
The U.S. Virgin Islands may soon be able to offer online gaming, but many caveats abound. (Image source: Travel.usnews.com)
Many Americans understand the U.S. Virgin Islands for summer and beautiful beaches that they could check out without needing to get yourself a passport. But because of a recent ruling from the hawaiian islands’ Attorney General, this vacation spot may soon become simply as well-known as a home for online gambling.
Attorney General Weighs In
V.I. Attorney General Vincent Frazer issued an opinion with other Virgin Islands officials, stating that the 2001 V.I. law that allowed for Internet gambling companies to run in the nation wouldn’t normally clash with any laws that are federal the usa, and thus the law could finally be properly used to let the territory to host Web gambling companies. So far, the territory had held off on really allowing any online video gaming to get forward, because of warnings issued from the government that is federal.
However, as is frequently the case in these situations, things aren’t quite that clear cut. What the law states just allows for two companies to operate as ‘master providers’ into the territory, shutting out virtually any operators that are potential. And at least one of those companies claims they’ve lost most of their investors in the 12 years since the legislation has passed away, because of the uncertainty around if they’d ever be able to provide gaming that is online players.
Major Economic Influence
If the two organizations were permitted to go forward with offering gaming that is online now, it may have huge effect in the territory. According to Nick Pourzal of USVI Host one for the two companies that could offer Internet gaming underneath the law that is current estimates that the maximum amount of as $30 million could go to the territory’s General Fund if both companies were running at full capacity.
Frazer’s opinion wasn’t entirely good, however. The Attorney General gave many cautionary notes, including the fact that the Justice Department has changed its mind several times on exactly what states were permitted to do, and that legislation at the federal level could still change the game, as happened when Congress passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling and Enforcement Act (UIGEA) in 2006 over six pages.
‘I opine that the Virgin Islands online Gaming and Gambling Act is legal on its face,’ Frazer wrote. ‘ However, caution should be the rule because the pitfalls come in the utilization of the law.’
Frazer also showed concern over just how far his viewpoint should be taken, and how much would be allowed under federal legislation.
‘There is concern whether the utilization of the V.I.’s Internet gaming and gambling platform can be used by individuals outside associated with the Virgin Islands and not run afoul of the federal law.’
Nevertheless, the Casino Control Commission for the Virgin isles has hailed the opinion as being a significant step towards switching the territory into an online gaming hub. Based on the Commission’s Acting Chairwoman, Violet Ann Golden, the Virgin isles is currently working on agreements with states such as New Jersey that have approved on the web gambling, both to create strategic partnerships and to greatly help regulate play that is off-island their sites.
The Virgin Islands Legislature could 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 act so as to allow more companies to really have the chance to compete for licenses. According to Rivera-O’Reilly, many of the principals in the two companies designated as master providers were federal government insiders the law’s passage, and she plans to introduce an amendment to open the licensing process up to competitive putting in a bid.
‘We must discover from our mistakes and make yes we do this precisely, so that there is no-one to here come in and attempt to stop us,’ Rivera-O’Reilly said.
Nyc Gambling Legislation to Expand Casinos Gets Voter Thumbs Up
Voters in brand New York State have approved gambling legislation that will allow for major casino expansion (Image source: NYDailyNews)
Just What a week it’s been for the land casino business right back east, both negative and positive.
On Tuesday, voters in New York easily approved a constitutional amendment that will significantly expand the brick-and-mortar casino industry in their state. Ny’s gambling legislation, that has been to accept up to seven Las Vegas-style gambling enterprises in the state, passed with approximately 57 percent of voters approving. It was in stark contrast to a wonderful defeat 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 plan that is multi-year Governor Andrew Cuomo, whom had navigated the complex web of gambling legislation interests in their state of the latest York in the future up with a proposal that could be widely acceptable to most of the major players there. That included provisions that will leave protected areas for existing Native American gambling enterprises within the state in which personal companies will not be in a position to build.
But in addition to the five Indian casinos and nine slot parlors (located at race tracks) currently in New York, there will now be a quantity of additional casinos that will be developed independently in various regions of the area. At the start, only four new gambling enterprises is allowed a compromise that the State Legislature insisted on when they authorized the program in each one of the last two legislative sessions. Those four casinos will be located in various upstate regions: around Albany, within the Hudson Valley or the Catskills, and within the so-called Southern Tier that 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. While many New Yorkers saw the casino in order to boost regional economies and retain gambling money that state residents may now be taking to Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Atlantic City, there had been also a variety of teams whom opposed the gambling legislation.
Maybe Not With No Battle
Conservative teams, including some Roman Catholic bishops along with other spiritual leaders, warned that the income estimates provided by the government were likely inflated and that the social ills that would arrive with expanded gambling would outweigh the economic benefits. Meanwhile, progressive groups joined up with in the opposition, saying that the casinos would do the most damage to disadvantaged groups.
Because the election neared, opponents dedicated to the language used in the ballot proposition. Instead of making use of language that is neutral the ballot concern referenced possible positive outcomes of casino expansion, such as added jobs and increased tax income that could be used for schools. Casino opponents sued to own the language changed, while polling revealed that support for the measure increased significantly once the more language that is positive included. Eventually, the lawsuit was unsuccessful, therefore the question reached the ballot with the greater language that is favorable.
Additionally, placating Native American tribal groups aided keep money that is much flowing into the anti-casino movement, while help for the amendment was well-funded by the gaming industry. This helped prevent much in the method of arranged opposition, with far more money and consequently, more television adverts coming down on the side of casino supporters.
The New York State Gaming Commission will now appoint a panel which will award licenses to developers who need to build within the Empire State. Of the upstate venues, the Catskills has attracted the most attention, while the region already has a reputation as a resort destination.
If that takes place, who knows; maybe Borscht Belt comedy will return to the even long-gone showrooms of yesteryear there.
Ryan Riess Triumphs at 2013 WSOP Main Event
World number of Poker (WSOP) Main Event winner Ryan Riess shows off his bounty after his $8.3 million takedown for the event. (Image source: Associated Press)
If anyone thought that the old-guard had undergone a revival in WSOP principal Activities, their opinions had been well and undoubtedly readjusted after 23-year-old Ryan Riess initial WSOP winner become created into the 1990s triumphed within the 2013 showpiece huuuge casino reviews, bagging almost $8.3 million in the process.
After having a break of a several months, the November Nine was shaping up to be a tale of this experienced benefits versus the plucky amateurs and despite 2001 winner Carlos Mortensen falling in 10th place agonizingly short of the final table, the past group contained modern legends like JC Tran and on line phenom, David ‘Raptor’ Benefield.
But, Tran’s chip advantage going into the table that is finaln’t spend off, and after a blow-up of massive proportions against Jay Farber who’d been being employed as a bouncer and VIP host up before the WSOP he was gone in 5th.
With the ‘senior’ pro Amir Lehavot gone also, it was down to the Michigan State University graduate, Ryan Riess and Farber, to decide who does raise the silver bracelet and case themselves an accepted place in the history publications.
A Close Battle
Farber entered heads-up with the brief chip lead, 105 million to Riess’s 85 million, but it was the more experienced university man who made his skill tell.
After 30 arms almost twice the amount of last year’s heads-up duel the breakthrough came.
Sitting on the button, Farber raised to 2 million, Riess pumped it up to 5 million, and Farber possessed a re-pop to 8.8 million. Riess made the phone call, and Riess examined the 8d 4s flop that is 3c. Farber bet 6.7 million, and Riess made the call to just 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 make a pot of 58.5 million. With the river 7s Riess examined 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 absolutely was his game to lose, and despite a brief fightback by Farber, Riess was never going to let his lead disappear.
Sitting on 15bb, Farber did make a comeback that is brief doubling up when going all-in on a Kc 5h Qs flop. Riess 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 regarding the change to give Farber the double-through, and send their legion of fans into apoplexy.
Short-Lived Hope For Farber
Despite a brief respite, and being simply two cards far from elimination, Farber couldn’t build on his energy, and two key arms saw the end of his title challenge.
Both players checked, but when the turn fell 5s, Farber led out for 4 million with a flop of Ad Qd Kc. Riess made the call, plus the Kh came on the river. Both players checked, Farber showed 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 earth as he saw Riess flip over Ah Kh.
A flop of Jd 10d 4c changed little, however a five would still be good for Farber.
The turn of the gave that is 3c just one more card to conserve their tournament life. While the crowd rose, the dealer peeled off the 4d in the river, and Riess was swamped by his buddies and family, as chants of ‘Riess the Beast’ rang out round the Rio Hotel’s Penn and Teller Theater.
The Green And White
For Riess, the $8,361,570 prize that is first his. Only a few years ago, Riess was studying Business at Michigan State University, however a go on to Las Vegas implemented, and his poker journey began. Multiple cashes in 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.