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Sweden Plays for Time to Milk Online Poker & Gambling Cash Cow LongerTue, Sep 4th, 2007 @ 12:00am The Swedish government has rejected claims by the European Commission (EC) that it is violating European Union law by blocking gambling services based other EU countries, and justified its state monopoly, Svenska Spel, by saying that Swedish laws were proportionate, provided social protection and prevented crime. Some media is saying Sweden has done this to extend the time they collect revenue from their monopoly. EU Internal Market Commissioner Charlie 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 (Article 49 of the EC Treaty). In June, The EC, an executive arm of the European Union (EU), issued final warnings called 'Reasoned Opinions' to Sweden [and France] after rejecting their explanations for their protectionist gambling monopolies (click here for related article). So now it looks like the EC's case against Sweden will be headed to the European Court of Justice (ECJ). But it is likely to take several years to bring the case to any legal resolution. An article by eGaming Review described Sweden's rejection as a ploy to buy the Swedish government more time to continue to reap the revenues of its monopoly. Quoting unnamed sources in Sweden, it reported, "There is friction within the government because it got to power by promising tax cuts on real estate and wealth."
"By holding onto Svenska Spel's monopoly for at least another two years, it keeps in place huge tax revenues which make up the shortfall from any cut in other taxes," the article continued. "The government knows the European Commission is a slow moving animal so really this is a cynical move to play for time." Read Related Articles:
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Do Online Poker Players Want Obama, Not McCain? With the presidential election right around the corner, the online poker world finds itself entrenched in legal battles. Who will we turn to in order to obtain our poker freedom? According to research conducted by Duplicate Poker, online players seem to prefer Barack Obama over John McCain at nearly a 2-1 clip.
Sweden Undecided Whether Online Poker to Remain Gov't Monopoly Sweden has repeatedly been under fire from the European Commission to comply with EU laws that give EU-based operators free movement of goods and services between EU member countries. Today, Gambling Intelligence Group relayed that Jan Nyren, who is conducting Sweden's gambling investigation, will propose in his final report due in December that Sweden introduce a licensing system for online sports betting providers. But he says he has yet to decide whether to recommend online poker be opened to competition or remain the government monopoly of Svenska Spel.
World Series Of Poker Academy Debuts in LA Sept. 6-7 at The Bicycle Casino The World Series of Poker Academy, poker's premier series of instructional schools where participants learn first-hand from the world's greatest poker players, just announced details for its first-ever event in Los Angeles, California USA.
World Series of Poker Europe Begins in 2 Weeks With only two weeks to go, final preparations are being made and big name players continue to commit to the second annual World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE), including members of the final table of the World Series of Poker (WSOP). All players will compete for their chance at fame, fortune and the most coveted prize in gaming: a World Series of Poker championship bracelet.
Team PokerStars Nets Hockey Great Mats Sundin While the hockey world may have to keep waiting for Mats Sundin to decide his NHL future, fans of the felt will be seeing a lot of the fomer Toronto Maple Leafs captain. It has been announced that PokerStars has signed the hockey legend to an endorsement deal, making Sundin the newest PokerStars embassador.
Poker Pro Europe Magazine Expands Distribution into South Africa Poker Pro Europe magazine, as part of its global expansion, can now be found in casinos in South Africa and Swaziland. The distribution pushes the publication's total circulation over 55,000, making it one of the largest poker-related magazines outside the USA.
Amsair is Official Airline of World Series of Poker Europe Amsair was just announced as the latest top line sponsor for the forthcoming World Series of Poker Europe to be held next month in London, UK. The deal will make Amsair Executive Aviation the official airline of the tour and will allow Betfair Poker customers exclusive and discounted rates on any of the private jets in the extensive Amsair charter fleet.
No Withholding Taxes on Poker Tourneys The IRS has decided that every poker operator in the United States will have to report anyone who wins more than $5,000 in a poker tournament.
Poker Craze is Ramping Up in Asia The recent successful Asian Poker Tour (APT) in Macau, and the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) underway at Macau's Grand Waldo Hotel and Casino both reflect how Texas Hold'em poker is set to take the Asian region by storm, according to Timothy Chui of the Hong Kong Standard.
WSOP November Niner Dennis Phillips Signs Up for Oracle Poker Consulting With 2008 World Series of Poker final table participants receiving the luxury of a 117 day break before the biggest day of their poker careers, it was believed that the final nine would take a large portion of the hiatus to fix any leaks in their poker game. "November Nine" chip leader Dennis Phillips was the first final tabler to make his coaching arrangements public, as his hiring of Oracle Poker Consulting was announced Wednesday in a press release. |
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