It will be interesting to see what states opt out of the bill and their reasoning behind it. Washington state banned online poker mainly due to the lack of consumer protection and, with a solid plan in place for consumer protection, I am not sure what their reasoning could be to opt out. The bnm tribal casino lobbyists played a big part in the initial banning of online poker in the state so I am sure this will again be a variable in WA states decision to opt out.

 

Originally Posted by I Suckout

Wishful thinking. Multiple people are under Federal indictment and several have plead guilty. Do u really think a bill allowing online gambling will pass until the smoke from black Friday clears? Do u really think. It will pass, thus causing the charges to be thrown out? I don't think congress would look to embarrass the Department of Justice on this. Online poker will not pass anytime soon, if ever.

[personal attack edited].... this bill is not legalizing money laundering and violations of the wire act....

If the bill passes, then first there will be a window of time for the regulatory apparatuses to be set up. It looks like this would be six months, though it could happen sooner in some states. It's hard to say how certain states might fall on this, but I like that it's opt-out and not opt-in. I also really hope this new law supersedes the old Washington law and that they don't opt-out, cus that's where Im planning to move and Id really like to be able to play poker, in the even that its possible to do so in the states.

future of online poker in the US def seems to be improving as the days go on, hope this bill passes an you boys get bak online asap. looks like 3 years an sites like party etc can be included an then mayb stars/tilt can beg or bribe ther way bak into the market

really interested to see if non US players can play on the same sites, if not i think its a shame an im sure poker will see a clash in styles between US an international on the live scene

as far as US online poker goes tho def seems to be a matter of when not if

 

Originally Posted by Iplaythabored

if i read the bill correctly, it will be US only, and 21+

We asked the PPA whether the bill permits non-U.S. players, and Executive Director John Pappas' response was, "There is no prohibition on int'l play."

I couldn't find any place in the bill that outlawed it either. Here's the bill:
http://www.pocketfives.com/downloads/BARTON_03_xml.pdf

 

Originally Posted by Iplaythabored

it is hard to understand some of this so i may be reading this wrong but what do you make of the last paragraph on pg 22?

Just means that licensed operators can take bets from U.S. residents as long as they are in good standing. If the bill, or the legalized industry, ever extends beyond poker, then that could be included as well.

fml @ 21+

FTP is supposed to announce this week something about payouts.

http://www.pocketfives.com/f10017/ed...layers-641246/

 

Originally Posted by Strong Force

The only hope I see of things getting back to normal would be if a wealthy US Casinos (like
MGM Grand) bought pokerstars and Full Tilt

I can see this happening since PS and FTP have a huge market and alot to offer. If say, the Wynn buys PS and Harrah's buys FTP, then US players would be able to play since they are owned by companies that are US based. Why try and re invent the wheel when you have these huge sites with a great product and international exposure. All of which would come back to the US in taxes, that would be the way to go. SCOOP 2012 anyone? I am sure some Execs are at least talking about it.

I think one of the big US casinos will soon buy party.

The process of US companies buying poker sites has already begun. IGT bought Entraction out of Sweden earlier this month. Entraction has over 60 European poker rooms, some of which I assume could open for play in the US as soon as the new law permits. Or, IGT will make the Entraction platform available to new US based sites.

I think the fact that party is public is what makes it such an attractive takeover target.

One positive thing to look forward to if the "bill" passes is the new supply of fish. After playing in Vegas for over a week I realized. again. how terrible people actually play and have no idea about the practical aspects about the game. Legalizing poker online will open up the flood gates of wanna bes and think they ares. One thing about BF is Ive had the time to study, analyze, watch videos, read forums, and talk poker with fellow players. I think anyone that does will have an edge.

 

Originally Posted by Cabo

Good points! No spinoff would be necessary though. A big US casino buys party and continues to run it and gives access to US players to just the poker.

It depends a little on what the bill will include. If the bill does not include Casino games and sportsbetting, it would be a tough sell for a US casino to purchase the entire bwin/party enterprise.

Getting back to the ?s of the OP, if something does pass and we do have a completely legal form of online poker in the US it is very hard to imagine prize pools not being close to as least as big as the action PS and FTP lost. I am assuming there aren't too many non US players that stopped playing due to lack of confidence.

I am not sure which sites action has dropped more but just based on # of players online or prize pool guarantees you saw what, roughly a 50% drop? So the drop in prize pools and the current prizepools are similar to what we could expect for US players.

Hopefully no states would opt out but if so this unfortnately would start to lower these numbers. If tax laws or much more strict I could see this having somewhat of an impact. If International players were allowed to play you could make an arguement prize pools would be as big if not bigger then PS/FTP ever had, although possibly deposit taxes would deter them.

Finaly the untapped potential has to be at least somewhat encouraging. How many wanna be donks watch on tv and would like to play online but could never quite got over that hurdle bc of concerns of legality, deposit options and an overall lack of proper education on all levels. A well promoted, easily accessible, easy to fund donkafest could always bring in the next poker boom. We can all hope!

It means we can get back to the 21st century and stop playing this archaic live sht on the regular.