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The current Dutch government has banned the online gambling games such as poker, casinos, lottery and betting online. But the thngs are looking to change under the power of newly upcoming government.

Yes, I am correct. The new government which will be coming  soon will be legalizing online gambling. But imposing strict rules and regulations which can safe guard public interest and minors from betting online.

The bill will be formed and then passed by the politicians in Dutch. Further news is coming in that Dutch government may not be issuing licenses to each and every operator, instead they would issue licenses to only chosen and quality gambling companies.

If you guys are not aware of UIGEA rule, then let me tell you that Unlawful internet gambling enforcement act is a bill which was passed later in the year 2006, Under the presidency of George Bush to ban all forms of financial activities involved in online gambling industry such as online payment transfers, use of credit cards, e-cheques and other financial instruments.

Today is the day when the UIGEA will take effect and all the banks and other financial institutions has to follow the law guidance. The banking and other financial firms has to ban all transactions related to online gambling. No American player can withdraw or deposit funds to their gambling account.

According to ABA, American Banking Association, it not possible to block payment transfers as there are millions taking place on regular basis and choosing among them would be difficult.

Online poker spent most of 2009 just like the previous three years,
facing wave after wave of attacks from U.S. and state governments.
However, the year concluded with the two most positive events for the
industry since Congress passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling
Enforcement Act late in 2006. Let\’s take a look back at the key
political moments for 2009, the year that could go down in history as
the turning point for poker on the political scene.

Kentucky continues court battle — Toward the latter part of 2008, Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshearbegan a crusade to try to seize 141 domain names by using a law that
allows the state to seize devices that are used for illegal gambling.
The long list of sites included poker giants PokerStars.com and
FullTiltPoker.com. If Kentucky could take control of the domain names,
officials could block the state\’s residents from accessing sites on the
list. The move initially was approved in a Kentucky court in October
2008, and the issue continue into 2009.  Visit :- pokernews .com site

Australia\’s popular online betting company, Bwin,  is seeking to buy out an Italian gambling firm , Gioco Digitale in order to improve its market share.

With the implementation of new law in Italy, the government is trying to legalize skill games that includes poker cash games and other online poker tournaments. Bwin already  stated in their last quarterly report that it plans to expand
its Italian poker, casino and sports betting operations and talks are going on to take over popular local italian gambling firm, Gioco Digitale. Still the terms and conditions are not layed out as to what will the buying strategy.

Recently the news flashed out that one of the investors had bought 10% of share in Gioco for whooping $2.9 million.

The full tilt poker\’s ftops has begin. The Full Tilt Online Poker Series (FTOPS)
returns for its thirteenth running beginning on Wednesday, August 5th,
and offers players the chance to earn their share of more than US$16
million in guaranteed prize money.

The full tilt poker events wilI features 25  events, each with a different game and
tournament structure.

Prize money is $1 million guaranteed and below are the events that will be conducted during FTOPS season:-

      - Event #1, a US$200 + US$16 No-Limit Hold \'em tournament, begins at

      21:00 ET on August 5th and guarantees US$1 million in prize money

    - Event #10, a US$300 + US$22 No-Limit Hold \'em tournament, begins at

      18:00 ET on August 9th and guarantees US$1.5 million in prize money

    - Event #12, a US$1,000 + US$60 No-Limit Hold \'em tournament with antes

      from the start, begins at 21:00 ET on August 10th and guarantees US$1.5

      million in prize money

    - Event #17, a US$300 + US$22 No-Limit Hold \'em rebuy 6-max tournament,

      begins at 21:00 ET on August 12th and guarantees US$1 million in prize

      money

    - Event #22, the US$2,500 + US$120 No-Limit Hold \'em Two Day event,

      begins at 14:00 ET on August 15th and guarantees US$2 million in prize

      money

    - The FTOPS XIII Main Event, a US$500 + US$35 No-Limit Hold \'em

      tournament, begins at 18:00 on August 16th and guarantees US$2.5

      million in prize money

Dutch tax dept is after online poker players who  have not yet paid their taxes on their winnings. Dutch authorities gained access to players personal data through linking players online aliases with their true identities.

Tax dept is still investigating and further stated that there are many online poker players who have not disclosed their winnings from online gambling sites. Authorities contacted these players and sended forms and application to disclose their earnings.

Many poker players are surprised as to how come these tax authorities came to know about their personal profiles.

I expected a great start for online gambling business this year and certainly got a good news from EU country Czech Republic. The Eu country is legalizing online gambling and will give local companies to operate online gambling business.

The reports further stated that the registration for playing online will be very strict in terms of age verification. One has to submit documents to verify his or her age.

A press release from iGaming Business reports that Internet
betting is officially allowed from January 5, which means the market is open to
local Czech companies.

Today, business, jobs not mater what everything is hitting badly due to market crunch.  Market has even not spared online gaming business.

I have been playing poker and has been affiliate for many years but the amount of down turn I have seen in this business is massive.  I think the rosy days are gone when I use to get hundreds of poker players.

But its a very crystal clear thing that big firms like Yahoo, Microsoft, Intel and other tech giants are laying off employees and millions of people are bankrupt and loan defaulter, so in this dirty conditions how can we expect poker to flourish.

Things are not looking good at all and seems to be getting worst and worst day by day. One of my friend, a financial analyst said that it would take at least year or two for market to bounce back. God knows whne the market will pick up and my sign ups too )

Online gambling which was growing at massive pace has now badly hit by current market crunch.

 Duplicate poker room which seems to be flourishing in US market gave up and stepped down suddenly.  Many major poker rooms which were running on their private platform is now emerging with some big poker networks such as ipoker and  i-gaming .

Recently two largest poker rooms, pokeroom and europoker merged with  b-win company.  Even  retputed PartyGaming brand is trying to merge their party poker brand with some  network.

Things are looking bad for every business today, there is no one who can claim that their business are not effected with on going market crunch.