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Ben Mezrich And Online Poker in Massachusetts
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Online poker could soon be legal in Massachusetts. An addendum to this year's budget proposal has been signed by no less than 18 state representatives and would see three online poker licenses issued.
With delays to the various brick and mortar casino proposals across the state, residents could see online poker rooms open for business before they ever set foot in an actual casino.
Boston author Ben Mezrich knows all about the world of online poker. His book, "Straight Flush: The True Story Of Six College Friends Who Dealt Their Way To A Billion-Dollar Online Poker Empire — And How It All Came Crashing Down" focuses on the true story of six ambitious students from the University of Montana who founded the online poker company, absolutepoker.com.
The company was at one time a million-dollar-a-day business — until the Department of Justice shut it down along with two other gambling sites on April 15, 2011, a day known in the industry as "Black Friday." The charges filed included gambling law violations and money laundering.
Guest
Ben Mezrich, author of "Straight Flush: The True Story Of Six College Friends Who Dealt Their Way To A Billion-Dollar Online Poker Empire — And How It All Came Crashing Down." He tweets at @benmezrich.
More
Forbes: Can Online Poker Become The New King Of New York?
- "In America there is a war going on for the hearts and minds of thousands of online poker players, many of whom have been frozen out of the game they love. In one corner stand the lobbyists pushing for a federal ban on online poker. In the other, individual state lawmakers who are forging ahead with plans of regulated online poker for their residents."
This segment aired on May 19, 2014.