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Message board scuttlebutt and claims on the Cake Poker blog as the week ended suggest that the two-week-old, 115 hour endurance record for playing poker set by Phil 'Unabomber' Laak in Las Vegas may have been eclipsed. However, the claims are questionable, and it is unknown if very specific and demanding Guinness Book of Records requirements were met to set a new "official" world record.

In Laak's very public and carefully pre-researched record attempt at the Bellagio, he played for real money for 115 hours to set a new endurance benchmark, on which Guinness accreditation is awaited. The attempt was widely viewed on continuous internet video streaming from Laak's website, and was observed by many, judging by the amount of tweeting that went on at the time.

There was also extensive online media coverage throughout.

The latest attempt appears to have been rather less formal, being conducted in a private Kufstein, Austria hotel room with seven players around the table, allegedly playing for honour rather than cash.

The game was broadcast over the internet on an RFID-equipped table so that internet viewers could see the players' hole cards, but reception was reportedly intermittent at times.

The Cake Poker blog identifies the players as German film director and actor Max Krckl, Julia Doetsch, Erich Grnwald, Thomas Wagermeier, Rudolf Teichmann, Stephan Reischl, Nuran Karasu, and Jens Tlle. It reports that ultimately only three of those involved played continuously throughout the week, with the trio eventually claiming a new 135 hour record.

The claim has only recently been made, and it will be interesting to see what sort of confirmatory detail those involved produce during the coming days.

It appears from statements made by the Australian federal government's Community Minister, Jenny Macklin, that the federal government will not support any moves to liberalise online gambling laws in the country.

Speaking on SBS television Tuesday after the release of an extensive and much anticipated Productivity Commission report on gambling, which recommended that regulation was preferable to prohibition, the minister unequivocally said the recommendation would not be supported

Minister Jacklin also said the government would look at 'pre commitment' technology to tackle problem gambling at (land) slot machines, or 'pokies'. The phrase 'pre-commitment' refers to responsible gambling practices whereby operators allow players to set their own limits prior to gambling, a precaution which is said to contribute to combating problem gambling.

The Productivity Commission's recommendation on land gambling 'pokies' are that the maximum bet on a gaming machine would be cut to A$1 and that a maximum A$20 (down from the current A$10,000) input could be implemented by using new technology.

Macklin said there may be no need for other regulatory measures - there was however 'important work to be done to develop pre-commitment.' "The community wants us to address this issue (of problem gambling)", she said.

Macklin said the federal Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, would try to establish a select committee to act on the recommendations, involving the Australian Securities and Investments Commission councils, three Commonwealth government bodies who regulate financial services Downunder.

"We will discuss these issues with states and territories...there are various rules about caps on machines, so we have to discuss that with them," the minister said.

There appeared to be little indication that federal Communications Minister Stephen Conroy was softening his position on internet gambling, either.

Conroy is already embroiled in a controversial internet censorship issue, and this week said Australia would examine the possibility of a more effective regime examining the impact of gambling over the internet and mobile phones.

The Productivity Commission estimates there were between 80,000 and 160,000 Australian adults suffering severe problems from gambling. There are additionally 230,000 to 350,000 people at moderate risk, experiencing lower levels of harm, who could advance to problem gambling, which costs the nation A$4.7 billion a year and should be tackled in a similar way to binge drinking, the Commission recommends.

In addition to the wider ramifications of addictive gambling, the report singled out "pokies" or (land-based) electronic poker machines commonly found in hotels, as an area of policy interest.

The Commission estimated that about 600,000 Australians - or 4% of the population - play the games at least once a week. About 15% of those players, or 100,000 people, are considered "problem gamblers", the report said. They account for about 40% of total spending on the machines.

"The risks of problem gambling are low for people who only play lotteries and scratchies, but rise steeply with the frequency of gambling on table games, wagering and, especially, gaming machines," the report concluded.

The report noted that Australians spent over A$19 billion a year on gambling in 2008-09, for an average cost of about A$1500 per gambler, the report said.

Online gambling software provider Vegas Technology is maintaining its steady flow of new games, following up on the April releases of Butterflies, California Gold and Bigfoot with a fresh three-slot package.

The first game is a 5 reel, 20 pay-line video slot based on a widely known former revolutionary song from Mexico - La Cucaracha - and has a marked Latin theme featuring win-doubling Wild chilies, cacti, tequila worms, tacos and maracas. This is backed by a fixed jackpot of 5,000x the line bet and a 10-strong free spin bonus round in which winnings are tripled. The game also features some interactive fun through a second-screen bonus chili-picking round with some innovative twists.

There's a distinctly Dutch feel to the second slot, Hurdy Gurdy, which is redolent with lush pastures, fat dairy cows, cheese, tulips, clogs and windmills. These set the scene for the Hollanders, including the wild-ly flirtatious Hurdy the Milkmaid with her scatter milk pail and boy friend Jan. The 5 reel, 20 pay-line game offers bonuses, 15 free spins and an animated Pick and Win feature.

"Bring on the bling" seems to be the direction in which the third new release - Big Time - is headed. There's bling and rap galore in the theme of this video slot, with a wild Homie getting into animated action and graphics that showcase extravagant limos, stacks of cash, helicopters, cool babes, graffiti art and handcuffs. The Bounce Off Bonus is especially entertaining, with animations and interactive facilities that enable players to pimp their cars and a slew of free spins with generous multipliers. The fixed jackpot on the game is 10,000 coins.

With the World Series of Poker going into its 32nd day in Las Vegas, three more players claimed gold by winning their events. For Jesse Rockowitz it was the excitement of a first bracelet when he took down event 45, a $1,500 buy-in No-Limit Hold'em contest with a main prize of $721,373 after a heads up with Raymond Coburn that ended at four in the morning.

Coburn, who gave a very good account of himself throughout the see-saw final confrontation thoroughly, deserved his runner-up prize of $446,274.

The two had battled through a field of almost 3,100 over three tough days of competitive poker before third placed Thiago Nishijima busted out for $315,828, setting the scene for the final confrontation.

Event 46 - the $5,000buy-in Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Low Split 8 or Better competition also came to a conclusion after three days and the elimination of an entry field of 284 players, reduced to 130 and then 21 on the final day.

Despite formidable opposition from the likes of multiple bracelet holders like Erik Seidel, Perry Green, Dave Ulliott and Rob Hollink, it was Chris Bell who ended up in the heads up against Dan Shak, managing to prevail although the chip lead changed several times.

Bell's win was worth $327,040 and his first WSOP bracelet, whilst Shak's second placing delivered a take-home of $202,142.

Already a respected pro, Bell now adds to an impressive record that includes three WSOP final tables.

With two Day Ones necessary to handle a huge entry field of 3,128 players, event 47, the fifth of the $1,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold'em affairs, was fast and competitive with many international poker aces competing.

A total of 476 players made it through to Day 2, led by Sergey Chernykh with Tom Braband and Olivier Busquet among those in the top ten. Further back in the field was Jeff Madsen, four-time WSOP bracelet winner Mickey Appleman, and 2003 Main Event champ Chris Moneymaker. Scott Montgomery, who had take down an earlier $1000 event, was also trying for a second bracelet, and a chance to at least cash once the field was down to 324 players.

By late Monday night the field was down to 33 with Manuel Davidian bagging the most chips at 889,000 for the night, and average chip stacks at 284,363.

Event 48, the $2,500 Mixed Event, pulled in 453 players, but by he end of Day 1 action just 192 remained, and that was down to 20 by the end of Day 2. Despite a dynamic start, Vitaly Lunkin crashed out, along with Frank Kassela, who had also enjoyed a promising start.

Going into Day 3, which started about an hour late Monday afternoon, Nikolai Yakovenko led the field on 310,000, but there was still some impressive star-power in the field, including Mike Matusow, Dario Minieri, Bill Chen, Alexander Kravchenko, Jennifer Harman, Scott Seiver, Daniel Negreanu and Steve Sung. The plan was to play nine more levels of eight-game action.

All 20 starters on Day 3 were in the money, and set to earn at least $7,585 in prize money.

By the early hours of Tuesday morning after 14 hours of action poker it was all over.and none of the international names had taken the bracelet. Instead, it was a first bracelet for Sigurd Eskeland, ia 36-year-old former teacher from Oslo, Norway. He's previously cashed in two WSOP events, including the Main Event back in 2008.

Eskeland faced Steve Sung in the heads up, starting with over a million chips more and turning the advantage into a victory, but only after a real battle with his determined opponent. Eskeland won the day, however, to take home the bracelet and $260,000, leaving Sung to collect the runner-up prize of $160,952.

Event 49, the last of the $1,500 buy-in No-Limit Hold'em events (barring a Shootout still to come) started 12 noon Monday with a field of 2,543 players, generating a prize pool of $3,433,050, with $609,493 of that earmarked for the winner.

Another star-studded field was registered, including: Phil Hellmuth, Tom Dwan, Phil Ivey, Eric Baldwin, Chino Rheem and Vanessa Rousso - none of whom won through to the end of Day 1.

Aces who did manage to survive were Allen Kessler, Andy Bloch, Liv Boeree, David Pham and Roland De Wolfe.

315 survivors will gather again for the Day 2 start Tuesday, all with a chance at the money, which starts on position 270.

Leading the field is Guiseppe Zarbo on 156,500, comfortably ahead of Andrew Gillis (120,500) and Roberto Stamerra (120,100). Average chip stacks are 36,328.

Event 50, the $5,000 buy-in Pot-Limit Omaha attracted a field of 362 opponents in 2009, a field that was eclipsed this year with 460 entries, all geared up for a format of eight levels, with 20-minute breaks after the first two and before the last two and a 60-minute dinner break in the middle.

At stake is a prize pool of $2,162,000 which will see 45 player cashing and a minimum payday for them of $10,226. The victor in this event will collect a cool $508,090.

By the time play was completed Monday night over half the field had been eliminated, with famous players like Daniel Negreanu, Chad Brown, Vanessa Selbst, Marco Traniello and Erick Lindgren among the fallen.

207 players will be starting Day 2 Tuesday, including Phil Ivey, Tom Dwan, Jason Mercier, Lex Veldhuis, Phil Hellmuth, and Bertrand Grospellier, with Kevin Schaffel in the lead on 178,900. Day 2 just started

WSOP Tournament of Champions

By the end of Day 1, five of the 27 champs in this event had been eliminated, namely John Juanda, Greg Raymer, Barry Shulman, Sammy Farha and Phil Ivey. Erick Seidel held the lead at the end of Day 1.

Another four levels of play kicked off Monday afternoon, with play ending that night on level 8 with 17 players left and average chip stacks at 47,648. Mike Matusow stole the show on Day 2, building his stack to 85,500. He was chased by Huck Seed (73,000) and Johnny Chan (68,600).

Day 2 casualties included Doyle Brunson, Doyle Brunson, who was followed soon after by reigning Main Event Champion Joe Cada, Internet qualifier Andrew Barton, Mike Sexton and Dan Harrington.

Day 2 survivors will reconvene for Day 3 action on Saturday, July 3rd at 7 p.m. to play to a final table.

British players continue to do well in World Series of Poker, with Steve Jelinek claiming a fifth gold bracelet for the Brits in event 41 of the 41st WSOP.

Event 41 was a $1,500 buy-in Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better competition entered Day 3 Thursday afternoon with15 players left from the initial entry field of 847, and by late that night after 12 hours of action only four players remained when level 29 started.

Leading the field was Jelinek on 2,500,000 and John Gottlieb on 1,511,500, and that's the way the heads up panned out after 12 hours of action.

In the early hours of Friday morning, and with very little difference in the two finalist's chip stacks, it was Jelinek that pulled it off to claim his first bracelet and the $245,871 first prize, leaving his opponent with a still-generous second placing reward of $151,884.

The other Brit bracelets this year belong to Praz Bansi, James Dempsey, Richard Ashby and Mike Ellis.

25 players returned to the felt for Day 3 of event 42, a $1,500 buy-in No-Limit Hold'em contest that brought in a field of 2,521 at the start. By the beginning of Day 3 Friday afternoon only 25 players remained, led by James Schaaf.

When Niccolo Caramatti was eliminated in 4th place late Friday evening the action became a three handed tussle between Dean Hamrick, Thomas O'Neal and Ian Wiley, with Hamrick holding a comfortable 3 to 1 lead over nearest rival O'Neal as play reached level 29.

Late night Friday Vegas time only 5 players remained in Day 3 action from an original stellar field of 241 in event 43, the $10,000 H.O.R.S.E. World Championship.

Day 3 play commenced Friday afternoon with 23 player left and New Jersey pro Cuong Do in the lead, closely pursued by Marco Johnson, Brian Townsend, Eugene Katchalov and Carlos Mortenson.

Level 26 late Friday saw the survivors positioned thus:

Eugene Katchalov 2,200,000
Richard Ashby 2,150,000
Matt Glantz 1,250,000
Marco Johnson 1,250,000
Ian Gordon 300,000

Final table eliminations included:

Carlos Mortensen in 6th place ($102,237)
Nick Schulman in 7th place ($78,654)
Marco Traniello in 8th place ($61,414)
Scott Fischman in 9th place ($48,638)

There were 507 entries on Day 1 of event 44, a $2,500 buy-in Mixed Hold'em (Limit/No Limit) contest, a field that had been reduced to only 70 players by day's end, with some big name bust outs that included Allen Cunningham, Antonio Esfandiari, Joe Sebok, Michael Mizrachi, Sorel Mizzi, David Benyamine and Tom Dwan.

Day 2 Friday night saw the field reach level 19 and a final table of:

Jarred Solomon 748,000
Gavin Smith 745,000
Danny Hannawa 542,000
Michael Michnik 527,000
Timothy Finne 331,000
Jamie Rosen 300,000
Daniel Idema 237,000
Dwyte Pilgrim 196,000
Michael Santoro 179,000

Notable departures along the way were Eli Elezra, Jim Collopy, Grant Hinkle and Shannon Shorr, Eric Froehlich, Jeff Shulman, Erica Schoenberg, Matt Matros, Alexandre Gomes, and Matt Stout.

The action will resume Saturday.

Event 45 - a $1,500 buy-in No-Limit Hold'em competition saw the completion of Day 1 Friday night with 400 players still in contention at level 10 from a massive initial entry field of 3,097.

The original entry field contained names like James Akenhead, Dennis Phillips, Adam Junglen, David Singer, Peter Gelencser, Antonio Esfandiari, Scott Montgomery, John Juanda, Phil Gordon, Jared Hamby, Isaac Haxton, Jeff Madsen, Sorel Mizzi, Bertrand Grospellier and Shannon Elizabeth.

Leading the field when the chips were bagged for the night was Will Failla (156,000) and Hiren Patel (138,000), but with Chino Rheem, Dutch Boyd, John Phan, John Juanda, Johnathan Little, Victor Ramdin, Tom Schneider and Adam Junglen still very active, it would a bold prediction to say who will prevail in this exciting event.

Notable Day 1 eliminations included Phil Ivey, Eric Baldwin, David Williams, Dennis Phillips, James Akenhead, Joe Sebok, Chris Moorman, Phil Gordon, Bertrand Grospellier, Neil Channing, Sorel Mizzi, Faraz Jaka, Shaun Deeb, Hoyt Corkins, Tony Dunst, Scott Montgomery, Scott Seiver, Jason Mercier and Antonio Esfandiari.

The stars were out in force again for Friday's start of event 46 - the $5,000 buy-in Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-low Split-8 or Better competition which recorded 284 registrations, among them

John Kabbaj, John Cernuto, Roland de Wolfe, Sorel Mizzi, Vitaly Lunkin, Greg Raymer, Isaac Haxton, Barry Greenstein, Mike Matusow, Daniel Negreanu and Perry Friedman - the latter wearing an extravagant and colourful Egyptian pharaoh's headgear.

Late night Friday the Day 1 action was still in progress at level 8 with 171 players led Johannes Steindl on 47,000, with Toto Leonidas (41,000) and Mike Matusow (40,000) close behind.

The list of recent casualties gives an indication of the star power in the field, including Humberto Brenes, Pat Pezzin, Phil Gordon, Scott Clements, David Williams, MIke Sexton, Kevin MacPhee, Chau Giang, Joe Hachem.and Perry Friedman, who left his exotic headdress behind!

Californian state Senator Rod Wright has confirmed the hearing date for his SB 1485 proposal as June 29, 2010. The proposal seeks to legalise and tax intrastate online poker in the cash-strapped state, and will be considered in an afternoon sitting of the California Senate Governmental Organization Committee, which Senator Wright chairs.

However, the Desert Sun newspaper reports that the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations (TASIN) is against the proposal and has communicated its objections to the Committee.

TASIN is an inter-governmental association of 11 federally recognised Indian tribes. Its members include the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and the Morongo and Augustine bands of Mission Indians.

Among the tribal casino interests opposing the bill is the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, which has previously tried to arrange an exclusive intrastate online poker legalisation for itself and Californian card rooms with which it is associated.

Morongo spokesman Patrick Dorinson told the Desert Sun they could not support the bill because it would not prevent offshore companies from bidding for up to three five-year licenses to run online poker sites for state residents.

"We've always supported the concept of intrastate poker in California because of consumer protections, revenue to the state and the fact it would bring the game out of the shadows," said Dorinson. "But we cannot support the bill in its present form."

"It would take money out of the state. We said this should be a game for Californians, run by Californians," he added.

The TASIN letter argued that SB 1485 would irrevocably alter the gaming landscape in California and undermine the basis upon which state and tribal government compacts, including financial commitments, have been made.

Online gambling companies using the .net advertising strategy will be heartened by a New Zealand court's ruling that such advertising is not an inducement to gamble, and that live poker tournaments are a form of competition and therefore not illegal in a gambling sense.

Dot net advertising involves promoting websites that do not in themselves provide gambling, although they may promote the brands of operators.

The case before Justice David J Harvey was brought by the New Zealand government's Department of Internal Affairs, which complained that a company titled TVWorks, the owner of television stations TV3 and C4, had carried .net play-for-free advertising for Pokerstars, a major provider of gambling services, reports Poker News this week.

The government alleged that this promoted the activities of an overseas gambling operator or induced New Zealanders to gamble on offshore sites.

The court's findings were that:

The Pokerstars.net website is not promotion of a gambling operator, promotion of gambling overseas, or likely to induce New Zealanders to gamble overseas.

The Pokerstars.net website is not a gambling website nor is it synonymous with Pokerstars.com.

The Asia Pacific Poker Tour is not "gambling" as defined by the legislation because it is a competition, with an entry fee, which has prize money at the end of it (as opposed to the payment of consideration, based on the outcome of the game).

Dismissing the prosecution's argument on .net advertising in the case, Justice Harvey noted:

"Firstly, the nature of the material in the advertisements made it clear that what was being advertised was free websites that do not involve gambling.

"Secondly, the .com website is not mentioned at any time. Unless the user knew of the existence of the .com website, no association could be made between PokerStars and that particular website.

"A third reason for rejecting the suggestion that .net and .com sites involve a distinction without a difference lies in the very internet itself... the navigational realties of the internet mean that there is a very significant difference between web addresses of any nature, be they .net .com and .org even although they may be associated with a similar domain name."

Poker News reports that in reaching his conclusion Justice Harvey relied heavily upon the expert industry evidence presented by Damon Rasheed of PokerNews and iBus Media Consultancy and Professor Roger Marshall, who provided expert evidence on the advertisements themselves.

Damon Rasheed said upon hearing the Court's decision: "Justice Harvey's ruling was a common sense result for the industry that will have widespread implications especially for those jurisdictions with similar legislation, such as Australia and the US, were the distinction between .net advertising and gambling has yet to be the subject of legal challenge".