AP - Does this help or hurt the overall fight

[Jeremy]

This should make for a very interesting discussion.

Does the current AP situation help or hurt the fight for for legalization and regulation?

[PokerProp]

I don't think it effects the chances that the US decides either way on regulating/legalizing it.

[AceHigh Pino]

I don't think it would necesarily help the cause....

The PPA and other pro-online gambling groups already have such a hard-fought battle on their hands as it is -- this only adds fuel to an already raging fire on Capitol Hill. From a player's side, this kind of controversy will no doubt spark massive change throughout the online gambling community (poker, casino, bingo, etc) in regards to bulking up security and really cracking down on bot programs and "superuser"-like accounts; but from a Senator's side, it will just show how unsafe and untrustworthy offshore gaming companies can be.

I could definitely see a big battle ensuing if this situation were to ever come to light during any congressional hearing regarding the UIGEA. If our government ever needed a true "smoking gun" on the matter, they most likely would have the trigger already cocked with this whole AP mess looming about.

[haynesey]

Maybe there will now be a bigger call to "regulate" online gambling more?

[Beanie]

I doubt it honestly. I doubt they even think of it at all. I do however think that MGM or Harrah's might be less likely to jump in given this incident. The amonut of controls compared to the profits might be overwhelming.

They have FULL reign in vegas.

As much as the AP thing is awful no one has convicted them of anything. Without proof it is still sort of their word against the online communities.

In fact, I logged on yesterday and there were still tons of games going. Which surprised me a lot.

[AceHigh Pino]

Yea, as much as I think it would honestly hurt the efforts if it were to ever come to light, the fact is it probably won't even be brought up whatsoever. Like you said, there have been no official convictions, just "investigation" after "investigation" by AP.

Originally Posted by Beanie

I doubt it honestly. I doubt they even think of it at all. I do however think that MGM or Harrah's might be less likely to jump in given this incident. The amonut of controls compared to the profits might be overwhelming.

They have FULL reign in vegas.

As much as the AP thing is awful no one has convicted them of anything. Without proof it is still sort of their word against the online communities.

In fact, I logged on yesterday and there were still tons of games going. Which surprised me a lot.

[kaus]

It may not effect the actual decsion but it sure as hell adds fuel to the fire. You have a group of people who are already using a small minority of issues as thier reasons for the ban let alone cheating/lack of security within the company itself.

It would be great news for the media let alone the senators who are against this.

Seen his original story yesterday which was written after the first incident and this today( new york times blog).

Read the comments from the people. It adds more doubts to the already skeptic people



It may be a one time occurence within one network but still significant enough to make a huge fuss over.

Regulating it would obviously help both players and affiliates but would they be willing to do that and how would they be able to go after a massive amount of money when the companies are not based within the US.

[Darko]

according to pokersitescout AP have had around 1250 cash players online on average for the last serveral months - over the last few weeks its been around 1400 lol

So AP have had a 10-15% increase within the last month (i guess due to seasonal activity - but they show no decline at all compared to other rooms and their averages)

[offyourface]

I think right now its clearly hurting our situation, but it would have the opposite effect if AP proved this was a well orchestrated hoax. Frankly I haven't spent much time reading the long threads, but it a few things stand out for me with what I have read.

First, it seems very strange to me that someone who has the nuts in seeing hole cards goes after every single hand. Am I to believe they are not smart enough to let a few slide, I mean it doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand if I win every pot its going to look strange.

Second, there was plenty of time to orchestrate this hoax and anyone with notepad on their computer could accomplish this. The real question that needs to be answered for me is "Were the hole cards that were given in the actual xls file genuine?" Once AP or the auditing company tells me this then it will be easy for me to base a conclusion. I just think to myself with a little time in notepad or excel I could very carefully complete a 132 tournament and paint any kind of picture I wanted.

Lastly it just seems like too many things conveniently came together for this to be exposed. I may just be wishful thinking here and perhaps I may have different sentiments if I spent a day going through this soap opera, but I am just going to wait until there are more developments.

But if this does prove to be a hoax, then it will actually look very good on the industry security measures. However if its true and this player could in fact see the hole cards then the anti online gambling move will never let it go.

Were the hands from the tournament posted on PocketFives genuine or not? This says it all for me!!

[corpfan1]

I thought the EXACT SAME THING late last night!

I was going to post it today...

To me, it seems like a MADE UP HOAX by someone who HATES ABSOLUTE POKER!

There are just too many weird parts to it all.

This came to me after I watched the YOUTUBE VIDEO of the hands...seemed very odd to me and SOOO OBVIOUS...that no one would be stupid enough to play like that! It is like walking up and STABBING the president in front of a world-wide audience and thinking you would get away with it.

Just my 2 cents and gut feeling!