Weekly Roundup February 8th 2013
Online poker legislation is the top story of the week. One state moved a step closer to regulated online poker, while another state dropped it from their legislative agenda. There are also two big tournament series available to US players on the safest online poker sites available.
New Jersey Governor Approves Online Poker
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie conditionally vetoed the New Jersey online gambling bill on Thursday at the 11th hour. While that sounds like bad news for online poker players, it was actually the opposite. Governor Christie allowed all of the existing online gambling language to remain. The governor asked for several revisions before he would sign the bill into law. These include more funding for problem gambling, an increased tax rate from 10% to 15% and a requirement for individuals that have a past in the gaming industry to disclose this if they should become elected for state office or hold a job in state government. The state’s legislature is expected to pass these amendments by March 18th. This would also seem to give the green light to the proposed acquisition of the Atlantic Club by Rational Group, the parent company of PokerStars.
Mississippi Online Gambling Bill Dies
The Mississippi Lawful Internet Gambling act of 2013 died after a double referral to committee. This means that there was not enough support to even be read on the floor of the state house. The bill would have legalized online poker and casino games that are already legal in the state’s casinos in cities such as Biloxi, Gulfport and Tunica. The bill was never expected to pass, but does show that online gambling expansion is on the minds of some Mississippi legislators.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20130207/OPINION02/302070010/Moak-s-online-gaming-bill-dies-second-year-row
Carbon Poker Maximus IV
Poker Maximus IV is being offered by US facing Carbon Poker between now and February 17th. The tournament series offers 37 different events over 11 days. The guaranteed prize pool for the entire Poker Maximus IV series is over $1.2 million. A variety of games are offered. In addition to the standard No Limit Texas Hold’em tournaments, players that enjoy Fixed Limit Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha, Pot Limit Omaha High/Low, HORSE, Seven Card Stud and Seven Card Stud High/Low will find a tournament that is right for them. Tournament buyins range between $11 and $530. Satellites are held several times each day. Players may buy into tournaments with tickets, VIP points or cash.
Winning Poker Network Mini Online Super Series II
Americas Cardroom and True Poker, members of the US facing Winning Poker Network, were so successful with the Online Super Series II, that they have introduced a mini version of the series. The Mini Online Super Series II starts February 15th and runs through February 24th. The combined guaranteed prize pool is over $500,000 and covers 100 different multi table tournaments. The miniseries will offer buyins as low as $2 and run as high as $109. All tournaments offer reentry and many events offer rebuys and add-ons. Most tournaments are No Limit Texas Hold’em, but there are also several Pot Limit Omaha tournaments.