Gambling News: Did Congressman John F. Tierney Knew about Sports Betting Business
This is the latest gambling news as published June 29, 2012 during the overnight and early morning hours including breaking news that Massachusetts Representative John F. Tierney may have known about his brother-in-law’s offshore sports betting business. Wife Patricia was convicted of aiding her brothers in running the Antigua-based operation. Please follow us on Twitter here for up-to-the-minute breaking news.
Daniel and Bobby Eremian ran one of Antigua’s first betting companies, Sports Off Shore, that catered mostly to US gamblers via an elaborate call center run out of the Eremian household. The business set up shop in Antigua in 1996. It was one of a handful that employed a strong female figure in the role of customer service head, thus helping to erase the stigma of “old school” bookmaker businesses who were more interested in beating down customers than embracing them.
Bobby was an outspoken leader for the legitimacy of the offshore gambling industry during its heyday in Antigua. But the Antiguan government would later assist US authorities in turning over the Eremian brother on tax evasion charges. He eventually returned after serving a brief stint in prison and remains at large.
It was Daniel Eremian who spoke out in a Massachusetts court on Thursday, declaring John Tierney a “liar” who “knew everything” about the gambling operation being run out of Antigua.
Congressman Tierney was reelected in November 2010 just weeks after the gambling charges came to light. His wife, Patrice, served 30 days in prison and five months house arrest for her role as an accountant in the betting business. The Tierneys have denied Daniel’s claim.
Daniel Eremian was sentenced to three years in prison today for his role in the gambling enterprise and was ordered to forfeit $7.7 million.
New Jersey Approves Gambling on Handheld Devices at Atlantic City Casinos
(AP) - Unless Gov. Chris Christie objects, Atlantic City casino patrons soon will be able to gamble next to the pool, in their hotel rooms or while waiting in line for the buffet.
The New Jersey Legislature gave final approval Thursday to a bill that enables casino patrons to use hand-held gambling devices, so long as they are located on casino property.
It's another in a series of new gambling options Atlantic City is rolling out in its attempt to compete with casinos in nearby states that have diverted thousands of customers and millions of dollars from the seaside resort. New Jersey is also moving toward offering Internet gambling and sports betting.
"Casino gaming is the lifeblood of south Jersey's economy, and we have to be willing to adapt in order to survive," said state Sen. Jim Whelan, a sponsor of the bill and a former mayor of Atlantic City. "Hand-held, mobile gaming devices have already been adopted in Las Vegas, and allow casinos the opportunity to extend the gaming floor to anywhere within their premises. By authorizing New Jersey casinos to take advantage of this new technology, we're putting Atlantic City's casino industry on an even competitive field with our competitor to the west."
- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com
