An online poker bill in New York is back for the New Year, as State Senator Joseph Addabbo is pushing new efforts forward. The new bid to legalize online poker will also block any company involved in the US iGaming market after December 31, 2006. The newly-appointed chair of the Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee has filed Senate Bill 18, which aims to allow all those aged 21 and above to play poker online. S00018 looks to issue up to 11 online poker licenses, with only licensed video lottery gaming facilities and Class III (tribal) gaming licensees eligible. Each…

New York Daily News – You got to know when to fold’em. Two gamblers charged in connection with an illegal, high-stakes poker and sports betting ring for high-rollers, hedge funders and Hollywood A-Listers plan to enter guilty pleas next month. Justin Smith, 25, and Edwin Ting, 41, are scheduled to cop pleas Sept. 4, according to court papers filed Thursday by Manhattan federal prosecutors. Smith, of Los Angeles, will plead guilty to accepting payment for unlawful Internet gambling, the papers said. He is also charged with operation an illegal gambling business and would face up to 10 years in prison…

Fox News – Two men have pleaded guilty to operating high-stakes illegal New York City poker games with pots regularly reaching tens of thousands of dollars. Prosecutors say Kirill Rapoport pleaded guilty Friday to conducting an illegal poker game. They say William Barbalat pleaded guilty Wednesday to traveling in interstate commerce in aid of operating an illegal poker game. A defense attorney says Barbalat accepts responsibility but has no ties to organized crime. Rapoport’s attorney hasn’t responded to a message seeking comment. The men were among 34 people accused in April of being part of a scheme by two Russian-American…