Author Jennifer Newell's poker week in review for June 3-9.

Our consolidation of the week's news is quick and to the point — seven stories, to be exact — for the week ending June 9. Let's go.

No. 1 — King, Barton Introduce Two U.S. Online Poker Bills

As promised, U.S. Representative Peter King of New York introduced a bill to Congress regarding the legalization of online gaming and poker, and he did it in conjunction with Rep. Joe Barton. The bipartisan team pushed the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act of 2013 as the main authorization bill for online gambling, with the exclusion of sports betting.

According to the bill and its summary by QuadJacks, the Secretary of the Treasury will create the Office of Internet Gambling Oversight, which will regulate and oversee all of the components of online gambling that are created, as well as authorize states and tribal authorities who will operate their own websites. States and tribes may opt out of the program, though, which must happen at the hands of a state's governor or a tribe's leader within 120 days of the passage of the bill. Sovereign rights of the tribes will also be protected, per the bill's language.

No. 2 — Nevada Expands Internet Poker Options

The state of Nevada increased the scope of its governor's authority with regard to online poker by authorizing him to enter into agreements with other governments, whether state or national, in order to share player pools and thus overcome restricted liquidity within one state. This was passed by the state legislature by a strong vote and amends Assembly Bill 114 with the new Assembly Bill 360.

The primary purpose of the bill is to share players, as Nevada has an insufficient population to sustain an online poker industry in itself. The ability to partner with states like New Jersey opens up the opportunity to expand player pools, as well as overcome restrictions like the "bad actor" clause that restricts companies like PokerStars from participating. The state governor now has the ability to expand the state's industry greatly.

No. 3 — Massachusetts, Illinois Fail to Move iGaming Bills

When the bill to legalize online poker was removed from a larger gaming bill in Illinois, there was a promise to introduce a standalone bill for legislative consideration. However, the state's legislature adjourned last week without any sign of such a bill. Despite the need for additional revenue for Illinois, Governor Quinn was not prepared to consider online gaming at this time.

Massachusetts went a step further. A recent online gambling proposal in the state legislature was introduced as a Senate budget amendment, but it was pulled last week by lawmakers who deemed it unconstitutional. Despite numerous efforts to push legislation forward to keep up with neighboring states like Delaware and New Jersey, both houses of the legislature have now rejected the idea.

No. 4 — Louisiana Moves Toward iGaming Study

One unlikely state that has expressed an interest to move forward on the topic of Internet gambling is Louisiana. Legislation was proposed to the state House of Representatives to initiate a study of the legalization of intrastate online gambling, and it passed by a 62-22 vote. The Senate Judiciary Committee will soon consider and propose a vote on the same resolution, which was originally proposed by Republican Mike Huval.

The proposal would authorize the legislature's Criminal Justice Administration Committee and the Judiciary B Committee study the "feasibility and practicality" of Internet gambling. Findings will be reported to the legislature before the start of the first 2014 session. With additional input from the governor, police, attorney general, and Louisiana Gaming Control Board, the state could move toward participation in intrastate online gaming.

No. 5 — Zynga Initiates Layoffs, Stocks Fall

The company that has been at the forefront of social gaming, Zynga, announced the layoffs of up to 520 employees last week. The CEO felt the move was necessary, especially after the lack of success of the real-money poker endeavor of Zynga Plus Poker in the UK.

Zynga's prospects are also slim in the United States, as it still awaits an online poker license in Nevada and looks to have trouble gaining traction to become a viable competitor in the up-and-coming United States online gaming market. With first quarter 2013 revenue numbers down and another expected fall for the second quarter, the company had to reduce its staff and regroup.

No. 6 — Ultimate Bet and Absolute Poker Assets Could Be Sold

As first reported by Online Poker Report, a case blocking the sale of Ultimate Bet and Absolute Poker assets by the U.S. government has been resolved. The case involved a claim from Avoine-Servico de Consultadoria e Marketing, which claimed the right to the company's assets. However, the case was dismissed with prejudice, and the company can no longer challenge the case in court.

This means that the U.S. Department of Justice has the full authority to sell the assets of Absolute and Ultimate in order to begin to settle debts with the United States and potentially with customers who were victims and lost money when the companies' websites shut down as a result of Black Friday. The software and mailing lists could be profitable, but the DOJ has yet to announce their intentions with the items.

No. 7 — Bitcoin Hits More Snags

While many continue to promote Bitcoin as a virtual currency and alternative to normal cash transactions, the U.S. government has other ideas. The United States Attorney's Office authorized the U.S. Global Illicit Financial Team to seize any websites associated with Liberty Reserve, a Bitcoin-based site whose founders were arrested in late May and charged with money laundering. As part of the ongoing crackdown with relation to that case, Bitcoin exchange wm-center was shut down by the government, and more fallout from the case is likely.