Deeb Takes $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. Title --  We warned you last week the finale of the World Series of Poker's $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. championship would be the week’s likely lead... and we meant it.  Deeb overcame final-table chip leader Amnon Filippi to win one of the poker world’s most glamorous titles, grinding down his last two opponents, Bruno Fitoussi and John Hanson, in a lengthy three-way duel.  Deeb pocketed $2,276,832 for the title (plus the bracelet created specially for this event), while Fitoussi took home $1,278,720 for second and Hanson claimed $852,480 for finishing third.  The remainder of the final eight were, in order: Filippi, Kenny Tran, David Singer (the only returnee to the final table from last year’s event debut), Barry Greenstein and Thor Hansen.

Canada, Australia, Macau File WTO Compensation Claims Against U.S. --  Antigua’s plea for other countries to join it in its World Trade Organization trade battle over online gambling drew plenty of support.  In addition to Costa Rica, India and the European Union (which represents 27 countries itself), Canada, Australia and Macau (likely representing Mainland China’s burgeoning gambling interests) joined the fray.  To date, Antigua’s claim for $3.44 billion in annual compensation is the only specific figure named, but the interests of Costa Rica, Canada and the EU could amount to many times that if enacted and/or upheld by the WTO’s arbitration process, believed by trade-issue observers to be the next step in the process.  The U.S. has issued conciliatory language toward Antigua while remaining unmoved toward a change in position on the topic in general, which continues to threaten the framework of the WTO itself.

It’s a DonkeyBomber Double! --  Poker book author and podcast co-host Tom "DonkeyBomber" Schneider made it a breakout WSOP for himself.  Schneider, a veteran cash-game specialist from Arizona, took down the title in Event #46, the $1,000 Seven-Card Stud Hi/Lo tourney.  Schneider, who confessed to not liking the game very much, nonetheless came to the final table with the lead and survived an up-and-down chase to the win.  In the end, Schneider outlasted Hoyt Verner to claim the $147,713 first-place check and become the year’s first double winner.  Schneider also jumped past Jeffrey Lisandro and into first place in the WSOP’s revised Player of the Year Standings, which do not include Main Event results.  As a result, Schneider now has the inside track on another bundle of poker goodies.

NETeller Founder Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy Charge --  Steve Lawrence, one of the two NETeller co-founders indicted by the U.S. on charges of illegal "money laundering" of billions of dollars from American citizens, copped a plea that will result in Lawrence's serving a maximum of five years... if in fact he serves any time at all.  Lawrence also agreed to testify against co-defendant John Lefebvre (also rumored to be negotiating a plea deal), and has agreed to be at least partially liable for the $100 million in fines the U.S. is seeking in the case.  Lawrence, a Canadian citizen, is free to travel throughout the U.S., Canada and the Bahamas pending his sentencing hearing.  The plea is unlikely to affect the eventual outcome of the $155 million of U.S. customer funds held by NETeller, since Lawrence and Lefebvre were no longer part of the company when the NETeller accounts were frozen.

Bill Edler Takes $5,000 NL Short-Handed Title --  Short-handed play (six players per table) is a unique format with extra emphasis on aggressive play, and the winner in the richest of the WSOP’s short-handed events was the affable Bill Edler.  Edler did come up with a couple of key suckouts at the final table as he came from starting with the shortest stack to win it all; the first was a three-out Ace to bounce Dutch Boyd and his pocket Jacks, the second a three-out Ten (while dominated with A-10 vs. A-Q) on the final hand, when he eliminated runner-up Alex Bolotin.  Edler’s victory was worth $904,672.

European Union Slaps France, Sweden Over Online Gaming Restrictions --  If you’re based in the U.S., this might not seem like the biggest news, but its import has yet to be felt.  The European Union’s ability to act as a unified front representing European interests is a major factor in how the U.S. will choose to move forward in its ongoing WTO dispute over online gambling.  The EU is one of the claimants against the U.S., and the EU has repeatedly signaled its intent to prosecute member countries who persist in trade-violating, U.S.-like behavior... at least as it pertains to online gambling.  France and Sweden were slapped by the EU in the form of "reasoned opinions" last week, which are basically notifications to "mend your ways, or we [the EU] will prosecute."  At issue are these countries’ barriers to privately owned gambling enterprises, most stridently illustrated by France’s recent banning of the Unibet-sponsored cycling team from this year’s Tour de France.