Zone4Play Capitalizes on Texas Hold'em with Upcoming iTV and Mobile Gaming Releases

Interactive casino software company Zone4Play, Inc. has launched a campaign to distribute its multi-player Texas hold'em game among iTV providers worldwide. The most significant licensing arrangement is for the UK's Sky Network, five of whose channels will feature Zone4Play's interactive Texas hold'em software. The five channels that will boast the Texas hold'em platform include Avago, The Poker Channel and Channel Five. At first, the Zone4Play poker platform will only feature play-for-fun options, with hopes of eventually offering real money poker options.

Tuesday, 31 May 2005

Rugby Player Scores at Online Poker Room's Charity Poker Tournament

Though just an amateur, UK rugby player Austin Healey came in second place at online poker room Getmintedpoker.com's recent celebrity charity poker tournament. The proceeds of the tournament will benefit SPARKS (Sport Aiding Medical Research for Kids), an organization that raises money for research in pediatric medicine. The charity poker championship was organized thanks to a charity partnership between the online poker room and SPARKS.

Monday, 30 May 2005

World Series of Poker (WSOP) Television Schedule Released

The World Series of Poker (WSOP) and ESPN recently publicized air dates for this year's WSOP, coming to a television screen near you on Tuesday nights at 8 and 9PM (EST).

Sunday, 29 May 2005

Poker Player Murder Trial Deadlocks

The murder trial of Greg Chao, a poker player charged with robbing and killing another poker player in a Vegas hotel room, came to a deadlock this week after jury members failed to reach a consensus regarding the verdict. Chao is accused of killing Donald Idiens, a fellow player he allegedly met while playing poker in the Mirage Casino's poker room. Only hours after committing the alleged murder, Chao is believed to have played the stolen cash at a poker room on the Strip.

Saturday, 28 May 2005

World Series of Poker (WSOP) Founder Also Makes Strides in Cancer Research

Crandell Addington, one of the World Series of Poker's (WSOP) seven founders, is currently involved in a completely separate but incredibly worthwhile cause, the fight for cancer. Not only did Addington help launch the World Series of Poker, but he also placed second in the 1978 WSOP's champion event.

Friday, 27 May 2005

Harrah's Cherokee Casino Vies for Poker Room

Harrah's Cherokee Casino in Cherokee, North Carolina is currently vying to launch a new poker room, as a measure to keep up with increasing competition in the southern region. Until now, Harrah's Cherokee Casino has enjoyed considerable success. Nonetheless, increasing competition and the rising demand for poker have driven the tribe to request clearance for poker room operation.

Thursday, 26 May 2005

Poker Ruled to be Illegal Game of Chance in North Carolina Court

A North Carolina judge ruled earlier this week that poker is not a game of skill, as its supporters claimed, but rather, it is a game of chance, and thus illegal. The court's decision related to a lawsuit filed by a fledgling Durham poker club against former District Attorney Jim Hardin Jr., who claimed that poker wagering violates the law. The Joker Club planned to open their own poker establishment, and even began leasing a building in November. The club would have been operated for profit, with the club retaining a percentage of the wagers.

Wednesday, 25 May 2005

World Championship Poker 2 from Crave Entertainment Showcases at E3 2005

Poker made its mark at interactive entertainment industry conference and expo E3 2005, a further testament to Poker's widening scope in the entertainment industry today. Crave Entertainment's World Championship Poker 2 was among the most notable poker games showcased at E3, which took place last week. Crave Entertainment was one of the first game console software providers to recognize the growing appeal of poker. As the title lets on, World Championship Poker 2 is Crave's second attempt at bringing the poker craze to a game console near you.

Tuesday, 24 May 2005

Poker Bill Proposed by New York State Senator

A New York State legislator has proposed a bill that would allow poker to be played in venues such as restaurants, bars and clubs. According to the bill, poker games could be utilized as a means to create revenue for businesses, to generate tax money and to contribute to charities.

Monday, 23 May 2005

Online Poker is Next for GWIN and Casino Software Provider Live Cast Media

Online sports handicapping company GWIN Inc. recently announced plans to take on the online poker industry. GWIN inked a letter of intent with online casino software provider Live Cast Media, enlisting the latter to provide its online poker turnkey software solution. GWIN plans to launch two online poker sites, WARPoker.com and WARPoker.net, WAR being an acronym for Wayne Allen Root, GWIN's flagship brand.

Sunday, 22 May 2005

Poker Apparel Company Ace Kicker Tees Thumbs its Nose at Wal-Mart

Newly launched poker apparel company Ace Kicker Tees recently announced that it would not have dealings with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. as a protest of Wal-Mart's censorship policies. “It really worries me when big business starts dictating ethics to artists and other creative voices," said the owner of Ace Kicker Tees, Carlton.

Saturday, 21 May 2005

Online Poker Software Deal Signed Between Gambling Federation (GFED) and Tribeca Tables

Online poker software solutions provider Tribeca Tables recently inked a deal with online casino company Gambling Federation (GFED). Under the agreement, GFED will distribute Tribeca's online poker software to its licensors. GFED's flagship brand, Commodore Casino will be the first of GFED's online casino sites to use Tribeca's online poker software.

Friday, 20 May 2005

Mobile Texas Hold'em Tournament Launched from InfoSpace and ThwartPoker

Online Poker aficionados across the United States can now play tournament Texas Hold'em on their mobile phones and compete for prizes, including an all-expense-paid trip to Vegas. Mobile entertainment provider InfoSpace and skill-based online poker provider ThwartPoker, Inc. announced that together they have launched Hold'em Poker+ for Prizes(TM) Mobile Mega Tournament Championship. Hold'em Poker+ for Prizes kicked off this week and will continue up through August 14, 2005.

Thursday, 19 May 2005

Poker Channel pokerzone Launches on SKY Network

Today at 2 pm GMT, the SKY cable platform will officially launch its new poker channel, pokerzone, which will be offered in over 8 million homes. The UK cable provider's newest addition highlights the explosion of poker in the UK.

Wednesday, 18 May 2005

Online Poker is Next for Gaming VC, Thanks to Deal with Boss Media

Online casino operator Gaming VC Holdings S.A. has announced that is has inked a deal with online gaming software provider Boss Media to use Boss' online poker platform on Casino Club (www.casinoclub.com), Gaming VC's online casino site. Through this agreement, Gaming VC plans to offer online poker games by July of this year.

Tuesday, 17 May 2005

Online Poker Ad Could Add up to Fine for Jockey

Afleet Alex Jockey Jeremy Rose showed up Saturday to the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs with an online poker room logo on his pants, and is now being threatened with a fine because of it. Rose is facing a hearing with the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority for promoting online poker site ParadisePoker.com, an arrangement which Churchill Downs claims conflicts with a business agreement it has with online gambling site Youbet.com. A spokesperson for Churchill Downs was quoted as saying that track policy prohibits jockeys from promoting competing sponsors.

Monday, 16 May 2005

Online Poker Company Party Gaming Continues Flirtation with London Stock Exchange

Online poker company Party Gaming helped feed rumors that the company is heading towards a float on the London Stock Exchange when it added two major players to its board. Brian Larcombe, formerly chief executive of the 3i Group, will assume the position of deputy chairman of the board. The second new player, Michael Jackson of Sage software group, will serve as the board's new chairman.

Sunday, 15 May 2005

World Poker Tour Enterprises (WPTE) Releases First Quarter Results

WPT Enterprises, Inc. (WPTE), the owners and developers of the televised World Poker Tour (WPT) recently announced results for this year's fiscal first quarter, which ended April 3rd. Although revenues this quarter were largely equivalent to first quarter revenues in the 2004 fiscal year, revenues for Q1 2005 were more greatly comprised of earnings resulting from various licensing agreements.

Saturday, 14 May 2005

Beta Test Version of Online Poker Tournament Software Released by PokerBook

PokerBook Gaming Corporation, a provider of online poker software and charity tournaments, announced the release of the beta test version of PB25, its proprietary online poker tournament software. PokerBook's new online poker software does not require prior downloading or deposit and purports user friendliness.

Friday, 13 May 2005

Vegas Poker Murder Trial Now Underway

A murder trial is currently underway, which alleges that a man by the name of Greg Chao robbed and killed fellow poker player Donald Idiens and then used the victim's money to play in a Vegas poker room. The two reportedly met while playing poker in the Mirage Casino's poker room.

Thursday, 12 May 2005

Online Poker Room CelebPoker Sending Players to £120,000 London Tournament

Online poker room CelebPoker.com announced plans to send some of its online players to The Palm Beach CelebPoker Classic, to be held in London on July 30th and 31st. By playing satellite tournaments, online poker players can qualify for monthly final tournaments, which will bring them one step closer to winning the tournament prize package.

Wednesday, 11 May 2005

Texas Hold'em is Still Illegal in North Carolina, But for How Long?

According to North Carolina's anti-gambling laws, Texas Hold'em games are technically prohibited, though ambiguity in the law has made enforcement somewhat problematic. Efforts are currently being made to change the popular poker game's legal status in the state, by removing the ambiguity, in favor of legalizing Texas Hold'em.

Tuesday, 10 May 2005

PokerBIZ Poker Magazine Released by Casino Connection International

The poker industry now has a magazine all to itself, helping with all the nitty gritty involved in operating a poker room. Casino Connection International, which also publishes Global Gaming Business, recently announced the release of quarterly magazine PokerBIZ. The new poker publication is devoted specifically to industry and commerce issues related to the burgeoning world of poker. The main goal of PokerBIZ is to help gaming executives capitalize on the poker boom, both online and off. Readers will receive pointers on ways to better customer service practices, organize poker tournaments and a wealth of additional topics.

Monday, 09 May 2005

Public Poker Game Bill Passed by Alaska House

Alaska's state House of Representatives passed a measure last week, allowing public poker games for municipalities boasting populations of at least 30,000 occupants. The house passed the poker bill in a vote of 23-16 last week, and now the bill is under review by Alaska's Senate Judiciary Committee.

Sunday, 08 May 2005

Online Poker Companies UltimatePoker and Absolute Poker Launch Ad Campaigns in the UK

Online poker operators UltimateBet, on behalf of its UltimatePoker site, and Absolute Poker are making the most of the expected gambling boom, afforded by the UK's recently passed Gambling Bill. Both online poker companies are investing millions of pounds to dot the UK's landscape with online poker ads galore.

Saturday, 07 May 2005

Sign Up for Online Poker, the Vegas Hotel Room is Free

FreePokerTrips.com is offering free vouchers for 2 night hotel stays in a variety of gambling locations to visitors who register and play at one of the 5 poker and casino sponsors that the site endorses. They offer hotel stays in Vegas, but for those who are far from Vegas, other possible locations include Myrtle Beach, Daytona Beach, Atlantic City, and Reno.

Friday, 06 May 2005

Mobile Poker from Yahoo! Games to Showcase at 2005 E3 Expo

Yahoo! Games' new multiplayer online poker game is likely to be among the biggest attractions showcasing at the 2005 E3 Expo, coming to Los Angeles this month. Yahoo's PC-to-mobile online poker game offers new technology including cross-platform capabilities and revolutionary community and personalization options. The game even lets players create their own poker faces, adding to the richness of the online poker experience.

Thursday, 05 May 2005

GSN's 'Poker Royale: Celebrities vs. Poker Pros' Debuts Friday

What do professional poker players and actors have in common? First off, they both bluff for a living, and second, they'll both appear on GSN's debuting Texas Hold em show, "Poker Royale: Celebrities vs. Poker Pros." Poker Royale, which has poker pros face off against celebrities, will air for a total of seven episodes starting this Friday, May 6th, as part of GSN's signature "Casino Night."

Wednesday, 04 May 2005

College Poker Championship Signup Deadline Approaching

Online Poker playing college students wanting to compete in this year's College Poker Championship need to move fast. Registration for the online poker championship is coming to a close, with tomorrow being the last day to sign up. The College Poker Championship has been holding weekly online tournaments for 36 weeks, qualifying contenders for the semifinals. The last weekly tournament is scheduled for Sunday, May 8th.

Tuesday, 03 May 2005

World Series of Poker (WSOP) Seats up for Grabs Every Day in May at Bodog

Throughout the month of May, online gambling site Bodog.com is giving players a chance-a-day to win World Series of Poker (WSOP) seats through its online poker site, Bodog Poker. Bodog.com has promised to give away one WSOP prize package, whose value totals more than $12,500, every day. The prize package includes the $10,000 WSOP buy-in, airfare to Las Vegas, lodging, various Bodog merchandise and tickets to the Bodog.com party being held the night before the WSOP final event kicks off on July 7th.

Monday, 02 May 2005

Charity Texas Hold'em Passes in Oregon Senate

Capitalizing on the widespread appeal of Texas hold'em, and all for a good cause, Oregon is one step closer to allowing charity events featuring the ever-so-popular game. After gliding through Oregon's state senate last week, bill HB2311, which would permit charity Texas Hold'em tournaments, will now make its way to the governor for approval.

Sunday, 01 May 2005