Poker News Bytes: July 18, 2008

Indiana 'Poker House' Closed by Authorities

Officials closed down a central Indiana business where patrons are alleged to have played poker for money, contrary to that state's law. Authorities targeted the Hold 'Em House, in Tipton, 30 miles north of Indianapolis, stating that the patrons were illegally playing cards for money, contrary to a state law permitting only not-for-profits to run poker or bingo tournaments for charitable purposes. No arrests were made, but the names of all participants were sought for further investigation. The business's manager, Joe Cready, noted that the tournaments had been run for four years and there was, in his opinion, nothing wrong with them.

Belgium Cited as Opening Market

Business trends publication Markets and Research reports that the latest European country expected to relax restrictions connected to online gambling could be Belgium. The country already features a fairly open land-based market for gambling services, and plans are in the works to bring Belgium's own national lottery online. The next step would be to open the way for online operators to market their services across the board in Belgium, with an early 2009 date mentioned as the likely timetable for the changes.

Vegas Bookmaking Site Launches Online UIGEA Repeal Drive

"If the saying 'the House always wins' holds any truth, why doesn't the U.S. government want to be the House?" That's the question asked by online bookmaking site blockpicks.com, which has launched a petition drive seeking the repeal of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), along with the omnibus SAFE Ports Act which encompasses it. It's a long shot at best for the Vegas-based site, which calls for the creation of an "international gaming ID" for all gamblers – similar to a social security number -- as part of a plan to allow the U.S. to regulate and tax online gambling.

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