
The U.S. Virgin Islands may soon have the ability to offer gaming that is online but many caveats abound. (Image supply: Travel.usnews.com)
Many Americans understand the U.S. Virgin isles for warm weather and beaches that are beautiful they can visit without needing to get yourself a passport. But thanks to a present ruling from the hawaiian islands’ Attorney General, this vacation spot may soon become just as well-known as a home for on the web gambling.
Attorney General Weighs In
V.I. Attorney General Vincent Frazer issued an opinion to many other Virgin isles officials, stating that the 2001 V.I. law that allowed for Web gambling companies to run in the united states wouldn’t normally clash with any federal laws in america, and therefore the law could finally be used to allow the territory to host Internet gambling companies. As yet, the territory had held off on really permitting any online video gaming to go forward, because of warnings issued from the federal government.
However, as is frequently the case in these circumstances, things aren’t quite that clear cut. The law just permits two companies to operate as ‘master companies’ in the territory, shutting out every other operators that are potential. And at least one of those companies states that they’ve lost most of their investors in the 12 years since the legislation has passed away, because of the uncertainty around whether they’d ever be able to offer online video gaming to players.
Major Economic Influence
If the two businesses were permitted to go forward with offering gaming that is online now, it could have huge impact regarding the territory. According to Nick Pourzal of USVI Host one regarding the two companies that could possibly offer Internet gaming underneath 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 businesses were operating 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 Web Gaming and Gambling Act is legal on its face,’ Frazer composed. ‘ However, caution should function as the rule because the pitfalls are in the implementation of the law.’
Frazer also showed concern over just how far his opinion ought to be taken, and just how much would be allowed under federal law.
‘There is concern whether the utilization of the V.I.’s Web gaming and gambling platform may be used by persons outside for the Virgin Islands and not run afoul of the federal law.’
Nevertheless, the Casino Control Commission associated with Virgin isles has hailed the opinion 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 already working on agreements with states such as New Jersey that have approved online gambling, both to make strategic partnerships and to help regulate play that is off-island their sites.
The Virgin Islands Legislature may have something to say 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 an effort to allow more companies to have the opportunity to compete for licenses. According to Rivera-O’Reilly, many of the principals into the two companies designated as master companies were government insiders the law’s passage, and she plans to introduce an amendment to start up the licensing process to competitive bidding.
‘We must learn from our errors and work out certain we do this properly, so that no-one can come in here and try to stop us,’ Rivera-O’Reilly said.
Ny Gambling Legislation to Expand Casinos Gets Voter Thumbs Up
Voters in New York State have approved gambling legislation that enables for major casino expansion (Image supply: NYDailyNews)
Exactly What an it’s been for the land casino business back east, both good and bad week.
On Tuesday, voters in brand New York comfortably authorized an amendment that is constitutional will greatly expand the brick-and-mortar casino industry in their state. Nyc’s gambling legislation, which was to accept up to seven Las Vegas-style casinos into the continuing state, passed with approximately 57 percent of voters approving. It was at stark contrast to a stunning beat for new casinos in the Boston and Palmer areas of Massachusetts in the day that is same.
Cuomo’s Fight Pays Off
The vote was the culmination of a plan that is multi-year Governor Andrew Cuomo, who had navigated the complex web of gambling legislation interests in the state of the latest York in the future up with a proposal that is widely acceptable to most of the major players here. That included provisions that will leave protected areas for existing Native American casinos into the state in which private companies will never be in a position to build.
But besides the five Indian gambling enterprises and nine slot parlors (located at race tracks) already in nyc, there will now be a range additional casinos that will be developed independently in various regions of the region. In the beginning, only four brand new gambling enterprises will be allowed a compromise that the State Legislature insisted on when they authorized the master plan in each of the last two legislative sessions. Those four casinos will be situated in various upstate regions: around Albany, into 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 absolutely saw some divisions within the state, though not on traditional lines that are political. Even though many New Yorkers saw the casino as a way to boost neighborhood economies and retain gambling money that state residents may now be taking to Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Atlantic City, there were also a variety of teams who opposed the gambling legislation.
Not Without a Battle
Conservative teams, including some Roman Catholic bishops as well as 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 teams joined in the opposition, saying that the casinos would do the many harm to disadvantaged groups.
While the election neared, opponents dedicated to the language being used in the ballot idea. In place of using language that is neutral the ballot concern referenced possible positive outcomes of casino expansion, such as added jobs and increased taxation income that could be used for schools. Casino opponents sued to have the language changed, while polling revealed that support for the measure more than doubled after the more positive language had been included. Ultimately, the lawsuit was unsuccessful, plus the question reached the ballot with the greater favorable language.
Additionally, placating Native American tribal groups assisted keep money that is much flowing in to the anti-casino movement, while support for the amendment was well-funded by the video gaming industry. This helped prevent much in the real way of arranged opposition, with far more money and therefore, more tv ads coming down on the medial side of casino supporters.
The brand new York State Gaming Commission will now appoint a panel that will award licenses to developers who need to build into the Empire State. Of the upstate venues, the Catskills has attracted the most attention, while the region already includes a reputation as a resort destination.
If that occurs, that knows; perhaps Borscht Belt comedy will even get back to the long-gone showrooms of yesteryear there.
Ryan Riess Triumphs at 2013 WSOP Main Event
World group of Poker (WSOP) Main Event winner Ryan Riess exhibits their bounty after his $8.3 million takedown associated with the event. (Image supply: Associated Press)
If anyone thought that the old-guard had enjoyed a resurgence in WSOP principal occasions, their opinions were well and undoubtedly readjusted after 23-year-old Ryan Riess the initial WSOP winner to be born into the 1990s triumphed in the 2013 showpiece, bagging almost $8.3 million within the process.
After having a break of a a few months, the November Nine ended up being shaping up to be always a story associated with the experienced benefits versus the plucky amateurs and despite 2001 winner Carlos Mortensen falling in 10th destination agonizingly short of the final table, the last group contained modern legends like JC Tran and online phenom, David ‘Raptor’ Benefield.
Nevertheless, Tran’s chip advantage going into the last table didn’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 before the WSOP he was gone in 5th.
With the ‘senior’ pro Amir Lehavot gone also, it had been down to the Michigan State University graduate, Ryan Riess and Farber, to decide that would raise the silver bracelet and case themselves place in the annals books.
A Close Battle
Farber entered heads-up with the short chip lead, 105 million to Riess’s 85 million, nonetheless it was the more experienced university guy who made his skill tell.
After 30 hands almost twice the quantity of this past year’s heads-up duel the breakthrough came.
Sitting on the switch, Farber raised to 2 million, Riess pumped it to 5 million, and Farber possessed a re-pop to 8.8 million. Riess made the phone call, and Riess examined the 8d 4s 3c flop. Farber bet 6.7 million, and Riess made the call to simply take the players towards the turn.
The 2h saw Riess make another check, Farber made a bet of 13.6 million, and Riess called to make a cooking pot of 58.5 million. With the river 7s Riess examined again, and Farber checked. Riess’s Jc Jh was good enough.
Into The Home Straight
With Ryan Riess using a 130 million 60 million lead, it absolutely was his game to lose, and despite a fightback that is brief Farber, Riess was never going to let his lead disappear.
Sitting on 15bb, Farber did create a brief comeback, doubling up whenever 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 turn 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 their momentum, and two key arms saw the conclusion 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 phone call, as well as the Kh came on the river. Both players checked, Farber revealed pocket nines, huuuge contact number and Riess showed Ac 6d for top-pair, the hand, and another step en route to 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 in the world as he saw Riess ah flip over Kh.
A flop of Jd 10d 4c changed little, however a five would still be good for Farber.
The turn of the 3c gave Farber just one more card to save yourself their tournament life. Due to the fact crowd rose, the dealer taken off the 4d in the river, and Riess was swamped by their buddies and family, as chants of ‘Riess the Beast’ rang down around the Rio Hotel’s Penn and Teller Theater.
The Green And White
For Riess, the $8,361,570 prize that is first his. Just a couple years ago, Riess was studying Business at Michigan State University, but a go on to Las Vegas observed, and his poker journey began. Multiple cashes on the WSOP Circuit came, and his best cash before here runner-up in the WSOP-C Horseshoe Main Event was all Riess had to show for his poker experience.
