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 :-  poker news section

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.