Goodlatte to Make His Move Thursday U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., has announced plans to reintroduce his Internet Gambling Prohibition Act on Thursday. A media alert released from Goodlatte's office this afternoon links the failure of Goodlatte's previous attempts to pass prohibitory legislation in the 106th (1999-2000) and 107th Congresses (2001-2002) to Jack Abramoff's "campaign of misinformation." Goodlatte's office notes that the original Internet Gambling Prohibition Act received support from more than 60 percent of the House but lacked the necessary sixty-seven percent required by suspension calendar rules. Various Republican Congressmen have in recent weeks discussed reform as a means to distance themselves from and correct the political scandals involving convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff and former House Majority Leader Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX). Amid allegations that the voting on I-gaming prohibition bills in 2000 was tainted by Abramoff and DeLay, the House has been motivated once again to tackle online gambling. Goodlatte's prohibition bills have differed from the more recent efforts by Rep. James Leach, R-Iowa, and Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., in that they seek to amend the federal Wire Act with language to specify that remote forms of gambling are illegal. The efforts of Leach, who has already introduced a separate piece of prohibitory legislation this session, and Kyl focus instead on preventing the financial transactions that facilitate online gambling from taking place. The media alert from Goodlatte's office asserts further: "Abramoff's total disregard for the legislative process has allowed Internet gambling to continue thriving and it's now a $12 billion industry. The Internet Gambling Prohibition Act is vital to protect our children and communities from the problems of addiction, crime, bankruptcy and family difficulties that come from gambling." Click here to view the media alert from Rep. Goodlatte's office.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Thursday, February 23, 2006
From Casinos to Strip Clubs, a Tour across South Africa
From Casinos to Strip Clubs, a Tour across South Africa Source: Big OC News Staff Strip clubs and casinos are both enjoying a rising popularity in South Africa these days. The businesses, which as recently as a decade ago were considered illegal, are now booming. Thousands of adult entertainment fans and casino gamblers pour into these venues each day. In the past, local residents who wished to gamble or watch a strip show, had to go to neighboring countries. However, since censorship collapsed with South Africa's transition to a democratic regime in 1994, pornography and casino gambling have turned into a regular sight in the country. Official records demonstrated that, including the national lottery, as many as 80% of the population gamble on a regular basis. The biggest boom appears to have been felt at the top end of the market, with major businesses having entered these once-taboo markets. Ultimately, these businesses dominated the underground organizations that previously led these industries. Derek Auret, CEO of the Casino Association of South Africa, was reported as saying that since the country's constitution became so liberal, people just do what they like to do. And, if it's naked strippers and casino chips that please the nation, so be it.
New Online Casino Software for Interactive Poker
New Online Casino Software for Interactive Poker By Andrew B Zone4Play’s new poker game is soon to be available to 10 million households in the UK. The game, ‘Face-Up Hold'em’, is designed for multiple e-gaming platforms and hopes to tap into the poker market that generated $4 billion in revenues in 2005.
‘Face-Up Hold'em’ is based on the popular Texas Hold'em Poker but with a fixed odds twist. It will be available on all interactive platforms in the UK including mobile, Internet and interactive TV; however, the focus will be on participation TV in particular.
In addition to the fixed odds set up, ‘Face-Up Hold’em’ will enable TV viewers to participate in poker TV shows by betting during each hand on the results of the game.
Shimon Citron, CEO of Zone4Play, said, ‘We are excited about the introduction of this new game, which strengthens Zone4Play's growing e-gaming portfolio, as market demand is proving to be higher than ever.’