Author Archives: jnewell
Jennifer began writing about poker while working at the World Poker Tour in the mid-2000s. Since then, her freelance writing career has taken her from Los Angeles to Las Vegas and back to her hometown of St. Louis, where she now lives with her two dogs. She continues to follow the poker world as she also launches a new subscription box company and finishes her first novel. Jennifer has written for numerous publications including PokerStars.com and has followed the US poker and gaming market closely for the last 15 years. Follow Jen on Twitter
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Australian Online Poker Players Prepare for Change
The end of Australian online poker is coming quicker than most players anticipated. Of the two leading poker sites still operating in Australia, one is departing the market next week and the last on September 11. Within a few weeks, Aussie players will either make the switch to live poker, sign up with black market sites, or move to a country that offers legal online poker. The choices are not ideal. PokerStars and PartyPoker have announced their official exit dates
Pennsylvania Needs Money, I-Gaming Has It
Many states in America are suffering from budget woes, and Pennsylvania is no different. Further, state legislatures – like the one in Pennsylvania – have trouble even settling on a budget, even one with a deficit, because of partisan politics. The divide has become so troubling that the most basic of state proposals and requirements have trouble getting finalized. Legislatures are finding it difficult to agree on any proposals to satisfy parts of their budgets and work alleviate deficits in
First Set of UB-AP Payments Ready for Distribution
Approximately 7,400 former Absolute Poker and UltimateBet players around the world are breathing a sigh of relief this week. The first round of payments has been authorized, and banking details are being confirmed to send nearly $33.5 million their way. It has been more than six years since Black Friday, the day that the United States Department of Justice indicted executives from some of the largest online poker companies in the world. The domains were seized, and monies in the
Is There Legal Poker Now in Texas?
One of the greatest mysteries in the world of poker is the notion that Texas Hold’em – and any other kind of poker game – is illegal in the state of Texas. No matter the mainstream popularity of poker or the many reports showing the level of skill overrides luck in the game, Texas lawmakers have never legalized casinos or card rooms. The state of Texas tends to be a conservative one, and the second largest state in America has
More Lessons for US from European Liquidity Process
The European countries of Spain, Italy, Portugal, and France are rapidly preparing for online poker liquidity. Within weeks of the four countries signing the agreement to combine their online poker tables for larger player communities and more consumer benefits, the nations are hard at work to put the plan into action. It will not only benefit players but their own economic bottom lines, as online poker revenues have been on a decline for all four markets. New Jersey is likely
Ivey Awaits Next Steps in Borgata Baccarat Case
When most poker fans are asked to name the best poker player in the world, there are usually three answers. One is Daniel Negreanu, a fan favorite always willingly in the spotlight, another is Phil Hellmuth, who serves as his own best publicist, and the third is Phil Ivey, a somewhat shy player who mostly mystifies fans and keeps them wondering about his next moves. Ivey is one of the highest earners in poker’s history. While he plays the highest
Pennsylvania Hearing Set to Discuss Online Gaming and VGTs
The good news is that Pennsylvania online gambling is not dead in 2017. The issue is very much alive and may be legalized as a part of the gambling expansion bill to help offset costs associated with the new budget. Many state lawmakers remain committed to passing the gambling expansion bill, which can still happen in the fall of this year. The bad news – and it was inevitable that there is bad news – is that the issue of
Michigan Can Avoid California Online Poker Failures
Online poker legislation has been tougher to pass in the United States than most poker players and fans ever anticipated. And it is not going to be an easier in Michigan, no matter the positivity of State Senator Mike Kowall or the plethora of negotiations in progress. Michigan was a surprise of sorts in the fight for online poker in America. Most energy had been focused on states like California, Pennsylvania, and New York. With years of efforts, discussions, hearings,
New AGA Code Addresses Online Gambling
The American Gaming Association has long tried to stay away from addressing the topic of online gambling in the United States. But in the latest release of its updated Code of Conduct for Responsible Gaming, online gambling is specifically addressed. When the AGA was founded in 1994, it was primarily a lobbying organization for the land-based casino industry that was consistently expanding in scope and size. Original members included casino owners and executives, some employees, and representatives of gaming product
Australian Online Poker Players Prepare for Shutdown
Online poker players in Australia have been fighting a battle against a planned online gambling ban for some time, but it seems they might have lost the war. The Senate passed the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill 2016 on August 9, 2017. The bill has been in motion since the fall of 2016 when Human Services Minister Alan Tudge decided the ban on offshore internet gambling sites would best protect consumers in Australia. With the passage of the bill this week
