“By tweaking current laws,” said Whelan, “we can give casinos more regulatory freedom to offer diverse gaming opportunities to their patrons and can ensure that the state is doing its part to encourage non-gaming development within the designated tourism zone within Atlantic City.”

The mobile gaming bill, however, isn’t the only hat the senator has thrown into the ring. As he alluded to above, Whelan has also proposed a law which would allow for the creation of a new tax credit program aimed at non-gambling companies in the gaming-safe zone.

“These bills, taken as a whole, will make it easier to attract new investment in Atlantic City,” he said, “gaming and otherwise, and will make it easier for Atlantic City to be one of the major resort destinations along the East Coast.”

As the representative of the area surrounding New Jersey’s casino scene, Whelan’s political views have a great deal in common with another of the state’s senators, one Raymond Lesniak. Lesniak has been at the forefront of several gaming bills over the last few years, including one which made it all the way to the governor’s desk before being cut down. While most of his efforts have been aimed at the field of intra-state online gaming, it would come as no surprise if Lesniak became one of the primary supporters of Whelan’s efforts. The matters are scheduled to appear before the New Jersey State Senate in the near future.

At the time of the dealing, there were some 200,000 players active on the PokerStars servers. Once the hand was scheduled, the fortunate six were informed of their participation in the milestone. A short break was taken to allow outside viewers to log in and watch, after which action was resumed.

The way PokerStars structures the rules in these milestone hands is interesting. While everyone who participates snags at least some free cash, the winner earns an extra-hefty profit. As such, every one of the table’s six players bet their respective hearts out at each turn. In the end, however, it came down to two individuals splitting the pot with seven-high straights on a board of 5s3s7s6hTc.

Though the hand itself may have been somewhat anticlimactic, the free money more than made up for any perceived lack of drama. The player taking home the largest chunk of the prize was edroqui07, who snagged an incredible $42,810. This is made all the more impressive by the fact that he held some $35.92 at the beginning of the hand.

Next on the list was acer2831, who received $34,600 for his share of the split pot. Prior to this, he’d held just $22.36. The rest of the participants each netted somewhere in the neighborhood of $16-$20,000.

Here, courtesy of the PokerStars blog, are the comments of the lucky players after being informed of their earnings:

edroqui07: $42,810… “yeeeaaaaaaaaaa”
acer2831: $34,600
i-268: $19,450… “awesome, ty”
ant_poker: $19,010… “ooooh”
Sebastfrz: $16,970
pavl007: $16,970… “enough for a sandwich”

This practice of handing out free cash to users participating in milestone hands will continue. Keep an eye on the ticker, and make plans to log on once 80,000,000,000 draws near.

Caesars, which owns the rights to the WSOP, had previously been running the tournament in London. After the partnership papers were signed, however, Barriere managed to swing the event across the English Channel and into the city of Cannes. The new venue proved to be a hit, strengthening the business relationship between the two parties.

But perhaps most importantly, the duo has announced plans to launch a French online poker site. Should this prove to be a success, they have hope of entering some of the world’s other regulated gaming markets.

“Having reached an initial agreement for the WSOP Europe,” said Caesars CEO Mitch Garber, “we are now happy to build with Lucien Barriere Poker an online strategy through long-term co-development of a proprietary poker platform… The potential for this French technology by Lucien Barriere Poker will help us accelerate our strategy of developing our brands in the online environment in all countries where poker is or will be legal.”

Should such a site see the light of day, it could prove to have interesting effects on the American poker market. With Caesars gaining more and more experience in the online world, they could be one of the prime candidates to offer legal online gaming once the US market becomes regulated.

While the development process is underway, plans also continue for the next installment of the Barriere Poker Tour. In its inaugural year, this tournament series covered seven locations across France, handing out prizes and seats at the WSOP Europe. Some of the previous stops included Toulouse, Nice, Trouville, and Bordeaux.

Using quotes from several sources familiar with the proceedings, the article says that a potential relaunch of the Full Tilt service could occur as soon as the end of the first quarter of this year. Even if Tapie is unable to raise more capital from outside individuals, they may have enough to complete the transaction. Still, it appears as though they’d prefer to defer costs by bringing a few more investors into the party.

So, what does this mean for American players still waiting on their bankroll checks? Only good things, actually. If the purchase were to be wrapped up, responsibility for the repayment of player funds would fall into the lap of the DOJ. These repayments could come straight from the $80 million that the government agency would draw in the sale, should everything go as planned.

Eolis goes on to quote a source as saying that, “The Government does care about players who have been victimized by Full Tilt’s insolvency, says one very well connected former federal prosecutor… To the extent they are owed monies and there are monies that can be made available for reimbursing them, I fully expect the DOJ  to do the right thing, here.”

So, things appear to be looking up for former members of the Full Tilt faithful. The sooner this issue comes to a close, the sooner we’ll get to see what a relaunched version of the former poker mega-site will look like.

Eolis, by the way, is a fairly credible source. Owning seven cashes in the World Series of Poker, she also has earned winnings in the World Poker Tour and European Open.

“Utah is only one of two states that prohibit any form of gambling,” said Sandstrom, “Hawaii being the other. Unfortunately, this could change soon because Hawaii is currently considering legalizing gaming leaving Utah to fight the principled fight against legalized gambling on its own.”

The Republican rep submitted his proposal, known as House Bill 108, to his comrades in Salt Lake City yesterday. Should it come to a vote, the state’s House of Representatives will have more to weigh than simply the online aspect. Not only does Sandstrom’s bill put the kibosh on internet gambling, but also on the opening of aboriginal casinos, according to iGaming Business.

“Without courageous leadership to block Internet gaming,” he stated, “Utah could see Indian casinos popping up statewide in just a few years.”

So, while the nation as a whole moves toward some form of online gaming regulation, Utah appears to be balking at the possibility. While such a system would surely provide a major chunk of new revenue for participating states, Sandstrom appears to be uninterested.

In a December press release, he was described as a “classic Reagan conservative,” “compassionate and approachable,” and “a trusted problem solver.” Sounds like a nice guy all around. Too bad he’s on the opposite side of the fence.

Framed around 888′s Dragonfish business-to-business division, this extension comes nearly a year after the two groups entered into a partnership. Since last March, 888 has been operating the U.K.-facing World Series of Poker website, allowing British players to partake in real-money internet tables. The hope, quite simply, is that they’ll soon be able to provide the same service to U.S. players.

“The agreement,” read a recent 888 press release, “will see Dragonfish power a selection of CIE’s established and recognized poker brands, once online gaming is permitted under the new regulatory regime.”

So, plans are already in the works. Should government regulated online poker come about, 888 (who has already applied for an operating license in Nevada) will be one of the prime candidates for nation-wide licensing.

Caesars, for their part, also puts themselves in favorable company should the political climate see a poker thaw. By partnering with an established and successful online gaming group, they will get firsthand experience in the running of an internet poker room. And again, if the practice were to see legalization in America, they and 888 are among the front-runners in the race for an operating license.

“888 has been successfully driving the World Series of Poker brand in the UK for the past three years,” Caesars CEO Mitch Garber told GamingIntelligence.com, “and with current momentum toward either a Federal or State by State regulatory environment, 888 is uniquely positioned to support either outcome, without delay.”

One of these, an in-game sportsbook betting software supplier named Stadium Technology, is on the verge of a deal with Ladbrokes. The British gaming giant is set to purchase some 65% of the company’s stock, which would give them a controlling interest in the business. According to iGaming Business, Stadium Technology currently services several sportsbooks and third party suppliers based out of Delaware and Nevada. Now, for the cost of $3 million, Ladbrokes is increasing their foothold on American soil. Should online gaming (and poker, specifically) be legalized, they have positioned themselves as one of the foreign companies most likely to acquire an operating license.

Another group drawing interest is the Las Vegas-based BubbleProtection.com. Well known among serious online players, this company provides protection for users seeking to insure their tournament buy-ins and poker site fees. Having just completed another round of financing, they are looking forward to a future legalization of the game in their native country. For now, they have busied themselves providing services to players on the PokerStars, PartyPoker, and iPoker Networks.

Another company, Veratad Technologies, has spoken out about their hopes for a potential poker legalization. With the Department of Justice’s recent shift in stance regarding the Wire Act of 1961, Veratad is hoping to be able to offer its identity verification software to American players within the next few years. The company is already doing business with a British firm known as GB Group, teaming up to offer “a robust offering of online age and identity verification solutions” to state governments within the US.

With so many companies fanning the flames of potential legalization, government officials are sure to feel the heat sooner or later. As the potential revenue figures pile up, more and more lawmakers are jumping on the poker bandwagon.

Both feature the same basic tactic – a narrator reciting dramatic lines over a collage of images. Both are grounded in a pivotal poker hand, in which two players square off across a large, tournament-style table. The editors make liberal use of visual metaphors through interesting cutaway shots, some of which are used to depict the emotions and tensions of a heated poker match. Such faces as Pius Heinz, Daniel Negreanu, and Vanessa Rousso all make appearances, some in very entertaining ways.

While some will question why PokerStars (being an online company), didn’t attempt to feature their software in a more prominent manner. But then, filming a bunch of high stakes online players sitting around their various computers simply wouldn’t be that interesting. Well, scratch that – It certainly could have its share of exciting moments in a sort of remote-faceoff sort of way, but that’s not the message PokerStars is trying to convey here. The entire purpose of the “We Are Poker” campaign is to create the allure of coming together as players, as depicted in the (presumably) high-stakes live games the ads revolve around.

Speaking as someone who’s made an extensive study of video production (and has a degree, in fact), I can tell you that these are some of the most technically and artistically excellent poker ads I’ve seen. The tone and tension is pitch perfect, interspersed with just enough offbeat images to keep one’s eye riveted to the screen.

There’s another thing that I happen to be which was touched by these commercials – a former online player at PokerStars. And boy, did these spots ever make me miss the good old days.

Here’s how it works – By entering “100K” into the promotional code area of the cashier, players will be eligible to participate in up to four $1,000 freeroll tournaments per day over a stretch of 31 days. This works out to more than $100,000 in guaranteed money during a month’s time, which is a pretty impressive sum.

But here’s where things get even more interesting. These tournaments are scheduled to run through May 20, which is still a few months away. Rather than limiting players to a single month of free cash, PokerStars will allow them to use the “100K” code once per month, reactivating the promotion.

Those making their very first deposit will be eligible for both the $100K Freerolls and the company’s usual 100% up to $600 welcome bonus. These players should use the “STARS600″ PokerStars Bonus Code, which will activate these promotions in tandem.

These freeroll tournaments are scheduled to run at 4:00 ET, 10:00 ET, 15:00 ET and 21:00 ET each day. The games feature an interesting reentry twist, as well. Though seats themselves are free, players can purchase unlimited rebuys within the first hour of the match for just $0.30 apiece.

While this program is scheduled to go on for quite a while, PokerStars has included one caveat. It should be remembered that these special freeroll tournaments only run through May 20. This means that players who want to get their full share of opportunities will need to make their deposits before the 19^th of April. Those buying in can still participate in the remaining freerolls, but they won’t be able to cash in on the full 30 day stretch.

Already known for their popular Avatingo Facebook game, Bejig will now add Leander’s Magic Building and Jean Wealth titles to their online roster. Founded in December of 2010, the company makes its home Borough Market, right next to the London Bridge. They are known for the strength of their development team, members of which count such groups as Nintendo, Konami, Disney Interactive, EA Games, and Microgaming among their previous clients.

Based out of the Argentinian city of Buenos Aires, Leander has created games featuring an eclectic mix of subject matter. Some of the more popular titles listed on their website are based on the Argentina-Chile Rally Race, the American rock band Megadeth, and 33 Lives: A Lesson to the World. This last title is based upon the story of a group of Chilean miners who survived more than two months underground following an cave-in.

“Our games have been designed with a global audience in mind,” said Leander CEO Ramiro Atucha, “and we are absolutely delighted that they will be played by such a wide demographic with more games to be featured soon.”

Atucha’s counterpart, Bejig CEO Tom Gooding, had this to say about his new partners:

“Leander Games is the ideal partner for us to work alongside. We are really looking forward to releasing more slots from Leander Games alongside our own new slots in 2012.”