Topic: Online Gambling

States should fold on Internet gambling

California and New Jersey, each seek more revenue, are leading the states toward Internet gambling, starting with online poker. But this all-too-easy form of gaming would come with at a high cost to society – and government.

We're turning America into a giant casino

Organized gambling is a scam. And it particularly preys upon people with lower incomes – who assume they can’t make it big any other way, who often find it hardest to assess the odds, and whose families can least afford to lose the money. Yet with new, relaxed gambling laws, America is now opening the floodgates.

Mega Millions: Will lotteries and other gambling move to the Internet?

In December, the US Department of Justice announced that it was reversing its position that all Internet gambling was illegal, clearing the way for a potential boom in online gambling. 

Online gambling 101: What the new gambling expansion means for states

Online lotto – and virtual slot machines, blackjack, and poker – could be coming to your state or one near you. Here are five questions on internet gambling, following the US Justice Department's policy reversal late last year, possibly producing a boon to both the industry and state budgets.

As GOP presidential contenders dogfight, how's Obama doing?

It’s way too early in the presidential campaign to make predictions about the 2012 outcome. But at this point, President Obama might confidently say, “I’ve got ‘em right where I want ‘em.”

Obama's new tax on the poor: Internet gambling by states

The Obama Justice Department quietly issued a legal opinion – just before a long Christmas weekend – that allows states to set up nonsports Internet gambling. The opinion upends decades of contrary decisions, but its real effect will be on the poor (and young) who suffer the most from gambling.

Boom in Internet gambling ahead? US policy reversal clears the way.

The Justice Department has reversed a longtime view that online poker and lottery wagering are illegal. With the move, states are expected to engage in a high-stakes pursuit of new gambling-related tax revenues.

Don't fold on Internet gambling ban

The Obama Justice Department scored the first conviction under a 2006 law that outlaws online gaming, including poker. More convictions may be coming. But monied interests are pushing Congress to scrap the law.

Poker Ponzi scheme: Feds say Full Tilt Poker raided player accounts

Poker Ponzi scheme: The popular Full Tilt Poker website illegally raided player accounts to fund operations and make lavish payments to its owners, Justice Department lawyers said in a revised civil lawsuit filed in New York.

How Congress can partly redeem itself

A one-time 'supercommittee' tasked to find a deficit-cutting compromise must resist the siren call of special-interest lobbies. The online gambling industry, for one, is already pouncing on this panel of 12 lawmakers.

Legalize betting for online poker?

A bill in Congress to allow betting for online poker is based on the notion that poker is mainly a game of skill. Fat chance.

Letters to the Editor – Weekly Issue of May 30, 2011

Readers write in defending Obama's leadership and online poker.

A full-tilt federal shutdown of online poker

Federal indictments of online poker websites Full Tilt Poker, PokerStars, and Absolute Poker should be a sign of further diligence against cybergambling.

Citi earnings: one of five things to watch April 19

Citi earnings under the microscope following Bank of America's disappointing earnings. Also on deck: China fights inflation (again) and a new all-electric Beemer debuts.

Crackdown on Full Tilt Poker clouds future of online gambling

The US Attorney in Manhattan has filed fraud charges against Full Tilt Poker and two other online companies. The move is roiling the US poker community, and it plays into a larger debate about the legal status of online betting.

Millions of dollars found in a South Korean garlic field. Currency debate ensues.

Critics say that the garlic field cash stash is further proof that the 50,000 won note could aids those operating on the black market because it is easily hidden from the prying eyes of authorities.

$10 million buried in garlic field. Farmer arrested.

$10 million buried, then accidentally dug up, gets South Korean farmer arrested. Police say $10 million buried to hide gains from illegal Internet gambling.

Internet gaming in the US: If it were legal, what would be the effects?

Bill to legalize Internet gambling: No dice

The House financial committee will mark up a bill Tuesday to legalize Internet gambling. Even many in the US industry oppose it. It is largely foreign gaming websites that are behind this attempt to overturn the 2006 ban.

Afghanistan's threat to censor Facebook? Hasn't happened yet.

In Afghanistan the Internet is working normally. Even access to pornographic websites is possible – which means the Internet here is more free than in many countries.

Next trend in futures trading: Movies?

The Motion Picture Association of America is opposing plans of two companies to offer futures trading on the gross takings of Hollywood movies. Are they opposing a service that could benefit them?

What we're reading in today's environment news

Colleges take more notice of gambling problems

Innovative efforts, like those in Missouri, address the problems of widespread student gambling.

Don't fold on Internet gambling ban

A 2006 US law has cut Web-based betting. If anything, the law needs to be toughened.

Political clash sinks Massachusetts casino-gambling plan

House vote seen as big defeat for freshman Governor Patrick.