Germany Bans Online Gambling

Germany Institutes Online Gambling Ban -- American pols indeed enjoyed the vacation, but their German counterparts were busy in December implementing the Deutsche version of a nanny state. All 16 German states ratified a law passed in December that not only bans citizens from online gambling, bans foreign gambling firms from advertising in Germany, and attempts to block financial transactions connected to online sites, it even authorizes the blocking of gambling-related sites by German ISPs. The law was immediately assailed by European online-gambling executives and is expected to face legal challenges at once, both within Germany and in the European Court of Justice.

Aussie Millions Kicks Off, "gobboboy" Wins Prelim -- Underway at Melbourne’s Crown Casino are preliminary events in the 2008 Aussie Millions championships. Last year’s Main Event saw internet whiz Jimmy "gobboboy" Fricke overtaken by eventual champ Gus Hansen during heads-up action after several unusual and dramatic hands. "gobbo" got his Aussie win this year, if only in a preliminary "mixed stud games" event, featuring stud, stud hi-lo and razz. Fricke pocketed $16,800 after finishing off Graeme "Kiwi G" Putt for the win.

FTOPS VII Announced -- Three times each year, Full Tilt runs its Full Tilt Online Poker Series (FTOPS), and the seventh edition of the popular online event is scheduled to run from February 6-17, 2008. FTOPS VII features 20 events spread out over its 12 days, with $10 million in guaranteed prize money. The Feb. 17th main event ($535 buy-in) alone offers a $2 million guaranteed purse, and the unique two-day, $2,625 buy-in event returns for the third time.

Lawsuit Filed to Block Florida-Seminole Gambling Pact -- The authority of Florida Governor Charles Crist to unilaterally negotiate and sign a gambling compact with Florida’s Seminole tribe has been challenged in a lawsuit filed by that state’s attorney general, Bill McCollum. The pact, originally signed in November, includes the offering of live poker at the several Florida casinos operated by the Seminole nation. McCollum’s suit challenges the constitutionality of Gov. Crist’s actions, arguing that such a deal, under Florida law, requires legislative approval.

A Maybe-Poker Murder in Colorado -- 2007 saw two reported murders at United States poker games, that of Frank DeSena in NYC in November and of Floridian Dennis Michael Turner in October. That’s two too many, of course. 2008 may have already seen its first, although reports are vague. Poker is mentioned as the reason for gatherings at the house of 21-year-old Colorado Springs resident Josh Sommervold, who died after being shot in the chest after an argument broke out. Three people have been arrested in connection with the murder, including 26-year-old Adrian Works, who was also hospitalized with gunshot wounds. Expect more details on this one when the suspects are arraigned on the charges.

Boy, That Canadian Open Poker Championship Was a Short Event -- Anyone ever hear of the Canadian Open Poker Championship, held in Calgary, Alberta? The thing went off in 2006 and drew a handful of big names, and then seemed to disappear in ’07. They were recently reported as scheduling a March 2008 run of five events, only to see the internet press releases for the series subsequently yanked from the event three days later. The website for the tourney, though, remains in place, meaning that the COPC may or may not be held at the Deerfoot Inn & Casino, which itself might be in or near Calgary. Anyone wanna ship these guys a copy of Marketing for Dummies?
"JJProdigy" Banned from PCA, Hoofs It to Oz -- Here’s another weird tale to ponder. Remember Josh JJProdigy Field, the 15-year-old who took down major wins online and was subsequently exposed as a multi-accounter? Field was quickly banned from online sites, as much for being underage as anything. Field admitted to continuing to play multiple accounts and playing under false identities -- good parental supervision, that -- but made a public apology just before his 18th birthday… just in time to hopefully attend the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure. No thanks, said Stars, one of several sites defrauded by Field’s previous actions, which continued its ban against him by extending it to live Stars events. Not to be denied, Field quickly hopped a flight to the Aussie Millions instead.