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PA Fire Department ‘Illegal Gambling’ Allegations: Update

July 30, 2008

Originally reported yesterday, new information has come to the surface regarding the Attorney General’s accusations of illegal gambling against the Westmoreland County, PA Fire Department.

The fire department held a series of Texas Hold’em tournaments in an effort to raise funds for the organization. These tournaments were organized by attorney Larry Burns of Greensburg, who faces misdemeanor gambling charges.

State police intervened, staging a raid on the Texas Hold’em tournaments that resulted in the seizure of $9,000. Another $31,000 had been deposited into the departments account in Johnstown. A petition has now been filed in Cambria County seeking to recover the remaining profits for a grand total of $40,814.

The fire department’s attorney Jeff Monzo declined to comment, while Kevin Harley, spokesman for Attorney General Tom Corbett, stated, “We just have lawyers fill out the paperwork for the forfeiture. We’ll let the state police speak for themselves.”

Cpl. Linette Quinn of the Harrisburg state police expressed that forfeiture of profits from illegal enterprise is routine operation, especially in drug related instances.

Pennsylvania state law prohibits profiting from illegal gambling, for both individuals and organizations, regardless of the fundraising aspect. According the legislation, Texas Hold’em is still considered a game chance, not skill, therefore is deemed illegal.

Unless “self-sponsored”, playing poker for real money is banned from any club, fire hall or business that holds a liquor license. Restaurants can hold such tournaments provided they are self-sponsored and do not involve any third-party, aside from charity organizations. Private clubs are prohibited from real money poker games outright, under the laws of the Local Options for Small Games of Chance.

    Score a Royal Flush with your pocket cards on any real-money Texas Holdem ring game at CarbonPoker.com and you will receive a bonus of 100 x the big blind!

    Written by Donna Norman · Filed Under Poker News, UIGEA, iMega, Gambling Ban, United States Gambling Law 

    Enhanced Online Poker Rewards; Full Tilt Poker Promo Renovated

    July 30, 2008

    Through generous promotions and a lucrative tournament schedule, Full Tilt Poker has earned its position as the second largest online poker room in the world. Awhile back, Full Tilt Poker presented an ‘Iron Man Challenge’ promotion that awarded top players who collected a significant amount of poker points. Now, the online poker room is raising the bar by renovating the ‘Iron Man’ promotion to offer many more rewards.

    Originally, Full Tilt Poker’s ‘Iron Man’ promotion awarded loyal player who participated in the most hands with free cash, beneficial bonuses and entries to Freerolls worth up to $100,000. Just recently, however, Full Tilt Poker announced an impressive expansion of the promotion to include ‘Iron Man Plus’, a mid-year bonus and new Freerolls.

    While the original Iron Man promotion awarded players by their loyalty status, the new Iron Man Plus is designed to further reward players whose time spent at the online poker room goes above and beyond that of the top Iron Man tier. By collecting 500+ points in a single day, these devoted online poker players earn extra rewards for use in Full Tilt’s exclusive ‘Iron Man Store’.

    The new Iron Man mid-year bonus will grant extra bonuses, up to $100 per month, to players who maintain Iron Man status throughout that month. The higher a player’s Iron Man status, the more bonus cash he/she can earn for a given month.

    The latest Freerolls added to the Iron Man Challenge are monthly $2k Freerolls that any online poker fan with just a little dedication can earn a seat in. All players who earn just 1 point per day, each day of the calendar at Full Tilt Poker, are invited to participate in the Freeroll. Players who choose not to participate may trade their entry for 15 bonus Iron Man medals, for use at Full Tilt Poker’s Iron Man Store.

      Written by Donna Norman · Filed Under Full Tilt Poker, Online Gambling News, Poker News 

      Pennsylvania Fire Department Accused Of Illegal Gambling To Raise Funds

      July 29, 2008

      According to reports from WJAC news in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, the Westmoreland County, PA Fire Department has been accused of illegal gambling by the Attorney General’s office.

      In an attempt to raise fund for the Seward Volunteer Company, a series of Texas Hold’em Poker tournaments were held. The Attorney General’s office is now seeking in excess of $40,000 from the company, reportedly the amount earned from the poker tournament’s fund raising events.

      An official with the Attorney General’s office stated that it is unlawful to gain a profit from playing poker, resulting in the games being deemed illegal gambling.

      4Flush is in the process of obtaining a statement from the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office regarding this matter.

        Written by Donna Norman · Filed Under Poker News, United States Gambling Law 

        Tiffany ‘Hot Chips’ Michelle Joins Team UltimateBet

        July 29, 2008

        Online poker room Ultimate Bet announced today the signing of Tiffany ‘Hot Chips’ Michelle as its newest member of the Ultimate Star Players Team. The singer/songwriter turned professional poker player joins the ranks of such skilled players as Cliff ‘JohnnyBax’ Josephy and James ‘POKERPRO33’ Campbell.

        Visit UltimateBet Poker24 year-old Tiffany Michelle gained recent poker stardom at the 2008 World Series of Poker by defeating the largest field of any other female in the history of the WSOP Main Event. Michelle skillfully whittled her way through a field of 6,844 participants to finish in the 17th position, earning $334,534. Highlighted by the rolling cameras, Tiffany Michelle, donning the UltimateBet “UB Army” logo, became the last woman standing in the 2008 WSOP.

        UltimateBet consultant Annie Duke offered her comments on the signing of the newest Team UltimateBet member, “From Hollywood to Vegas, Tiffany Michelle is a rising star in so many extraordinary ways. We’re thrilled to be able to bring such a talented force on board.”

        Tiffany Michelle, who can be found playing online poker at UltimateBet under the username “Tiffany M”, has appeared in variety of films and television series, including appearances on Nip/Tuck and E.R. As a way to supplement income between her acting and songwriting career, Michelle began playing online poker at UltimateBet.

        Discovering she was more than lucky, but quite talented at the game of poker, she began playing in land-based tournaments as well. It wasn’t long before Michelle’s dexterity gained the respect of professional poker players around the world.

        On a more sour note, Michelle found herself under scrutiny and possible penalization by the courts as PokerNews.com, whom Michelle has been reporting poker news with for quite some time, was not too pleased to find the poker pro sporting UltimateBet advertisements at the 2008 WSOP while contracted with the online poker media company. The outcome of these actions has not yet been determined, but 4Flush is keeping a close eye on the story.

          Written by Donna Norman · Filed Under 2008 WSOP Results, Online Gambling News, Poker News, WSOP News, Women's Poker 

          Super Satellites To Africa’s $Million Poker Tournament At Titan Poker

          July 29, 2008

          Titan Poker, the pride and joy of the iPoker Network, is currently hosting Satellites and Super Satellites to the largest poker tournament in Africa – the Sun City Million Dollar Poker Tournament. South Africa’s sumptuous Super Bowl casino in the heart of beautiful Sun City will set the scene for the region’s premier poker event this September, guaranteeing a minimum prize pool of $1,500,000.Visit Titan Poker

          Players at Titan Poker are not just competing for a chance to play in the Million Dollar Poker Tournament, but an awesome draping of benefits as well. Winners will receive a prize package worth $10,500; $3,000 going to the buy-in, $1,600 to cover one optional re-buy/add-on, $2,500 for travel and spending cash, plus a 7-night stay at the luxurious Palace of the Lost City Hotel, complete with free entry to the relaxing spa, a free round on miles of golfing green, tickets to the “Let There Be Rock” concert, and who pass up a free hot air balloon ride?

          When it comes right down to it, it’s as if Titan Poker is actually rewarding a week’s vacation in South African paradise, with the added benefit of one really valuable poker tournament.

          I’ll give you a moment to get your head out of the clouds (and mine as well.) Let’s get down to the real business at hand – how to win this amazing African adventure at Titan Poker. The online poker room is hosting daily Qualifier Satellites, leading up the Super Satellites every Saturday until August 23rd.

          There are Stage 1 and Stage 2 Satellites. Stage 2 Satellites are the cheapest, ranging from buy-ins of $1.50+$.10 to $6+$.60. Stage 2 Satellites award a seat in a Stage 1 Satellite. Stage 1 Satellite buy-ins range from $10+$1 (Turbos held Monday-Friday) to $32+$3 and $64+$4 (Ongoing Sit’n’Gos). Winning a Stage 1 Satellites thrusts the player into the real action at the Super Satellite tables held each Saturday.

          carlos pokerThe Sun City $Million Super Satellites are the final step in winning the prize package. Take down this tournament and you’ll be on your way to Africa September 1st. If you don’t mind paying the higher buy-in, direct entry is $300+$20.

          The Sun City $Million Poker Tournament will take place September 1st – 8th, 2008 at the Super Bowl casino in Sun City. For more information and a chance to play in Satellites and/or Super Satellites, awarding a seat in Africa’s premier poker event worth $1.5 million guaranteed, visit Titan Poker.

            Written by Donna Norman · Filed Under High Stakes Poker, Online Gambling News, Poker News, Titan Poker 

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