
The U.S. Virgin Islands may soon be able to offer gaming that is online but many caveats abound. (Image source: Travel.usnews.com)
Most Americans know the U.S. Virgin Islands for the sunshine and beautiful beaches that they can see without being forced to get yourself a passport. But thanks to a ruling that is recent the hawaiian islands’ Attorney General, this vacation spot may soon become just as well-known as a home for online gambling.
Attorney General Weighs In
V.I. Attorney General Vincent Frazer issued an impression with other Virgin Islands officials, stating that the 2001 V.I. law that allowed for online gambling companies to operate in the united states would not clash with any laws that are federal america, and thus the law could finally be utilized to permit the territory to host Web 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 federal government.
However, as is usually the case in these circumstances, things aren’t quite that clear cut. The law only enables two companies to operate as ‘master service providers’ into the territory, shutting out virtually any potential operators. And one or more of those companies states that they’ve lost a majority of their investors in the 12 years because the legislation has passed away, because of the doubt around whether or not they’d ever be in a position to offer online video gaming to players.
Major Economic Impact
But if the two companies were allowed to get forward with offering gaming that is online now, it could have a huge effect in the territory. According to Nick Pourzal of USVI Host one associated with two companies that could offer Internet gaming under the current legislation he estimates that the maximum amount of as $30 million could go into the territory’s General Fund if both companies were operating at full capacity.
Frazer’s opinion ended up beingn’t entirely good, however. Over six pages, the Attorney General offered many cautionary notes, such as the fact that the Justice Department has changed its mind many times on exactly what states were permitted to do, and that legislation at the federal level could still alter the overall game, as happened when Congress passed the Unlawful online Gambling and Enforcement Act (UIGEA) in 2006.
‘I opine that the Virgin Islands Web Gaming and Gambling Act is appropriate on its face,’ Frazer penned. ‘ 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 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 online gaming and gambling platform can be used by people outside associated with Virgin Islands and not run afoul of the federal law.’
Nevertheless, the Casino Control Commission associated with the Virgin isles has hailed the opinion being a significant action towards switching the territory into a gaming hub that is online. Based on the Commission’s Acting Chairwoman, Violet Ann Golden, the Virgin isles is already focusing on agreements with states such as New Jersey that have approved on the web gambling, both to form strategic partnerships and to greatly 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 act in an effort to allow more companies to truly have the possiblity to compete for licenses. According to Rivera-O’Reilly, a lot of the principals in the two companies designated as master service providers were federal government insiders the legislation’s passage, and she plans to introduce an amendment to start the licensing process up to competitive bidding.
‘We must learn from our mistakes while making yes we do this precisely, so that nobody can come in here and try to stop us,’ Rivera-O’Reilly said.
Nyc Gambling Legislation to Expand Casinos Gets Voter Thumbs Up
Voters in brand New York State have authorized gambling legislation that will allow for major casino expansion (Image supply: NYDailyNews)
What a week it has been for the land casino business right back east, both good and bad.
On Tuesday, voters in brand New York comfortably approved a constitutional amendment that will greatly expand the brick-and-mortar casino industry in hawaii. Nyc’s gambling legislation, that was to accept as much as seven Las Vegas-style gambling enterprises in the continuing state, passed with approximately 57 percent of voters approving. It was at stark contrast to a wonderful defeat 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 hawaii of New York in the future up with a proposal that is 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 by which personal companies will not be able to build.
But besides the five Indian gambling enterprises and nine slot parlors (located at race tracks) already in ny, there will now be a wide range of additional casinos that will privately be developed in various regions of the region. In the beginning, only four brand new gambling enterprises is going to be permitted a compromise that the State Legislature insisted on when they approved the program in all the final 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 itself in about seven years, along with perhaps up to two more into the suburbs near the town around that same time.
The casino vote surely saw some divisions within the state, though not on traditional political lines. While many New Yorkers saw the casino as a way to boost regional economies and retain gambling cash that state residents may now be taking to Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Atlantic City, there had been also a wide selection of groups whom opposed the gambling legislation.
Perhaps Not With No Battle
Conservative teams, including some Roman Catholic bishops and other religious leaders, warned that the revenue estimates provided by the government were likely inflated and that the social ills that would come along with expanded gambling would outweigh the economic benefits. Meanwhile, progressive teams joined up with is huuuge legit in the opposition, saying that the casinos would do the harm that is most to disadvantaged groups.
While the election neared, opponents focused on the language being used in the ballot proposition. Rather than utilizing neutral language, the ballot question 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 own the language changed, while polling showed that help for the measure more than doubled after the more good language ended up being included. Eventually, the lawsuit was unsuccessful, plus the question reached the ballot with the more language that is favorable.
Additionally, placating Native American tribal groups helped keep much money from flowing in to the anti-casino movement, while help for the amendment was well-funded by the video gaming industry. This helped prevent much in the means of organized opposition, with more money and consequently, more television ads coming down on the medial side of casino supporters.
The brand new York State Gaming Commission will appoint a panel now 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, since the region already has a reputation as a resort destination.
If that happens, 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 group of Poker (WSOP) Main Event winner Ryan Riess exhibits their bounty following his $8.3 million takedown of this event. (Image supply: Associated Press)
The first WSOP winner to be born in the 1990s triumphed in the 2013 showpiece, bagging almost $8.3 million in the process if anyone thought that the old-guard had made a comeback in WSOP Main Events, their opinions were well and truly readjusted after 23-year-old Ryan Riess.
After a break of a a few months, the November Nine had been shaping up to be always a tale associated with the experienced advantages versus the plucky amateurs and despite 2001 winner Carlos Mortensen falling in 10th place 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 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 until the WSOP he was gone in 5th.
With the ‘senior’ pro Amir Lehavot gone additionally, it had been down to the Michigan State University graduate, Ryan Riess and Farber, to decide who does raise the silver bracelet and bag themselves an accepted place in the real history books.
An In Depth Battle
Farber entered heads-up with the brief chip lead, 105 million to Riess’s 85 million, but it was the more experienced college guy who made his skill tell.
After 30 fingers almost twice the total amount of last year’s heads-up duel the breakthrough came.
Sitting on the switch, 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 checked the 8d 4s 3c flop. Farber bet 6.7 million, and Riess made the call to 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 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 Home Straight
With Ryan Riess taking 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 straight. The 9h duly arrived on the turn to give Farber the double-through, and send his legion of fans into apoplexy.
Short-Lived Hope For Farber
Despite a respite that is brief and being just two cards far from elimination, Farber couldn’t build on his energy, and two key hands saw the finish 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 regarding the river. Both players checked, Farber showed pocket nines, and Riess showed Ac 6d for top-pair, the 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 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 save your self his competition life. Because the crowd rose, the dealer taken off the 4d regarding the river, and Riess was swamped by his friends and family, as chants of ‘Riess the Beast’ rang out across the Rio Hotel’s Penn and Teller Theater.
The Green And White
For Riess, the $8,361,570 first prize was their. Only a few years ago, Riess was Business that is studying at State University, but a relocate to Las Vegas followed, and his poker journey began. Multiple cashes in the WSOP Circuit came, and his cash that is best before here runner-up in the WSOP-C Horseshoe Main Event had been all Riess had to show for his poker experience.