. Goodman – Mayor and Councilmember at Large (Term Expires in 2007)
Gary Reese – Mayor Pro-Tem and 3rd Ward Councilmember (Term Expires in 2007)
Lois Tarkanian – 1st Ward Councilmember (Term Expires in 2007)¹
Steve Wolfson, Esq – 2nd Ward Councilmember (Term Expires in 2009)
Larry Brown – 4th Ward Councilmember (Term Expires in 2009)
Lawrence Weekly – 5th Ward Councilmember (Term Expires in 2007)
Steve Ross – 6th Ward Councilmember (Term Expires in 2009)
¹ Elected on January 26, 2005 in a special election to replace Councilwoman Janet Moncrief when recalled from office. Lois Tarkanian will serve the remaining two years of the Ward 1 seat.
City management
Douglas Selby – City Manager
Barbara Jo (Roni) Ronemus – City Clerk
Government offices
City of Las Vegas
Government Offices
400 Stewart Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Metropolitan Police Department
400 Stewart Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Detention Center (City jail)
(not County Detention)
3200 Stewart Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Marriage licenses are filed at the Clark County Courthouse.
A new MGM Grand casino will open at Foxwoods this weekend. The festivities will be overshadowed by the United Auto Workers that will protest against unfair tipping policy and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe’s refusal to bargain, trying to negotiate a union contract.
A new way the tips are distributed among dealers is going to decrease their earnings.
“We’re glad we could reach an agreement on this event that works for everyone. We’re glad to be there, we protected our first amendment rights, and we are confident we will get our message out,” said Director of UAW Region 9a, Bob Madore.
The Union will try to make aware the casino customers of the unfair labor practices, many dealers joining the protest.
The opening will have as guests many celebrities, such as Michael Douglas and his wife, Catherine Zeta Jones, and Jamie Lynn Sigler.
Lee Rousso, the Washington State Director of the Poker Players Alliance, filed a lawsuit on July 1, 2007, seeking to have UIGEA declared unconstitutional, considering that the new law discriminated against interstate businesses and, thus, violated the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution. He said that UIGEA was supported by Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Renton, whose district contains the state’scasinos and card rooms.
On May 16, 2008, State Court Judge Mary Roberts rejected the complaint, considering that there is no prove that the state law unfairly protected gaming interests inside the state at the expense of interests outside the state, and that the state’s historically strict prohibition on gambling influenced her ruling.
“The state loves gambling, it’s a gigantic business. It’s just the state protecting its turf.” , said Lee Rousso. “We are going to win this battle. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but someday soon.”
Poker News says that Washington state Gambling Commission spokeswoman Susan Arland disagrees. She said the law is meant to protect the public from the risk of playing on unregulated sites. “You don’t know who’s behind that screen. You don’t know if the games are fair or honest. You don’t know if you get paid your winnings.”
Yahoo! changes his terms of service regarding the gambling ads, for the UK advertisers. This is due to the change in UK legislation for gambling advertising, that is now less restrictive.
AccuraCast says that Yahoo! sent an email to its UK clients telling them that under recent UK legislation on gambling advertising, UK gambling ads may now include invitations to play or any mention of money, bonuses and prizes.
Yahoo Search Marketing have partnered recently with Media Corporation, an Internet media firm which owns onthebox.com, gambling.com and sport.co.uk, to provide search results and advertising across Media Corp’s extensive publishing network.
During July 29-30, 2008, will take place the conference Next Generation in Gambling (NGG) (Exploring multi-channel delivery of games to customers while complying with federal and state laws in Canada, United States and Latin America).
The event will target the casino, racing, and lottery companies working in North American jurisdictions, focusing to expand delivery channels while staying in compliance with the law, developing multi-channel strategies to bring gaming products directly to consumers is a logical next step.
The topics will cover technological information via the dedicated technology track, marketing tips, thought-provoking keynotes, and panel discussions from professional speakers like Hon. Alfonse D’Amato (Chairman and Chief Executive, Poker Players Alliance), Chris Collins (Linden Lab), Shawn Kreloff (CEO, Sona Mobile).
An already tested method to defeat the online gambling companies started to act again, after Bodog.
1st Technology made a complaint against several companies including Digital Gaming Solutions SA, Costa Rica International Sports, Action Poker Gaming Enterprises and SBG Global; two Norwegian companies: Playsafe Holding AS and eCom Enterprises; and Digital Gaming Network, Ltd., which is based in Curacao, for the inftingement of a US patent. The result could be the confiscation of the domain names and default judgements.
Gambling 911 tells us that the complaint, filed in a Missouri Supreme Court, is considering the U.S. Patent No. 5,564,001, titled “Method and System for Interactively Transmitting Information Over A Network Which Requires Reduced Bandwidth”.
What is interesting is that this kind of action is taken against companies that are not under the jurisdiction of the US. But, in order to be able to fight against the online gambling, it is used an intermediate for the complaint and the fact that many international institutions that are implied in the domain name and Internet regulation are based within US, so they are considered as being under the US jurisdiction.
I do not know if this US patent it is a legal and enough argument against the online gambling companies. But why they didn’t act before the UIGEA, when US was accepting the online gambling?
And more than this, it seems to me that during the last years the US patents grown in a such manner that soon there will be very few activities on Internet that will no infringe a patent or another (in an insurance related web site, I was forced some time ago to change the metatag “farm insurance” because it is patented by an US company).
And they have even the power and the tools to impose their own rules, as long as the most important specific institutions are under the US jurisdiction.
So, it seems that the Internet is no more a “worldwide, publicly accessible series of interconnected computer networks that transmit data by packet switching using the standard Internet Protocol”, but a patent where we are accepted temporarily, as long as we do not bother the owner.
NCOP Economic and Foreign Affairs Committee wants to modify the National Gambling Amendment Bill, in order that only licensed interactive gambling providers may advertise interactive gambling in its generally accepted form of remote gambling.
There it is still under discussions between the various provinces the way the online gambling advertising will be allowed.
In accordance with IT Web, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)willsearch for “a formulation that is recommended on the subject by both DTI and the state law advisers on the subject”.
The next NCOP meeting on the subject of the Gambling Amendment Bill will be on 13 February 2008.
Californians energized by unprecedented primary election San Francisco Chronicle, USA Propositions 94-97 are referendums that would repeal the gambling compacts with a no vote. Those measures have attracted by far the most spending of any of …
Gambling interests funded ad campaign Louisville Courier-Journal, KY Beshear said during the campaign that he would prefer that elections be held without the influence of 527 organizations, according to Cauley. …
Let’s make gambling an election issue Covers, Canada They dug up some old quotes from Obama where he expressed some pretty strongly negative opinions about gambling in general. From 2003. …
Democrats fail to confront Bush ‘crimes’ San Francisco Chronicle, USA In addition, the ads in favor state that expanded gambling helps Indians help themselves and these four tribes would share revenues with other less …
Gambling and elections Politics on the Hudson, NY By the end of September, Clinton had collected $60000 from the gambling industry nationwide, more than any other Democratic candidate in the running. …
2008 US Elections Betting Gambling911.com, FL The 2004 US Presidential elections were the most bet on nonsporting event ever recorded with millions of dollars bet and some online gambling establishments …
Senate Republicans unveil road funding plan Marshalltown Times Republican, IA The Republican plan would take $90 million from the state’s gambling revenues to put in to the Road Use Tax Fund. It also would require any money remaining …
Commentary: Presidential primaries and caucuses Helium, MA Huckabee talked about being an opponent of gambling yet he was seen gambling in a casino in the Iowan city of Burlington. Huckabee went on a comic and …
Online poker: Where do the candidates stand? PokerListings.com Though the candidate himself has made no statements during the campaign regarding online gambling, the Mormon Church is opposed to gambling in all forms. …
Presidential candidates, from a poker perspective Niagara Falls Review, Canada It has been almost two years since the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. The legislation blocked financial institutions from …
Our Views: A busy year for elections
TheAdvocate, LA presidential primary election, coupled with the much-debated proposition in East Baton Rouge authorizing a third riverboat casino. …
US Politicians Stand On Internet Gambling Online-Casinos.com, Denmark February 5th is an important day in the run-up to a crucial US election, and voters have an obligation to make their preferences known.
Casino Operator Helps Governor Get Elected in Kentucky Online Casino Advisory, Canada William Yung is a well known casino operator around the United States. He is the head of Columbia Sussex, which owns and operates casinos in all areas of …
Election 2008: Indian gaming and the candidates Tahlequah Daily Press, OK “The US Department of Justice, the NIGC, and the Indian gaming arm of the Bureau of Indian Affairs are all involved in a ‘discussion’ about whose …
2008 Election Endorsements The Santa Barbara Independent, CA If California is going to allow legalized gambling, we question the wisdom of assigning de facto monopolies to any outside interests. …
Press Release Free movement of services: Commission inquires into restrictions on the provision of certain gambling services in Sweden
The European Commission has decided to send an official request for information on national legislation restricting the supply and promotion of certain gambling services to Sweden. In April 2006 the Commission sent a similar request for information to Sweden concerning sports betting (IP/06/436). In this new case the Commission wishes to verify whether all national measures relating to poker games and tournaments are consistent and therefore compatible with Article 49 of the EC Treaty, which guarantees the free movement of services. The Commission’s decision relates only to the compatibility of the national measures in question with existing EU law. It does not touch upon the existence of monopolies as such, or on national lotteries. Nor does it have any implications for the liberalisation of the market for gambling services generally, or for the entitlement of Member States to seek to protect the general interest, so long as this is done in a manner consistent with EU law i.e. that any measures are necessary, proportionate and non-discriminatory. The letter of formal notice is the first step in an infringement procedure under Article 226 of the EC Treaty. Sweden has two months in which to respond. The Commission hopes that the answer it receives will lead to an early and satisfactory resolution of the matter.
This latest inquiry into Swedish national gambling restrictions focuses on various issues relating to poker games and tournaments.
Poker games and tournaments are today offered in Swedish international casinos and, since 2006, the state-owned company also offers such services online on a large scale. However, the national legislation prevents online poker games and tournaments offered by operators licensed and regulated in other Member States. Also, it provides for restrictions and criminal sanctions on the promotion both of online poker offered by a licensed service provider in another Member State, and of poker organised within licensed premises in another Member State.
The European Court of Justice has previously stated that any restrictions which seek to protect general interest objectives, such as the protection of consumers, must be “consistent and systematic” in how they seek to limit betting activities. A Member State cannot invoke the need to restrict its citizens’ access to betting services if at the same time it incites and encourages them to participate in state lotteries, games of chance or betting which benefits the state’s finances.
Press Release Free movement of services: Commission inquires into restrictions on gambling services in Germany
The European Commission has decided to send to Germany an official request for information on national legislation restricting the supply of gambling services. The Commission wishes to verify whether the measures in question are compatible with Articles 43, 49 and 56 of the EC Treaty. This decision relates only to the compatibility of the national measures in question with existing EU law. It does not have any implications for the liberalisation of the market for gambling services generally, or for the entitlement of Member States to seek to protect the general interest, so long as this is done in a manner consistent with EU law i.e. that any measures are necessary, proportionate and non-discriminatory. The letter of formal notice is the first step in an infringement procedure under Article 226 of the EC Treaty. Germany has two months in which to respond. The Commission hopes that the answers it receives will lead to an early and satisfactory resolution of the matter.
This new inquiry focuses on a number of provisions of the new legislation which entered into force on 1.1.2008. Some of the key restrictions that are questioned in terms of their compatibility with the EC Treaty’s Internal Market provisions are as follows: the total prohibition of games of chance on the Internet; notably sports betting, on which the Commission sent to Germany in March 2007 a detailed opinion; advertising restrictions on TV, on the Internet or on jerseys or billboards; and the prohibition on financial institutions to process and execute payments relating to unauthorised games of chance. In addition, questions are raised regarding the authorisation regime to be granted to intermediaries as well as the criminal sanctions or administrative fines provided for in cases of organisation, advertising and participation in on-line games of chance.
However, it should be noted that in Germany horse race betting on the Internet is not prohibited and slot machines have been widely expanded. Moreover, advertising of games of chance by mail, in the press and on radio is still permitted.
The European Court of Justice has previously stated that any restrictions which seek to protect general interest objectives, such as the protection of consumers, must be “consistent and systematic” in how they seek to limit activities. A Member State cannot invoke the need to restrict its citizens’ access to these services if at the same time it encourages them to participate in State games of chance.
The Commission decision to inquire into the compatibility of the measures in question is based on complaints made by a number of service providers and on information gathered by Commission staff.
Press Release
Regulating Internet Gambling Would Generate Billions in New Revenue for Critical Government Programs
Congressman McDermott Urges Congress to Support Internet Gambling Legislation
(Washington, D.C. – January 31, 2008) A new tax revenue analysis announced by Representative Jim McDermott (D-WA) estimates that regulating Internet gambling would generate between $8.7 billion to $42.8 billion in federal revenues over its first ten years. The findings of the analysis, prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers, were provided to all Members of Congress by McDermott earlier this week.
“Before us is a tremendous opportunity to protect consumers and recoup billions of dollars that should be collected by the Internal Revenue Service,” said Representative McDermott. “These are revenues that are desperately needed, given that we are at war and face difficulty financing the nation’s priorities.”
Representative McDermott introduced the Internet Gambling Regulation and Tax Enforcement Act (H.R. 2607), which would tax regulated Internet gambling.
“To be clear, these are not mostly new taxes – the bulk of the revenues generated would come from taxes required under existing law,” said McDermott. “This is simply a framework to collect taxes on existing activity that is currently unregulated, unsupervised, and underground.”
The current approach, prohibiting Internet gambling through the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), has proved to be a failure. Notwithstanding the UIGEA prohibition, millions of Americans are still able to gamble online. In addition, proposed rules by the Treasury Department to implement the current prohibitions have been severely criticized by many parties, including the American Bankers Association, Credit Union National Association, Financial Services Roundtable, and other leading financial services companies and groups.
“Instead of this ineffective attempt to prevent adults from gambling over the Internet, we need a more sensible approach to protect consumers and ensure that revenues that now flow offshore stay here in the U.S. and are therefore subject to taxation,” added McDermott. “A new, safer, more sensible approach is needed to regulate Internet gambling and protect consumers.”
McDermott’s legislation functions as a companion bill to the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act (H.R. 2046), legislation introduced by Representative Barney Frank (D-MA) which would establish a licensing and enforcement framework for regulated Internet gambling in the U.S. The legislation would allow States to retain full control over the regulation of Internet gambling within their borders, applying additional taxes, protections and limitations as determined necessary and appropriate.
”By prohibiting a popular, recreational activity that many millions enjoy in the comfort of their own homes, the U.S. is forfeiting billions of dollars in revenue needed for critical government programs,” said Jeffrey Sandman, spokesman for the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative. “It is time for Congress to regulate and tax Internet gambling to ensure security controls are in place to protect consumers and capture billions in revenue.”
About Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative
The Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative promotes the freedom of individuals to gamble online with the proper safeguards to protect consumers and ensure the integrity of financial transactions. For more information on the Initiative, please visit www.safeandsecureig.org. The Web site provides a means by which individuals can register support for regulated Internet gambling with their elected representatives.
The Dutch justice ministry introduced new regulations that will held criminally liable the banks and credit card companies that will facilitate online gambling on foreign sites for the Dutch citizens.
In accordance with Dutch News, in some months it will be published a list with the banned web sites (this decision seems to me a stupid idea, because they cannot control all the new gambling sites that are published every day).
Online gambling is already illegal in Netherlands, but the Dutch stats show about 400,000 people that play online, and about 30 foreign companies that target the Dutch gamblers.
The Dutch policy for gambling is in contradiction with the EU rules, Netherlands trying to get absolute state monopoly for all the gambling games, giving to the state-owned Holland Casino exclusive rights to run internet gambling in the Netherlands, and denying license for all the foreign companies that want to build casinos in the Netherlands.
Interpol had last year in October a very large operation involving Australia, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam to stop the illegal soccer gambling which resulted in 423 arrests in 266 raids across the region, 272 underground gambling dens shut down and $680 million US worth of illegal bets. Now, Interpol is prepared to start a second operation in Asia.
“Gambling on soccer matches might seem as harmless as placing a small bet on your favorite team, but these illegal operations are often controlled by organized criminals, said Interpol Secretary-General Ronald K. Noble at the organization’s Global Conference on Asian Organized Crime in Singapore.
Ronald Noble said that “we’ve already started planning for the second phase of Soga [Soccer Gambling]”
Having in view the future the 2008 UEFA European Football Championship, commonly referred to as Euro 2008, that will take place in Austria and Switzerland, from 7 to 29 June 2008, UEFA (Union of European football Association) president Michel Platini says that corruption in football can pose to the integrity of the game after many European games were noted as possibly being fixed.
“We were so successful with the first phase, we know it’s like cutting off the head of a Hydra”, said Interpol Secretary-General Ronald K. Noble of the operation codenamed SOGA, short for Soccer Gambling.
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A direct free kick taken by IFK Göteborg.
Players are cautioned with a yellow card, and sent off with a red card.
The Lloyd D. George Federal District Courthouse in Las Vegas is the first Federal Building built to the post-Oklahoma City blast resistant standards.
The Dutch justice ministry introduced new regulations that will held criminally liable the banks and credit card companies that will facilitate online gambling on foreign sites for the Dutch citizens.
