After an arguably much-deserved vacation, PLB is back.  PLB’s vacation involved a long drive down half of the eastern seaboard, only to turn around when Earl approached.  This meant that — twice — I had to pass sign after sign for Mohegan Sun, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, Bethlehem Sands, Mount Airy, and Delaware Park, among others.  (Plus, I accidentally stumbled into a video poker room in North Carolina that doubled as a Philip Morris testing facility.  After seeing the people in there on a beautiful weekday I might have to reverse my stance on personal freedoms.)  All these billboards and the hours in traffic got me thinking.  How is the competition affecting games?  Are there too many places in too close a vicinity?  Is AC still the mothership?  (Got to be, right?)  These are questions posed here previously, but not since the poker rooms have been running full bore for some time.  Any thoughts from our loyal readers?  (Who I know, thanks to google, are out there.)

The Commerce Casino in California, the largest poker room in the U.S., and a mecca for west coast poker enthusiasts, recently stated its opposition to H.R. 2267, Rep. Barney Frank’s legislation that would legalize and regulate online poker.  I have two main reactions to this stance.  First, a business has every right to, in fact is designed to, do what is in its best economic interest.  Second, opposing the legislation is short-sighted.

I’m assuming that the Commerce Casino stance is premised on a belief that more people playing online will mean fewer people in its establishment.  Which translates to less rake and concessions.  In other words, less revenue.  If this was true, the Commerce’s position would be correct.  But I do not believe it to be true.  Legalizing online poker will expand the pie.  Its tide will rise all boats.  Or whatever metaphor you prefer.  Legalization likely will result in more people interested in and playing poker than are now.  Initially, most of these new players will be online — that is the intention of the law after all.  But as we all know, even the staunchest of online poker advocates dabble in live poker from time to time.  So, if more people are playing poker online, it stands to reason that eventually (and probably soon) there should be an increase in live players as well.  Being the largest poker room in the country, and in California to boot, the Commerce should receive a significant portion of the increased action.  To vote against legalizing online poker is myopic. 

It is myopic for another reason.  Commerce regulars are revolting against the casino’s stance and threatening to boycott the poker room.  Apparently, live poker players enjoy online poker as well (who knew!).  Or at least commiserate with their online compatriots.  The Commerce’s stance is costing it business even before online poker is legalized.

Poker is one community.  Regardless of whether you prefer online or live.  It’s similar to how Democrats and Republicans are all Americans.  Our similarities are greater than our differences.  Poker has been under attack for some time.  All poker players should stand united.  Doing so will help all.  (I mean, can you just imagine the influx of fresh meat for the Commerce Casino sharks?  It might be like 2003-05 –the Golden Age — all over again.)

**FYI — I will be on vacation next week.  I’ll try to post while away, but do not yet know if I will have internet access.  If I don’t, I will post soon after my return as I know you will be chomping at the bit.  Have a great Labor Day!

Harrah’s is engaging in a massive PR campaign to publicize its free poker site.  But get this, the site is run by Dragonfish, which operates a real-money site in the UK.  This move comes hot on the heels of the positive House Committee vote on Rep. Frank’s bill to legalize/regulate online poker, the momentum gained since with additional Congresspeople voicing their support of the bill, and rumors that any bill that legalizes online poker will explicitly outlaw any site that operated in violation of U.S. law (i.e., FullTilt, PokerStars, and even possibly PartyPoker — a great comment to an earlier post by me notes that Party admitted guilt a while back to avoid serious sanctions).  Looks like Harrah’s is using the period before (crossing fingers) legalization to fine-tune its software and build a fan base.  They even soon will offer prizes, such as main event entries.  It may not be “gambling” — you are not putting up your on money — but it is mighty enticing.  Anyway, if I’m FTP, PS, or Party, I would be getting a wee bit nervous.  Harrah’s is a major casino player with a strong lobbying influence.  This shot over the bow is one that should be heeded.  How though, is an entirely different question.

I could try to summarize Wednesday’s House Committee hearing on Rep. Frank’s bill which would alter the UIGEA, but this Cardplayer article does an excellent job.  No need to reinvent the wheel.  Enjoy.

If you’ve been to Atlantic City in the, well, past 30 years, you know that the town is need of a massive makeover.  Heck, it needs more than touch-up work.  It needs to be gutted.  Enter Governor Christie to the rescue.  New Jersey just announced a total overhaul of the city, including who is in charge legally, who is in charge practically, a new direction, and a rededicated drive.

To be more accurate, NJ will be taking over just the gaming and entertainment district, not the entire city.  But for us non-residents, this is the part we are most concerned with anyway.  Among the changes are that the gaming/entertainment district will become its own city (albeit within the rest of the city of AC — think the Vatican), local police no longer will be charged with protection, garbage disposal responsibility will reside with the state, and gaming regulations will be updated to make them in-line with those of Nevada (i.e., looser).

These are much needed and long overdue upgrades for AC.  Hopefully it is not too late.  AC faces strong competition from every direction (except east, since it is on the ocean).  The new Pennsylvania casinos are a stone’s throw away, Yonkers has added slots, Mohegan/Foxwoods have expanded greatly recently, the Shinneock tribe soon will be getting a casino, and Delaware has broadened its gambling.  What none of these places have, however, is miles of beautiful beaches.  Vegas is hot, and so usable year round.  But AC has the water.  Granted it’s usable for only a few months each year, but the water should be made a major focal point of the destination.  People should want to fly to AC to wine, dine, gamble, and swim.  Water sports (surfing, windsurfing, paddle surfing, swimming, jet skiing, etc.), fishing, piers with restaurants/bars, etc. should be everywhere.  Every great military leader knows that you must use your environment to your advantage.  Atlantic City is under attack.  Use the water.

First the good.  British Columbia, Canada became the first North American government to launch an online gambling website.  B.C. estimates that it will receive $40 million in annual revenue from the move.  Other Canadian provinces, such as Quebec and Manitoba, are considering similar sites. 

Now the bad.  Poland is on the verge of banning online poker.  It already has draft legislation that it is considering.  However, according to the European Gaming and Betting Association, many aspects of the proposed legislation contravene EU law.  The UK and Malta also have expressed concerns.  The legislation is in a holding period until August 16.

I cannot think of a single bad thing to say about New Zealand.  And that was before I learned that a New Zealand court ruled live poker is not gambling and online sites may advertise.  The only hitch with the advertising ruling is that a distinction was made between .net and .com (and other similar) extensions.  The court’s reasoning was the difference between educational and for profit sites.  Still, as we Americans know, .net sites often lead (via link or other means) to .com sites.  And, in turn, to profits.  At least in theory.  (Then again, as Homer Simpson said, in theory communism works.  But I digress.)

Still, it may be time to consider a move to the bottom of the Earth.  If it’s good enough for hobbits, it’s good enough for me.

Updating a story we reported on here last week, The California Indian tribes have succeeded in stalling proposed legislation that would have created an intrastate online poker site.  After much lobbying, the bill’s sponsor, Roderick Wright, withdrew the legislation claiming further discussion is needed.  The horizon keeps getting farther away…

Not long ago it was a lobbying coup just to get state legislators to even consider legalizing poker within their state’s borders, online or live.  In an intriguing turn of events, Massachusetts is delaying debate on expanding gambling, not because of any fear of gambling per se, but because they cannot agree on how to spend the money gaming will bring the state.  Talk about killing a golden goose.  Gambling finally is deemed acceptable societal behavior, but then you don’t allow it because you can’t decide between giving money to property owners or to local municipalities.  So, instead, no one gets anything.  (At least for now.)  Politicians amuse me.  In a sad way.

As reported previously, California is considering whether to establish an intrastate online poker site.  The California Indian tribes are divided in their stance on the legislation making the bill’s passage hotly debated.  The hearing on the matter is set for June 29 at 3:30 p.m. PST.  Could be interesting theater if you’re in the neighborhood.