Last week, I shared with you news that poker public enemy #1 Las Vegas Sands CEO Sheldon Adelson has been lobbying the House Appropriations Committee for language hostile to online poker. Per the Adelson ban plan, since our opponents know their proposed prohibition would be crushed in an open up-or-down vote, this was to be inserted in that committee’s latest budget bill. However, due to the outstanding efforts of poker advocates and lobbyists, anti-poker Reps. Charlie Dent (R-PA) and Henry Cuellar (D-TX) quickly conceded defeat and withdrew their measure without even seeking a vote! While it may seem odd that…

Malaysian authorities have revealed that they have blocked more than 530 illegal gambling websites this year under the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953. According to Malaysian news agency Bernama, authorities shut down a total of 536 websites as of April this year as part of a wider effort to clamp down on illegal gambling activities in the country. Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, said that the blocks had been made in response to written requests from the Royal Malaysian Police. More at iGaming Business