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Poker News Digest 10/15/2008 – 10/17/2008
By Dan
Published: Friday, October 17, 2008
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- This week, PokerStars was granted a license to offer online poker to Italian residents by the country’s Amministrazione Autonoma dei Monopoli di Stato (AAMS). Because of this, the company launched its new Italian site, PokerStars.it. Italians are now able to join the hordes of players on PokerStars and even compete in special tournaments reserved only for their countrymen. PokerStars predicts that up to 500,000 Italians will sign up at the site within a year and projects that the Italian market could produce €400 million annually.
- Google has partially lifted its ban on online gambling advertising and is now allowing such ads on its search engine in Great Britain. Currently, ads for online gambling will not displayed in any other countries. Essentially anything and everything related to online gambling falls under the “online gambling” umbrella, including free poker sites, affiliate sites, and sites for gambling tips. Companies who wish to advertise must be registered with the Gambling Commission and provide a valid operating license number. Those outside of Great Britain, but still within the European Economic Area can still advertise in the UK, provided they also licensed to advertise in their own country.
- The Poker Players Alliance (PPA) has launched its Congressional Ratings Guide, which gives grades, ranging from A+ to F-, to every member of Congress, based on their position on poker. Grades are fluid, and are based on a number of criteria, such as co-sponsorship of poker-friendly bills, voting history on poker-related bills, and public statements. Those Senators and Representatives who actively fight for the rights of poker players, such as Rep. Barney Frank, receive an A+ grade. Those who actively lead the charge against poker players receive an F-. The PPA has assigned the grade of A- or higher to 122 Congressional members, while 153 have received failing grades. In the middle, 42 B’s have been handed out, along with 98 D’s. 114 members have no grade, as there is not enough information yet on where they stand. Grades can be changed if someone does something to merit it. The Congressional Ratings Guide is searchable by both zip code and state and includes contact information for each elected member of Congress.
- Dennis Phillips, current chip leader in the 2008 World Series of Poker Main Event, is auctioning off a ten square inch space on his sleeve on eBay to potential sponsors. The money raised will not go into Phillips’ pockets, as he feels the money he will win in the tournament is more than enough, but rather go to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Phillips and the other eight final tablists have already receive ninth place money, just over $900,000. He has donated some of this to charity, including the Pujols Family Foundation. Phillips has also pledged one percent of his winnings to Phil Gordon’s organization, Put a Bad Beat on Cancer. PokerStars, which sponsors Phillips, will match that donation.
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