The financial crisis following indoor smoking bans started a decline in revenue and profit that the industry is only just starting to recover from, researchers found. Consequently, IBISWorld estimates that revenue will decline at an annualised 0.7 percent in the five years through 2012-13.

While in a healthier economic environment major events would encourage industry growth and profit, persistent negative economic conditions are expected to reduce and negate the positive effects that the London Olympic Games may bring, the researcher claims.

The industry has undergone many changes due to events affecting broader society and the industry.

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Swedish online star Viktor ‘Isildur1’ Blom has kicked off this year’s PokerStars Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) in some style – already securing more than $400,000 from two victories in the opening two days.

The 21-year-old started the year impressively by winning the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA) $100,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em Super High Roller for $1,254,400 on Paradise Island, before following that success up with three more live tournament final table appearances on the European Poker Tour (EPT) in Deauville, Berlin and Monte Carlo for an additional $94,342.

However, the Swede is best know for his internet achievements – including his amazing success in the PokerStars SuperStars Showdown against some of the world’s best cash game poker players – and highlighted his skills when triumphing in the $215 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em event #2 (medium) on Sunday during the opening day of SCOOP for $247,200.

‘Isildur1’ Enjoys a Super Sunday

An incredible 8,240 players signed up for that event, but it was Blom who took the biggest share of the $1,648,000 prize pool – which easily surpassed the $1 million guaranteed by the poker room – when lifting his first major online crown by defeating Canadian ‘RaisingRay91’ in their heads-up battle. The runner-up also pocketed a

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Field scouting begins after you have found several possible hunting destinations. Get

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April 29, 2011 by Blake M ·  

In what has come to be known to online poker players as Black Friday, on April 15 the United States Department of Justice (DoJ) Southern District of New York seized the websites of the three largest Internet poker sites, issued indictments for some eleven individuals and effectively shut down the online poker games in the U.S.A. a

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The First Lady of Poker, Linda Johnson, lists her proudest poker memory of 2010 as being nominated for induction into the Poker Hall of Fame in such prestigious company as Chris Ferguson, Barry Greenstein, Jennifer Harman, Dan Harrington, Phil Ivey, Tom McEvoy, Daniel Negreanu, Scotty Nguyen, and Erik Seidel.

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Matt Savage If it wasnt for luck @walterzuey Custer would have won every war and @phil_hellmuth would win every tournament! Tony G Should have got an @Andrew_Robl doll to add to my terrapoker army but didnt have enough time keep eye on the clock. Phil Hellmuth Absolutely Played my heart out, but fell short of the 12th bracelet one more time: 2nd place again. Not as depressed this time though Tristan Wade People watching in Vegas Nothing better lol. Victoria Coren I can sleep later, and Id only be saying things they know already. All known. Better to concentrate on not leaving my suitcase in the cab. Randal Flowers Would make me so happy if Phil gets another 2nd. Read full post…

In a scene reminiscent of the final showdown in the movie Rounders (you know the one where Mike McDermott and Teddy KGB square-off in a winner-take-all match) yesterday at PokerStars Viktor “Isildur1” Blom and Isaac Haxton began their own winner-take-all heads-up No Limit Holdem match, but unlike the $30,000 buy-in from the movie, the two high-stakes pros both put $500,000 on the line.

The two players have some history with one another, having played two Superstar Showdown matches against one another, as well as Blom peppering Haxton a little verbal tirade after losing the first Superstar Showdown challenge match to Haxton –to his credit Haxton had nothing but nice things to say about Blom.

The new match will see the two play four-hours per day (beginning yesterday) until one of the players is felted. Like

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Roy ‘GodlikeRoy’ Bhasin has become the first Oceania-based Team PokerStars Online member after the Australian was revealed as the latest pro to be snapped up by the world’s leading poker room.

Sydney’s Bhasin emerged as the player of choice after a selection process that saw an initial list of possible candidates cut down to 10 players – including the likes of Aussies Jay Kinkade, Tim English, Jesse McKenzie, Benn Skender, Jonathan Karamalikis and Matt Wakeman – from Australia and New Zealand, with the Pot-Limit Omaha specialist being considered the standout option as he “shined through to win himself the position”, according to a Team Online manager.

Bhasin – who picked up $40,800 for finishing as runner-up in the $2,100 buy-in Pot-Limit Omaha tournament during the 2010 PokerStars Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) – has also enjoyed some live tournament success in Australia, but really doesn’t make many appearances at these events, preferring to make his living online.

New Recruit ‘Incredibly Humbled’

The new recruit – who is also a big fan of video gaming – was obviously delighted to receive sponsorship from PokerStars, telling the poker room’s blog that he feels “incredibly humbled and honoured to have been chosen to be a part of Team PokerStars Online”, while adding that “it has been a dream of mine for a while now, and to actually see it come true is an incredible feeling”.

In fact, it was while enjoying a marathon session of first-person shooter Halo that Bhasin and some of his friends discovered poker. Deciding that it was time for a break i

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Fans of the online casino’s Facebook page voted almost unanimously that the new game have a “house pet” theme, and have since been asked for their input on how many pay lines the slot game should have, along with what kind of bonus features should be included.

“We’re in pretty close touch with many of our regular players and we’re always listening to their ideas,” said WinADay manager Michael Hilary. “Our players have certainly shaped our casino’s evolution over the years. Now social media

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Rush Poker – The Fast New Game at Full Tilt

Full Tilt Poker has rolled out on of the more exciting innovations at any online poker room recently with its revolutionary Rush Poker. With this exciting new variation of Texas Hold’em, the site has managed to make the game even more fun for both pros and amateurs alike.

The theory behind Rush Poker is this; eliminate the wait between hands and make the game faster. When a player “sits” down at a Rush Poker game, there is only a three second pause before he joins a table; the cards are dealt and the rapid-fire decisions begin. Stayi

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After 30 events, 3,173 people have taken part, which is an 8.6 percent increase over last year’s 30,552 at this point.  A total of $55.9 million in prize money has been awarded, which is nearly $2.3 million more than last year, although less than in 2009.

Even more records are being broken, as many events have broken (and -rebroken) the record of largest single day starts and largest tournaments of their kind.

In a press release, WSOP Executive Director Ty Stewart said, “We are humbled once again by the incredible turnout from players all over the world. It has

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