Partygaming, owner of partypoker.com, is in talks to work with some European banks to raise up to $10 billion in investment. That's a whole lot of online poker, and my mind boggles at what sort of expansion they have in mind that would require that kind of capital. Or maybe the owners just want to retire on an island somewhere. Link

New York state senator John Sabini (D) has introduced a bill to legalize poker in bars, restaurants and clubs in New York state!

Tournament admission could be no more than $50 per person. Players could only wager with chips, not money. Games can't last more than 24 hours, and only the best tournament player can win a cash prize - one not exceeding $100.

Link

Time will tell if the bill passes, but I am sure that there are many more such bills that will be introduced in states as poker tournaments get more recognition as legitimate contests.

Today is the 100th anniversary of Las Vegas. Happy birthday! BBC News has a nice history in pictures, where you can see some awesome vintage photos and learn fun and excruciating facts like you could have purchased the land where the Bellagio stands today for $1.25 an acre one hundred years ago.
Link (thanks, Mark!)

Thanks to Michael for pointing me to his well-written law-school paper on the US government's legal tangles with online gambling. Good coverage of the Jay Cohen WSEX case, the Antigua World Trade Organization dispute, and the Wire Act. Good stuff if you're into the legalities of gambling in the US. And this conclusion that I could not agree more with:

With legalized gambling in Nevada and Atlantic City as well as lotteries, sports lotteries and office pools across America, the United States government would be better off to allocate its resources to setting up an
infrastructure for licensed Internet gambling in the United States and reaping the revenue rewards that come with such.

Link

Bill writes:

Let me be the first to invite you on the very first "Poker Cruise" from our very own Port of Galveston!

I Host Poker & Cruise Planners have teamed up with Carnival cruises to put on the very first Houston Poker Cruise!

This is 5 day cruise that departs from Galveston on September 24th, 2005 (Saturday) and returns September 29th, 2005 (Thursday) The ships ports of call are Cozumel, Mexico and Calica / Playa del Carmen.

WHAT IS A POKER CRUISE?
A poker cruise is a regular cruise with the exception of a separate area where poker tables and dealers will be placed for private tournaments and cash games. This area is not open to the public, instead it is exclusively for "I Host Poker" players.

We will have tournaments and cash games to suit your poker needs.

Limit Games offered, 2/4, 3/6/12 & 10/20 Hold Em
No Limit Games offered, 1/2 No Limit.
Other Games and Limits available on request.
Single and Multi Table Tournaments
Lessons will be available for new players

Cruise rates per person include port charges and government fees:

Interior accommodations $411.75

Ocean View accommodations $481.75

Prices are based on Double occupancy

We have 30 cabins on hold for this cruise, depending on the response, we can obtain more once we receive a deposit. The more players we get signed up will result in higher poker stakes, so book now if you would like to be a part of this Houston Poker Cruises Maiden Voyage!

Bring your family with you! Like I said before, this is a regular cruise so there will be lots for you and your family to do. I have personally been on this cruise and there is so much to do on the shore trips at both ports are some of the best!

A Deposit of $200.00 is due before May 25th to secure the above price and space. The balance for the cruise will be due by July 20, 2005. These rates may go up after May 25th so call now and book your spot.

Want to find out more about the fun activities to do while on board? Check out www.cruiseplannersonline.com

Ready to Book?
Need more information?
Call John & Ruth Shaw with Cruise Planners at 281-651-6555 or 877-732-2732. You must book your trip through Cruise Planners for your "I Host Poker" price and to be eligible to play poker on board the ship.

Call and reserve your seat on Houston's very first Poker Cruise
Don't forget to check out www.ihostpoker.com

Thanks,
Bill Heuer

Sounds interesting, and it's good to see bona fide poker cruises being offered in our fair state!

Christine writes:

I live in the South Florida area. I was just wondering if you knew of any type of Women's Poker Club.

Sorry, Christine, I don't know of any South Florida women's poker clubs, and a quick Google search didn't turn up anything. You may want to check out the Women's Poker Network, which is trying to organize the female poker-playing community.

A reader asks:

Is it legal to have a poker tournament in your private residence (home) that included invitations being sent out to 50+ people and results in approx. 25 actual players. The entry is $20 and they can buy back in for another $20 in the first hour. Also, are minor children allowed to be in this home while the "gambling" is going on?

The long answer in Texas can always be found on my texas poker legality page. For those of you who are lazy, the quick answer is yes, such a tournament is legal, provided nobody is receiving an "economic benefit" from the tournament (so no rake, pay 100% of buyins back out as prizes, no tipped dealers or waitstaff), it's in a private residence, and you are playing a variety of poker where everyone has the same chance of winning and losing (every common variety of poker meets this rule; that law mainly prevents house-edge games like blackjack or craps).

As to the question of minors, there is nothing in the penal code on gambling about minors at all, so minors around gambling in Texas is not prohibited if the gambling is legal by the gambling laws, but I can't speak for child safety and family laws, etc. I'd imagine photos of children at a poker night could probably be used, for instance, in a child custody case, but I believe that it is legal for minors to observe (and participate in) legal gambling in Texas.

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