Online Casino News and Information

Bodog.com, the original domain of one of the most popular online gaming company, Bodog, has been seized by the Department of Homeland Security.

Why this domain was seized is a bit strange as it has not been an active commerce domain for some time now. Other Bodog Brand properties will not be affected by this seizure. It is only speculation at this point as to why Homeland Security would seize an unused domain name.

Calvin Ayre has this to say about the seizure;

“Not sure what to say. BodogBrand.com is a brand-licensing organization based outside the US. The brand left the market last year and the domain in question has been dormant globally for longer than that. We are only currently doing brand licensing deals outside the US so this domain had no place in any of our current plans.”

This action only emphasizes how owning a .com or .net domain name can be a dangerous pursuit in any industry. The current U.S. thinking leaves international companies with little to no due process to protect their domains.

This is the second time Bodog has had its .com stolen. Patent troll, Scott Lewis temporarily gained control of the domain back in 2007. That move destroyed any marketing value the name had at the time and forced Bodog into taking to change course in the way they marketed.

The has been no other word if more action is on the way for gambling .com domains but as we have said before here, the U.S. Government is using everything in its power to clear the way for the large Nevada casino’s to have an open range when online poker is finally regulated.

Earlier this month Everleaf Gaming Network shut down its US operations. It was reported that the United States Department of Homeland Security had a cease and desist order. Everleaf on Feb 9th, prohibited all US based players from using any of the more than 100 skins it offered.

Today Everleaf issued this statement:

As has been reported, certain funds maintained by one of our payment processors to be distributed to U.S. customers were seized by U.S. authorities. To our knowledge, the U.S. authorities seized these funds and blocked the transactions based on purported violations of certain U.S. laws, including operating an illegal money transmitting business, the Wire Act, and money laundering. Evidence relative to the subject can be reviewed from the attached papers.

Please be advised that this seizure occurred in the United States and only affects U.S. players.

In view of the above, Everleaf will no longer accept U.S. players. Nonetheless, Everleaf reiterates and wants to reassure all the effected players that all the funds will be refunded in full and the effected parties will be contacted in a short while accordingly.

For the other markets we operate in and with regards to all our other players we want to reassure you that nothing has changed and thank you for the continued business with our Company.

We sincerely apologize for the lack of communication to date, but as a Company we were still trying to find our feet and assessing the situation at hand and how to best protect the interest of all the effected parties.

Unfortunately this leaves a lot of questions.  When will U.S. players receive their money? – “in a short while” according to this statement but what does that mean?

For U.S. players this is nothing new but “.. as a Company we were still trying to find our feet and assessing the situation at hand” doesn’t sound like it is going to be a fast refund process.

“I don’t see this as an expansion of gambling, I see this as an expansion of freedom.” That was the statement issued by Senator Rick Bertrand R-Sioux City after legislation in Iowa to bring online poker under state regulation passed with ease in a Senate committee.

The final vote was 11-4 to allow for the state Racing and Gaming Commission to being together and regulate competing hub operators and partner them with state licensed casinos to provide Iowan’s access to online poker. Out of state players would be able to come to a Iowa casino, establish an account and play only while they were staying at the casino.

According to Senator Bill Dix, R-Shell Shock, “We have a situation in Iowa where Iowa citizens are not being protected. This will do that.” No one spoke out against the bill during the vote but 3 Republicans and 1 Democrat voted against it citing how this is combining a highly addictive form of gambling with an extreme ease of access to Iowans.

Though it breeze through the Senate committee hearing, Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs gives online poke only a 50-50 chance of getting through the full Senate. The passing in the committee however, did mean this bill is still alive for more legislative work. Friday was like a cleaning day for the Senate and where deals that did not make it through a committee vote are lost till next year.

In the press release below it was announced that the first legal intranet gaming was launched in the United States. The first two Native American Tribal Casinos in the company’s Tribal Gaming Network, Coushatta Indian Casino in Louisiana and Coyote Valley Casino in California, signed the agreement.

LAS VEGAS, NV, Feb 22, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) — Atlantis Internet Group Corp. (pinksheets:ATIG), a Nevada-based gaming innovator, made history today with its announced launch of the first form of legal Intranet gaming within the United States. The historic launch is commemorated by the signing of agreements officially connecting the first two Native American Tribal Casinos in the company’s Tribal Gaming Network. The first two charter member casinos to sign were Coushatta Indian Casino in Louisiana and Coyote Valley Casino in California. Tribes nationwide are realizing this is an advantage to be first to capture the online gaming market in the U.S. which creates new gaming revenues and exciting online entertainment.

ATIG’s Tribal Gaming Network was established in 2009 when the company was granted an opinion by the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) to operate its Virtual Private Network (VPN) in Indian Casinos nationwide. In addition, ATIG has brought together some of the world’s most prominent gaming vendors to offer Class III, Class II and online games on its proprietary Private Gaming Network to link together Indian Casinos from 28 States. This first of its kind multi-game platform offers products from major gaming vendors on one machine including Table Games, Slots, Simulated Horse Racing, Nationwide Poker, Simulated Sportsbook, Live Online Dealer Games, and featuring only the second Powerball-like Lotto product.

Since April of last year when most big name online poker companies were shut down by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), ATIG’s Tribal Gaming Network Poker remained as the only legal nationwide online poker for live cash allowed on Indian lands in the U.S. Since that time the DOJ has softened its position stating that the Wire Act only applies to Sportsbook, leading many to speculate that major U.S. Internet gaming legislation may be coming. In the past the U.S. was considered to represent approximately 60% of the worldwide Internet gaming market.

Commercial casino companies as well as Native American Tribal Casinos have begun to focus on this marketplace by offering “play-for-fun” sites. ATIG President and CEO Donald L. Bailey said, “We have a huge leg up on the competition, having mastered play-for-fun marketing sites since 2003. Now, based on the NIGC opinion, to date ATIG is the only gaming company that can legally offer online linking games other than bingo, nationwide for live cash, such as poker and progressive jackpots. This is a new technology that has never been offered in the gaming Industry before today. ATIG’s gaming platform works within the casinos on Slots, Kiosks, on Android mobile phones and Samsung Tablets and some of our games play on iPhones. It’s the next generation of server-based technology; in short, it’s a casino within a casino.”

About Atlantis Internet Group Corp. Atlantis Internet Group Corp. is a public Nevada Gaming corporation specializing in the development of casino games, casino management software, slot machine software, gaming networks and land-based casino development. For more information: http://www.atlantisinternetgroup.com

Forward Looking Statement Any statements made in this press release which are not historical facts contain certain forward-looking statements; as such term is defined in the Private Security Litigation Reform Act of 1995, concerning potential developments affecting the business, prospects, financial condition and other aspects of the company to which this release pertains. The actual results of the specific items described in this release, and the company’s operations generally, may differ materially from what is projected in such forward-looking statements. Although such statements are based upon the best judgments of management of the company as of the date of this release, significant deviations in magnitude, timing and other factors may result from business risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, the company’s dependence on third parties, general market and economic conditions, technical factors, the availability of outside capital, receipt of revenues and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the company. The company disclaims any obligation to update information contained in any forward-looking statement. This press release shall not be deemed a general solicitation.

There has been another call to action today for Congress to federally regulate online gambling in the United States.  A Senate Committee in Indian Affairs meets today to discuss the impact of the recent reversal of opinion of the U.S. Department of Justice and how it would concern Indian tribes.

Max Waxman of Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative release the following press release:

(Washington, D.C. – February 9, 2012) – A Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing today will explore how Indian tribes could be impacted by the recent U.S. Department of Justice opinion that permits states to allow all forms of online betting that do not involve sports. After numerous hearings over the past months on the opportunity to regulate Internet gambling, Michael Waxman, spokesperson for the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative, issued the following statement that calls on Congress to adopt federal legislation that regulates the industry in order to best protect consumers.

“There is no question that the recent Justice Department opinion has increased pressure on Congress to move on legislation to regulate Internet gambling activity.  If the main objective of regulation is to protect consumers, this can be best achieved through federal legislation that sets the strict standard for licensing operators, requires the most innovative safeguards be put in place and stringently monitors all gambling and financial activity.  Alternatively, states being left to develop a patchwork of regulatory structures will not encourage national collaboration to monitor the many operators expected to offer services and ensure the utilization of state-of-the-art technologies to protect consumers and combat fraud and money laundering. Moreover, the time to move is now, as numerous states are starting to move quickly to create Internet gambling programs.

The federal regulation of Internet gambling should respect the rights of Indian sovereignty, reinforce states’ rights and utilize the enforcement expertise of existing regulatory bodies – all objectives proposed in pending legislation to regulate the industry. Indian tribes should be able to apply for a license and become an Internet gambling operator or set any restrictions they wish on the activity within their respective geographic borders.

Hearings are valuable for providing information, but the facts haven’t changed since Congress first started to explore the need to regulate Internet gambling – without regulation consumers are left unprotected and all of the economic benefits that could be gained for controlling the activity will continue to be lost to offshore operators.

Congress should immediately consider pending bills introduced by Reps. Campbell and Barton which provide a path to requiring licensed operators to put in place practical and enforceable standards to control Internet gambling activity, protect consumers and respect Indian sovereignty. The upside for the Campbell bill is wider protections and opportunities for economic benefits through more jobs and government revenue.”

About Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative

The Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative promotes the freedom of individuals to gamble online with the proper safeguards to protect consumers and ensure the integrity of financial transactions. For more information on the Initiative, please visit www.safeandsecureig.org. The Web site provides a means by which individuals can register support for regulated Internet gambling with their elected representatives.

In an interview posted on 8newsnow.com, Mitt Romney lays out his plans to help Nevada if he is elected President. At the end, almost as a side note, the Presidential hopeful also commented on where he stands on online gambling:

“Romney also said he doesn’t support legalizing online gaming. He’s says he’s against it because of the social costs and people’s addictive gambling habits.”

Not to be left behind on this issue, fellow Republican runners Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich also came out to take a stand against online gambling. Santorum said on the TV program Face to Face that:

“It’s one thing to come to Las Vegas and do gaming and participate in the shows and entertainment and that kind of thing. It’s another thing to be able to sit in your home and have access to that. I just think it would be dangerous for our country.”

Looks like the only Republican not a party stance is longtime advocate, Ron Paul, thought by most as a long shot to win the nomination. His comments on the same program were:

“I think people should have legalized freedom. I think people should be free and make their own decisions and there should be no regulation of the internet.”

John Pappas, Executive Director of Poker Players Alliance (PPA) was quick to issue a statement after Romney’s comment.  In this PPA statement, Pappas said:

“Governor Romney’s statement seems to be based on a misperception of regulation and the status quo. We hope to educate him that regulation will mean strong enforcement and meaningful consumer protections, while doing nothing will only exacerbate any perceived problems he has with gaming.”

PPA Executive Vice President of Player Relations Rich Muny echoed this statement by adding:

“I believe Romney has it wrong here. Licensing and regulation will ensure that age verification measures are implemented, consumer protections are provided, and protections for those with excessive gaming habits are mandated. Current law does not provide any protections for anyone.”

Caesars Interactive Entertainment and 888 Holdings Plc has expanded its UK Software licensing agreement to now include the United States. Once online gaming is permitted in the U.S., Dragonfish, the business to business subsidiary arm of 888, will be the power behind some of Caesars private poker brands.

888 released a statement saying in part:

“Utilising 888′s state of the art poker platform, the agreement will allow the launch of a real money offering immediately as either Federal or state based regulation is finalized and upon licensing by gaming authorities.”

According to 888 chairman Brian Mattingley, “888 has taken a prudent approach to regulation, which culminated in the successful review conducted by the NGC (Nevada Gaming Commission), putting 888 and Dragonfish in pole position for the US market.”

“This gives us a strong platform to roll out our cutting edge, turnkey solution to other potential partners as the market opens, “ he added, “We are delighted to be extending our relationship with (Caesars) into the much-anticipated US market, and we are proud to be providing them with the technology and tools to leverage and monetise their powerful brand.”

A statement by Caesars Interactive chief executive Mitch Garber echoed the sentiment: “888 has been successfully driving the World Series of Poker brand in the UK for the past three years, and with current momentum toward either a Federal or State by State regulatory environment, 888 is uniquely positioned to support either outcome, without delay,”

The U.S. Gaming Survey, founding by a research group over 30 of online gambling, conducted a survey in December with the Poker Player’s Alliance and found a strong support for regulated online poker. The survey had 8,000 respondents from all 50 states as well as Puerto Rico. The general demographic was 30-60 years old with income of over $50,000 a year.

There were some interesting answers to some of the questions. For example it was asked:  Did Black Friday have any effect on their poker playing habits? 41% said they did stop playing online poker due to Black Friday and 5% said they stopped for other reasons. 54% said they are still playing poker on offshore sites despite Black Friday.

To the question: Would Americans change their land based casino play if online poker was regulated and available? There was another surprise as 70% of respondents did not care who runs the online poker rooms as long as they got the best experience for their money. 20% preferred the current casinos or online poker sites ran the poker rooms and 8% said they preferred the sites to be run by the states.

A more expected response comes from the question; Do most respondents consider poker a game of skill? Yes was the almost unanimous result.

There was one more interesting results from the survey and that was that unlike what many U.S. politicians thought, respondents to this survey spent very little on online poker. Only 10% said they spent over $250 a week playing online poker. 70% said they spent less than $100. This is far less than a Harvard University study said that land based gamblers spent.

Zynga games, yes, the company responsible for all those popular Facebook games, wants to turn Zynga Poker into a real money gambling game. Zynga Poker is one of their most popular games and a spokesman told AllThingsDigital:

“We build games and experiences that our players want and love. Zynga Poker is the world’s largest online poker game with more than 7 million people playing every day and over 30 million each month.”

“We know from listening to our players that there’s an interest in the real money gambling market. We’re in active conversations with potential partners to better understand and explore this new opportunity.”

There overall plan is to combine their Zynga Poker and Zynga Bingo into Zynga Casino. Zynga will not be able to get into the online gambling market alone however and will have to partner with an operator able to get an online gambling license.

Some of the names being talked about as possible partners with Zynga is Bwin, which operates PartyGaming.com, Betfair, Bodog, Bet365 and 888.com.

Currently Zynga Poker says 7 million people play every day and 30 million play every month on their current “play” money site. There are hopes that on the business side, Zynga entering the online business may save their shrinking stock price sense there IPO.

Another possible scenario that may be coming from the U.S. Department of Justice reversal of opinion involving online gambling is multistate poker and Sen. Jeff Danielson, D-Cedar Falls believes Iowa can take full advantage.

Those in the Iowa legislature that want to have legalized online poker in Iowa are currently working on a new plan that may open the door to multi-state poker and possibly lead to agreements with Washington D.C., Nevada and some foreign countries to combine their poker efforts similar to the multi-state lottery system in place.

Sen. Danielson compares his proposal to the agreement Iowa has concerning Powerball and said, “We believe that because of the Department of Justice ruling, we can now have a multistate compact.” Though no timetable has officially been prepared, Danielson said he plans to draft a bill to legalize online poker soon and thinks it could be considered this session.

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission released their report last month that said it estimates that the rake from online poker games could be between $13 million to $60 million annually.  This would translate to an estimate $3 million to $13 million in potential annual tax revenue assuming same tax rate as current Iowa land based casinos.

Sen. William Dotzler, D-Waterloo would serve as the floor manager of the proposed bill and stated,

“I think the evidence is pretty clear that Iowans are already gambling online. We are losing a lot of revenue here in the state of Iowa”