A very slow and boring week in poker. More of the summer doldrums.
Stars’ 2x promotion was still in effect last week. Ladbrokes started running qualifiers for their Poker Million VII. Party started qualifiers for their Birthday $1 Million guarantee.
Source PokerSiteScout
Overall the market was off about 2.5%. Through the end of August this should be the overall trend. The market will shrink by a small amount week on week until people get out of vacation mode and get back on the tables. Soccer season kicks off (no pun intended) soon so expect Saturday numbers to take a hit.
On the legislative front Rep. Pete Sessions (should a member of Congress call themselves Pete?) introduced a bill which would seek to clarify the aims of the UIGEA. The PPA has issued a statement saying they would not support the bill’s current language which seems to have some gray areas concerning poker.
The thing that should give poker players some hope is the number of lawmakers who are supportive of bills being introduced or who are introducing their own bills. While they may not be picking up the steam that we would all like them to the fact that our cause has caught the attention of so many different lawmakers – including Republicans – bodes well for the potential of legalized poker sometime in the next several years.
I think the overall popularity of the game combined with pressure being applied by individuals and lobbying organizations has put this issue on the radar of many politicians. As the membership of groups like the PPA continue to grow and people keep pressure on their elected representatives sooner or later these bills will get the momentum they need to get passed.