The U.S. Virgin Islands may soon manage to offer gaming that is online but many caveats abound. (Image source: Travel.usnews.com)

Most Americans understand the U.S. Virgin isles for summer and beaches that are beautiful they can check out without being forced to get yourself 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 property for on line gambling.

Attorney General Weighs In

V.I. Attorney General Vincent Frazer issued a viewpoint with other Virgin isles officials, stating that the 2001 V.I. law that allowed for Internet gambling companies to operate in the country will never clash with any laws that are federal the United States, and therefore the law could finally be used to allow the territory to host Internet gambling companies. So far, the territory had held off on actually permitting any online video gaming to get ahead, because of warnings issued from the government that is federal.

However, as is usually the case in these situations, things aren’t quite that clear cut. Regulations only allows for two companies to operate as ‘master providers’ within the territory, shutting out virtually any operators that are potential. And one or more of those companies says that they’ve lost most of their investors in the 12 years since the law has passed, due to the uncertainty around whether or not they’d ever be in a position to provide gaming that is online players.

Major Economic Influence

If the two businesses were permitted to get forward with providing gaming that is online now, it might have a huge impact on the territory. According to Nick Pourzal of USVI Host one for 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 companies were running at full capacity.

Frazer’s opinion ended up beingn’t completely 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 Internet Gaming and Gambling Act is appropriate on its face,’ Frazer wrote. ‘ 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 viewpoint must certanly be taken, and exactly how much would be allowed under federal law.

‘There is concern whether the employment of the V.I.’s online gaming and gambling platform can be used by persons outside for the Virgin Islands and not run afoul of the federal law.’

Still, the Casino Control Commission regarding the Virgin isles has hailed the opinion as being a significant action towards switching the territory into an online gaming hub. According to the Commission’s Acting Chairwoman, Violet Ann Golden, the Virgin isles is currently taking care of agreements with states such as New Jersey that have actually approved on the web gambling, both to form strategic partnerships and to help regulate off-island play on their sites.

The Virgin isles Legislature could 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 act in an effort to allow more companies to truly have the opportunity to compete for licenses. According to Rivera-O’Reilly, lots of the principals in the two companies designated as master providers were government insiders the legislation’s passage, and she plans to introduce an amendment to open the licensing process up to competitive bidding.

‘We must learn from our mistakes and also make yes we do this precisely, 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 allows for major casino expansion (Image source: NYDailyNews)

Just What a week it’s been for the land casino business back east, both good and bad.

On Tuesday, voters in brand New York comfortably approved an amendment that is constitutional will greatly expand the brick-and-mortar casino industry in hawaii. Ny’s gambling legislation, which was to accept up to seven Las Vegas-style gambling enterprises within the 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 in the same day.

Cuomo’s Fight Pays Off

The vote was the culmination of a multi-year plan by Governor Andrew Cuomo, who had navigated the complex web of gambling legislation interests in the state of the latest York to come up with a proposal that will be widely acceptable to most 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 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 range additional casinos that will privately be developed in various regions of the region. In the beginning, only four new gambling enterprises will be allowed a compromise that the State Legislature insisted on when they authorized the program in all the final two sessions that are legislative. Those four casinos will be positioned in various upstate regions: around Albany, in the Hudson Valley or the Catskills, and within the so-called tier that is southern borders northern Pennsylvania.

Eventually, though, that could change. A casino could come to New york itself in about seven years, along with possibly up to two more in the suburbs near the town around that same time.

The casino vote undoubtedly saw some divisions within the state, though not on traditional political lines. Even though many New Yorkers saw the casino in an effort to boost neighborhood economies and retain gambling cash that state residents may now be taking to Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Atlantic City, there were also a wide selection of groups whom opposed the gambling legislation.

Not Without Having A Fight

Conservative groups, including some Roman Catholic bishops along with other religious leaders, warned that the revenue estimates supplied by the government were likely inflated and that the social ills that would show up with expanded gambling would outweigh the economic benefits. Meanwhile, progressive teams joined up with in the opposition, saying that the casinos would do the many harm to disadvantaged groups.

Once the election neared, opponents focused on the language used in the ballot proposition. Instead of utilizing language that is neutral the ballot question referenced possible positive outcomes of casino expansion, such as added jobs and increased taxation revenue that could be used for schools. Casino opponents sued to have the language changed, while polling revealed that help for the measure more than doubled after the more language that is positive included. Eventually, the lawsuit was unsuccessful, and also the question reached the ballot with the greater favorable language.

Additionally, placating Native American tribal groups helped keep money that is much flowing 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 much more money and consequently, more tv adverts coming down on the side of casino supporters.

The brand new York State Gaming Commission will appoint a panel now which will award licenses to developers who need to build into the Empire State. Of the upstate venues, the Catskills has attracted the most attention, because the region already possesses reputation as a resort destination.

If that happens, who knows; maybe Borscht Belt comedy will even get back to your long-gone showrooms of yesteryear there.

Ryan Riess Triumphs at 2013 WSOP Main Event

World group of Poker (WSOP) Main Event winner Ryan Riess showcases their bounty following his $8.3 million takedown regarding the event. (Image supply: Associated Press)

If anyone thought that the old-guard had made a comeback in WSOP principal Activities, their opinions were well and truly readjusted after 23-year-old Ryan Riess the very first WSOP winner become created into the 1990s triumphed within the 2013 showpiece, bagging almost $8.3 million in the process.

Following a break of a several months, the November Nine had been shaping up to be a tale of this experienced pros versus the plucky amateurs and despite 2001 winner Carlos Mortensen falling in 10th place agonizingly short of the final table, the last team contained modern legends like JC Tran and on line phenom, David ‘Raptor’ Benefield.

But, Tran’s chip advantage going to the table that is finaln’t pay 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 also, it had been right down to the Michigan State University graduate, Ryan Riess and Farber, to decide who would lift the silver bracelet and case themselves place in the history books.

A Detailed Battle

Farber entered heads-up with the chip that is short, 105 million to Riess’s 85 million, but it was the more experienced college man who made his skill tell.

After 30 fingers almost double 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 had 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 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 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 produce a comeback that is brief 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 result in the right. The 9h duly arrived on 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 away from elimination, Farber couldn’t build on their energy, and two key hands saw the conclusion of his title challenge.

With a flop of Ad Qd Kc, both players checked, but when the turn fell 5s, Farber led out for 4 million. Riess made the call, as well as the Kh came in the river. Both players checked, Farber revealed pocket nines, and Riess showed Ac 6d for top-pair, the hand, and another step en route towards the title.

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 gave that is 3c just one more card to save yourself their tournament life. The Beast’ rang out around the Rio Hotel’s Penn and Teller Theater as the crowd rose, the dealer peeled off the 4d on the river, and Riess was swamped by his friends and family, as chants of ‘ Riess.

The Green And White

For Riess, the $8,361,570 prize that is first his. Just a few years ago, Riess was studying Business at Michigan State University, but a proceed to Las Vegas followed, and their poker journey started. Multiple cashes in the WSOP Circuit came, and his cash that is best before here runner-up in the WSOP-C Horseshoe Main Event ended up being all Riess had to show for his poker experience.