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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 didn’t have a rule in place to prevent potential controversies such as this to arise. They do now, however.
Kevin “kevmath” 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.
“Players 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,” 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 “up to disqualification,” 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, Tamayo’s 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.
Gambling in the USA
Gambling.com Group Completes Acquisition of Odds Holdings, Inc., Parent Company of OddsJam
Gambling.com Group Limited (Nasdaq: GAMB) (“Gambling.com Group” or the “Company”), a leading provider of digital marketing services for the global online gambling industry, announced today that it completed the previously announced acquisition of Odds Holdings, Inc., the parent company of OddsJam, on January 1, 2025, as planned and on schedule.
The completion of this acquisition underscores Gambling.com Group’s ability to execute strategic transactions efficiently and without delay. This acquisition expands Gambling.com Group’s footprint in the online gambling ecosystem by adding complementary recurring revenue streams from consumer subscription products and enterprise clients. The Odds Holdings platform, powered by state-of-the-art technology for real-time odds data, strengthens the Company’s position as a leader in the global online gambling ecosystem.
Stake, the global betting operator and sportsbook, can proudly announce the approval of its Casino and a Sportsbook licence application in Brazil, showcasing their expansion into the gaming industry and regulated markets.
Stake demonstrates its dominance after its successful and rapid incursion in new regulated markets in Colombia, Peru, and the acquisition of IdealBet in Italy. This development enhances Stake’s global footprint and positions the company to deliver its product offerings to a rapidly growing audience.
Stake considers Brazil one of its crucial markets, ranking it as their second-largest worldwide. To solidify their commitment and provide top-tier experience, the operator’s centre of operations is located in São Paulo. Stake is focusing on reinforcing local operations, bringing the cutting-edge innovation Stake is known for, and world-class entertainment for Brazilian players.
“For Stake the licence means a further step in its global expansion into regulated markets. In this case, the relevance of the market and the speed in which we have achieved it is a good example of how we work. Stake Brazil users can expect a similar experience to Stake.com; the best customer service, good product, good games and in general what we have always been known for which is to put the customer at the centre of all operations, marketing, and product decisions,”said Brais Pena, Chief Strategy Officer at Stake.
Along with the news of the licence, Stake is hitting this market with a local Country Manager with Thomas Carvalhaes joining the team alongside 10 employees, supported by Stake’s global team of 1000. As the foundational team, they are fully committed to deliver localised experiences that resonate with players while working within the regulatory framework.
“We are very excited about the regulated environment and everything that is happening in the Brazilian market, its growth and the way it is establishing itself. I am taking the lead of a brand that has the ability to innovate and find the right opportunities to speak with the right audience, that is something really powerful and definitely a winning combination,” expresses Thomas Carvalhaes, Brazil Country Manager.
“Looking ahead to next year, we will continue to expand our local team and operations. Stake is already a prominent name in Brazil, with partnerships like Juventude Football club, the UFC, and the Fittipaldi brothers Pietro and Enzo, and we’re optimistic about replicating our successful formula across Latin America.”
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