From OnlinePokerReport.com for the week of May 27th
STORIES TO WATCH THIS WEEK
#1. WSOP.com did not launch real-money poker last week as rumors suggested they would. But it’s a safe bet they will be launching the actual WSOP this week – on May 29th, to be exact. WSOP officials have indicated a desire to run online satellites to the 2013 Main Event (which starts July 6th). If that remains their goal, then there’s a pretty small window remaining for launch.
#2. Massachusetts is returning to the issue of online poker only weeks after a House attempt to insert regulated online poker into the budget was killed at the last minute. Now GOP members of the State Senate are trying the same trick . We should learn the fate of their attempt sooner than later as the clock winds down on MA’s budget process.
#3. Illinois closes their current legislative session at week’s end. It seems unlikely that an online gambling measure will reappear and progress to law before the close. But stranger things have definitely happened. And the larger issue of gambling expansion remains in play during the last days of the session, which could potentially produce prodigious bursts of activity in Springfield.
+ THE WEEK THAT WAS
- IL-based fantasy sports site DraftDay was targeted with a lawsuit that challenges the legality of daily fantasy sports.
- PokerStars made the front page of the WSJ with a detailed company profile.
- NJ lawmakers questioned the accuracy of official projections for online gambling revenue.
- Travis Makar answered a few questions about UB and his recently released recordings of Hamilton & co discussing a UB cheating coverup.
- And speaking of UB, Annie Duke took a second shot at clearing her name.
OPR OUTPUT
The latest edition of poker news podcast Rabbit Hunt, hosted by myself and Mark Gahagan (and sponsored by CardRunners) is now available on iTunes.
Also on OPR last week: Does the UIGEA apply to bitcoin gambling , Sounding the Iovation alarm, andInternational Gaming Awards accuses critic of tax evasion.
PICKS
#GoodRead - Brad Polizzano surveys the tax models being considered by regulated U.S. markets. And@Grange95 dives into why the ACC was so quick to sling mud at Stars.