Reason – After Congress passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act in 2006, experts disagreed about the extent to which it affected the legal risks facing businesses that dared to let Americans place bets online. The law created a new federal crime, punishable by up to five years in prison: accepting money in connection with “unlawful Internet gambling” while “engaged in a gambling business.” But it left the definition of unlawful Internet gambling as fuzzy as ever. Of particular relevance for the protagonists of Straight Flush, Ben Mezrich’s gripping, fast-paced account of Absolute Poker’s rise and fall, the Unlawful Internet…

Card Player – On Monday, the World Series of Poker announced big changes to its bracelet events held outside of the United States. Earlier this year, the WSOP held its first WSOP Asia-Pacific, and that will now be held in even numbered years, while the WSOP Europe will be held in odd numbered years. Next year’s WSOP APAC is expected to take place from Oct. 1-17 at Crown Melbourne and feature ten WSOP gold bracelet events. There is no word on what the 2015 WSOPE will have to offer. The WSOPE had been running annually since 2007. “We are excited…

iGaming Business – The Rational Group, PokerStars’ holding company, has opted to comply with Greek gaming laws to move players in the country to .GR websites and introduce the new daily ‘player withholding tax’ on winnings. According to Pokerfuse, the new tax laws state that winnings of €100 ($135) or more are to be taxed at 15% and are automatically withheld at the end of the day. Winnings over €500 incur a higher tax rate of 20%. Money received through various promotional bonuses and other prizes is thought to be exempt from the law. The new tax has proved controversial…

Las Vegas Review Journal – Wynn Resorts Ltd. Chairman Steve Wynn said Monday he’s undecided whether New Jersey’s decision to legalize online gaming will have a major impact on efforts in Congress to pass any federal legislation legalizing online poker. “I’m not sure as I stand here where online gaming is going,” Wynn said. “Within the state of New Jersey it’s legal. Its status in America is much in doubt.” Wynn said Sheldon Adelson’s point that there is a lack of control with online gaming “resonates with a lot of people.” Citing moral concerns, Adelson, CEO of Las Vegas Sands…

Poker Update – The legalisation and regulation of online gaming is something that has been in the cards for the US state of California for quite some time now. A number of meetings have been undertaken between state government figures and various tribes (who operate a large number of gaming establishments in California) throughout the year. Those interactions resulted in the possibility of a proposal for the legalisation of online gaming to be put forward to the state’s congress. Such a proposal has not been passed in the state as of yet, but the Commissioner of California’s Gambling Control Commission…

Card Player – The Full Tilt remission process could come to a close for some during the first quarter of next year, according to the firm in charge of compensating former American players. The deadline for most victims to file a claim was this past Saturday, and on Friday Garden City Group released an important update on its site: There will be a limited extension to the November 16, 2013 filing deadline for players who are Affiliates and for certain players identified as Pros in the data supplied by Full Tilt Poker (“FTP”)…For players identified as Pros, it has been…