Early registrations for the world's largest poker tournament are down from last year because of the federal government's crackdown on Internet gambling.

In part to appease Nevada regulators, World Series of Poker host Harrah's Entertainment will no longer allow poker sites that accept bets from U.S. citizens to set up hospitality suites or marketing displays during the event, which kicks off June 1 at the Rio and ends more than a month later with a final Texas hold 'em tournament. Harrah's also won't accept registrations from these Web sites on players' behalf. (Internet casinos last year wired tournament buy ins on behalf of thousands of players who won their seats online. This year, legally operating casinos - both land-based and online - aren't registering more than 10 players each.)

Internet players can, of course, take the cash winnings from the Web sites and register for the tournament themselves. But there's a risk the players' significant others would prefer that the money be spent on, say, kitchen appliances.

Supposedly illegal gambling sites will still have a prominent place in the tournament - on players' clothing. Harrah's won't prevent players who are paid or encouraged to wear Internet gambling logos from plying that trade.

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