The U.S. Virgin Islands may soon have the ability to offer online gaming, but many caveats abound. (Image supply: Travel.usnews.com)
Many Americans know the U.S. Virgin Islands for warm weather and beautiful beaches that they can go to without needing to get yourself a passport. But thanks to a recent ruling from the islands’ Attorney General, this vacation spot may soon become simply as well-known as a property for on line gambling.
Attorney General Weighs In
V.I. Attorney General Vincent Frazer issued an impression to other Virgin isles 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 federal laws in the usa, and thus the law could finally be used to enable the territory to host Internet gambling companies. As yet, the territory had held off on really allowing any online gaming to go ahead, because of warnings issued from the federal government.
However, as is generally the case in these situations, things aren’t quite that clear cut. The law only enables two companies to operate as ‘master providers’ into the territory, shutting out some other potential operators. And one or more of those companies says which they’ve lost most of their investors in the 12 years because the law has passed away, as a result of the doubt around whether they’d ever be in a position to provide gaming that is online players.
Major Economic Impact
If the two organizations were allowed to get forward with offering gaming that is online now, it could have a huge impact regarding the territory. According to Nick Pourzal of USVI Host one associated with two companies that could offer Internet gaming under the present 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 had beenn’t totally positive, however. Over six pages, the Attorney General provided many cautionary records, including the proven fact that the Justice Department changed its mind many times on exactly what states were permitted to do, and that legislation at the federal degree could nevertheless alter the game, because happened when Congress passed the illegal 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 penned. ‘ 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 really be taken, and how much would be allowed under federal legislation.
‘There is concern whether the utilization of the V.I.’s Web gaming and gambling platform can be used by persons outside associated with the Virgin Islands and not run afoul of the federal law.’
Still, the Casino Control Commission of this Virgin Islands has hailed the opinion as a significant step 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 working on agreements with states such as New Jersey that have actually approved online gambling, both to make strategic partnerships and to help regulate off-island play on their sites.
The Virgin isles 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 work so as to allow more companies to truly have the chance to compete for licenses. According to Rivera-O’Reilly, lots of the principals into the two companies designated as master companies were federal government insiders the legislation’s passage, and she plans to introduce an amendment to open the licensing process up to competitive putting in a bid.
‘We must learn from our mistakes making yes we do this correctly, so that nobody can here come in and attempt to stop us,’ Rivera-O’Reilly said.
New York Gambling Legislation to Expand Casinos Gets Voter Thumbs Up
Voters in brand New York State have approved gambling legislation that enables for major casino expansion (Image source: NYDailyNews)
Just What a week this has been for the land casino company straight back east, both good and bad.
On Tuesday, voters in brand New York easily approved a constitutional amendment that will greatly expand the brick-and-mortar casino industry in the state. New York’s gambling legislation, that has been to approve as much as seven Las Vegas-style gambling enterprises in the state, passed with approximately 57 percent of voters approving. It was in stark contrast to a sensational defeat for brand new casinos in the Boston and Palmer areas of Massachusetts on the exact 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 their state of the latest York to come up with a proposal that would be widely acceptable to most of the major players here. That included provisions that will leave protected areas for existing Native American gambling enterprises into the state by which personal companies will never be in a position to build.
But besides the five Indian casinos and nine slot parlors (located at race tracks) already in ny, there will now be an amount of additional casinos that will privately be developed in various regions of the location. In the beginning, only four new casinos are allowed a compromise that the State Legislature insisted on when they approved the program in each of the final two legislative sessions. Those four casinos will be positioned 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 possibly up to two more into the suburbs near the town around that same time.
The casino vote absolutely saw some divisions within the state, though not on traditional political lines. Even though many New Yorkers saw the casino in order 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 who opposed the gambling legislation.
Not Without Having A Battle
Conservative teams, including some Roman Catholic bishops as well as other spiritual leaders, warned that the income estimates provided by the government were likely inflated and that the social ills that would arrive with expanded gambling would outweigh the economic benefits. Meanwhile, progressive teams joined in the opposition, stating that the casinos would do the many harm to disadvantaged groups.
Since the election neared, opponents centered on the language used in the ballot idea. Instead of using neutral language, the ballot concern referenced possible positive outcomes of casino expansion, such as additional jobs and increased tax revenue that could be used for schools. Casino opponents sued to have the language changed, while polling showed that support for the measure more than doubled when the more language that is positive included. Ultimately, the lawsuit was unsuccessful, while the question reached the ballot with the more language that is favorable.
Additionally, placating Native American tribal groups helped keep much cash from flowing to the anti-casino movement, while help for the amendment was well-funded by the video gaming industry. This helped prevent much in the way of organized opposition, with a lot more money and consequently, more television adverts coming down on along side it of casino supporters.
The brand new York State Gaming Commission will appoint a panel now that may award licenses to developers who desire to build in 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 occurs, that knows; perhaps 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 exhibits his bounty after 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 having a break of a several months, the November Nine was shaping up to be a tale associated with experienced advantages versus the plucky amateurs and despite 2001 winner Carlos Mortensen falling in 10th destination agonizingly short of the final table, the last team contained modern legends like JC Tran and on the web phenom, David ‘Raptor’ Benefield.
But, Tran’s chip advantage going to the final table didn’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 before the WSOP he was gone in 5th.
With the ‘senior’ pro Amir Lehavot gone additionally, it was down seriously to the Michigan State University graduate, Ryan Riess and Farber, to decide who would raise the gold bracelet and bag themselves place in the real 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 university man who made his skill tell.
The breakthrough came after 30 hands almost double the amount of last year’s heads-up duel.
Sitting on the switch, Farber raised to 2 million, Riess pumped it 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 phone call to just 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 true Home Straight
With Ryan Riess taking a 130 million 60 million lead, it was his game to lose, and despite a brief fightback by Farber, Riess ended up being never ever going to let his lead disappear.
Sitting on 15bb, Farber did create a brief comeback, 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 result in the straight. The 9h duly arrived regarding 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 far from elimination, Farber couldn’t build on their momentum, and two key arms saw the end of his title challenge.
Having a flop of Ad Qd Kc, both players checked, but when the turn fell 5s, Farber led out for 4 million. Riess made the decision, plus 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 to 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 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 gave that is 3c just one more card to conserve their competition 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 first prize was their. Just a couple years ago, Riess was Business that is studying at State University, but a go on to Las Vegas accompanied, and his poker journey started. Multiple cashes on the WSOP Circuit came, and his best cash before here runner-up in the WSOP-C Horseshoe Main Event had been all Riess had to show for his poker experience.