AUTHOR: Jerry "Jet" Whittaker
TITLE: New law may hurt World Series of Poker
DATE: 7:54 AM
-----
BODY:
<p class="mobile-post">Observers say the recently enacted U.S. law that bans gambling online could
cut into the number of entrants to the planet's richest card game - the
World Series of Poker. The number of players in the tournament, run by
Harrah's Entertainment Inc., has ballooned thanks largely to the online
game. In 2003, a mere 839 participants took part when accountant Chris
Moneymaker emerged from a $40 Internet tournament and went on to win the
$2.5 million grand prize. This year, 8,773 players gambled for part of an
$82.5 million prize pool and more than half are estimated to have won
tournaments over the Web to play. With the law banning banks from processing
Internet gambling transfers set to be enforced before next year's
tournament, the well of poker players is expected to dry up.</p>
--------