Annette Obrestad Launches Blog Amidst Norway's Gambling Ban

Annette Obrestad, a professional poker player from Norway, has launched a blog at http://www.annette-15.com/blog/ with a couple of posts already. Norway has banned online money transfers related to gambling, including poker sites, effective June 1, 2010. The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) opposes the ban, stating it unjustifiably restricts the freedom of the internal market for gambling services. The Norwegian government insists that the ban is necessary to address the growing problem of gambling addiction and related fraud. However, critics argue that the true motive behind the ban is to protect the revenues of state-owned companies Norske Tipping and Rikstoto, which now have a monopoly on the domestic gambling market.

Annette Obrestad has joined the World Team Poker and will compete with Thor Hansen. She has expressed her enthusiasm for Las Vegas, where she has recently moved into an apartment at Turnberry Towers, and her disappointment with Norway's result in the Eurovision Song Contest. A Norwegian TV channel is filming a documentary about Annette Obrestad, which has taken up much of her time and energy. However, she feels a personal responsibility to promote her beloved game and hopes to change the negative perception of poker in Norwegian society.

This week, Annette Obrestad gave several interviews, including one with ESPN. In her characteristic frankness, she criticized the weakness of women's poker, excluding herself, and commented on Doyle Brunson's playing style. She believes that the new generation of online professionals plays much stronger than the old school because they process information faster and tilt less. While her confidence is an asset for WSOP bracelets, if luck turns against her, many will be eager to point out her lack of respect for her colleagues.