
The U.S. Virgin Islands may soon have the ability to offer online video gaming, but many caveats abound. (Image source: Travel.usnews.com)
Most Americans understand the U.S. Virgin isles for summer and beaches that are beautiful they are able to see without needing to obtain a passport. But because of a recent ruling from the hawaiian islands’ Attorney General, this vacation spot may soon become just as well-known as a house for on line gambling.
Attorney General Weighs In
V.I. Attorney General Vincent Frazer issued an opinion to other Virgin Islands officials, stating that the 2001 V.I. law that allowed for Internet gambling companies to run in the united states would not clash with any federal laws in america, meaning that the law could finally be properly used to enable the territory to host Internet gambling companies. So far, the territory had held off on actually enabling any online video gaming to go forward, because of warnings issued from the government that is federal.
However, as is frequently the case in these circumstances, things aren’t quite that clear cut. The law just enables two companies to operate as ‘master companies’ within the territory, shutting out some other potential operators. And at least one of those companies claims they’ve lost most of their investors in the 12 years considering that the law has passed away, as a result of the doubt around if they’d ever be in a position to offer online video gaming to players.
Major Economic Influence
If the two organizations were permitted to go forward with providing gaming that is online now, it could have a huge impact regarding the territory. According to Nick Pourzal of USVI Host one for the two companies that could offer Internet gaming beneath the law that is current estimates that the maximum amount of as $30 million could go in to the territory’s General Fund if both organizations were operating at full capacity.
Frazer’s opinion ended up beingn’t entirely positive, however. Over six pages, the Attorney General gave many cautionary notes, like the undeniable fact that the Justice Department changed its mind several times on exactly what states were permitted to do, and that legislation at the federal level could nevertheless alter the game, as happened when Congress passed the illegal Internet Gambling and Enforcement Act (UIGEA) in 2006.
‘I opine that the Virgin Islands Web Gaming and Gambling Act is legal on its face,’ Frazer composed. ‘ However, caution should be the rule because the pitfalls are in the implementation of the statutory law.’
Frazer also showed concern over just how far his viewpoint should be taken, and how much would be allowed under federal law.
‘There is concern whether the utilization of the V.I.’s Web gaming and gambling platform can be used by persons outside of this Virgin Islands and not run afoul of the federal law.’
Still, the Casino Control Commission of this Virgin isles has hailed the opinion as a significant step towards turning the territory into an online gaming hub. Based on the Commission’s Acting Chairwoman, Violet Ann Golden, the Virgin Islands is currently working on agreements with states such as New Jersey that have approved on line gambling, both to create strategic partnerships and to help regulate off-island play on their sites.
The Virgin Islands Legislature might have something to state about just how Internet gambling works in the territory as well. Senators such as Nereida Rivera-O’Reilly want to amend the 2001 work in order to allow more companies to have the opportunity to compete for licenses. According to Rivera-O’Reilly, lots of the principals in the two companies designated as master companies were federal government insiders the law’s passage, and she plans to introduce an amendment to start the licensing process up to competitive putting in a bid.
‘We must discover from our errors making certain we do this precisely, so that no-one can here come in and try to stop us,’ Rivera-O’Reilly said.
New York Gambling Legislation to Expand Casinos Gets Voter Thumbs Up
Voters in New York State have approved legislation that is gambling enables for major casino expansion (Image supply: NYDailyNews)
Exactly What a week this has been for the land casino company back east, both good and bad.
On Tuesday, voters in brand New York easily approved a constitutional amendment that will greatly expand the brick-and-mortar casino industry in their state. New York’s gambling legislation, that was to approve up to seven Las Vegas-style casinos into the state, passed with approximately 57 percent of voters approving. It was at stark contrast to a sensational beat for brand new casinos in the Boston and Palmer areas of Massachusetts regarding the same day.
Cuomo’s Fight Pays Off
The vote was the culmination of a multi-year plan by Governor Andrew Cuomo, who had navigated the complex web of gambling legislation interests in the state of New York in the future up with a proposal that will be widely acceptable to most of the major players there. That included provisions that will leave protected areas for existing Native American casinos in the state by which companies that are private never be able to build.
But in addition to the five Indian gambling enterprises and nine slot parlors (located at race tracks) already in nyc, there will now be a quantity of additional casinos that will be developed privately in various regions of the area. From the beginning, only four brand new gambling enterprises is allowed a compromise that the State Legislature insisted on when they approved the program in all the final two sessions that are legislative. Those four casinos will be based in various upstate regions: around Albany, into the Hudson Valley or the Catskills, and in the so-called tier that is southern borders northern Pennsylvania.
Eventually, though, that could change. A casino could come to New York City it self in about seven years, along with possibly up to two more in the suburbs near the town around that same time.
The casino vote definitely saw some divisions within the state, though not on traditional political lines. Even though many New Yorkers saw the casino in an effort to boost local economies and retain gambling money that state residents may now be taking to Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Atlantic City, there had been also a range that is wide of who opposed the gambling legislation.
Maybe Not Without a Battle
Conservative groups, including some Roman Catholic bishops along with other religious leaders, warned that the revenue estimates supplied by the government were likely inflated and that the social ills that would come along with expanded gambling would outweigh the benefits that are economic. Meanwhile, progressive groups joined up with in the opposition, saying that the casinos would do the harm that is most to disadvantaged groups.
While the election neared, opponents centered on the language getting used in the ballot idea. Instead of using neutral language, the ballot concern referenced possible positive outcomes of casino expansion, such as added jobs and increased tax revenue that could be used for schools. Casino opponents sued to own the language changed, while polling showed that support for the measure more than doubled once the more language that is positive included. Ultimately, the lawsuit was unsuccessful, and the question reached the ballot with the more language that is favorable.
Additionally, placating Native American tribal groups assisted keep much money from flowing in to the anti-casino movement, while support for the amendment was well-funded by the gaming industry. This helped prevent much in the method of organized opposition, with far more money and consequently, more television advertisements coming down on the side of casino supporters.
This new York State Gaming Commission will appoint a panel now that may award licenses to developers who desire to build in the Empire State. Of the upstate venues, the Catskills has attracted the most attention, because the region already features a reputation as a resort location.
If that takes place, that knows; perhaps Borscht Belt comedy will return to the even long-gone showrooms of yesteryear there.
Ryan Riess Triumphs at 2013 WSOP Main Event
World variety of Poker (WSOP) Main Event winner Ryan Riess exhibits their bounty following his $8.3 million takedown regarding the event. (Image supply: Associated Press)
If anyone thought that the old-guard had enjoyed a resurgence in WSOP principal Events, their opinions had been well and undoubtedly readjusted after 23-year-old Ryan Riess the first WSOP winner become born into the 1990s triumphed in the 2013 showpiece, bagging almost $8.3 million into the process.
After having a break of a a few months, the November Nine had been shaping up to be a tale associated with experienced pros versus the plucky amateurs and despite 2001 winner Carlos Mortensen falling in 10th spot agonizingly short of the final table, the very last team contained modern legends like JC Tran and online phenom, David ‘Raptor’ Benefield.
Nevertheless, Tran’s chip advantage going in to the table that is finaln’t pay off, and after a blow-up of massive proportions against Jay Farber who’d been working as a bouncer and VIP host up until the WSOP he was gone in 5th.
With the ‘senior’ pro Amir Lehavot gone also, it had been right down to the Michigan State University graduate, Ryan Riess and Farber, to decide who does raise the gold bracelet and case themselves place in the history publications.
A Detailed Battle
Farber entered heads-up with the chip that is short, 105 million to Riess’s 85 million, nonetheless it was the more experienced university man who made his skill tell.
The breakthrough came after 30 hands almost double the amount of last year’s heads-up duel.
Sitting on the button, Farber raised to 2 million, Riess pumped it to 5 million, and Farber had a re-pop to 8.8 million. Riess made the decision, and Riess examined the 8d 4s 3c flop. Farber bet 6.7 million, and Riess made the call to simply take the players to the turn.
The 2h saw Riess make another check, Farber made a bet of 13.6 million, and Riess called to produce a cooking pot of 58.5 million. With the river 7s Riess checked once again, and Farber checked. Riess’s Jc Jh was good enough.
Into The true Home Straight
With Ryan Riess using a 130 million 60 million lead, it had been his game to lose, and despite a brief fightback by Farber, Riess was never ever going to let his lead disappear.
Sitting on 15bb, Farber did produce a brief comeback, doubling up whenever going all-in on a Kc 5h Qs flop. Riess slotsforfun-ca.com flipped over Ks 10h for top-pair, with Farber’s Jc 10s in need of a nine or ace to make the right. The 9h duly arrived on the turn to give Farber the double-through, and send their legion of fans into apoplexy.
Short-Lived Hope For Farber
Despite a respite that is brief and being just two cards away from elimination, Farber couldn’t build on his momentum, and two key fingers saw the conclusion of his title challenge.
With a flop of Ad Qd Kc, both players checked, but when the change fell 5s, Farber led out for 4 million. Riess made the call, as well as the Kh came in the river. Both players checked, Farber revealed pocket nines, and Riess showed Ac 6d for top-pair, the tactile hand, and another step en route towards the name.
Final Hand
Hand 261, and Farber, crippled, moved all-in with Qs 5s. He was in need of all the luck and divine inspiration on the planet as he saw Riess ah flip over Kh.
A flop of Jd 10d 4c changed little, but a five would still be good for Farber.
The change of the 3c gave Farber just one more card to conserve his tournament life. The Beast’ rang out around the Rio Hotel’s Penn and Teller Theater as the crowd rose, the dealer peeled off the 4d on the river, and Riess was swamped by his friends and family, as chants of ‘ Riess.
The Green And White
For Riess, the $8,361,570 first prize was their. Just a couple years ago, Riess was studying Business at Michigan State University, however a relocate to Las Vegas used, and his poker journey started. Multiple cashes on the WSOP Circuit came, and his best cash before here runner-up in the WSOP-C Horseshoe Main Event ended up being all Riess had to show for his poker experience.
