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Massachusetts Governor Proceeds with $189K Casino Study Despite Casino Bill DefeatWed, Mar 26th, 2008 @ 12:00am Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick is not canceling a $189,000 casino study contract with an internationally known gambling consultant, reports The Standard Times, even though the proposal to bring casino-style gambling to the state, which included verbiage to criminalize online poker and Internet gambling, was soundly defeated last week (click here for related article). Spectrum Gaming Group of New Jersey won the state contract late February and has been working on the analysis for the past month. It was expected to complete the analysis 60 to 90 days after winning the contract. The Patrick administration brought on the consultant to help sell the casino plan after critics questioned the validity of the governor's estimates on revenue and jobs. Gov. Patrick had predicted his three-casino plan would raise more than $400 million annually for property tax relief and construction projects and create 20,000 permanent jobs. The administration backtracked on a claim of 30,000 construction jobs this month after the number was questioned by The Boston Globe. The governor testified last week it would create more than 10,000 construction jobs. Daniel O'Connell, secretary of Housing and Economic Development, replied to questions from The Standard-Times about the study, remarking that the consultants will finish their study. "We have been encouraged by our colleagues in the Legislature to obtain a credible and objective analysis of the impact of expanded gambling in the commonwealth," said O'Connell. "We believe the outcome of this analysis will prove valuable for future public policy decisions." Spectrum Gaming has yet to submit a voucher for payment.
The contract did not call for Spectrum Gaming to produce a public report, but the consultant was directed to work with the administration and answer questions from legislators. While Spectrum Gaming has met with lawmakers, it was not an active participant in last week's public hearing on the casino bill. CONTRACT BEING CHALLENGED The decision to continue the contract after last Thursday's 108-46 House defeat of casinos raised some eyebrows. Especially since the proposal cannot be raised again until at least next January following a debate by the state legislature. One legislative leader was quoted in the Boston Globe as saying that the study will be stale by the time the issue reaches the Legislature in its next session, which begins in January, and he recommends that the contract be terminated to save money.
"The administration should pay the consultants for the time already put into the study and be done with it," said state Representative Daniel E. Bosley, co-chairman of the committee that made a negative recommendation on the casino plan last week. "If the governor files his casino bill again next year, the study will be almost a year old at that time," Bosley added. Read Related Articles:
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Sweden Asks ECJ Questions Impacting European Gaming Monopoly Policy Sweden sent five questions to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on October 8th concerning the rights of government-owned online poker and Internet gambling monopolies to limit foreign competition under EC rules. Though some say Sweden did so to head off an ECJ case, all agree that answers to this 'comprehensive set of questions' will largely impact the future of the European gambling market.
Neteller's New Name: Neovia Financial- Poker Players Take Note In an apparent related effort to distance themselves from past entanglements with the DOJ over internet gambling in the USA, online payment solutions provider Neteller has proposed to change its name to Neovia Financial at its extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on 11 November.
Bulgaria is Bwin's Latest European Online Poker Expansion The Vienna-listed online gambling group Bwin continues to roll out its targeted expansion into European online poker, using the subsidiary Ongame platform to launch a Bulgarian language and full localized website.
Sandman to Gov Beshear: Regulate Online Poker & Internet Gambling Sites Jeffrey Sandman, spokesperson for the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative, issued a statement that appeals to Kentucky Governor Steve Beshar to stop the court case to seize 141 online gambling domain names (including those for major online poker sites as Bodog, CakePoker, Full Tilt Poker, Ultimate Bet, and PokerStars). Instead, the governor is encouraged to support legislation to regulate and tax Internet Gambling, which would extend the way he now supports state residents' rights to bet on horse racing online and in casinos, and would address concerns regarding minors and problem gamblers.
A Modest Proposal Regarding Poker Is poker a game of skill?
Jimmy McSweeney wins Ladbrokes Irish Poker Festival The Irish Winter Festival in Killarney had a capacity-straining record-setting 832 entrants, but it was Jimmy McSweeney of Cork Ireland who took home the first prize of an even 100,000 Euros.
Judge to Rule Oct 15 on Kentucky Online Poker Domain Seizure After hearing arguments in a Franklin County courtroom yesterday from both sides regarding Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear's directive to seize 141 online gambling domains, including such major online poker sites as Bodog, CakePoker, Full Tilt Poker, Ultimate Bet, and PokerStars, Judge Thomas Wingate stated that he needs one week to review both sides of the case, so he plans to announce his final historic ruling on October 15th.
Free Tuition from Online Poker Tourney Causing Row in Canada The student union at Cape Breton University in the Nova Scotia province of Canada has endorsed an online poker site that offers Canadian students the chance to win free tuition as prizes when they play in weekly online poker tournaments.
Hungarian Csaba Toth Joins Team RedKings as 3rd Pro Poker Member RedKings Poker just announced the signing of new Hungarian Poker talent Csaba Toth to join their live events team, Team RedKings. The team already boasts two highly respected young Scandinavian players: Swedish pro Jesper Hoog and Finnish sensation Toni Ojala. Csaba will be the third professional team member.
Mercier Tops Juanda for European Poker Tour London High Roller Crown The only poker player hotter than WSOPE Main Event winner John Juanda is Jason Mercier. Since capturing the EPT San Remo title in April, Mercier has put together seven cashes and three final tables. His latest final table appearance ended Thursday with a win in the EPT London High Rollers Event, worth GBP 516,000 (~ $1 million USD). |
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