Las Vegas
Tom Jones, Englebert Humperdinck Millions Went to Pay Off Mob Bosses
Legendary performers Tom Jones and Englebert Humperdinck lost millions as a result of their manager, music mogul Gordon Mills, siphoning off the cash to pay gambling debts to the Mob, according to reports that surfaced this week.
Mills, who passed away from cancer in 1986, is reported to have owed $320 million in gambling debts.
The monies disappeared from Las Vegas shows that were on a retainer of $8,000 (£5,000) per week.
Lucky Marine Turns a Penny Slot Into $2.8 Million Win
Cpl. Alexander Degenhardt learned he was accepted as a bone marrow donor to an anonymous patient just days before hitting a $2.8 million progressive slot machine back on February 19 at the Bellagio.
The US Marine told the Las Vegas Sun: ““They asked me if I was sure I wanted to go through with it, because it’s kind of painful, but what’s a little pain if it will save someone’s life?”
He admits the good karma may have paid off.
MGM CEO: “Very Confident” Online Gambling Laws Would Pass on the Federal Level
Appearing on CNBC Wednesday evening, MGM CEO Jim Murren said he was “very confident” online gambling laws would pass on the federal level soon.
Murren added that, if such legislation fails to pass on the federal level, we will likely see the industry develop on a state-by-state basis.
MGM has teamed up with the largest real money online gambling company, bwin.party. Murren admitted that bwin.party might have to enter the US market at the state level first.
Nevada Casino Tax Hike Would Result in 7500 Lost Jobs
(AP) CARSON CITY, Nev. — An initiative to raise the top tax rate on Nevada's highest earning casinos is not economically sustainable by the industry and would lead to thousands of direct and indirect job losses, according to one gambling analyst who called the proposal a "wolf in sheep's clothing."
"We estimate the gaming tax increase would result in 7,500 or more lost jobs in Nevada, a notable step backward," Bill Lerner of Union Gaming Group said in a client's note.
Nevada leads the nation in unemployment, bankruptcies and foreclosures.
Patriots Owner Robert Kraft Makes Out Big With Caesars IPO...And Wynn?
Among those who benefitted from Wednesday’s debut of Caesars Entertainment on the Nasdaq trading platform was none other than New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.
While Kraft may have suffered a pretty huge loss Sunday, his luck changed with the Caesars IPO and his $1.3 million stake. Shares rose dramatically Wednesday afternoon.
Caesars Begins Trading Wednesday: Goes Public and Floated with 1.4 Million Shares
Casino giant Caesars Entertainment Corp. went public on Wednesday (February 8, 2012), with its stock price surging 71 percent after completing an initial public offering.
The IPO was significantly reduced from its 2010 attempt.
Wikileaks Exposes Sheldon Adelson: Cable Discusses ‘Missteps’ in China
Casino tycoon Sheldon Adelson’s Las Vegas Sands Corp. is under federal investigation into whether it has complied with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and a recently uncovered Wikileaks cable suggests Adelson may be in some hot water in China as well.
Adelson is alleged to have “bribed” foreign officials in exchange for lucrative business deals. His casino empire enjoys a massive presence in the Asian gambling Mecca of Macua.
From Salon.com:
Macau Gambling Revenue Rises 35 Percent in January 2012: Casinos in General Have Great Month
Casino companies gained after revenue in Macau, the world's largest gambling hub, rose 35 percent in January (2012). MGM Resorts International climbed 0.7 percent to $13.14. Las Vegas Sands Corp. increased 0.8 percent to $49.50.
Power Struggle at Wynn: Another Ugly Divorce Battle
Have you all been following the power struggle at Wynn Resorts Inc?
It seems their largest shareholder, Japanese pachinko mogul Kazuo Okada, recently nominated up to four people to the board of the U.S. casino company. He is currently suing founder Steve Wynn and accuses the Vegas casino titan of blocking access to records related to his investment in the company as well as objecting to an “inappropriate” $135 million company donation to the University of Macau.
Las Vegas Hotel Rates January 2012: South Point $51 Per Night
It’s a little nippy in Las Vegas this time of year, but the Las Vegas hotel rates for January 2012 are super hot. Case in point, the four-star South Point Hotel has slashed its average night rate from $64 to $51 during the first two weeks of the month.
Most of the four-star Strip hotels were running $59 and up. The Hard Rock was at $60 per night while the MGM was $109 per night.
Pawn Stars Spinoff ‘Cajun Pawn Stars’ to Debut Next Month
The History Channel announced Thursday that a spin-off of its hugely successful show "Pawn Stars" will premiere next month on cable TV in the USA.
The new show, called "Cajun Pawn Stars," will focus on the day-to-day happenings at the Silver Dollar Pawn & Jewelry Center pawn shop in Alexandria, Louisiana, USA, northwest of New Orleans.
The shop, which opened in 1984, is owned by Jimmie "Big Daddy" DeRamus and run by him and his family.
Poker Players Call for Boycott The Venetian Hotel, Casino and Other Sheldon Adelson Properties
Following word last week that Las Vegas Sands Corp. Chairman Sheldon Adelson announced he is opposed to current legislation that would allow for regulated online poker in the United States, some in the poker playing community have called for an all-out boycott of Adelson’s casino properties, including the famed Venetian on the Las Vegas Strip.
"Since Sheldon Adelson is lobbying against Internet poker, I will no longer play at The Venetian poker room," a player wrote on the TwoPlusTwo.com message board. "I suggest if you care about the issue, that you also boycott the room."
Is Adelson Now Opposing Online Poker?
It appears as if Las Vegas Sands Chairman Sheldon Adelson has decided to do an about face when it comes to online poker legalization in the US.
Jon Ralston of the Las Vegas Sun reported late Tuesday night that Adelson suddenly has become “morally opposed” to online poker after being at the forefront of the push to get the industry legalized in the US over the past few years.
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.
Best Hotel Rates New Year’s 2012 in Las Vegas
Sure they may be an advertiser here at Gambling911.com, but South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa just happens to be offering the very best rates in Las Vegas for New Year’s 2012.
Joe Barton on Legalized Internet Poker in the US: “I Think We Have the Votes”
Texas Republican Congressman Joe Barton believes his bill to legalize and fully regulate (not to mention tax) Internet poker in the United States will likely come to fruition by next summer, which, if you are able to keep up with the time, is just about 6 months away.
From Poker News Report:
Las Vegas Airport: New Gateway to Asia
Las Vegas tourism officials are betting that a new air terminal will offer a new route for air passengers to connect between the US and Asia.
A new terminal will make its debut in June and connect international passengers through six gates. Customs will be able to process 2,200 passengers per hour,
"We see Las Vegas not just as an origin and destination point, but also as another hub for us," John Jackson III, vice president of passenger marketing and sales for Korean Air's Americas region, says to AP.
Prince Harry Does Las Vegas: $200 Lost During BJ
Prince Harry and friends spent this past weekend in Las Vegas gambling like rock stars….down and out rock stars maybe. A high roller he is NOT.
No Harry didn’t win a million dollars or lose a million dollars. Instead, he and his buddies total lost $500 ($200 of which was Harry’s). They were reportedly playing at the blackjack tables.
A source told People Magazine Harry “couldn’t believe you got free drinks from gambling at the blackjack tables.”
It wasn’t all gambling and drinking though. Harry and company also watched the Cirque Du Soleil show “O.”
Cheap Air Fares to Las Vegas From… New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC – December 2011
Gambling911.com has your cheap air fares to Las Vegas from the New York City metropolitan area along with Philadelphia, Washington DC, Boston and Hartford. These fares are for the month of December 2011. Fares are based on Wednesday thru Tuesday travel (round trip). When in Las Vegas, $42 per night weekday rates and $72 per night weekend rates at the fabulous South Point Hotel Casino and Spa here.
New York City/Newark to Las Vegas –
Cheap Air Flights Canada to Las Vegas – December 2011 (Christmas and New Year’s Included)
Gambling911.com has your cheap air flights for Canada to Las Vegas and back for December 2011. These fares are based on Wednesday thru Tuesday travel and subject to change especially as dates near. These cheap air flights round trip between various cities in Canada and Las Vegas were effective as of November 15, 2011.
Nevada to Begin Granting Internet Poker Licenses
Nevada’s state Gaming Control Board will begin issuing licenses for operation of Internet poker sites beginning in February. The licenses would be granted much faster for those casino firms already holding a gaming license in the state.
Once granted a license, companies would only be permitted to offer online poker within the state’s boundaries in specified settings such as in the casinos and racetracks themselves.
Schweddy Balls a Hard Find in Vegas
Those living in Las Vegas will be hard pressed to find their favorite Ben & Jerry’s flavor ice cream, Schweddy Balls.
Named after the Alec Baldwin character, Pete Schweddy, on a classic "SNL" sketch, a number of Vegas-based grocery stores have refused to carry the ice cream flavor, claiming it might be offensive to some customers.
Nevada Will Have Real Cash Online Poker Come January
Intrastate online poker for real money is anticipated this coming January in the state of Nevada. Should legislation pass at the federal level, Nevada would then permit those across state lines to play. They, the licensed casinos in Nevada, would become the hub for interstate online poker at that point.
A source close to the situation noted that there is some confusion related to Nevada’s passage of a measure that permits real cash online poker and that Gambling911.com is not exactly helping in this regard.
Free Online Poker Las Vegas Casino South Point Joins the G911 Family
Gambling911.com is thrilled to announce that South Point Poker, the first online poker website run by a Las Vegas casino operator, has joined our family of fine partners.
MGM CEO: “Time has Come for Legalized Online Poker”
MGM CEO Jim Murren on Wednesday delivered the key note address at this year’s Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas. As part of his address, Murren urged Congress to legalize Internet poker, predicting it would help, not hurt, the US economy.
“We feel the time for talking is over and that the time for action is right now,” Murren told attendees.
G911 Exclusive: A Sneak Peak at the South Point Casino New Online Poker Room
The very first Las Vegas casino to launch its own online poker room is South Point Casino and that takes place later on Thursday (October 5, 2011). However, Gambling911.com has been provided with an exclusive look at the new site here.
Level Media was the agency selected by South Point to build the new online poker room. It is now live.
South Point Poker will offer a play-for-free registration online poker platform in anticipation of legalization within the USA.
Nevada Moves Forward With Online Poker
Lawyers, consultants and gaming industry representatives packed a room in Carson City, Nevada on Monday to discuss that state’s move forward to legalize online poker.
Regulations were released just over a month ago and this group was looking to make a few changes that will allow Nevada to become the hub of Internet poker in the US once federal legislation is passed.
"I think we have a solid foundation for regulations," board Chairman Mark Lipparelli said.
American Gaming Association Quick to Use Full Tilt Poker as Example
South Point Casino in Las Vegas Jumps Into Online Poker Fray
Bellagio Chip Bandit Sentenced to 3 to 11 Years
Anthony Carleo, 30, has been sentenced to 3 to 11 years for the brazen $1.5 million robbery of the Bellagio Casino in Las Vegas.
