Author Jennifer Newell details the poker week in review, touching on the poker legislation in different states, major players in the online market, and Phil Iveys' new teaching venture.

Poker to the Point: Week ending February 10
 
Our consolidation of the week's news is quick and to the point, seven of them to be exact. Let's go.
 
#1 - New Jersey Governor Gives Conditional Approval of Online Gaming
 
On February 7, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie addressed the online gambling bill that had been passed by the state legislature and put to him for action by that day's deadline. He issued a conditional veto on the Senator Lesniak-sponsored bill, which means his conditions must be approved by the legislature in order for official passage.
 
Christie's demands included a 10-year trial period for the online gambling program, after which time the legislators must evaluate and pass again if they choose. He also wants a 15% tax rather than the bill's suggested 10% tax, expanded funding for compulsive gambling treatment programs, requirements that elected officials disclose all interactions with potential Internet gambling licensees, and extended prohibitions for state employees and legislators for online gaming related activities.
 
#2 - PokerStars Launches Free Facebook Poker
 
PokerStars.net free-play poker was launched on Facebook to compete with companies like Zynga. Players with existing PokerStars accounts can sign into the Facebook application and compete for play money using their existing .net balances.
 
The application is currently in beta testing mode with limited accounts available but plans a full launch in the future. Many PokerStars features, such as Zoom Poker, will be offered to players.
 
#3 - IveyPoker Takes Shape with LeggoPoker Purchase
 
Phil Ivey's instructional website IveyPoker announced its acquisition of LeggoPoker on February 6. The purchase is the first major step in IveyPoker's move to launch his online poker training site, and Leggo Poker will provide the foundation for the new Ivey League, a subscription-based poker teaching program. Players will migrate to the league after initial training from the IveyPoker app.
 
Ivey has signed 29 poker pros to sponsorship deals since 2012, with names ranging from Jennifer Harman and Patrik Antonius to Christina Lindley and Jonathan Jaffe.
 
#4 - Nevada Pushes Online Poker Legislative Progress
 
Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval has issued a challenge to the state legislature to pass the pending interstate gaming law by the end of February. His most recent move to further that goal was to engage the help of Assembly Majority Leader William Horne, who signed on to the bill. The purpose of the legislation is to give the governor the option to enter into interstate Internet gaming contracts with other like-minded states without having to obtain federal approval or wait until the US government passes online gaming legislation.
 
Meanwhile, three Nevada online gaming licensees requested approval from the Gaming Control Board for an extension on meeting online poker testing requirements. South Point, ACEP, and Monarch claim that new variables in legislation prolong the testing process, and they would like a new August deadline. The Board approved their request, which now goes to Nevada Gaming Commission for February 21 consideration.
 
#5 - Delaware Sets Online Gaming Launch Date
 
The state of Delaware also looks to make progress on its online gambling endeavors. Six months after passing legislation to allow iGaming, the Delaware State Lottery issued a request for bids to be the primary vendor for an online gaming platform. Interested vendors are invited to present oral presentations during the first two weeks of April.
 
Delaware then intends to begin its offering of online gaming to its residents by the end of September 2013.
 
#6 - DOJ to Name Full Tilt Claims Administrator Soon
 
The Poker Players Alliance announced this week that the US Department of Justice is close to announcing the name of its claims administrator for Full Tilt Poker victim remissions. The DOJ began its search for an administrator in August 2012, and the PPA said to expect an official announcement by "February 14th or so."
 
Said claims administrator will be in charge of establishing a process by which US-based victims of the Full Tilt Poker crash can file for repayment of lost funds. The 2012 deal between the DOJ and PokerStars created a large fund from which the players can be paid, so the next step is for the DOJ to set up a vehicle by which to process the players' claims.
 
#7 - Full Tilt Increases Traffic, Plans EU Expansion
 
Full Tilt Poker gained traction during its Rush Week promotion, enough to solidify a second place traffic ranking behind sister company PokerStars. Its competition with PartyPoker for the number two spot has prompted PokerStars to help promote Full Tilt and attract players to the site.
 
In addition, Full Tilt is set to expand with a .EU site into several European countries, mimicking the action of PokerStars one year ago. With a license obtained from Malta in order, the .EU site plans to launch in February for players in Sweden, Finland, Slovenia, Romania, Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands. It will allow players to sidestep some tax issues.
 
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