Russian authorities have updated the country’s Internet blacklist nearly 600 different websites, including online poker sites, in an operation that some consider to be the first step of a major crackdown on online gambling. With a standard procedure that is usually adopted for censoring websites promoting child pornography and illegal drugs, on March 21, Russia’s Internet Service Providers (ISPs) blocked access to a large number of online gambling sites including international giants like PokerStars, partypoker, Unibet and Titan Poker. “The request came straight from the prosecutor office,” said Maxim Ksenzov, the deputy head of Russia’s federal telecommunications watchdog Roskomnadzor, when…

Huffington Post – One of Republicans’ top fundraisers is bringing on a former Democratic senator as a lobbyist for his casino. Roll Call reported Friday that Sheldon Adelson has hired the Lincoln Policy group, Blanche Lincoln’s government consulting firm, to lobby for his Las Vegas Sands corporation. Politico adds that the Lincoln move is to help Adelson with his campaign against online gambling. Back in December 2013, Forbes reported that the casino mogul said he will do “whatever it takes” to stop the Internet dealings. Lincoln served in the House from 1993-96 and Senate from 1999-2010. She ran for reelection…

Lehigh Valley Live – Pennsylvania cut heavily into New Jersey’s gambling revenues with the opening of its own casinos over the last 7 1/2 years. In November, New Jersey struck back with the introduction of online gambling. Pennsylvania casinos in the eastern part of the state — including Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem — get a significant portion of their business from New Jersey residents. But have the four months of online gambling in New Jersey cut into Pennsylvania’s profits? Officials say it’s too early to tell. Pennsylvania gaming revenues have been largely on the decline since New Jersey’s online gambling…

Card Player – There are currently two bills on the table that could bring online poker to California and obviously, PokerStars wants in. California has a population of 38 million, roughly 14 times that of Nevada. With a state by state patchwork of online poker legislation in the works, the Golden State is one of the most sought after markets in the country. The site has reportedly entered negotiations with the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, who operate the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa in Cabazon. While the Morongos may be the best way to get PokerStars’ foot in the…

Poker News – There are rumors going around Washington, D.C., that Sen. Lindsey Graham may finally introduce the Sheldon Adelson-backed bill looking to strengthen The Wire Act to ban all forms of Internet gambling next week, according to Poker Players Alliance executive director John Pappas. Politico.com also reported sources working on the issue saying Graham could introduce his bill as soon as next week. It has been more than three weeks since news leaked that Adelson, chairman and CEO of Las Vegas Sands, had found a taker for his hypocritical pet project in Graham, a Republican from South Carolina. So…

iGaming Business – Regulators in New Jersey have moved a step closer to opening the US state’s online gambling service to an international audience after a new bill was approved by the state Senate Government, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee. According to the Associated Press news agency, the bill would allow casino regulators to oversee foreign online gambling companies if they were to move their operations to Atlantic City. Senator Reymond Lesniak sponsored the bill and said many overseas gambling companies are keen to gain approval from New Jersey’s casino regulators. “This could help make New Jersey the leader…