WSOP READY TO GO

The World Series of poker which is slated to begin June 1, 2007 in Las Vegas is already abuzz with preparations to accommodate the estimated 10,000 entrants. Harrah's entertainment Group estimates a 14% increase over last years 8773 contestants from around the world to flock to Vegas for a chance at what speculators are saying will be the biggest prize pool ever awarded in a sporting event.

Half of last years qualifiers won their seats through online poker rooms; however since the passing of the Online Gambling Legislation by US president Bush several online poker rooms are not offering this perk anymore to their players.

Tournament Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack said that groups associated with the online poker sites still accepting US players will not be able to set up their VIP booths and displays. Harrah's Entertainment Inc. is also warning poker websites that improperly use their trademarked material such as the tournament name must stop.

These sites include Bodog.com and Fulltiltpoker.com which are hosting satellite tournaments that award a prize package to the WSOP worth 10,000 each.

Pollack is noted as saying that players affiliated with these online poker sites will not be able to wear anything sporting a logo for the sites if they continue to infringe on their trademark rights.

Online gambling experts conclude these trademark warnings could put a damper on registrations and believes this puts the WSOP in a difficult position as they are a licensed entity and therefore must abide by the new laws of the land and the potential impact of these laws if they don't. That being said implementing these laws could have an impact on the economics of the tournament.

We will all wait and see how this see's itself through but in the meantime with the positive ruling at the WTO things just might change for the future.