Recent changes in United States Law have given many the impression that setting up an online gaming operation is now illegal. This is not the case as many believe. You can contact us to get more information how you can legally set up an online gaming operation.

The UIGEA - What this new law does NOT do:

• The new law (Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act) does make any type of online gambling illegal. It refers only to forms of online gambling that are already illegal due to other laws. For example, at the federal level the 1961 Wire Act makes it illegal to operate an online sports-betting business (but not to be a customer). At the state level, some states make it illegal to play at an online casino. But the new law does not make any more forms of online gambling illegal. It is quite clear about this, saying that nothing in this new law shall be construed as "altering, limiting, or expanding any Federal or State law... prohibiting, permitting or regulating gambling within the US".

• The new law does not apply to the players. The law addresses only the operators of online gambling businesses and financial institutions that transfer money into those businesses.

• The new law does not mention poker specifically. The interesting question then is whether online poker is already illegal due to other existing laws. At the federal level, the executive branch says it is illegal but has never brought a suit; the judicial branch case law says it is not, most clearly in the "In Re Mastercard International" case which held that the Wire Act applied only to sports betting and not other forms of gambling. A few states do have laws prohibiting online gambling of any type except those specifically authorized (like the state lottery).

What this new law does:

• Prohibits a business from receiving deposits for the purpose of unlawful online gambling. For example, an online sportsbook that is already breaking the Wire Act by accepting online bets, is now further prohibited from accepting deposits. Specifically, the law says: "No person engaged in the business of betting or wagering may knowingly accept... credit cards, ... electronic transfers, ... " (etc) where a person is engaged in "unlawful Internet gambling".

•Requires regulation of financial institutions.The Federal Reserve is directed to create new regulations within 270 days that will apply to financial institutions. The regulations will detail how financial institutions are to identify and block transactions from the US to unlawful online gambling businesses. Note that this does not include transactions to lawful online gambling businesses, nor does it include transcations in the other direction. Also, it specifically does not cover paper checks, due to practical difficulties in tracking them.

* Federal Reserve is directed to create new regulations within 270 days that will apply to financial institutions. The regulations will detail how financial institutions are to identify and block transactions from the US to unlawful online gambling businesses. Note that this does not include transactions to lawful online gambling businesses, nor does it include transcations in the other direction. Also, it specifically does not cover paper checks, due to practical difficulties in tracking them.

What does this mean for the players?

• Some sites have decided to leave the US market. Party Poker is the largest such site. If you live in the US, you will not be able to play at these sites any longer. All of the sites have said they intend to honor existing account balances. See below for the full list of sites that are rejecting US players.

• Other sites will stay and absorb the displaced players. Some sites will sense a business opportunity and will stay in the US market. Poker Stars and Full Tilt Poker are the largest sites to announce this is their intent.

• Old ways of depositing money may be replaced by new ones. Financial institutions will begin blocking certain types of transactions into online gambling sites, even legal ones, just to be on the safe side of the law. As the regulations are written, the sites will find legal ways for people to transfer money and will make it easy for the players.

This clip explains how the United States secretly added the the ban on Internet gambling to the Safe Port Act. Internet gambling has absolutely nothing to do with the Safe Port Act, however Congress knew that this is the only way they could get the bill passed on Internet gambling. Doyle Brunson explains his views in this clip, Doyle Brunson owns and operates a very popular Internet poker site called Doyles Room which is a US Supported Online Poker Room.

As discussed in the previous section, changes in US laws have prompted investigations into more innovative and creative methods to offer online poker and not be involved in the quagmire of the forces effecting online gambling.



Social Media / Advertising Driven - Never have we seen a marketing tool such as social networking. Word spreads like wildfire and fortunes can literally be set overnight. Very few gambling websites have properly integrated this phenomenal marketing concept into their platforms or gaming operations. For those that heed the promise of potential exposure through networrk marketing, the world is your oyster.

Subscription/Membership Based / Advertising Driven - A business model become increasingly popular is the offering of online poker using a membership and/or advertising driven model. This is the most popular alternative to real money play that we are seeing today. Players play in poker tournaments for points, prizes, trips and real cash prizes. This method allows the poker room operator to legally address the huge US and other poker markets and avoid many of the issues concerning depositing methods. Advertisers can be solicited to pay for exposure in the room and or provide the prizes to the players. Advertising can be placed in the poker software lobby, at the poker tables and elsewhere throughout the software client. Advertisers can even sponsor certain tournaments and have their logo on the table in that tournament. There are only about 4 major poker websites currently operating this way. There is obviously room for other websites operating in a similar fashion especially if the creation of a network is part of the business model. The window of opportunity is open for those who act first.

Flash Poker - Poker is no longer just a game, it is a whole industry. And as with any industry, comes innovation and an effort by all of the parties involved in that industry to be better and one step ahead than all the other players in the industry. Flash Poker is one of these steps taken by the best Internet casinos to stay ahead of the pack.

Log On and Play Poker

Thanks to Flash Poker technology, the game speed is fantastic. There is no waiting for the Internet casino software to download to your computer. You just log on to the flash casino and start playing poker. Flash Poker can be played anywhere in the world from a computer screen with Internet access. There is no need to download the casino and game onto the hard drive of the computer. It can be played directly from your Internet browser.

Wherever you are and whatever time of day if you fancy a quick game of Poker then Flash Poker can oblige. It is accessible from everywhere and there is no delay in the game playing. Flash Poker is fast and fun, with all the benefits of Internet casino Poker.

Amazing Flash Poker Technology

Flash poker technology is one of the wonders of the digital age. The graphics and sound effects, alongside the actual game play, are so sophisticated that you will feel like you are playing poker in a real casino. And, if you don't like the noise and hustle and bustle of the casino, there is no reason why you can't turn off the sound with Flash Poker. All of the attributes of a regular Internet casino are there in the flash casino, together with the added advantage of no downloading and instant play.

All the Benefits of an Internet Casino

Since Flash Poker works like any other Internet casino game, all of the benefits of the Internet casino are there together with others. There is a 24 hour, 7 day a week helpline which can answer any query or resolve any problem. Payment can be made by credit card or through any of the secure online payment methods such as Click2Pay and Neteller. First Web Flash Casino employs ultramodern security technology, and is duly licensed, regulated, and audited. That means you can concentrate on playing and winning your flash poker games, and not have to worry about extraneous matters like fraud or identity theft.

Flash Poker Variations

There are many different variations of Poker that are available at Internet casinos today. The most up-to-date Internet Poker games are also available as Flash Poker.

Flash Poker provides an all-around more intense but yet speedier game therefore giving you more chances to play, which translates into more chances to win. If you have allocated a certain time limit to your gaming then playing Flash Poker will give you more value for your time and the money you invest as there is no waiting around. And your computer is not weighted down with the casino that has to download onto your hard drive. The games sit in the casino website's server, not on your hard drive, so you can use your computer space for other things. Flash Poker is a wholly satisfying way to play Poker.

DP - One such alternative was to devise a method to make playing poker entirely a skill based game. This has been accomplished by creating a gaming platform for Poker based on Duplicate Bridge. Duplicate poker is a game of skill - the luck of the draw is one excuse your opponents won't have... With the luck factor taken out, playing poker is no longer gambling: The Best Player Wins! Duplicate Poker is played against people sitting at other tables, holding the same cards as you.

This unique and legal format is one of the world's fastest-growing poker options


We are able to provide you with assistance and direction in setting up these types of operations.

The proportion of people gambling online is growing steadily as more jurisdictions, together with regulated and legalised Internet gambling opportunities are being provided, making Internet gambling more socially acceptable. Things like the social and psychological dynamics of the Internet gambling behavior and the potential link between Internet gambling are getting clear as ready information is now provided to people on all levels.

Online Poker is really in a significant growth mode right now and every online poker site is looking to secure your business and as such they have great introductory sign up offers to encourage you to select their site.

ASIA:

Just recently PokerStars announced their first APPT event to be held in Macau, a special administrative region of China, and the hits keep coming.

On Friday the PokerDome group announced they had partnered with the Diamond Casino in the Holiday Inn with the plan of unveiling the first permanent cash game in China. The PokerDome group has experience in running poker events, being the organizers of the Oz Poker Tour in Australia and operating five poker rooms. Diamond Casino and the PokerDome Group also plan on hosting a major international poker tournament to help kick-start the poker scene in Macau.

Macau is gaining renown as the gambling capital of the world and in the past few years it has regularly been earning more gambling revenue than Las Vegas.

China is not the only country in Asia where poker is starting to flourish. Recently PokerStars held a very successful APPT event in Manila and, according to the Cebu Daily News, a Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) franchisee has sought the authority of the Cebu City council to operate a poker gaming center along Salinas Drive in Barangay Lahung, Cebu City.

FRANCE:

France to regulate gambling to encourage new online casinos. 10/2/2009

The French govern that ider the online gambling market wh the way for a new flurry of online casino offers in France. O alre ady jumped on the news and is offering French players the chance to bag some free cash just for being French. JackpotCity Casino is giving every new player residing in France 15 Euros absolutely free. No deposit is necessary. This type of offer is likely to be the first bonu ses, giveaways and promotions by online casinos as the restrictions on the French market gradually begin to lift. Indeed, with more and more governments across Europe realising the potential revenue that can be generated from onl seem s likely there will be many more offers cropping up in the future.

In other online casino news, gaming giants Microgaming have just announced the most recent additions to their online casino. Kung Fun Monkey Slots, Wooly World Slots, Pur s an d a Texas Hold "We are establishing compromises in order to come up with this regulation," said Maria Angeles Gonzalez, Secretary General of the Ministry of the Interior, "We have this law and the Ministry of the Interior and the autonomous regions are going to continue with these meetings to see how we can come up with this regulation."

The ironic part of the latest meetings, which were held on July 15th at the Spanish Ministry of the Interior headquarters in Madrid, was the absence of Loterias y Apuestas de Espana. The LAE is the national lottery operator in Spain.

Spain has been dealing with the European Commission regarding their online gambling practices. Much like the US, Spain was told by the EC that their laws were in violation of European Union trade agreements.

EUROPE:

Gambling Industry Looks Towards Europe for Future Growth. With the recent Betonsports saga still fresh in the memory, gambling and gaming companies are looking towards Europe, rather than America, more and more for future growth. Poker industry giant 888 reported a 56 percent growth in overall third quarter revenue, putting the lie to claims that Internet poker’s growth is tailing off.

Online poker has been the fastest growing segment of the online gaming industry over the last two years. The internet/online poker boom has been phenomenal, and all indicators point to further growth. According to some sources, the online poker industry has grown by a rate of 600% in the last year! Online poker has seen its greatest expansion coming from the United States, but there is huge potential for further online poker growth in Europe.

SWEDEN:

Sweden Backs Online Gambling

In Sweden the government thinks far differently about online gaming than the United States Government who does not want their citizens visiting online gaming sites and has gone to some lengths to prevent online gaming.

Swedish Officials not only have a website for online gambling known as Svenska Spel, but they have recently told a Swedish radio station they expect a rise in online poker players visiting their website this year. They anticipate a rise in Internet gambling at their online site to go up at least forty percent during the last part of 2007. So far this year the Svenska Spel websites have seen an increase of visitors at a rate of about thirty percent according to reports from the online gambling company of ATG.

This rise in online Swedish citizens gambling provided by their government not only gives them the excitement and relaxation they desire, but also at the same time their government who provides this gaming site and also profits along with gamers at their websites appears to be content with this situation. This is one government's way of dealing with what has become a large Internet business that attracts a large amount of adult Internet visitors per day.

BULGARIA:

A new year is here and like always we look back to what happened during the last one, trying to forget the bad things and move forward with new thoughts and expectations, hoping for a better future.

We are all here about poker and it's what we live for and sometimes die for. Is this how it looks in Bulgaria? Well, poker is still young in our country and like everything is in its early days and needs time to grow. Not that we haven't been playing poker for years - it's just a long process that involves a lot of learning, work and sleepless nights.

All in all the Bulgarian poker community is growing at a very fast pace and we already have successful players taking part in big events
Duplicate Poker
around Europe.

Online poker is much more popular so far, but casinos offer more and more live events including Omaha and Stud but fields are small. There is high buy-in tournaments in the major cities and the 2nd edition of Bulgarian Poker Open just concluded back in November which was held at Astera Casino located at our Golden Sands seaside resort.

ITALY:

The Italian Gambling Market - A Forerunner in the Liberalisation of European Gambling Markets

After the decision of the European Court of Justice in the Placanica case and the recent tender that allowed online and land-based gambling operators to enter the Italian market, all eyes are now turning to Italy and its role in the liberalisation of European gambling markets.

Italy, the centre of attention of the European gambling market Next to Spain and selected Asian markets, Italy is frequently mentioned as a particularly attractive jurisdiction for international expansion. Accordingly, more than 80% of the international gambling operators surveyed believe that the Italian market will be of major relevance for their future business. The following are a few reasons why Italy is
attractive for operators:

1. Unlike other EU nations, Italy is working toward a liberalisation of the gambling market, and particularly the betting sector as well as interactive gambling.

2. Another phase of liberalisation is expected in the near future. Two-thirds of the experts surveyed expect the next phase to go even further than the steps planned for 2007.

3. Growing relevance of foreign operators. A large majority of the experts believe that by 2010 international operators, such as Ladbrokes and Intralot, will capture a relevant share of the Italian gambling market.

4. Market growth to 61 billion by 2010. Overall, Italy’s gambling market is expected to grow to 61 billion (turnover) by 2010 (+64%).

5. Italy's lottery market is one of the largest in the world and can boast impressive per-capita sales.

SOUTH AFRICA:

South Africa Legalize Internet Gambling.

Great news for all online gambling lovers in South Africa. South African parliament recently approved online gambling bill and ensures strict rules and regulations for all online gambling firms and players. President of South Africa is yet to sign the bill for to law to come into effect.

The new bill ensures that every player has to file an affidavit to confirm his or her age before gambling. These strict measures are taken in order to safeguard minors and others from bad side of online gambling.

The RSA government further added that they will keep a close eye specifically on taxation, advertising, players and other important factors.

IRELAND:

Ireland Continues No-Tax Policy Toward Online Casinos. Even if the Finance Ministry eventually rules for a tax on online gambling, the Irish gambling taxes are so low in comparison to most of the rest of the world as to be negligible.

Ireland continues to try to establish itself as a major base for online casinos, as the government has decided to stick with its current policy of not taxing Internet gambling sites. Executives from Internet casinos within the country breathed a sigh of relief, as the new additional tax imposed on betting parlors in Ireland was not applied to them.

Irish Finance Minister Brian Lenihan said his department wanted more time to study the online gambling industry before deciding if and when to tax it. Ireland is happy to receive the jobs created by the sites using the nation as a base, and doesn't want to discourage other casinos considering Ireland as a home.

Ireland recently increased the tax paid by land-based gambling operators from one to two percent, still a tiny amount compared to many other countries. Even these businesses receive a break, not having to pay any tax on telephoned wagers.

The decision by the Irish government will probably cause other online casinos to flock to Ireland, bringing jobs and prosperity. Even if the Finance Ministry eventually rules for a tax on online gambling, the Irish gambling taxes are so low in comparison to most of the rest of the world as to be negligible.

Published on November 30, 2008 by K.C. Carmichael

JULY 28,2009 UPDATES

nline gambling is becoming a topic of legislation in not only the United States, but also abroad. Internet gambling laws and proposed regulations are under scrutiny in several countries with possible changes on the horizon.

With the global economic crisis being at the forefront of governments' lists of problems, some are turning to online gambling as one possible solution to their financial issues.

Costa Rica:

The Costa Rican government has attempted to regulate online gambling in previous years with little to no success; however in a few weeks Costa Rica will try once more to tax earned income from the online gambling industry.

The expected revenue from this taxation is estimated at $85 million.

United States:

Between the bill proposed by Barney Frank to overturn the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act and the negotiations between the United States and the European Union online gambling is a well known issue for many in the legislative branch of the government.

Barney Frank currently has at least forty-eight co-sponsors in his fight against the UIGEA. If HR2267 is passed it has the potential to generate billions of dollars in revenue for both state and federal governments.

In addition to Frank's bill to regulate and tax online gambling, the US and EU are currently in negotiations to bring the US into compliance with EU trade agreements. With the passing of the UIGEA the US violated these trade agreements and now, before the issue is taken to the WTO the two parties are working together to come to a solution.

The Remote Gambling Association desires protection from prosecution by the United States government and is not requesting compensation for lost revenue is made.

France:

France is also faced with online gambling issues relating back to the European Union. According to the EU, France's proposed regulations for online gambling fail to follow the standards set by the European Commission. The EC set standards include a single market be established within the EU.

Another issue that has arisen from these proposed regulations is relating to the reasoning of maintaining the integrity and preventing corruption of sports. To achieve this, the regulations are proposing all operators of sports gambling compensate French teams being bet on.

Spain:

Since 2007, Spanish officials have been working towards regulating online gambling in the country. As with the United States and France, the European Commission has raised issues with Spain's online gambling practices. According to the EC, Spain is also in violation of EU trade agreements.

Spain is currently working swiftly to resolve these issues and has now included individual regions in the discussions of the legal specifics.

Europe:

Even as the European Commission is negotiating allegations of violations of the EU trade agreements, Europe is divided in its stance on online gambling.

13 of the EU's 27 member states have approved online gambling. Seven of the remaining fourteen have attempted to outlaw it, and the other seven have restricted it to companies owned or operated by the state. The attempts to block internet gambling include banks facing prosecution if money is transferred to online gambling companies abroad and attempts to get ISP's to block gambling website access.

Here are some basic ways to do this:

1) Design and implement all your own SOFTWARE for online multi-player poker and E-commerce. Procure a physical location, equipment, business and banking entities and employees to operate your infrastructure. Set up your player support operation. Create deposit methods with processors. Keep in mind this may cost upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Also necessary is a gaming license to run an online gaming site, which requires approvals from governments. This too, does not come inexpensively. Antigua charges $100,00 per year. Some other countries are more reasonably priced. You will now need to start your marketing efforts and procure your first players. DO NOT BE UNDER CAPITALIZED WITH THIS OPTION!

2) Purchase customized poker software from a software developer that already has developed poker software (less time and expense than creating your own). Lease or buy your servers and host them at a data center. Create your deposit methods. Provide email or dedicated live player support. THIS IS THE MOST AFFORDABLE OPTION TO SET UP YOUR OWN CUSTOM POKER ROOM. We have resources to assist you with this set up option starting from $25,000

3) Become a Master Licensee of an Internet Gambling Software Provider. This normally allows you to create licensees underneath you. This is a far less expensive option and the client receives all the software and sometimes even the equipment necessary. Deposit processing and players support can also be an included option. Costs range from USD $ 60,000 to USD $ 500,000. The average licensing fees are around USD $150,000 and still requires a royalty paid to the software developer. (this usually excludes any marketing costs).

4) Become a Sub-licensee of a Licensee or a White Label Licensee. This is the most popular turnkey option that allows you to create your own branding and logo in the website and poker software. Provided is the use a operator's gaming license, gaming software, technical support, hardware, customer service and e-commerce relationships. Costs range from USD $ 10,000 to USD $ 30,000. The sub-licensee or White Label operator must do all the marketing and receives a smaller percentage than a Master Licensee.

5) Become an Affiliate of a Licensee. This is the least expensive turnkey option. It allows you to use a licensee's gaming license, (you do not need your own) gaming software, technical support, hardware, customer service and e-commerce relationships as well. Some affiliate programs offer low payout percentages and only supply banners while others offer higher payouts and create elaborate websites for your brand and logo along with your own domain name identity. The poker software would NOT have your branding and logo, but rather a generic/plain interface that would be identical to every affiliate operator. Costs range from USD $3000 to USD $10,000. The affiliate must do all the marketing (unless included in a package) and receives a percentage to the Licensee's profits.

We can also provide you with resources to help set up offshore businesses and banking accounts. The cost averages about $2500. We can also give you suggestions for where and how to procure gaming licenses.

Depending on whether you decide to start a White Label or Stand Alone poker room will determine your need to acquire a gaming license:

To operate an online poker room site legally you should have or obtain a gambling license first. The actual gambling license to operate online gaming site is issued by many governments worldwide, but the most popular jurisdictions issuing such offshore gambling licenses are from the Caribbean and Pacific Island Governments such as Antigua and Barbuda, Costa Rica, St Kitts, Dominica, Curacau and Vanuatu. When selecting a gambling license jurisdiction, you should select one with a sensible approach to taxation, and license cost in combination with a strong licensing law and technical standards.

Do I really need a gambling license for my online poker site?

It is possible to set up your online gaming business without a license, but most of the major online gaming operations have a gaming license license. Here are three main reasons why it is worth it to have a gambling license.

1) In a player's opinion, a gambling license implies reliability and honest operations of the gaming company.

2) Players have more confidence playing in poker rooms with a license.

3) In case of a settlement account, opening banks insist on gambling license and especially while concluding agreements for receiving payments from bank cards. In many countries operating a gambling business without a gambling license is illegal and it may result in termination and criminal consequences.

We can assist you with guidance to all resources to accomplish this whether internet or print based. We can also provide discounted ad space in Card Player, All In and Bluff publications, etc.

We have compiled a list below of the most popular poker websites and their software developers. We also have poker software developers that will license their custom software with no royalty fees to be paid. That's 100% of the profits for you. We call that a Stand Alone operation. Flash poker, membership and point based models are also available

We can also show you how to reduce start up costs by creating a skin or White Label of an existing poker website operation as well. If you want information on how to set up a complete turnkey poker operation at a reasonable cost, please contact Mr. Vincent Van Horn at:

Party Poker
Software - iGlobalMedia


Pacific Poker
Software - Random Logic


PokerRoom.com
Software - Ongame


Absolute Poker
Software - Proprietary Software


Ultimate Bet
Software - Excapsa


Empire Poker
Software - iGlobalMedia


Poker Stars
Software - Proprietary Software


Paradise Poker
Jurisdiction - Kahnawake


Full Tilt Poker
Software - Proprietary Software


Poker.com
Software - Proprietary Software


Noble Poker
Software - Playtech


The Gaming Club Poker Room
Software - Microgaming


Fair Poker
Software - Playtech


Hollywood Poker
Software - Ongame