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Floridians Now Have the Right to Vote on Poker Laws

Posted on November 15, 2018November 15, 2018 by Kelley N.

The November midterm elections have come and gone, with Americans voting a wide range of issues. One of the most important bills affecting the poker world was Amendment 3, which offered voters in Florida the power to make big decisions about gambling laws. Now that the votes have been counted, Floridians have accepted that responsibility.

Yes on Amendment 3

One of the most important bills relating to poker in America was Florida’s Amendment 3, which would give voters the power to decide on any new gambling laws in the state. Leading up to the elections, it was a very contentious issues, as various forces attempted to sway voters either way.

Poker Alliance was one of the most vocal organizations, expressing its opposition to the bill. The group emailed over 30 000 members urging them to vote no on Amendment 3, stating that it would reduce competition in the state’s gambling market.

Its main argument was that the bill was backed by Seminole, which currently has a monopoly on Florida’s casino market, and Disney. With millions of dollars to spend and significant reasons to oppose gambling expansion in the state, the two parties could easily sway voters opinions – whereas voting no on Amendment 3 would leave the power with lawmakers who would be able to weigh any new gambling laws fairly.

Disney had already made it’s anti-gambling stance known and, now that the people of Florida can vote on gaming laws, the company may be able to sway towards a specific opinion. The Seminole Tribe has similar interests. Since the tribe is the only entity in the state with permission to offer casino games and poker, it would certainly want to keep things that way. Like Disney, Seminole has plenty of money to spend campaigning against any sort of gambling expansion and has the power to influence voters.

Giving Power Back to the Voters

However, this could be a good thing for gambling expansion in Florida. While Seminole and Disney are both very monied, there is the chance that neither group will be able to influence voters against the opening of new casinos and the expansion of online gambling.

After all, it is up to what the voters really want. As more state’s across America begin opening up their online poker markets, it’s likely that Florida residents will want in on the action. There’s no denying that online gaming regulation has the potential to bring in millions of tax dollars and create plenty of jobs.

So only time will tell exactly what kind of effect Amendment 3 will have on Florida’s poker industry. It really can go either way at this point, despite arguments that the bill will hinder the potential for any future expansion.

First Blockchain Casino Being Planned for Macau

Posted on October 25, 2018October 25, 2018 by Kelley N.

Blockchain technology is already being integrated into the online poker market, with many sites now accepting cryptocurrency payments. Now, there ate two companies that want to take things a lot further by expanding the reach of blockchain into land-based gaming world, as DeClub and Wide Rich Global makes plans to launch a blockchain casino system in Macau that will link online and land-based gaming destinations.

Together, Wide Rich Global and DeClub will build a blockchain-backed casino with funds from an initial coin offering (ICO) that aims to raise $1 billion. Once the sale of DEC tokens is completed, DeClub will apply for a Macau Junket Promoter license and aim to acquire several land-based casinos in Macau. 35% of the total has been raised so far, and the companies plan to expand their reach to acquire land-based venues in other Asian countries and across the Caribbean. Over time, the network will include a wide range of land-based venues that are all linked across a blockchain network.

The DEC coin will then be launched as a way to carry out transactions at both online and land-based casinos. Players will be able to convert DEC into other types of cryptocurrencies, and stablecoins will be offered as a way to help power the online casinos that are integrated with the online casinos.

This isn’t the first time that a land-based venture has attempted to make blockchain gaming technology work. In 2017, Dragon Corp’s ICO aimed to raise $500 million for its Dragon Coin. The money raised was to be used to build a floating casino. While it looking like a promising idea, the main contractor pulled out and the plan fell apart.

Since Wide Rich and DeClub aim to raise $1 billion, they are taking twice the chance and they could be setting themselves up for a big fall. However, since they are already over a third of the way to their goal, it may be a more successful venture than Dragon Coin.

Why Blockchain?

Blockchain is considered a great match for the online gaming market, as it presents players with a way to interact with venues in a transparent manner. The same pros can be applied to the land-based casino market, as well, which would also link the two types of gaming in a “pan-gambling business ecosystem”.

Should a gambling site run on blockchain technology, all transactions must be verified using a public ledger. The ledger cannot be edited or manipulated which means that no fraud can take place on the network, adding another layer of safety to the gaming world.

There is definitely huge potential for blockchain technology to change both the online and land-based gambling markets. DeClub and Wide Rich are taking the first step towards this revolution, and only time will tell if they will be successful.

Bitcoin Cardroom Launches “Green” High Five Tourneys

Posted on October 18, 2018October 18, 2018 by Kelley N.

America’s Cardroom is taking advantage of the expanding legalization of marijuana with a new set of tournaments themed around the drug. With the news that Canada has joined states like California, Nevada and Colorado in allowing the recreational use of marijuana, now seems to be a good time to appeal to poker players who enjoy the occasional toke.

High Fives All Around

It’s called the High Five Tournament, and it will take place from October 31^st to November 4^th. Every day that week, players will be able to take part in events with a total prize pool of $1.5 million. During the main event, the guaranteed prize pool is – you guessed it – $420 000.

It’s an interesting way to promote an online poker tournament, and we’ve never seen it done before. However, it is known that poker players do enjoy some recreational marijuana use while grinding it out online, so this event is sure to appeal to a niche market. In fact, the taglines are pretty catchy:

‘Stock up on munchies, Smoke the tables’
‘Trick or Treat – It’s munchies time’
‘Instead of candy, we are handing out the green’.

How could you resist? There is even going to be a “courtesy break” at 4:20 each day.

A Popular Cryptocurrency Poker Site

In addition to being popular with marijuana smokers, America’s Cardroom and other sites within the Winning Poker Network are also the first choice for cryptocurrency users – enhancing their appeal with two niche markets. In fact, over 60% of users at WPN sites use cryptocurrency to make their deposits.

In 2015, WPN sites were some of the first to embrace cryptocurrency technology. They have always promoted the use of it in the online poker world, and are now beginning to reap their rewards. With more and more poker players preferring the use of bitcoin when playing poker online, sites like America’s Cardroom are well-positioned to become leaders in the gaming market.

Cryptocurrency has continued to gain popularity among online poker players thanks to its ease of use, anonymity and speed. Players don’t have to worry about any of their personal details being shared when their make deposits, and the standard processing times for credit cards and e-wallets don’t apply so players can have their withdrawals processed instantly.

We’re only going to see bitcoin gain an even larger presence in the online poker market in coming months. As sites like America’s Cardroom continue to promote the use of cryptocurrencies in the online gaming world, we’re sure that bitcoin will soon become a staple at poker rooms across the web.

World Poker Tour Teams up with Blockchain Sportsbook

Posted on October 12, 2018October 15, 2018 by Kelley N.

The worlds of gambling and cryptocurrencies and bitcoin are colliding once again, as the World Poker Tour has teamed up with FansUnite Entertainment, an innovative new sportsbook that is powered by blockchain technology. This will be the WPT’s first foray into the blockchain market, while providing FansUnite with more exposure through a leading international poker brand.

A Multi-Pronged Partnership

We’ll be seeing FansUnite and the World Poker Tour collaborating in a number of different ways. Firstly, the two companies will be engaging in cross promotion on social media and international TV distribution will be provided to FansUnite through the World Poker Tour’s programming. FansUnite will also provide the WPT with promotional tie-ins from the Leicester City Football Club, the sportsbook’s official partner.

Another aspect of the deal will be in the introduction of “Plays of the Week”, on Super Channel’s Heads Up Daily. The show broadcasts news and features related to the eSports market, so this will be the first time the WPT will get involved with this emerging sporting industry.

As you can see, this will be a mutually beneficial partnership. Both the WPT and FansUnite will be able to expand their reach across new markets, promoting themselves to viewers who are currently unfamiliar with their products.

“The sports betting and blockchain industries continue to provide applications to the gaming world, and the World Poker Tour is proud to name FansUnite as an official partner,” says Adam Pliska, CEO of the World Poker Tour.

According to Darius Eghdami, the World Poker Tour has been on the forefront of gaming entertainment for the past 20 years, gaining instant name recognition and making it the perfect partner for the cryptocurrency-powered sportsbook. Pliska is just as thrilled with the deal, excited about introducing FansUnite to the millions of WPT fans and players around the world.

Poker and Blockchain, Working Together Once Again

This year has seen plenty of interaction between the blockchain and poker worlds. In September, the World Crypto Con at the Aria Casino in Las Vegas hosted a blockchain poker tournament. It was only the second time that the world markets interacted, after a similar blockchain poker tournament was hosted at the Blockchain World Conference.

Blockchain technology continues to be a be perfect fit as a partner in the poker market. The technology offers both online and land-based players a new way to experience their favourite game, and there is plenty of opportunity for more interaction between these two industries. The recent deal between the World Poker Tour and Fans Unite will only serve to strengthen the bond and make way for many more similar partnerships to be formed in the future.

Virtual Reality Poker Product on the Horizon

Posted on September 27, 2018October 1, 2018 by Kelley N.

Bitcoin isn’t the only new technology to take the poker world by storm. Virtual reality has also made quite the impression on poker operators – so much so that PokerStars is currently developing a new product that allows players to take part in poker games using a VR headset.

PokerStars VR

The new VR poker software provides players with the chance to play online poker games using virtual reality technology. By donning a headset, players will be able to transport themselves to unique locations and compete in cash games and tournaments with other virtual players.

Severin Rasset, Director of Poker Innovation and Operations at PokerStars, says:

“PokerStars VR is a chance for us to take this amazing technology and bring something totally unique to poker players. Poker is about interaction. It’s been bringing people together for well over a century. We’re really excited to invest in the next generation of the game and to give players the opportunity to meet in a brand new virtual reality dimension.”

There will be some unique modifications that players can make to their gaming experience. For example, they can customise the look of their 3D avatar, and they can choose to play in all sorts of interesting locations, like a yacht in Monte Carlo or an Old West saloon. They can also engage in other activities like order drinks or even throwing food at their competitors.

Currently, the technology is being tested by over 100 players around the world. It is able to use on Steam with either Oculus Rift or HTC Vive headsets. At the moment, there is no word on when PokerVR will be made available to the public.

Virtual Reality in the Wider Gaming Market

Virtual reality has been gaining ground in the wider gaming market for a couple of years now. We have seen large gaming development companies experimenting with this technology to create a wide range of immersive video games. There are puzzle games, shooters, arcade game and all sorts of different titles that use virtual reality to engage players in a brand new way.

Even the slots market has embraced virtual reality. NetEnt is one online slots developer that has been working hard to bring VR slots to life. Several of the company’s most popular games, including Gonzo’s Quest and Jack & the Beanstalk, have been given the virtual reality treatment, immersing players in the characters’ worlds while vying for the chance to win generous prizes.

While virtual reality is becoming a big hit in the larger, video game market, there is no telling how it will fare in online poker rooms and at online casinos. It will be very interesting to see how players respond to being able to play poker games and tournaments while wearing VR headsets.

Blockchain Poker Tournament to be Hosted at Aria Casino

Posted on September 13, 2018September 13, 2018 by Kelley N.

Blockchain and cryptocurrencies are quickly becoming ingratiated into the poker world. Providing players with safe and secure gaming, they have been embraced by players and operators across the web. To help strengthen this bond, World Crypto Con will be hosting a Blockchain poker tournament.

Bringing Land-Based Poker and Blockchain Together

The Blockchain Poker tournament will integrate blockchain technology into standard poker tournament play. While few details have been announced so far, we are hoping to see some exciting innovations, for example, wagering using cryptocurrencies.

It is anticipated that many talented poker pros will be in attendance. Daniel Negreanu and Antonio Esfandiari are on the list of rumoured runners, and there is speculation that Phil Hellmuth may register since he is known to have a close relationship with the Aria Casino.

This will be the second time we’ll see blockchain technology integrated into a poker tournament. The first was in July, when Blockparty hosted an event at the Blockchain World Conference. 100 runners competed in the tournament, and the winner walked away with a two tickets to the next Blockchain World Conference and three nights’ accommodation – worth a total of $10 000.

Blockchain in the Online Poker World

The online poker market is quickly embracing blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies. There are now dozens of online poker sites that accept bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as deposit methods, and players are pleased with the development. Cryptocurrencies are well-known for the privacy that they award users, as they are completely anonymous. They are also renowned for their quick processing times.

There are also many ways that online poker sites are planning to use blockchain in their overall operation. Smart contracts can make peer-to-peer payments an integral part of tournament registration and payouts. For example, if it costs 1 BTC to enter a tournament, the player’s buy-in is kept in escrow with every other player’s entry fee. Players who win will be paid out from the escrow account, so no money is ever passed through a third party.

Another benefit of blockchain technology is that it is audited by the community itself. All changes and developments can be viewed by members of the community, who are on the lookout for any suspicious activities – so, you can definitely rely on blockchain to make the online poker world a safer place.

Blockchain is already making a significant impact on the online poker world, and it is sure to start having an effect in the land-based poker market. World Crypto Con’s blockchain tournament is just one of the first few steps that needs to be taken in order for poker and blockchain to become completely integrated for a whole new gaming experience.

Treasure Island’s Poker Room Closes

Posted on August 30, 2018August 31, 2018 by Kelley N.

A Las Vegas poker institution is shutting it’s doors, and the local gaming market just won’t be the same without it. Unable to compete with the big boys, Treasure Island has permanently closed, leaving 17 other poker rooms on the Las Vegas strip.

Too Much Competition

There are only seven tables at the Treasure Island poker room, which certainly pales in comparison to places like Rio and Wynn that have huge venues to host thousands of players and large tournaments. The only games that were run at Treasure Island were $1/$3 no-limit hold’em games, which was limiting for the potential player base.

In recent years, the venue didn’t host a summer poker series. This is likely because bigger venues had more prestigious tournaments on offer. However, there were daily tournaments available, the most recent of which had a $45 buy-in and a $250 guaranteed top prize. Still, these types of tournaments just weren’t enticing for players and Treasure Island was unable to maintain a steady stream of players and runners.

Treasure Island simply couldn’t stay competitive with the rest of the casinos that offer poker on the Las Vegas strip. It’s unfortunate, but a harsh reality that venues in Sin City have to face. There is fierce competition in Las Vegas, and if you can’t keep up, you’ll have to close down. Over a dozen other poker rooms still remain, so players should have no problem finding another venue.

History of Treasure Island

The Treasure Island poker room originally opened in 2006 under the management of MGM. There were eight poker tables available, and it was a destination for players who wanted to experience niche games like badugi and crazy pineapple. Over the years, however, the selection of games became watered down and, as we mentioned above, there only typical Texas Hold’em games were table.

The Treasure Island poker room was known for its quaint interior. However, it also had that gritty feel to it that you would expect from a home game with high rollers. There was definitely something unique about the venue, and players who frequented it will certainly miss its presence on the strip.

Now, there are 17 poker rooms available in downtown Las Vegas. The best known destinations are the Bellagio and ARIA, both of which are world-renowned for their luxurious designs and the prestigious tournaments that they hold.

It is unlikely that another poker room will take the place of Treasure Island’s. With nearly 20 places to play poker on the Las Vegas Strip, there really is too much competition for another venue to open up and experience significant success.

First Three Online Poker Licenses Handed Out in PA

Posted on August 23, 2018August 23, 2018 by Kelley N.

It was only in July that Pennsylvania casinos were required to submit their online gambling applications, and progress is quickly being made. The first three online casino licenses have been handed out, with Parx, Mount Airy and Harrah’s being the first three venues to be given the go-ahead to launch online gaming services.

PA Poker Partners

Parx Casino is home to the biggest and most profitable poker room in Pennsylvania. So, when it comes to offering online poker services, it is likely going to be the first one to see significant success. The players that already visit Parx Casino to play poker in person will likely sign up to its online poker site.

The company that Parx will be partnering with is GAN, a UK-based gaming operator that runs a number of sites in Europe. The two companies will be working together to build an online gaming platform that will engage Pennsylvanian players. The only drawback seems to be that GAN has focused more on betting and casino games rather than poker so, from a software perspective, the other casino licensees in PA may have an advantage.

One such company is Mount Airy, who has partnered with PokerStars. Together, they will launch PokerStars PA – which will be a tough brand to compete with. PokerStars is one of the most recognised online poker brands in the world so, even though Parx is a more popular land-based venue, its online brand may struggle to captivate local players.

Finally, there’s Harrah’s, which is associated with Caesars Entertainment. As such, the company’s online poker site is most likely to operate on World Series of Poker software. Like PokerStars, this is a widely recognized brand name, so there is going to be some steep competition among Harrah’s and Mount Airy. So, Parx will have to work hard to capture a significant portion of Pennsylvania’s online poker market.

Still a Long Way to Go

While three online casino licenses have been granted, there are still six more applications in need of processing. On top of all this, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board will also have to vet the online gaming partners of the local casinos. So, while things are moving along quickly, it is still going to take a few months before Pennsylvania players will have the chance to play poker and other casino games online.

Once everything is all ready to go, Pennsylvania will benefit hugely from the introduction of online gambling. Licensees are required to pay $10 million for their licensing see, and they will be tax 16% on all table games and poker activities. A 54% tax will apply for slots and a 36% tax will apply for sports betting. Daily fantasy sports will be permitted, as well, with a tax of 15%.

Nevada Poker Revenue Way Up

Posted on August 9, 2018August 17, 2018 by Kelley N.

Nevada’s poker market has experienced some big wins lately, as the state has raked in record revenue in June. Revenues have been climbing since the start of the year, and now they are the highest that they have been in almost a decade.

Record-Breaking Revenue

Throughout the month of June, poker rooms throughout Nevada accumulate $17.8 million in revenue, according to documents released by the Nevada Gaming Control Board. The only time that poker profits have exceed $17 million was in 2007, when they reached just over $17.6 million – so, if things keep going this well, poker in Nevada could see it’s highest-ever profits this year.

The World Series of Poker recently visited Nevada, which is the likely reason for this rise in poker earnings. Over 100 000 poker players came from around the world to play in the tournament, and many spent their spare time at cash game tables. Many players who bust out of the tournament early will end up playing cash games for the rest of the tournament at casinos both on the Las Vegas strip and throughout the rest of the state.

Other games across the state have also seen a jump in revenue, with table games earning an extra 15% over the course of the month for total earnings of $339 million. On the other hand, slots haven’t been performing particularly well, as they saw a 3.3% drop in profits.

Good News for Nevada, Bad News for Las Vegas

Las Vegas casinos also enjoyed a good start to 2018, but things have gone downhill quickly. While Nevada’s overall poker revenue has increased, Las Vegas’ gaming profits aren’t doing so well. Both MGM and Caesars have reported soft numbers for the month of June, which has caused casino stocks to fall by over 20%.

Operators have stated that this kind of decline is to be expected during the summer months. Tourists seem to avoid Las Vegas during this time, as the weather can be too hot too handle, and cooler months are when The Strip thrives.

Casino operators in the city are fighting this decline in profits by cutting costs for visitors. For example, MGM has reduced its room rates in hopes of attracting more guests. Some guests have cited paid parking and increased game odds as reasons why revenue has been on the decline, so it will be interesting to see if operators respond by making changes to those aspects.

Regardless of what the numbers say now, Las Vegas is still on track for a great year. With all of the recent developments with sports betting legislation, the city is sure to bring in extra revenue from punters who want to place wagers on their favourite sports teams.

Justin Bonomo Becomes Biggest Winner in Poker

Posted on July 19, 2018July 19, 2018 by Kelley N.

There are plenty of multi-millionaires in the poker world, and Justin Bonomo has just topped the list. His total lifetime winnings now amount to $43 million placing him just ahead of Daniel Negreanu, who has earned $39 million over his career. Other top earners include Erik Seidel ($34 million), Fedor Holz ($32 million), Antonio Esfandiari ($27 million) and Phil Ivey ($26 million).

Charity Tournament Pushes Bonomo Over Record

The win that pushed Bonomo ahead of Negreanu was the impressive $10 million prize he earned after coming first in the Big One for One Drop poker tournament in Las Vegas. The tournament is played in support of the One Drop charity, which ensures that impoverished communities have sustainable access to clean water. Over the years, the organisation has helped to improve the lives of over a million people across West Africa, Mexico, Haiti and South America.

The buy-in for the tournament is a steep $1 million, $80 000 of which is donated to One Drop while the rest goes to the prize pool. At this year’s Big One for One Drop, over $2 million was raised for the worthy cause.

This is the second One Drop tournament of the year. Just last week, the $1111 buy-in tournament raised an additional $525 000 for the charity. So, just over $2.7 million has been raised in support of this wonderful charity that looks after the lives of those in need.

A Very Good Year for Bonomo

Bonomo’s winnings this year have mostly contributed to his record-breaking earnings. So far, in 2018, he has won $25 million, including a $4.8 million windfall at a high roller tournament in Macau and a $5 million win in Las Vegas. With 24 cashes over the course of the year, he has averaged $1.03 million per win – and, since we’re only halfway through the year, his cashes amount to almost $126 000 every day.

While he has earned the most so far, this number is not an indication of Bonomo’s total worth. The figure only considers his winnings and neglects to include his buy-ins. So, it still remains to be seen who is actually the richest player in the poker world.

Bonomo is just 32 years old, so he has plenty of time to keep climbing the ranks. Daniel Negreanu, who is second on the All-Time Money List, is 42 years old while Erik Seidel, who is third, is 58. If Bonomo continues to earn at this rate, he will certainly go down in history as one of the most successful poker players.

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