Parise Claims Stars APPT Manila Title --  A handful of marquee PokerStars players made the trip to the Philippines for the inaugural event in PokerStars’ new Asia Pacific Poker Tour, but a relatively anonymous group survived the winnowing of the 255 starters to the final table of nine.  None were more so than California college student Brett Parise, who won his seat in a PokerStars.net freeroll, obtained his passport only two hours before his flight to Manila... and ended up winning the whole thing.  Parise collected $179,775 for the win.

U.S./Antigua Dispute to Enter Arbitration Phase --  While the U.S. has conceded defeat in its World Trade Organization (WTO) battle against tiny Antigua & Barbuda over barriers to online gambling, the actual amount of damages (and the form it will take) has yet to be determined.  Hearings next month will determine whether or not Antigua will prevail for the entire amount of its $3.4 billion in past-damage games, plus the removal of intellectual property-rights protections to compensate for future losses.  (Other countries also have the right to seek damages.)  The case’s looming threat to the viability of the WTO itself is only now beginning to make its way into the minds of the mainstream press, with the last week seeing both a major article in The Wall Street Journal and a National Public Radio feature on Mark Mendel, the lawyer representing Antigua’s interests.

Mr. PPA Doesn’t Go to Washington --  The Poker Players Alliance (PPA) has decided to relocate its home base from San Francisco to Washington D.C. to focus on federal lobbying efforts.  However, PPA president Michael Bolcerek will not make the move, choosing instead to remain in the Bay Area and pursue other endeavors.  John Pappas, the veteran D.C. lobbyist who only recently joined the PPA full time, will move up to an Executive Director slot, roughly filling Bolcerek’s former post.  Former U.S. Senator Alfonse D’Amato remains the CEO and public front of the organization.

UltimateBet, Absolute Poker Announce Site-to-Site Cash Transfers --  Yes, UltimateBet and Absolute Poker have the same owners, and have had for several months now.  No, the sites are not due for an imminent merge, as has been rumored for just as many months.  The reason is that both sites have dedicated player bases and merging the two might result in the loss of thousands of redundant cash accounts.  That said, the two sites have now announced intersite cash-transfer capabilities.  With the new software enhancements, players at UltimateBet can now send cash transfers to themselves or other players at Absolute Poker, or vice versa.  The move is designed to increase liquidity for all customers and add access to special tourneys and promotions on both of the sites.

PokerWire to Cease Most Tournament-Reporting Operations --  Pinched by the exclusionary media-access deals fostered by organizations such as Harrah’s and the World Poker Tour, several smaller outlets are finding it difficult to get reporting access at major poker events.  One such is PokerWire, which announced that it will cease much of its operations, in particular its live-tournament reports.  PokerWire Radio (podcasts) will also cease, with the final reports to be filed from this week’s Legends of Poker tournament at the Bike.

iMEGA Case Delayed as U.S. Moves for Dismissal --  The United States succeeded in having the case brought by the fledgling Interactive Media and Entertainment Gaming Association (iMEGA) delayed until September 4th, and has also fired a cross-motion to dismiss the case in its entirety.  iMEGA, which represents many affiliates’ interests, is viewed by the U.S. as not having proper standing to bring the initial case, nor is the matter, in the U.S. viewpoint, ripe -- meaning that since no UIGEA-related guidelines have been issued, the U.S. says the law cannot be blocked at this stage.  More on this in the near future.

Dubai Does the Buy-Buy with MGM Pact --  The rich get richer, it seems.  One of the big winners this week is noted acquisitions master Kirk Kerkorian, whose stake in MGM Mirage looked better than ever this week after the announcement of a big business deal.  In that deal, Dubai’s government-controlled DubaiWorld enterprise bought a 50% stake in the massive Las Vegas CityCenter project, controlled by MGM and Kerkorian, through his Tracinda Corp. ownership group.  Kerkorian remains a whale amid the Vegas investment scene and this latest deal leaves him positioned better than ever.~~

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