Business & Financial

Macau Revenue Surges 40 Percent in February

(Reuters) - China's gambling hub Macau raked in 38 billion patacas ($4.8 billion) in gaming revenues in February, boosted by strong spending from wealthy punters during and after a week-long national holiday.

Gambling revenue growth in Macau, a special administrative region that is the only place in China where casinos are allowed, was up 40 percent in February, far ahead of analyst estimates of between 29-35 percent.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Mon, 03/03/2014 - 12:13

Neteller Returns to the US: Shares Surge Nearly 3 Percent

Online payment solutions company Neteller announced Monday that it will be relaunching services in the US.

The company was forced to flee the US market in January 2007 after two of its founders were charged with violating anti-gambling laws. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act was passed just two months prior to the highly publicized arrests, with Gambling911.com breaking that news story.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Mon, 03/03/2014 - 11:54

Sands Employees Angry at Adelson Over Breach: ‘He Should Just Shut Up’

Employees of the Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem, Pa., are outraged and angry that their personal information has been put at risk apparently because of their boss's outspoken political statements.

Submitted by Thomas Somach on, Sun, 03/02/2014 - 22:25

Mt.Gox Bitcoin Exchange Files for Bankruptcy

(Reuters) - Mt. Gox, once the world's biggest bitcoin exchange, filed for bankruptcy protection in Japan on Friday, saying it may have lost nearly half a billion dollars worth of the virtual coins due to hacking into its faulty computer system.

The collapse caps a tumultuous few weeks in which the company has remained virtually silent after halting trades of the crypto-currency, shaking the nascent but burgeoning bitcoin community.

Submitted by Reuters on, Sat, 03/01/2014 - 01:18

Nevada Gaming Revenues Down in January

CARSON CITY, Nev. (Associated Press) — State officials say Nevada gambling revenue dropped almost three percent in January compared with the same time a year ago.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board released a report Friday on the $884 million in revenue that rolled in last month.

Las Vegas Strip winnings of just under half a billion dollars were down a little more than 1 percent last month. Downtown Las Vegas winnings of $43 million were down 3 percent.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Fri, 02/28/2014 - 11:27

Sands Casino Bethlehem CEO Resigns Following Hacking

The CEO of Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem has resigned following a hacking that took down all Sands Las Vegas websites for nearly a week.

Robert DeSalvio, the President and CEO of the Sands establishment, is stepping down. It was revealed last week that the hacking had gone through Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. DeSalvio has insisted that his decision is unrelated to the hacking.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Thu, 02/27/2014 - 21:54

Infiniti Poker, The Bitcoin Room That Never Was, Vanishes

The wait is over…..really over.

Submitted by Ace King on, Thu, 02/27/2014 - 11:14

NJ Authorizes Multi-State Slot Jackpots That Will Boost Winnings

ATLANTIC CITY (Associated Press) — New Jersey casino regulators approved a multi-state slots system designed to result in larger jackpots.

The state’s Division of Gaming Enforcement said Wednesday it has authorized a wide-area progressive slots jackpot system involving New Jersey and other jurisdictions, although other participants were not immediately announced.

The goal is to create larger jackpots that will be more appealing to players — some of whom will come to Atlantic City’s casinos for a crack at them.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Wed, 02/26/2014 - 20:18

William Hill Warns That Greyhounds and Horses May Need to be Slaughtered

Ralph Topping, the boss of William Hill, Britain’s largest bookmaker, warned that a UK curb on gambling will likely result in the mass killing of defenseless greyhounds and horses.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Wed, 02/26/2014 - 09:58

Dire Warning for Ladbrokes Head: ‘Better Capitalize on World Cup or Else’

Embattled Ladbrokes CEO Richard Glynn faces the axe this coming August if he can’t turn things around at the UK’s second largest bookmaking firm.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Wed, 02/26/2014 - 09:33

Bwin.Party Execs Get 550 Per Cent of Annual Salary: Founders Decline Offer

Bwin.Party shareholders on Monday voted a new pay scheme whereby top executives would receive up to 550 per cent of their annual salary. 70 per cent of voters approved the new deal, however, another 30 per cent objected.

Of those 30 per cent, it was telling that founders Ruth Parasol and her former husband Russell DeLeon were among them.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Tue, 02/25/2014 - 11:43

Bitcoin Shocker as One-Time Largest Exchange Closes Its Doors

In yet another blow to the anonymous digital currency bitcoin, the largest exchange has shut its doors.

Mt.Gox posted an update to its site Tuesday saying a "decision was taken to close all transactions for the time being," citing "recent news reports and the potential repercussions on MtGox's operations.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Tue, 02/25/2014 - 11:08

First Multi-State Online Poker Deal Set to Begin Today in US

The first interstate compact between two US states combining their respective player pools was set to begin Tuesday February 25, 2014.

Submitted by Ace King on, Tue, 02/25/2014 - 10:35

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa Has $2.8 Million Winner

TAMPA, Fla. – A Jackpot Empire slot machine at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa lived up to its name early Sunday morning when one lucky player from Riverview, Fla. (who chose to remain anonymous) claimed a whopping $2.8 million jackpot.

The Bally’s manufactured penny slot machine, located by the Jubao Palace, produced the second largest jackpot ever won at the property.

The high-water jackpot mark at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa was previously set on June 29, 2012 -- $3.6 million.

Submitted by Press Release on, Mon, 02/24/2014 - 22:56

Canbet Players Owed At Least Half a Million GBP: Screwed Customers Revolt

SBR Forum, a popular sports betting social media outlet, has recorded a total of 255 customers owed in excess of 500,000 GBP by insolvent Canbet.com, one of the first online sportsbooks to burst onto the scene back in the late 1990’s.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Mon, 02/24/2014 - 22:28

Full Tilt Poker Payments to be Made Friday: Players Have Waited Nearly 3 Years

After a nearly three year waiting period, US customers are finally about to see millions of dollars paid back from their time playing at Full Tilt Poker.

A claims administrator appointed by the US Government approved refunding of $82 million to some 30,000 players last month.

Submitted by Ace King on, Mon, 02/24/2014 - 20:49

Adelson and Las Vegas Sands Corp to Spend ‘Billions’ on Japan Casino

* CEO Adelson said would spend $10 bln but rather invest $7 bln

* Adelson "wouldn't be happy" with equity partners, but not ruling out possibility

* CLSA estimates Japan gaming market could reach $40 bln a year

TOKYO - (Reuters) - Las Vegas Sands Corp Chief Executive Sheldon Adelson said on Monday his company was willing to spend "whatever it takes" to set up a casino project in Japan, one of the largest untapped gaming markets in the world.

Submitted by Reuters on, Mon, 02/24/2014 - 09:43

Casinos More Likely to Outsource Security to Private Companies

LAS VEGAS (Associated Press) — When Springfield, Mass. needed to choose who would build its first casino, the city hired an outside adviser to help with the process.

The consulting firm Shefsky & Froelich recommended that the deal go to MGM Resorts International. At the same time, the consulting firm was also working as a registered lobbyist in Illinois for MGM Resorts.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Fri, 02/21/2014 - 13:10

Federal Bill Outlawing All Online Gambling Except Poker to be Introduced in March

U.S. Senator Dean Heller (R-Nevada) said he anticipates new federal legislation banning all forms of online gambling except poker to be introduced in the coming months. Such a measure would ban Internet sports betting and online casinos, the later of which are currently permitted in the state of New Jersey.

Heller and others in Congress have attempted to pass similar legislation in recent years without any success.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Thu, 02/20/2014 - 19:19

North vs. South in New Jersey Gambling Expansion Debate

North New Jersey lawmakers want a casino in the Meadowlands, just a minutes drive away from Manhattan (barring rush hour). South Jersey lawmakers want gambling to be inclusive to Atlantic City.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Thu, 02/20/2014 - 18:51

Playtech to Pay Special Dividend as Profits Rise

(Reuters) - Gaming software developer Playtech (PTEC.L) said it would pay shareholders a special dividend of 100 million pounds ($167 million) as it posted a rise in full-year profit for 2013.

Playtech, which develops software for betting firms such as Paddy Power and Betfair, said on Thursday 2013 adjusted core earnings grew 17 percent to 159.4 million euros excluding the share of profits received from William Hill Online after it sold its stake in the venture last March.

Submitted by Reuters on, Thu, 02/20/2014 - 12:06

Full Tilt Poker Defendant Ira Rubin ‘Faulty’ Indictment Claim Denied by Judge

A U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit judge on Wednesday rejected Ira Rubin's claim that his indictment was faulty because the conduct he was charged with was not a crime under the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA).

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Wed, 02/19/2014 - 22:16

Sands Bethlehem was Main Target of Last Week’s Hacking

LAS VEGAS - (Associated Press) -- Casino giant Las Vegas Sands Corp. said Tuesday that hacking into their websites and internal systems last week went deeper than the company had previously known.

All of the Las Vegas-based company's sites were down for six days after hackers posted images apparently condemning comments CEO Sheldon Adelson made about using nuclear weapons on Iran.

Sands said hackers crashed its email system and stole employees' Social Security numbers.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Wed, 02/19/2014 - 21:55

Bwin.Party Shares Up Another 3.5 Per Cent as Ader Prepares His Move

Bwin.Party shares continued to climb on news that an activist investor, Jason Ader, was getting ready to hand pick someone new to join that online gambling firm’s board. Shares rose another 3.5% Wednesday following the February 18 news.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Wed, 02/19/2014 - 18:35

The Bitcoin Revolution on CBS4 South Florida (Video)

“This high tech coin could make cash money obsolete.” That’s the introduction to a special report Wednesday night on CBS4 South Florida. The video itself should be available on the CBS4 website by Thursday morning.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Wed, 02/19/2014 - 17:41

Real Gaming Becomes Nevada’s 3rd Real Money Online Poker Site to Launch

They wanted to be first but they also wanted to do things right. South Point Casino has finally launched its real money online poker site, changing its name to Real Gaming.

The site has not gotten off to the clean start South Point would have liked, however.

Submitted by Ace King on, Wed, 02/19/2014 - 10:52

Sands Hackers Got Customer Credit Card Info, Passwords for Slot Machine Systems

LAS VEGAS (Associated Press) — Casino giant Las Vegas Sands Corp. said Tuesday that hacking into their websites and internal systems last week went deeper than the company had previously known.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Wed, 02/19/2014 - 00:57

2014 NJSOA - NJLESA Poker Tournament to Benefit Sandy Relief March 7

Hey poker fans, the 2014 NJSOA/NJLESA Poker Tournament, which we at Gambling911.com like to call the Super Storm Sandy Relief Tournament, will be held this coming March 7 at the Tropicana Casino Poker Room in Atlantic City.

Tropicana Casino Poker Room 2831 Boardwalk Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 340-4000

(All participants are encouraged to arrive early. Participants must register for a free Trop Advantage (players) Card in order to enter the tournament)

Submitted by Patrick Flanigan on, Tue, 02/18/2014 - 23:24

‘Love Is Love’ $50k Same Sex Wedding Giveaway Offered at Caesars

Caesars Entertainment in Atlantic City is celebrating same sex marriages with a “Love Is Love” $50,000 same sex wedding giveaway.

From the bachelor or bachelorette party all the way through to the "I Do's", this package features the best of the best in Atlantic City.

One lucky couple will receive a lavish wedding, valued at $50,000, for 100 invited guests complete with a cocktail hour, dinner, custom cake designed by celebri-chef Deb Pellegrino, photographers, flowers, entertainment, luxury accommodations, Bachelor & Bachelorette parties, and more!

Submitted by Sparky Collins on, Tue, 02/18/2014 - 22:38