The End of Online Poker? Albania Bans Poker Sites
It may be time to dump any financial interest you have in online poker sites.
Yesterday, the nation of Albania announced it’s banning foreign-based online poker sites — sort of like Albania’s “Black Friday.”
Holy shit, how will online poker survive?
The tiny bankrupt nation, by far the poorest in Europe, has been a basket case for decades. With 2.6 million people, it has about the same population size as Nevada. However, unlike Las Vegas and Reno, no one in human history has ever visited that awful place as a tourist. It’s the Detroit of Europe.
The hellhole was a police state for years. Albania operated in virtual isolation, a hermit so sealed off from the rest of the world, they didn’t even have trade partners. Then again, why would anyone want to trade with Albania? Think about it. Has Albania actually ever produced anything? Is Albania famous for any reason whatsoever? When I mention “Albania,” what’s the first thing that pops into your mind, other than blank confusion? America’s national symbol is the bald eagle. Albania’s trademark should be a deer in the headlights.
The head ballbuster who ruled with an iron fist for 40 years, a prick named Enver Hoxha, used to attend the big international summits with other Communist leaders, where he frequently complained the former USSR and other hard-line Marxist states had gone “too soft.” Things got so bad for awhile inside Albania that people tried to escape into Yugoslavia, which must have seemed like Palm Springs, by comparison. It actually lost 15 percent of its population during the 1990s.
And now — just when it seemed Albania might be coming out of the 1500s and joining the rest of the global economy, they’re banning online poker sites.
READ THE FULL STORY AT CARDPLAYER.COM
No doubt, this new online poker ban should do wonders to boost the Albanian economy. It’s the only nation in Europe with a shrinking GNP, its financial woes undoubtedly caused by a nation stocked with shitty Albanian poker players burning through their bankrolls like matches. When Albanians played online poker, even the Italians were winning.
To be fair, the announced ban isn’t absolute. Albania says it will allow online poker sites to exist, so long as they’re based within the country. What a rush at the floodgates this news will create. Imagine all the online companies ready to line up and swarm into central Tirana hoping to do business.
Imagine that. An entire nation imposing a ban on online poker. Stupid them. Good thing that could never happen here. No one would believe a modern country in the 21st century would go so far as to ban a game played on the internet. Talk about living in the dark ages.
Oh, wait…
Just a second…
Uhhh…Nevermind.
A++. Would read again!
Just heard Albania has managed to form a partnership with a up and coming new site, Who have had alot of experience of the industry. The new company is called Abosolute Bet, and a Mr Bitar (Company Manager / Fall guy) was seen being collected in a 1992 Lada Diesel Turbo from Albanian international airport. Pokerstars are said to be keeping a eye on the potential new rivals.
Excellent read! The next thing they will do is implement albaniacare!
Been waiting for your opinion on the rollout!
Albania a “hell hole”? I was there for a wedding this past Summer and i was COMPLETELY blown away! The southern coast was unbelievable! Jal, Dhermi and Ksamil were my favorites. Do yourself a favor and Google those three cities. Ice cold Becks beer for 1 EUR on the beach wasn’t too shabby neither. Out of ALL of the neighboring countries, Albania is by far the best place to visit and, has one of the lowest crime statistics in Europe, to boot! Tirana, the capital was great. And the locals pay a flat tax of 10% individually and corporate as well. Even though most people think Albania is a “Muslim” nation, take a look at the list of most Atheist countries in the world; Albania ranks 14 i believe. I’ve seen A LOT more burqas in London… come to think of it, I didnt see one woman wearing a burqa during my 2 week stay.
Nolan Comments: I agree, it’s a beautiful country (I’ve been close to the border but never inside Albania). I was speaking historically and politically.
— Nolan
lucky u that didnt cross the border . u would be in a coma now .
So much ignorance round here. Don’t take it as personal. I’m just speaking historically and politically.
I believe your opinion on Albanian Nation obviously is subjective at its core. My conclusion is that, for some other reasons, you just hate the Albanian Nation, and you used a poker article to express your inner feelings about us. Please visit Albania before you say something.