Online poker star moving to Malta
Justin Bonomo. Photo taken from Facebook.
Justin Bonomo's love for online poker is leading the star to move permanently to Malta as the US decided to shut down several poker sites in the US last April.
The US media reported that the government's decision led to a dramatic cut in Bonomo, known as ZeeJustin, and his colleagues' earnings, many of whom have already moved away from the US.
The star, who made close to $3 million in career earnings, announced on his Facebook page that he is moving to Malta.
It is highly likely that other poker stars will be choosing to settle here because of the decision.
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34 Comments
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Mr Geoff Gibson
Aug 21st 2011, 20:53
This has nothing to do with gambling sites based in Malta. He makes his living playing poker online on websites based all over the world. In his home nation of USA it is illegal to log on to any poker site and so he has moved country, so he can log on again and carry on earning money.
The websites are not necessarily based in Malta, in fact there is a good chance the ones he uses are not here, but in the meantime he'll be paying rent on a Maltese property, buying his groceries in Maltese shops, probably renting or buying a car here...etc
I say welcome to Malta and I hope he has a long and prosperous career doing what he does well.
Mr Robert Callus
Aug 21st 2011, 19:51
Keep on promoting gambling. Well done hypocrites.
And when we talk about the decriminalization of drugs for personal use, you (PNPL) categorically say: No Way. Not even discussing it.
Anthony Caruana
Aug 21st 2011, 18:58
Will any one you who has commented in favour of the advantages of having a gambling industry explain and justify why the U.S. has shut down several poker sites. I don't know the answer so only sensilbe comments please.
David Caruana
Aug 21st 2011, 20:25
They did so only to protect their own markets. They want to keep the dollars in their own casinos.
Mr Michael Camileri
Aug 21st 2011, 15:11
They could move to the Isle of Man
Charles Sammut
Aug 21st 2011, 13:58
wow!!!..how exciting,..who is this guy?? I hope he won't start participating in local poker tournaments and fleece us amateurs off our hard earned Euros...although if he does attend the tournies at the Oracle Casino he will face "stiff competition" from certain self proclaimed female poker "champs"..."What a player!"...
...and the beat goes on...and the beat goes on......
V. Cauchi
Aug 21st 2011, 13:11
Pope Benedict XVI warned last Thursday in Spain that Europe will not be able to emerge from its economic woes unless it realises that economic policy cannot be guided by a profit-driven mentality alone. He said the continent must take into account ethical considerations that look out for the common good.
He has been making his call for a new economic ethics some years back now as it seems that the empty value of money is currently based on evanescent foundations which do not reflect the true value of work, decent wages and international population conditions.
The way money is "wiped off" stock markets, thus affecting employment and profits, makes it credible that communism is not totally out of European history notwithstanding a current short break it seems to be taking. One way or the other it will rear up its ugly head again even if this time, hopefully, it will neither meddle with ideology or atheism.
Referring to the number of local employees (heads of families or breadwinners, call them what you will)the "industry" is engaging is no excuse considering the damage to as many other persons who, due to their gullibility or frailty to the need of money or indeed to make easy money, are falling prey to this vice. NGOs can state in their own right how great the gambling problem is in Malta, online gambling or playing poker included.
I recall passing outside a casino` in France some years back and seeing a man coming out leafing through a thick batch of currency notes. It was all a subtle advertisement just like gambling institutions sometimes do by announcing huge wins. The pity of it is that in Malta government has reaped benefits from gambling through taxes since the mid-1900s and would find it well nigh impossible to get out of this system abruptly and still balance Maltas's budget.
This way we understand how frail the bases of economies are, as the Pope said, and how well a solid economic reform based on sound non-confessional morality would benefit and stabilise the whole world and curb the competitive urge which is playing havoc with financial fundamentals.
Gustav Svensson
Aug 21st 2011, 16:49
Malta is doing a great job when it comes to etics, strip clubs, gambling, tax haven, tuna exstingsion, well the list is long..
D. A . Agius
Aug 21st 2011, 17:01
The benefits to the Maltese Economy comes not from the taxes on gambling but from the expenses paid by the industry workers, their spending and travelling to/from Malta.
The Illegal betting industry has no rules on who plays and how much, no self exclusion possibilities and no support services. They obviously don't pay taxes and are more prone to service the money laundering needed to cover other illegal activities such as those in drugs and general crimes.
Malta also needs any foreign exchange it needs as well, since the closure of many export driven manufacturing industries which employed substantial numbers of workers means that less foreign currency is coming into the country. When sending money abroad to pay for goods or services, it effectively means the country as a whole becomes poorer.
Since we have no resources save for our employees' abilities, it is a hard but good choice to open up for regulated remote gaming services of high standards and increase our market's good name by being not only a regulatory jurisdiction but by actually being pro-active in ensuring security and responsibility in gambling for foreign-based clients and countries.
Elton Freeman
Aug 21st 2011, 12:26
Those commenting against gaming companies in malta have no idea what this industry is bringing to our tiny island. Do you know there are over 5000 people employed directly in i-gaming, can you calculate the taxes contributed??, the number of large offices being rented etc etc. For these companies to be based here or any where else makes no difference for people that want to gamble they will still do it on the net etc.
This is like complaining if a large alcohol factory decides to open in malta..... Alcohol will still be sold and people will still drink being made in malta or made in mars So get real and enjoy the good contribution of another healthy industry on our island...
Mr Charles Cremona
Aug 21st 2011, 13:42
We want to attract real jobs into Malta not Mickey Mouse gambling, here today gone tomorrow jobs. What ever happened to Smart City ? that is what I call high tech jobs not gambling and ruining people's lives in the process.
Mr C Cassar
Aug 21st 2011, 14:43
So what are real jobs? Shipyard jobs? Times have moved on. The fact that you don't understand the online gaming or any high tech industry makes you unable understand what is best for Malta. On-line gaming is a huge industry that won't be 'gone tomorrow'.
There are thousands employed in Malta in this industry. These people pay rent on houses/apartments and have their families here. They spend money in shops/supermarkets/restaurants/cafes/transport.utilities. The apartment/house owners they rent from in turn spend in shops/supermarkets/restaurants/cafes/transport/utilities. That's not even mentioning the huge tax income the government gets from these incomes. Oh, yes there's also the VAT that the government gets when these people spend their money in Malta.
Malta needs more high tech industry and should stop pusuing the old inefficent industries that need unskilled manual labour. These indystries have moved to Asia where they are impossible to compete with.
Elton Freeman
Aug 21st 2011, 14:47
Dear Charles Cremona, Do you really believe that any job has a life time guarantee today?? + How do you know that gambling jobs are mickey mouse jobs??? Or is it a case of sour grapes, yourself being one that put all your efforts on I.T jobs and realised its not that brilliant.. I can guarantee you that most i-gaming jobs are paid and have conditions much better than most industries in malta + a lot of companies are hitting the 10 year presence on the island. I call that REALITY
Mr Charles Cremona
Aug 21st 2011, 18:12
@C Cassar: Real jobs are jobs that have an end product at the end of the process, not jobs that fleece vulnerable people from their hard earned cash. I cannot believe we have a so called gambling industry in Malta. Serious countries in the world except for a few with no scruples will not tolerate such a racket to operate from their shores.
Mr Charles Cremona
Aug 21st 2011, 21:19
I do not consider gambling a job, it is not sour grapes its a fact. Gambling is an addiction that ruins people's lives that is why the government closed all gambling places around Malta last year .
Mr C Cassar
Aug 22nd 2011, 00:08
@Mr Charles Cremona: So the USA isn't a serious country? What about Las Vegas? In fact what about the state of Nevada as a whole? Gambling is allowed in any part of Nevada and is a massive business for the USA since millions of non-USA citizens from all around the world decend on Las Vegas and other cities in Nevada to enjoy playing Poker, Roulette, Black Jack etc.
You clearly don't understand what an end product is. You seem to think it's something physical, a car, a hand tool, a piece of furniture. Fortunately the world has moved on to also produce service products. One such service product is the on-line betting/playing service which is enjoyed by millions around the world without any issue.
If we had things your way, we wouldn't allow computers, the internet, moboile phones etc.
Get real.
M Ellul
Aug 21st 2011, 10:30
To all comments below: He is not a gambler; he's a poker player.
Susan Beck Baker
Aug 21st 2011, 14:19
................and playing poker, particularly at his level, is not gambling?! he plays for fun and didn't make a few million $ I suppose -
Patrick Mulholland
Aug 21st 2011, 15:05
Definition of gambler:
"Someone who often bets (risks money on the result) money, for example in a game or on a horse race"
From the Cambridge online dictionary.
That's when I went to school!
Eric Soames
Aug 21st 2011, 15:57
I can't see him leaving the cut and thrust of a Vegas lifestyle but as the City slogan says: 'What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas' and that probable goes for taxes on his winnings too. Still, if blessed with the gift and the discipline, who wouldn't be tempted to enter the fray. It's only gambling if you ignore the math.
G A Bonello
Aug 21st 2011, 10:04
Nothing new. There are already a number of top woirld ranked pojer players using malta as a base.
Nadia Cassar
Aug 21st 2011, 09:48
In my opinion the strategic placing of gambling sites in Malta is very similar to placing a box of chocolates next to a chocaholic .... a gambler can avoid the habit, but might easily fall once the habit presents itself to the individual.
Mr R.E. Saliba
Aug 21st 2011, 10:36
Gambling has always been with us. Lotteries, Super5 and Tombla have been around for a long while. Today there's simply more choice. If you refer to the gambling bars, they're all closed at the moment pending a proper, serious permit system. And if you refer to the many betting companies there are locally, how many of them actually allow Maltese to register with them?
I prefer an 'informed' opinion.
Mr Charles Cremona
Aug 21st 2011, 11:00
I agree we claim to be a family orientated nation yet gambling is an addiction to a lot of people and unfortunately causes family breakdowns. Many countries do not allow these sites to operate from there countries because of this. I cannot understand how we who profess to be whiter then white when it comes to family values allow this to happen from our shores. If this is the sort of work we are attracting to Malta then it leaves a lot to be desired.
V. Cauchi
Aug 21st 2011, 09:44
Shame on Malta that we have become a gambling mecca. We did all the fuss on divorce, and rightly so, only to find our government backing all kinds of gambling as long as we keep cash flowing in. So, in the last analysis, it's money that counts, Mammon, and not God.
D Agius
Aug 21st 2011, 11:45
Are you serious? Do you have any idea how many millions this industry is injecting into our economy? This is all foreign money being funnelled through Malta (and taxed accordingly).
Money makes the world go round. Money lets advertisers pay for timesofmalta.com to let you comment. Money has paid for your computer and your education.
Mr C Cassar
Aug 21st 2011, 12:18
Using your outlook, any business making a profit should be stopped. The vast majority of people using online gambling sites don't have an issue, a few do. That's exactlythe same with anything in life, there will always be a very small minority who have issues with certain factors in life.
Malta has done very well to become a centre for this industry. It employs many people. Many of these have families and they are able to feed, cloth and educate their children with this income.
Orlando Ellul Micallef
Aug 21st 2011, 13:04
With your atitude we close all pharmaceutical companies too!
Mr C Cassar
Aug 21st 2011, 14:08
@V. Cauchi. God? Come on visitors from other civilisations changed the course of human evolution. You still believe in angels and the devil? Crikey, open your mind for once.
Mr Joseph Calleja
Aug 21st 2011, 14:37
Mr Cauchi, our government like any other enterprise has to pay their bills. The government does not care much where the money comes from, as long as it comes in. That is what we call politics and that is what we call money and money is what makes the world go round. Nobody, not even the government works for nothing. Bringing God into this is ridiculous, God does not pay our bills, we do..
victor caruana
Aug 21st 2011, 08:40
He should be allowed few hours a week lecturing in Malta's schools on the merits of gambling. Starting in the primary schools would be ideal....catch them young!!!!!!!!!
Mr R.E. Saliba
Aug 21st 2011, 10:31
Actually, he really should.
This man made millions in gambling because he knows the right way to do it.
He knows when to cut losses and when to curb winnings.
Unlike the many poor souls who think they 'know what they're doing' and squander their paychecks.
So enough of the sarcasm please.
Albert Bezzina
Aug 21st 2011, 11:34
Good sarcasm!
D. A . Agius
Aug 21st 2011, 17:09
I think poker actually can teach you a bit about how to play out your life.
If you care to read a bit about poker strategy (rather than watch western movies), you'd understand a few basics like statistics, human behaviour, body language, strategic thought which would help you in life to overcome the rash decisions some people take on in life.
A basic thing in poker is that one needs to use his brains and thinks of possible outcomes to his decisions.
Should that be something taught in our schools, we may have better youth and adults leading better lives.
Finally, another thing with professional poker players, they are not ruthless gamblers on a roll, but rather highly intelligent people. A few of them are a lot different from the run of the mill thug who is only able to play out his weight around, being politics, business or in social life.