Crime

UConn Poker Addict Balks at Proposed Legalization of Internet Poker in State

A UConn graduate claims that Internet poker nearly destroyed his life and balks at the idea that Connecticut and other states might consider legalizing the activity.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Jan/05/2012

Jonathan Duhamel Ex Girlfriend Planned Home Invasion: Tipster Was Part of Threesome

The former girlfriend of 2010 World Series of Poker Main Event winner Jonathan Duhamel is alleged to have planned the forced entry and robbery of his home outside of Montreal just days before Christmas (both are pictured).  A woman who participated in a ménage à trois with the couple just months before the attack acted as a tipster. 

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Jan/05/2012

Joran van Der Sloot Finally Will Have His Day in Court

The Dutchman accused of killing Peruvian college student Stephany Flores will stand trial beginning tomorrow (January 6, 2012). 

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Jan/05/2012

Duhamel Wouldn’t Have Been Sitting Duck in USA

In a tongue-in-cheek essay earlier this month about New Year's resolutions we'd like to see from poker players, Gambling911.com joked that 2010 WSOP Main Event champ Jonathan Duhamel, who was recently beaten and robbed in a home invasion, should resolve to buy a home security system and some guns.

In all reality, however, Duhamel, who lives in suburban Montreal, really can't buy a handgun to protect himself or his home, because under strict Canadian anti-gun laws, it's almost impossible for a private Canadian citizen to legally get a handgun!

Submitted by Thomas Somach on, Jan/04/2012

UK Online Gambling Tax Could Backfire

The United Kingdom is proposing a point of consumption tax on online gambling of 10 percent that could force current operators offshore. 

In anticipation of this tax, William Hill conducted its own study and found the following, a la the Telegraph:

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Jan/04/2012

Suspects in Jonathan Dahamel Home Invasion to Appear in Court Today

Four individuals charged in a brazen home invasion outside of Montreal, Quebec will appear in court today.  They are alleged to have forced their way into the home of 2010 World Series of Poker Main Event winner Jonathan Duhamel just days before Christmas.  One of the suspects is a former girlfriend who accompanied the pro to this year’s WSOP in Las Vegas.  Duhamel was badly beaten during the attack. 

Submitted by Ace King on, Jan/04/2012

Bookmaker Denise Coates Receives Queen’s New Year’s Honors for Good Deeds

Bookies can be good people too.  Denise Coates, founder of Bet365 in Great Britain, has been awarded the prestigious Queen’s New Year’s Honors for 2012.

Ms. Coates was honored for her community service work.

Her father, Peter, had this to say about Denise and what she has meant to the Bet365 firm, which is currently the biggest private sector employer in Stoke-on-Trent:

"We are all delighted and all proud of her.

"She has done an absolutely amazing job for bet365, building it up from scratch.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Jan/01/2012

Jonathan Duhamel Speaks About Home Invasion: “They Threatened My Parents Lives”

A terrified Jonathan Duhamel spoke to the media just one week after a harrowing home invasion left him badly beaten and robbed of his 2010 World Series of Poker bracelet.  The suspects, four in total, have been arrested.  One of those charged is a former girlfriend of Duhamel’s, Bianca Rojas-Latraverse, who we are learning actually accompanied Duhamel to the WSOP Main Event this past year.

"I've played hockey all my life, so I've had some fights -- but not one like this one," Duhamel, 24, said in an interview Friday.

Submitted by Ace King on, Dec/31/2011

Utah Wants to Prohibit Online Poker: Would be Second State to do so

Utah has little interest in jumping on the state legalization of online poker bandwagon in the wake of a decision by the US Justice Department that essentially allows intrastate Web poker. 

Utah is one of two states that does not have a lottery and there is not a single casino based there.

Washington is the only state thus far that specifically prohibits online poker by its residents, making the activity a Class C felony. 

Utah Rep. Stephen Sandstrom (R-Orem) is in the process of drafting an anti-Internet gambling bill. 

Submitted by Ace King on, Dec/30/2011

Jonathan Duhamel Suddenly Becomes Relevant: Opens Up About Home Invasion

Nothing against Jonathan Duhamel.  We know he’s a great poker player.  But up until last weekend he was one of many World Series of Poker Main Event champions who were – let’s just say – forgettable.

Duhamel was best known for becoming the first Canadian to win the Main Event. 

Submitted by Ace King on, Dec/30/2011

Bianca Rojas-Latraverse Dated Poker Champ Briefly

The ex-girlfriend of 2010 World Series of Poker champion Jonathan Duhamel was among those arrested in connection with a forced entry and robbery of his home last week. 

Submitted by Ace King on, Dec/29/2011

Jonathan Duhamel’s Ex Girlfriend Among Those Arrested in Connection With Home Invasion

The ex girlfriend of Jonathan Duhamel has been arrested in connection with last week's home invasion.  Bianca Rojas-Latraverse reported dated pro.

Four individuals were arrested Wednesday in connection with a home invasion that left 2010 World Series of Poker Main Event champion Jonathan Duhamel badly beaten.  His diamond encrusted bracelet, Rolex and cash were stolen from the home last week as well.

Submitted by Ace King on, Dec/29/2011

Breaking News: Jonathan Duhamel Assailants Arrested

Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the home invasion of World Series of Poker Main Event 2010 winner Jonathan Duhamel.  He was the first Canadian to ever win the coveted WSOP Main Event bracelet and walked away with $8.9 million US.

Submitted by Ace King on, Dec/29/2011

Arrests Made in Jonathan Duhamel Home Invasion

Arrests have been made in last week's brazen home invasion of 2010 WSOP winner Jonathan Duhamel with a rolex found but bracelet still missing.

Four individuals have been arrested and taken into custody following last week’s home invasion and beating of World Series of Poker Main Event 2010 winner Jonathan Duhamel. 

The attack occurred at Duhamel’s home in Longueuil, just outside of Montreal. 

Police say two men and one woman were charged Wednesday in connection with the case and a fourth person was arrested and questioned.

Submitted by Ace King on, Dec/29/2011

Optimism Grows Over DOJ Position Change Regarding Internet Poker

Individual states are the most likely beneficiaries of a new stance taken by the US Justice Department, which essentially concluded that online poker will not be deemed as illegal on the federal level should state law mandate otherwise.  Nevada is one such state that has already approved a regulatory framework.  Those in the poker community hope that smaller states will ultimately follow Nevada’s lead and pool their player base with the Silver State. 

Lee Amaitis, president and CEO of Cantor Gaming, believes Nevada has enough players to support the industry in the short term.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Dec/26/2011

Has Online Poker Become Legal in the United States: DOJ Plays Santa

Following a shock announcement that has the online poker community wondering if the floodgates may soon be opening, experts and the media alike were attempting to interpret the US Department of Justice new stance on Internet poker’s legality.  It appears the activity may no longer be viewed as “illegal”.

From the Wall Street Journal

Submitted by C Costigan on, Dec/24/2011

Early Christmas Gift: Department of Justice Changes Position on Internet Gambling

The DOJ was playing Santa Claus for the Internet poker industry coming into this Christmas weekend. 

The Department of Justice on Friday announced it has changed its long held stance related to Internet gambling.  The federal Wire Act of 1961 will now only apply to sports betting and not to online poker.

“The Department’s Office of Legal Counsel (“OLC”) has analyzed the scope of the Wire Act, 18 U.S.c  § 1084, and concluded that it is limited only to sports betting,” U.S. Deputy Attorney General James Cole wrote in a letter on Friday.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Dec/23/2011

Are WSOP Main Event Winners Jinxed?

2010 Champ Duhamel Latest to Court Lady Luck Then Madam Misfortunate

Is the World Series of Poker Main Event jinxed?

Or more precisely, is the winner of that prestigious annual tournament jinxed?

Looks like.

Jonathan Duhamel, winner of the 2010 WSOP Main Event, this week became just the latest WSOP Main Event champ to be struck by a stroke of major bad luck not long after winning the title.

Submitted by Thomas Somach on, Dec/22/2011

Jonathan Duhamel WSOP Bracelet Stolen in Home Invasion

Jonathan Duhamel, last year’s World Series of Poker Main Event winner, became the victim of a brutal home invasion Wednesday.  Two masked men forced their way into his home in a suburb of Montreal, beating up Duhamel and getting away with his diamond encrusted WSOP bracelet.

Submitted by Ace King on, Dec/22/2011

World Series of Poker Champ Jonathan Duhamel Hospitalized After Brutal Home Invasion

The 2010 World Series of Poker Main Event winner, Jonathan Duhamel, was released from a hospital after being attacked during a home invasion Wednesday.

The crime occurred at his home outside Montreal in the Boucherville borough, which is known to have a relatively low crime rate.

Submitted by Ace King on, Dec/22/2011

Absolute Poker Founder Brent Buckley No Rat Says Website

The founder of an online poker website, Brent Buckley, plead guilty on Tuesday to violation of the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act (UIGEA) and money laundering/bank fraud.  As a result, he is expected to serve up to 18 months in prison.  Based on past cases involving similar charges, it is doubtful Mr. Buckley will serve more than a year behind bars.  Buckley was among those charged April 15 as part of a multiyear investigation into three online poker ventures including Mr.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Dec/21/2011

Online Poker Founder Brent Beckley Pleads Guilty in U.S. Fraud Case

By Thom Weidlich - Dec 20, 2011 12:02 PM ET

(Bloomberg) - Brent Beckley, a founder of Absolute Poker of Costa Rica, pleaded guilty in a U.S. illegal-gambling case that seeks at least $3 billion in forfeitures and penalties.

Submitted by Guest on, Dec/20/2011

Former Bermuda Premier’s Son, Celebrity Poker Tournament Organizer Sentenced

A physician and son of the former Premier of Bermuda was sentenced this week to serve up to 17 years in prison. 

Submitted by Ace King on, Dec/16/2011

Berlin Poker Bandit Organizer Sentenced

After a long-lasting trial the organizer of the so-called poker robbery in Berlin has been convicted to six years and four months in jail for armed robbery and assault. Yesterday the district court in Berlin found the 30yo guilty of hiring the executing robbers by a relative, instructing them, driving the getaway car and splitting the loot. During the robbery on the poker tournament in a luxury hotel in March 2010 242.000€ had been captured.

Submitted by Ace King on, Dec/14/2011

Hellinger Online Gambling Trial On Hold

The trial for Magazine Publisher and online gambling payment processor Don Hellinger has been put on hold with a yet-to-be-determined new date.  The trial was originally set to begin January 3, 2012.

Hellinger processed online gambling payments for a number of prominent i-Gaming ventures during the period 2005-2006 including now-defunct BetOnSports.com and Bodog.com, which has since become Bovada.lv. 

Submitted by C Costigan on, Dec/14/2011

Eastern PA Online Gambling Cold Case Gets Hotter as Trial Set for January 3

An online gambling payment processing case is reportedly set to go to trial on January 3, though a delay is possible. 

The US Attorney’s Office in Eastern Pennsylvania case involves processing for companies during the years 2005 and 2006, including the now defunct BetOnSports.com.  Companies that are still in existence today are also mentioned in the complaint, including Bodog.com, though they are not named as one of the defendants.    

Submitted by C Costigan on, Dec/13/2011

Antoine Walker Gets 5 Years Probation for Vegas Debt

LAS VEGAS — (Associated Press) - Former NBA star Antoine Walker was sentenced Tuesday to five years of probation and ordered to pay $770,050 in restitution to three Las Vegas casinos after pleading guilty to failing to repay gambling debts.

Walker and his lawyer declined to comment after his brief appearance before Clark County District Court Judge Valorie Vega.

Walker has repaid some of his Las Vegas casino debts since his arrest in July 2009 in Lake Tahoe, where he planned to play in a celebrity golf tournament.

Submitted by Guest on, Dec/07/2011

Hells Angels Biker in Court Over Las Vegas Casino Shootout

By SCOTT SONNER

Associated Press

RENO, Nev. (AP) - A California member of the Hells Angels pleaded not guilty Thursday to second-degree murder for his role in the death of his chapter president in a September shootout in a Nevada casino.

Cesar Villagrana of Gilroy also pleaded not guilty to shooting and wounding two members of the rival Vagos motorcycle gang in the melee.

Submitted by Guest on, Dec/03/2011

March Trial Likely in Connection With Full Tilt Poker, PokerStars “Black Friday” Case

(Associated Press) - NEW YORK — Two men charged in a case that shut down U.S. operations for three Internet poker companies are likely to go on trial in March, a judge told lawyers Thursday.

U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan listened to arguments that included the question of whether poker can be considered gambling before telling the attorneys for former bank executive John Campos and co-defendant Chad Elie that a March 12 trial was almost certain.

 “I think it’s extraordinarily unlikely that the entire indictment will be dismissed,” Kaplan said.

Submitted by Guest on, Dec/02/2011

Joran van der Sloot Sues Chilean Government Over Extradition to Peru

Joran van der Sloot, the Dutch man suspected in the disappearance of Natalee Holloway in 2005, is suing the Chilean government for more than $13 million, alleging his human rights were violated.  Chile extradited Van der Sloot to Peru where he is currently being held for the 2010 murder of Peruvian college student Stephany Flores. 

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Nov/30/2011

Breaking News