The U.S. Virgin Islands may soon be able to offer gaming that is online but many caveats abound. (Image supply: Travel.usnews.com)
Many Americans understand the U.S. Virgin Islands for warm weather and beaches that are beautiful they are able to visit without being forced to get a passport. But thanks to a ruling that is recent the islands’ Attorney General, this vacation spot may soon become just as well-known as a home for on line 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. legislation that allowed for Web gambling companies to operate in the united states will never clash with any laws that are federal the usa, and thus the law could finally be used to permit the territory to host Internet gambling companies. So far, the territory had held off on actually permitting any online video gaming to get forward, because of warnings issued from the government that is federal.
However, as is usually the case in these circumstances, things aren’t quite that clear cut. What the law states just enables two companies to operate as ‘master service providers’ into the territory, shutting out every other operators that are potential. And one or more of those companies states they’ve lost most of their investors in the 12 years considering that the slotsforfun-ca.com law has passed, due to the uncertainty around whether they’d ever be able to provide gaming that is online players.
Major Economic Influence
If the two businesses were permitted to get forward with providing online gaming around the world now, it may have huge effect regarding the territory. According to Nick Pourzal of USVI Host one regarding the two companies that can offer Internet gaming beneath the law that is current 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 completely positive, however. Over six pages, the Attorney General offered many cautionary notes, like the fact that the Justice Department changed its mind many times on exactly what states were permitted to do, and that legislation at the federal level could nevertheless alter the overall game, as happened when Congress passed the illegal Internet Gambling and Enforcement Act (UIGEA) in 2006.
‘I opine that the Virgin Islands online Gaming and Gambling Act is legal on its face,’ Frazer had written. ‘ However, caution should be the rule because the pitfalls have been in the implementation of the legislation.’
Frazer also showed concern over just how far his viewpoint ought to be taken, and how much would be allowed under federal legislation.
‘There is concern whether the use of the V.I.’s Internet gaming and gambling platform works extremely well by individuals outside of this 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 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 actually approved on line gambling, both to make strategic partnerships and to aid regulate play that is off-island their sites.
The Virgin isles Legislature might have something to state about 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, a lot of the principals into the two companies designated as master service providers were federal 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 mistakes 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 enables for major casino expansion (Image source: NYDailyNews)
Exactly What an it’s been for the land casino business back east, both good and bad week.
On Tuesday, voters in New York comfortably authorized an amendment that is constitutional will greatly expand the brick-and-mortar casino industry in hawaii. New York’s gambling legislation, that has been to approve up to seven Las Vegas-style gambling enterprises within the continuing state, passed with approximately 57 percent of voters approving. It was at stark contrast to a wonderful beat for new casinos in the Boston and Palmer areas of Massachusetts on the day that is same.
Cuomo’s Fight Pays Off
The vote was the culmination of a multi-year plan by Governor Andrew Cuomo, whom had navigated the complex web of gambling legislation interests in hawaii of the latest York in the future up with a proposal that would be widely acceptable to many of the major players here. That included provisions that will leave protected areas for existing Native American gambling enterprises within the state by which private companies will not be in a position to build.
But in addition to 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 privately be developed in various regions of the area. In the beginning, only four brand new gambling enterprises will likely be allowed a compromise that the State Legislature insisted on when they authorized the program in each one of the final 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 itself in about seven years, along with perhaps up to two more in the suburbs near the city 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 an effort to boost local economies and retain gambling cash that state residents may now be taking to Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Atlantic City, there were also a range that is wide of whom opposed the gambling legislation.
Not Without Having A Battle
Conservative teams, including some Roman Catholic bishops and other spiritual leaders, warned that the revenue estimates given by the government were likely inflated and that the social ills that would show up with expanded gambling would outweigh the benefits that are economic. Meanwhile, progressive teams joined in the opposition, stating that the casinos would do the most damage to disadvantaged groups.
Since the election neared, opponents centered on the language getting used in the ballot proposition. In the place of utilizing language that is neutral the ballot concern referenced possible positive outcomes of casino expansion, such as added jobs and increased tax revenue that could be used for schools. Casino opponents sued to possess the language changed, while polling revealed that support for the measure more than doubled after the more good language ended up being included. Fundamentally, the lawsuit was unsuccessful, while the question reached the ballot with the more favorable language.
Additionally, placating Native American tribal groups aided keep much money from flowing into the anti-casino movement, while support for the amendment was well-funded by the gaming industry. This helped prevent much in the method of organized opposition, with far more money and consequently, more tv advertisements coming down on the side of casino supporters.
The newest York State Gaming Commission will now appoint a panel which will award licenses to developers who wish to build into the Empire State. Of the upstate venues, the Catskills has attracted the most attention, since the region already possesses reputation as a resort destination.
If that happens, that 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 variety of Poker (WSOP) Main Event winner Ryan Riess showcases his bounty following his $8.3 million takedown associated with the event. (Image supply: Associated Press)
If anyone thought that the old-guard had undergone a revival in WSOP principal Events, their opinions were well and undoubtedly readjusted after 23-year-old Ryan Riess the first WSOP winner become born within the 1990s triumphed within the 2013 showpiece, bagging almost $8.3 million into the process.
Following a break of a several months, the November Nine was shaping up to be always a tale regarding the experienced benefits versus the plucky amateurs and despite 2001 winner Carlos Mortensen falling in 10th spot agonizingly short of the final table, the very last team contained modern legends like JC Tran and on line phenom, David ‘Raptor’ Benefield.
However, Tran’s chip advantage going in to the table that is finaln’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 right down to the Michigan State University graduate, Ryan Riess and Farber, to decide who does lift the gold bracelet and case themselves place in the annals publications.
A Detailed Battle
Farber entered heads-up with the chip that is short, 105 million to Riess’s 85 million, nonetheless it was the more experienced university guy who made his skill tell.
After 30 arms almost double the amount of this past year’s heads-up duel the breakthrough came.
Sitting on the button, Farber raised to 2 million, Riess pumped it to 5 million, and Farber possessed a re-pop to 8.8 million. Riess made the call, and Riess examined the 8d 4s flop that is 3c. Farber bet 6.7 million, and Riess made the call to simply 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 produce a cooking pot of 58.5 million. With the river 7s Riess checked once more, 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 fightback that is brief Farber, Riess had been never ever going to let his lead disappear.
Sitting on 15bb, Farber did create 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 in the change to give Farber the double-through, and send his 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 fingers 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 phone call, and also the Kh came in the river. Both players checked, Farber revealed 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 worldwide 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 change of the 3c gave Farber just one more card to conserve his tournament life. While the crowd rose, the dealer taken off the 4d on the river, and Riess was swamped by his buddies and family, as chants of ‘Riess the Beast’ rang away around the Rio Hotel’s Penn and Teller Theater.
The Green And White
For Riess, the $8,361,570 first prize was his. Only a few years ago, Riess was studying Business at Michigan State University, but a proceed to Las Vegas adopted, 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.