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Norway Plans UIGEA-like Ban on Online Poker & Internet GamblingFri, Oct 12th, 2007 @ 12:00am Norway is the latest nation working on legislation similar to America's Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) that "would ban online gambling," according to Norwegian Culture Minister Trond Giske, who relayed this to the Gaming Intelligence Group. This would mean that 18 year-old Norwegian online poker prodigy Annette Obrestad, who earlier this month won the World Series of Poker Europe Main Event, could no longer hone her online skills while residing in her native country (click here for article on her win). Rolf Sims, legal adviser to Norway's Ministry of Culture, told an Internet gambling conference in Barcelona this week that they were drafting laws similar to the UIGEA which effectively outlawed online gambling by making processing of bet payments illegal. "It is like the U.S. model banning transactions but we haven't seen the final rules," Norwegian Gaming Board legal adviser Thomas Helgesen told Reuters. The Norwegian government is responding to the growing public backlash against gambling. Gambling addiction in the Scandinavian country spiraled after slot machines were introduced. Although the government has since banned certain types of machines, the problem persists, and an iron-fist approach is seen as a vote winner for politicians. "The anti gambling lobby has got the wind in its sails," Sims said. "The is mass opposition ... It would be political suicide for any government minister to suggest legalizing gambling," he added. Culture Minister Giske said that if the legislation does pass, it could go into effect as early as spring 2008. Norway is not a full-fledged member of the European Union, but it is part of the European Economic Area (EEA). So other EEA countries with online gaming interests are likely challenge the law in court. In addition, the European Commission, headed by former Irish finance minister Charlie McCreevy (58), would strongly support efforts by EEA countries to keep Norway open to online gambling. McCreevy has been working to open up markets in the 27 nations of the EU, if necessary resorting to European Court of Justice (ECJ) actions, to enforce compliance with the Union's requirement for the free movement of trade and services. Sweden and France are on the brink of facing such ECJ suits (click here for related article). Read Related Articles:
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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.
Joe Cada Becomes Youngest World Series of Poker Main Event Champ History was made early Tuesday morning in Las Vegas as 21-year-old Joe Cada outlasted Darvin Moon in heads-up play to claim the 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event bracelet and more than $8.5 million. |
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