CryptoLogic to Power WPT Online Poker Site

After unsuccessfully struggling to launch their own online poker site, the World Poker Tour (WPT) has announced that it has signed a 3 year deal with CryptoLogic to license its platform for the WPT’s online gaming site.

“Liquidity is a big deal in this business,” said Steven Lipscomb, President, Founder and CEO of WPTE. “CryptoLogic has proven itself to be an industry leader that delivers a superior product. This deal ensures that starting with day one of our online gaming re-launch there will be a plethora of cash games and tournament offerings available for our customers on a stable and proven platform. We will launch with a look and feel unique to World Poker Tour and will work with WagerLogic to incorporate additional WPT features that will begin to redefine and distinguish our product and customer experience.”

Like all CryptoLogic licensees, the new WPT site (scheduled to launch in June) will not be open to US players, per the restrictions enacted by the UIGEA in October.

Barney Frank to Save Online Poker in the US?

US Representative Barney Frank is set to introduce a bill on Thursday in an attempt to roll back much of the effects of the unlawful internet Gambling Enforcement Ace (UIGEA) that was passed last October.

While any legislation to repeal or reform the act faces an obvious uphill battle (once in place, it’s much harder to rally support from elected officials to ostensibly support degenerate activities such as playing poker by repealing or reforming existing legislation that prohibits it), US poker players will take any glimmer of hope they can get these days.

Some poker enthusiasts looking to roll back the UIGEA believe that Frank’s approach (introducing a new, broader act that tackles the broader issue of the right of American citizens to gamble online) is slightly off-target, choosing instead to support the approach of the Poker Player’s Alliance (PPA), which has been lobbying for a carve-out for poker in the existing UIGEA legislation. While the PPA faces the same uphill climb, the theory behind their approach is that it’s much easier (and rocks many fewer boats) to get an exemption for poker and leave the UIGEA largely intact, as opposed to introducing entirely new bills to repeal or reform the UIGEA.

Funny PPA video

I just found this and thought it was worthy of sharing.  Basically it’s an ad for the Poker Players Alliance (PPA) based in the old Party Poker days.  It’s actually very well done and pretty funny.  So if you haven’t seen this video check it out.

Jon Stewart Explains UIEGA

Jon Stewart explains the UIEGA on his Daily Show.    It’s quite a good piece of work really and definitely worth checking out….
You can see it here

Neteller Withdrawls from Canada

I know today was suppose to be the poker points final review and i’m sure you’re all dying to hear about that. But bigger news is on the front. Which, personally affects me and sucks like your aces getting cracked.

Neteller has withdrawn from Canada. Although, online gaming isn’t illegal in Canada it hasn’t been entirely passed as legal. So, to summarize, Neteller was scared of another UIEGA being passed and decided that instead of dealing with the repercussions that they’ll just pull out now.

So, now us online poker players are forced to use Click2pay, Moneybookers or the new shilly sites that may be popping up. Thanks Neteller.
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Press release is below for those of you who are interested.

Monday, 26 March 2007 – The NETELLER Plc Group (“NETELLER” or the “Group”) (LSE: NLR), the leading global independent online money transfer business, today announced several significant changes to its services in a number of markets.

The Group continually assesses the risk profile and status of the markets its serves. Recent actions by regulators, payment processors, and online gaming operators have increased the uncertainty around certain activities related to online gambling in some jurisdictions. The Board of Directors of the Company reached a decision, on 25 March 2007, that the risk to the Group’s ongoing business in Canada and Turkey has increased in the light of such developments. The Board has therefore concluded that the Group will no longer process transfers related to online gambling sites on behalf of Canada or Turkey resident customers.

Reduced Service to Canada

• Cessation of Canadian transfers to gambling merchants: the Group will cease processing online gambling related transactions for Canada-resident customers with effect from 12.01 AM MST Monday 9 April 2007.
• Suspension of InstaCASH transactions: As of today Monday 26 March 2007, at 12:01 AM MST, Canada-resident customers were no longer able to deposit funds using NETELLER’s instaCASH service either directly or from any online gambling site.
• Non-gambling services continue: Canada-resident customers will continue to be able to use their e-wallet accounts for non-gambling transactions, including peer-to-peer and pre-paid debit transactions.
• Available customer funds: Customer funds, including those of Canadian residents, are held in a pooled, segregated trust account and will be available for withdrawal by customers, on demand. Canadian customers continue to be able to use their e-wallet accounts for non-gambling transactions.

Some Glimmers of Hope on the Online Poker Horizon

It’s been pretty doom and gloom for US poker players since last October when the UIGEA was passed, but the last few weeks have brought at least a few glimmers of hope.

• Alfonse D’Amato has stepped up to serve as chair of the Poker Players Alliance (PPA). While the PPA hasn’t been able to effectively wield much political clout so far in its relatively brief history, it can’t hurt to have D’Amato on our side.
• The Department of Justice has requested and received yet another continuance in its trial against the co-founders of Neteller. While this isn’t good news to players with money still frozen in Neteller, one has to believe that either the DoJ’s case isn’t that strong to begin with or that a settlement deal is close to being finalized.
• Perhaps most hopefully, Congressman Barney Frank is reportedly working to appeal the ban of poker in the UIGEA. As chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, Frank definitely carries influence and isn’t afraid to take stands on all sorts of positions. Better yet, he’s not only called the ban “preposterous” but has also raised the possibility of taxing online poker instead, something both site operators and players have been begging for for years, as far as legislating and legitimizing online poker in the US.