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Greece to Meet with EC; Are Online Poker, Gambling Markets to Open?Sat, May 17th, 2008 @ 12:00am Reports in Greek media about a meeting scheduled for next week between European Commission (EC) enforcement chief Charlie McCreevy and Greek economic minister George Alogoskoufis has online poker players and Internet gamblers wondering if Greece might soon open its doors to other EU-based online gaming operators. The reports speculated that the discussions are being held to prevent European Court of Justice (ECJ) charges being brought against the Greeks concerning state gambling monopoly OPAP's status. Greek gaming company OPAP is an effective monopoly in its home market. It also competes with other operators in Cyprus. Sports betting, gambling and/or online gambling are state-owned monopolies in many EU countries, generating large amounts of revenue for governments. To protect that revenue, governments have created roadblocks to thwart attempts by private-sector rivals to enter or grab a share of the lucrative business. The EC, an executive arm of the European Union, has been targeting member nations whose national gaming regulations are contrary to higher level EU laws that permit companies licensed anywhere in the EU to freely move goods and services across EU state borders (Article 49 of the EC Treaty). France has indicated positive changes after talks it held with the EU in Brussels and Paris. Several other countries are reconsidering their positions in light of the alternative of having their cases being brought to the ECJ. McCreevy has repeatedly said that he intends to use his legal powers to stop unjustified restrictions on the free movement of services within the EU bloc. Recently, OPAP President Chatziemmanouil said that he has not ruled out the possibility that changes in OPAP's monopoly status could take place in the future. Government sources also dropped hints of changes to come, saying that changes to Greek gaming legislation to bring it closer in line with EU standards are possible, but warned that it would not open an "unregulated market". Read Related Articles:
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Fabrice Soulier Joins Everest Poker's Pro Roster To further strengthen its support for French poker in anticipation of the opening of that market, Everest Poker has signed renowned French poker pro Fabrice Soulier as its latest ambassador.
HHPT Co-Sponsors Bayou Poker Challenge Ladies Event Dec. 20 The HighHeelsPokerTour (HHPT), the first all women's poker tour launched on the East coast, will wrap up their 2009 schedule at Harrah's New Orleans on December 20th where they will co-sponsor the Ladies Event #14 no-limit Hold'em at 12 pm.
OPPAGA Reports on Florida's Online Poker Options Given that UIGEA permits individual states to regulate online poker, the Florida Legislature's Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) published a report this week presenting three options available to Florida State lawmakers in order to protect consumers from unlawful internet poker: regulate it, prohibit it, or carry on with the status quo pending federal legislation.
BC Poker Champion Arrested, Charged with Manslaughter Just two days after taking down the BC Poker Championships Main Event, Sophon Sek of Cloverdale, BC, was arrested in connection with one of the most storied crimes in the Province's history.
Local Businessman Bags European Poker Tour Vilamoura Bling The European Poker Tour rolled into the Casino Vilamoura last week, instantly generating the richest poker prize pool in the nation of Portugal's history.
Keikoan Captures Harvey's Lake Tahoe WSOPC Championship This week marked the finale of the biggest annual tournament series in Northern Nevada, the WSOP Circuit championship at Harvey's Lake Tahoe. While the Main Event saw only a modest turnout, it did boast of a tough final table, and a WSOP bracelet owner as the eventual champion.
WSOP Main Event Champ Joe Cada to Appear on Letterman The poker world will receive some late night attention tonight as "The Kid" Joe Cada, the youngest champion in the four decade history of the World Series of Poker Main Event, takes a seat next to embattled talk show host David Letterman.
First Korean Champ of Asia Pacific Poker Tour Crowned in Cebu Another stop on the Asia Pacific Poker Tour is in the books, this time it's the APPT Cebu in the Philippines, and for the very first time a Korean player has come out on top.
Pollack Done as Commish of World Series of Poker Just three days after crowning Joe Cada as the 2009 Main Event champion, officially closing the special 40th anniversary run of the World Series of Poker, Jeffrey Pollack has resigned his post as Commissioner of the WSOP.
Durrrr Signs as Team Full Tilt's Youngest Member Tom "durrrr" Dwan is the newest member of Team Full Tilt, the online site's highest level of affiliation. At 23, Dwan is the youngest of the now 14-person team. The high stakes cash phenomenon was nominated for induction this year into the Poker Hall of Fame until the Hall of Fame Governing Council decided he was too young to meet the "has stood the test of time" qualification. |
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