Online poker is flourishing in South Africa despite having been made illegal in 2004, it has been reported. 

The National Gambling Act passed three years ago effectively ruled out the possibility of playing online in the country, but the commitment of a number of internet operators has resulted in poker becoming increasingly popular. 

South African online casinos are freely accessible, while entrepreneurial students have set up their own sites that encourage low-level group games among friends, the South African Sunday Times newspaper reports. 

“We set up the site so poker fans could talk about the game and organise their own events,” founder Carl Crous told the paper. 

Elsewhere governmental moves that would potentially see online gambling regulated rather than prohibited have been approved by the cabinet. 

“[Poker has] always been regarded as a respectable and highly skilled game,” South African National Responsible Gambling Programme (NGRP) executive director Peter Collins told the Sunday Times. 

Last month it was revealed that UK gambling figures had travelled to South Africa to see an effectively monitored betting system in operation. 

Senators in Texas are attempting to legalise casino gambling as a way of funding further education in the state, it has been revealed.

The bipartisan proposal will be put forward by Republican John Carona of Dallas and Democrat Rodney Ellis of Houston, the Associated Press has reported.

More details are expected to be revealed shortly, but it is understood that the plan will revolve around a number of high profile resorts across Texas as well as slot machines at racetracks.

A survey of a handful of Texans found some to be in favour of the proposed scheme.

“I think it would be great. I just turned 21, so it would be a lot of fun. I wouldn’t have to drive to Louisiana to gamble,” said Megan O’Sullivan, speaking to CBS 42 reporters. 

The popularity of gambling within Texas was emphasised by this week’s Mega Millions lottery, which saw as many as 26,000 tickets a minute being sold in the state.

An amateur poker player has won the fifth annual World Poker Tour (WPT) invitational event in Los Angeles, coming through the ranks to triumph in a field that featured numerous celebrity competitors.

The likes of James Woods, Mena Suvari, Jon Favreau, Hank Azaria and Vince Vaughn all took part in the event, but it was amateur Adam Weinraub who eventually walked away with $100,000.

Weinraub continued his admirable philanthropy, which had begun when he successfully bid for a seat at the event at an auction to benefit the Susan G Komen foundation, by donating a further $20,000 to the cause and promising to add 20 per cent of his winnings at the WPT World Championship, an event for which he now qualifies.

The final table was of great interest to observers as it featured two Hollywood faces in the shape of The Notebook director, and son of famous director John, Nick Cassavetes, as well as 24 star Glenn Morshower.

Paris and Nicky Hilton also played at the event, which eventually saw poker pro John Cernuto lose out to Weinraub in the final hands.

Harley Davidson has announced the release of its latest product, aimed at bikers or even wannabe-bikers interested in the latest poker innovations.
 

The firm has released details of its own brand of poker table, a lavish offering that comes complete with the famous bike logo as well as the Harley Eagle itelf.

The wooden and leather table comes with four similarly-designed height-adjustable chairs, as well as brass-plated medallions. But the catch comes with the price – coming in at around $5,000, the table is set to become the ultimate in either luxury purchases or overpriced novelties, depending on players’ point of view.

Harley Davidson regularly runs a number of poker run events, which involve riders racing around for several kilometres, only stopping to pick up the cards which will make up their hands, with the best hand at the finish line winning the event.

Players looking for a more relaxing way to play, or those with far too much money on their hands, will no doubt cast their eye over the new table.

JC Tran is heading the race to become the 2007 Poker Player of the Year following a string of impressive performances during the first two months of the year.

PokerNews has reported that Tran enters March at the top of the pile having overtaken previous frontrunner John Hennigan.

Tran’s performances at event such as the LA Poker Classic, where he came home in second place for the second successive year, have pushed him to the top of the leaderboard.

Hot on his heels is the Poker Classic winner, Eric Hershler, who triumphed at what was his first ever live tournament to become an instant millionaire. Hershler joins Hennigan in second place.

Tran first came to international prominence in 2004 when he finished fifth at the World Poker Finals at Foxwoods. That year he also made two final tables at the WSOP. Notable victories for the player from Sacramento include last year’s World Championship of Online Poker event, from which he took away $670,000.

World Series of Poker commissioner Jeffrey Pollack has said that the schedule for the forthcoming 2007 event “reflects the best interests” of all involved, and emphasised the way in which the event was adapting to keep up with player and spectator demands. 

In an interview with CasinoCityTimes, Mr Pollack outlined his numerous ideas for the tournament, several of which are now set to be implemented at the 2007 event. 

A new $50,000 Horse tournament will feature this year, along with improved facilities for those attending. Relaxed advertising rules mean players can now promote casinos and venues of their choice on their clothing while playing. 

Last year the WSOP banned all advertising in a climate of uncertainty for online gambling, but now online gaming can be promoted again – providing it is not directed at US players. 

Players, dealers and sponsors were interviewed as a way of preparing for this year’s event, Mr Pollack told CasinoCity. 

“By a three-to-one margin, the surveys indicated that the game of choice was No-Limit Hold’em. We have very full palette of games and choices and no matter what the survey said—we were going to take into account the wishes of the players,” the commissioner revealed.

But no announcement was made over prize money, which in 2006 stood at $12 million for eventual winner Jamie Gold.

World Poker Tour (WPT) host Vince van Patten has moved on from simply observing the action to creating it himself with the publication of a new murder mystery novel.

The Picasso Flop, marketed as the first Texas Hold’Em mystery, focuses on a poker tournament held at Las Vegas’ Bellagio casino, and leads the reader through a web of confusion following two murders that take place during the event.

Written in conjunction with Robert J Randisi, the novel also features a number of real-life names and characters, along with a cameo appearance from WPT co-host Mike Sexton.

However, initial reviews of the innovative new poker product have been mixed, with book reviews criticising the book’s poor plotting and numerous flaws while simultaneously praising its concept and page-turning style.

Van Patten himself was once highly skilled in another sport, having played professional tennis in the 1970s and 80s, with a defeat of John McEnroe perhaps his finest hour.