Although poker fans were excited by WSOP's new "Mothership" for featured tables, that enthusiasm has given way to frustration for those hoping to sweat their favorite players in real time. GGPoker's approach to editing means streams are on a multi-hour delay, sparking complaints.
Terry Rozier continues to fight the allegations that he accepted bribes to shave points. He has pleaded not guilty to new charges that include conspiracy, and is trying to have bail conditions removed that prevent him from communicating with the NBA.
States are split on whether a "game of chance" means one based partially on chance, or entirely on chance. Texas is now in the former camp, as AG Ken Paxton has affirmed to authorities that skill features do not exempt a game from the legal definition of gambling.
Field sizes are down at WSOP this year. Tighter discretionary budgets in the U.S. may be a factor, but international players' reluctance to travel to the U.S. looks even more significant, based on less diversity in deep-tournament fields. And then there's the World Cup.
Death, taxes, and player complaints at the WSOP. You don't need to be a prediction market sharp to have foretold that there'd be whinging about dealers and parking, rake and structures... but is it worse than usual this year? Quite possibly.
Federal authorities have been on a roll with gambling busts since last October's high-profile indictments. One of the latest busts, dubbed 'Operation Porterhouse Parlay', took place in northwestern Indiana in April, and the feds have now added RICO charges for the suspects.
A real mystery is brewing in eastern Europe, as a former illegal casino magnate from Israel was found murdered in Prague, and Ukranian local media is now reporting that the husband of a popular Instagram influencer has been arrested as a potential suspect.
Until last year, India was a burgeoning market for online poker, but a change to its gambling laws eliminated a carveout for skill-based wagering. Unfortunately, it looks like the ban on poker will remain in place, as a Supreme Court challenge to the new rules has failed.
Slots glitches voiding jackpots is a story that comes up every year or two, usually resulting in a lawsuit (though rarely successfully). The lottery version is less common, but can happen too, as it did to one Indiana scratch-off player, due to a misprinted ticket.
Poker solvers keep getting more powerful, but by the same token, their interfaces keep getting more complex. A new entry to the field, GTO Strategy, aims to reverse the trend, carving out a niche for itself as a user-friendly, entry-level product for newer players.