Latest News
WSOP Issues Major Rule Change to Electronic Device Use Ahead of Paradise Series
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) Paradise series is just days away, and poker players attending need to be made aware of a rule change that will impact the use of electronic devices at the table.
Play begins in the Bahamas Dec. 6, and the series features 13 live gold bracelet events (plus two online). The second annual festival at the Atlantis Paradise Island is highlighted by the record-setting $25,000 WSOP Super Main Event starting Dec. 9, the first ever $50 million guaranteed prize pool.
Jonathan Tamayo won the WSOP Main Event for $10 million this past summer in Las Vegas. Controversy surrounded the victory after poker fans noticed his rail, which included poker pros Joe McKeehen and Dominik Nitsche, had a laptop open with apparent real-time assistance (RTA) software visible.
Tamayo would occasionally converse with his rail during the final table, and that led some to question if he had an unfair advantage. But no one has presented any evidence to prove he broke any rules or won the tournament because of an edge gained from his rail. Still, the WSOP didnât have a rule in place to prevent potential controversies such as this to arise. They do now, however.
Kevin âkevmathâ Mathers shared a screenshot of a new rule on Electronic Assistance and Coaching that would essentially prevent rail assistance, at least during the WSOP Paradise series.
âPlayers and spectators are not allowed to use charts, apps, or any other form of electronic assistance in the tournament room. Failure to adhere to this policy will result in a penalty up to disqualification for the player and removal from the tournament room for the spectator. Spectators are also prohibited from providing live assistance or coaching. Failure to adhere to this rule will result in a penalty for the player and removal from the rail for the spectator. Non-players on the rail must adhere to the WSOP Terms & Conditions, including no viewing of live streams on an electronic device,â Rule 63b reads (full WSOP Paradise rulebook).
The rule, however, does not specify the penalty a player would receive should they use RTA tools during play. It only states the player would be penalized âup to disqualification,â meaning the tournament director or floor supervisor on duty at the time would likely have sole discretion to determine the severity of the penalty.
If this rule had been in place during the 2024 WSOP Main Event final table, Tamayoâs rail would have been removed from the tournament area. The same can be said about any person in the crowd viewing a feature table livestream.
There are a few other additional new rules for the series in the Bahamas, including banning electronic devices at the table altogether when a tournament is down to three tables. Players are also not permitted to place their cell phones or any electronic devices on the table or table rail during play.
Latest News
Plaza Hotel & Casino again celebrates New Yearâs Eve with live fireworks show
Located in the heart of downtown Las Vegas, the Plaza Hotel & Casino will again celebrate New Year’s Eve with a full evening of celebrations in classic Las Vegas style, complete with a delicious dinner at Oscar’s Steakhouse, a special performance of the new and ever-changing variety show Mavericks, complimentary champagne toasts, and downtown’s only live fireworks show at midnight on Tuesday, Dec. 31.
The Plaza’s annual New Year’s Eve fireworks display is a spectacular show for people downtown and visible for miles.
The Plaza’s Carousel Bar located under the property’s iconic dome will be at the heart of the evening’s festivities. Carousel Bar will offer an unmatched location to celebrate the new year with handcrafted cocktails, and just steps away from the best vantage point downtown to watch the fireworks, the portion of Main Street in front of the Plaza that will be closed to vehicles during the show.
As part of its NYE Room Package, the Plaza will hold an all-ages viewing party of the fireworks for hotel guests only on its rooftop pool deck. The room package also includes 25% off room rates (two-night minimum stay) and complimentary early check-in and late check-out (based on availability). The NYE Room Package is available to book online.
Before the fireworks, the award-winning Oscar’s Steakhouse will offer a holiday a la carte menu with exclusive New Year’s Eve specials. Restaurant diners will also enjoy a complimentary champagne toast. at midnight while watching the fireworks show from under the dining room’s glass dome. Reservations are recommended and can be made online or by calling 702-387-7227.
Entertaining audiences with its fabulous blend of comedy, circus, burlesque and variety, Mavericks will offer an affordable 9:30 p.m. performance on New Year’s Eve without any holiday price hikes, proving that thrilling entertainment in Las Vegas doesn’t have to break the bank.
Home to downtown Las Vegas’ only bingo room, the Plaza Hotel & Casino will hold Las Vegas’ first-ever $160,000 New Year’s Eve Super Bingo event, Tuesday, Dec. 31 through Wednesday, Jan. 1. If booked by Dec. 16, participants can play and enjoy a 5-night stay from Sunday, Dec. 29 through Thursday, Jan. 2 for just $400, with no resort fees (after Dec. 16 the stay and play registration price rises to $600).
Super Bingo players also receive as a bonus $20 in free slot play.
Revelers can end the night with an after party at The Sand Dollar Downtown, which will welcome The Moonshiners playing live Great Gatsby/Prohibition Pop from 10:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. There is no cover for the live performance, which is open to guests 21 years or older.
Canada
Aviatrix enters North America for first time with Ontario launch
Award-winning crash game Aviatrix is now live in North America for the very first time, after securing a licence and certification in the Canadian province of Ontario.
Aviatrix has been granted a Gaming-Related Supplier (B2B) Licence by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), meaning Ontario-licensed operators can now offer the game.
It’s the first time players in North America will be able to enjoy Aviatrix, marking another major milestone in the remarkable two-year journey of the game.
Aviatrix was helped through the AGCO licensing and certification process by BetComply.
Anastasia Rimskaya, Chief Account Officer at Aviatrix, said: âWe committed to expanding Aviatrixâs regulated footprint, and this is another huge step. Weâre already present in many markets across Europe, so it is fantastic to add a province in Canada to the list. We are sure that players in Ontario are going to find Aviatrix every bit as enjoyable as their counterparts elsewhere.â
Aviatrix has added multiple new regulated markets over the past few weeks, including Italy, Sweden and the Netherlands.
It was also recently named âGame of the Yearâ at the EGR Operator Awards 2024.
Arizona
Arizona Department of Gaming Cease-and-Desist: Bovada Online Gambling
The Arizona Department of Gaming (“ADG”) has taken action against an overseas gaming company in Curaçao that is allegedly operating illegal online gaming sites, Bovada.com and Bovada.lv (Bovada), accessible to Arizona residents. Following an investigation into the matter, the ADG sent a cease-and-desist letter to Harp Media B.V., which operates Bovada, on November 8, 2024.
The operation of Bovada in Arizona is alleged to be a felony criminal enterprise and Bovada has been directed to desist from any future illegal gambling operations or activities of any type in Arizona. Due to the unregulated and illegal online gaming offerings on Bovada, Harp Media B.V. is claimed to be in violation of Arizona gaming laws, including:
- Promotion of Gambling (Felony) — Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-3303.
- Illegal Control of an Enterprise (Felony) — Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-2312.
- Money Laundering (Felony) — Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-2317.
Harp Media B.V. has been directed to immediately cease all online (or other) gambling operations and activities in Arizona, and take the necessary steps to immediately prevent and exclude Arizona residents from gambling on their websites.
“We are actively monitoring the evolving landscape of online gaming and taking proactive steps like this helps us protect Arizonaâs communities and economy from illegal activities,â said Jackie Johnson, Director of the ADG. âOur enforcement team is committed to preventing unauthorized operations from establishing a foothold here. Arizona will not be a safe haven for unlicensed or unlawful gaming, nor will we allow unlawful entities to compromise the integrity of gaming within our state.”
In light of these developments, the Arizona Department of Gaming urges residents to exercise caution with online gaming activities. Only legal, regulated operations provide important consumer protections not found in the illegal market, helping ensure a safer experience for participants. Certain online event wagering is legal in Arizona. A list of all licensed and regulated event wagering operators legally taking bets in Arizona can be found on the Departmentâs website at gaming.az.gov.
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