
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 know the U.S. Virgin Islands for warm weather and beaches that are beautiful they are able to check out without having to obtain a passport. But thanks to a recent ruling from the islands’ Attorney General, this vacation spot may soon become just as well-known as a property for online gambling.
Attorney General Weighs In
V.I. Attorney General Vincent Frazer issued an opinion to other Virgin Islands officials, stating that the 2001 V.I. law that allowed for Internet gambling companies to operate in the country wouldn’t normally clash with any laws that are federal the usa, meaning that the law could finally be utilized to permit the territory to host Web gambling companies. Until now, the territory had held off on actually enabling any online gaming to get ahead, because of warnings issued from the government that is federal.
However, as is frequently the case in these situations, things aren’t quite that clear cut. The law only permits two companies to operate as ‘master providers’ into the territory, shutting out virtually any potential operators. And at least one of those companies states they’ve lost a majority of their investors in the 12 years because the legislation has passed, as a result of the doubt around whether 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 may have huge impact regarding the territory. According to Nick Pourzal of USVI Host one for the two companies that could offer Internet gaming underneath the current legislation he estimates that the maximum amount of as $30 million could go in to the territory’s General Fund if both businesses were running at full capacity.
Frazer’s opinion ended up beingn’t entirely good, however. Over six pages, the Attorney General offered many cautionary notes, including the fact that the Justice Department changed its mind several times on exactly what states had been permitted to do, and that legislation at the federal level could nevertheless change the game, as happened when Congress passed the Unlawful Web 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 are in the implementation of the statutory legislation.’
Frazer also showed concern over just how far his opinion should be taken, and just how much would be allowed under federal legislation.
‘There is concern whether the employment of the V.I.’s online gaming and gambling platform can be used by persons outside of this 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 a gaming hub that is online. Based on the Commission’s Acting Chairwoman, Violet Ann Golden, the Virgin Islands is currently taking care of agreements with states such as New Jersey that have actually approved on line gambling, both to create strategic partnerships and to help regulate off-island play on their sites.
The Virgin Islands Legislature may have something to say about exactly how Internet gambling works in the territory as well. Senators such as Nereida Rivera-O’Reilly want to amend the 2001 work so as to allow more companies to have the opportunity to compete for licenses. According to Rivera-O’Reilly, a lot of the principals into the two companies designated as master companies were government insiders the law’s passage, and she plans to introduce an amendment to open the licensing process up to competitive putting in a bid.
‘We must discover from our errors and make sure we do this properly, so that no one can here come in and attempt to stop us,’ Rivera-O’Reilly said.
Nyc Gambling Legislation to Expand Casinos Gets Voter Thumbs Up
Voters in New York State have authorized legislation that is gambling 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 easily authorized an amendment that is constitutional will greatly expand the brick-and-mortar casino industry in the state. Ny’s gambling legislation, that was to accept up to seven Las Vegas-style casinos within the continuing state, passed with approximately 57 percent of voters approving. It was at stark contrast to a sensational beat for brand new casinos in the Boston and Palmer areas of Massachusetts regarding the day that is same.
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 New York to come up with a proposal that is widely acceptable to many of the major players here. That included provisions that will leave protected areas for existing Native American casinos into the state by which companies that are private 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 New York, there will now be a range additional casinos that will be developed privately in various regions of the area. At the start, only four new casinos will be allowed a compromise that the State Legislature insisted on when they approved the program in each one of the final two sessions that are legislative. Those four casinos will be based in various upstate regions: around Albany, within the Hudson Valley or the Catskills, and in the so-called tier that is southern borders northern Pennsylvania.
Eventually, though, that could change. A casino could come to New York City it self in about seven years, along with possibly up to two more into the suburbs near the city around that same time.
The casino vote certainly saw some divisions within the state, though not on traditional lines that are political. While many New Yorkers saw the casino in an effort to boost regional 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.
Maybe Not With Out A Fight
Conservative teams, including some Roman Catholic bishops as well as other religious leaders, warned that the income estimates supplied 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 groups joined up with in the opposition, stating that the casinos would do the many damage to disadvantaged groups.
While the election neared, opponents centered on the language getting used in the ballot proposition. As opposed to using language that is neutral the ballot question referenced possible positive outcomes of casino expansion, such as additional jobs and increased tax income that could be used for schools. Casino opponents sued to possess the language changed, while polling showed that help for the measure more than doubled after the more good language ended up being included. Finally, the lawsuit was unsuccessful, as well as the question reached the ballot with the greater amount of favorable language.
Additionally, placating Native American tribal groups helped keep money that is much flowing into the anti-casino movement, while help for the amendment was well-funded by the video gaming industry. This helped prevent much in the real means of organized opposition, with a lot more money and therefore, 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 within the Empire State. Of the upstate venues, the Catskills has attracted the most attention, due to the fact region already has a reputation as a resort location.
If that occurs, that knows; perhaps Borscht Belt comedy will even return towards the long-gone showrooms of yesteryear there.
Ryan Riess Triumphs at 2013 WSOP Main Event
World number of Poker (WSOP) Main Event winner Ryan Riess showcases his bounty after his $8.3 million takedown of the event. (Image source: Associated Press)
If anyone thought that the old-guard had enjoyed a resurgence in WSOP principal Events, their opinions were well and undoubtedly readjusted after 23-year-old Ryan Riess the first WSOP winner become born into the 1990s triumphed within the 2013 showpiece, bagging almost $8.3 million in the process.
The November Nine was shaping up to be a story of the experienced pros 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 after a break of a several months.
Nonetheless, Tran’s chip advantage going into the last table didn’t spend 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 additionally, it was down to the Michigan State University graduate, Ryan Riess and Farber, to decide who would raise the silver bracelet and case themselves an accepted place in the history publications.
An In Depth Battle
Farber entered heads-up with the brief chip lead, 105 million to Riess’s 85 million, however it was the more experienced university guy who made his skill tell.
After 30 fingers almost double the total amount of last 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 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 phone call to just take the players to your turn.
The 2h saw Riess make another check, Farber made a bet of 13.6 million, and Riess called to create a pot of 58.5 million. With the river 7s Riess examined once again, and Farber checked. Riess’s Jc Jh was good enough.
Into The Home Straight
With Ryan Riess using a 130 million 60 million lead, it had been his game to lose, and despite a brief fightback by Farber, Riess ended up being never going to let his lead disappear.
Sitting on 15bb, Farber did create a brief comeback, 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 make the straight. The 9h duly arrived regarding the turn 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 just two cards away from elimination, Farber couldn’t build on his energy, and two key arms saw the conclusion 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 call, and the Kh came on 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 to your 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 flip over Ah Kh.
A flop of Jd 10d 4c changed little, however a five would still be good for Farber.
The turn of the 3c gave Farber just one more card to conserve 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 huuuge phone number and family, as chants of ‘ Riess.
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, however a go on 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.
Leave A Comment