Gambling Companies
Gambling Companies, Gambling Stocks
British Olympian Gymnast Sam Oldham’s Granny Finally has Cashed Her BetFred Checks
After a long and unnecessary ordeal, the grandmother of Great Britain Olympian bronze medal gymnast Sam Oldham finally has cash in hand for the entire €1000 owed to her by bookmaker BetFred.
You might recall that BetFred initially refused to pay Linda Aldred, 66, her £1000 winnings on a £5 bet that her grandson Sam would win an Olympic medal. BetFred claimed the bet was on an individual medal and that the team, not Sam specifically, won the bronze. Great Britain won its first Olympic medal in 100 years.
Japanese Pachinko Tycoon Kazuo Okada Sues Wynn Resorts
TOKYO (Associated Press) Japanese pachinko tycoon Kazuo Okada has filed a lawsuit in Tokyo District Court seeking $140 million in damages from casino operator Wynn Resorts.
Universal Entertainment said in a statement Wednesday that it is seeking damages for harm caused to its share price and business due to Wynn's decision to remove Okada as a board member and reclaim the $2.77 billion of shares in the company owned by Okada's company, Universal Entertainment Corp.
888 Poker in Talks With Facebook Regarding ‘Real Money’ Online Poker
888 Poker has begun talking with Facebook, the social media giant, to bring “real money” online poker to jurisdictions where such activity is permitted, a la Great Britain, according to a report on eGaming Review.
The news comes amidst reports that 888 Holdings second quarter costs have put a strain on margins, though the company is realizing a pretax profit of $18.36 million for the half year ended June 30, compared with loss of $22.10 million a year earlier. Revenue advanced 21% to $186.4 million.
Warren Buffet Hosts Private Poker Tournament: Corzine Son Makes Final Two Cut
Forbes writer Randall Lane offered up an exclusive look at what it’s like to take part in Warren Buffet’s private poker tournament, the Berkshire Hathaway’s NetJets Poker Invitational. Even the name is intimidating.
The comp features a prize pool of US$500,000, however, Lane claims that invitees are more interested in the bragging rights that come with taking part in such a tournament.
The minimum cost to enter is US$200,000 and there are just 240 seats open to participants.
Zynga Chief Creative Officer Mike Verdu Exits to Start New Gaming Co, Backed by Zynga
Zynga’s Chief Creative Officer Mike Verdu may be on his way out the door, but his new online gaming venture will have backing from none other than….ZYNGA.
Without revealing the name of his new venture, Verdu disclosed that Zynga will be a primary investor.
BetFred Pays Olympian Sam Oldham Grandma With ‘Bad’ Check
BetFred finally paid British Olympian gymnast Sam Oldham’s grandma. Too bad the check was no good!
Perhaps it was just an honest mistake but Linda Aldred tells Gambling911.com BetFred sent her and Sis two separate checks, neither of which were signed.
“BetFred say they send out plenty of cheques (so) it is no unusual for an odd one to go unsigned,” Ms. Aldred said. “Strange that two in the same dispute happen not to have been signed.”
Last Man Standing Program Brought Back to Online Poker Room Carbon Poker
After the tremendous success and popularity of the Last Man Standing program at Carbon Poker earlier this year, they’ve decided to bring it back for the month of September. This time around there is over $32,000 in cash prizes for players to win as their poker endurance will be tested for the entire month.
No Casino in Chicago as Illinois Governor Rejects Gambling Expansion Plan
By SOPHIA TAREEN
CHICAGO (Associated Press) - Gov. Pat Quinn has rejected a plan to expand gambling in Illinois, including a land-based casino in Chicago.
The Democrat announced his veto Tuesday, saying the proposed bill lacked sufficient regulatory oversight.
The bill proposed five new casinos, including the Chicago facility and four more on riverboats.
PokerAce.com Launches as Newest Online Poker Network: Targets Asian Players
A new online poker network emerged this past week, which looks to target the Asian poker playing market. PokerAce.com has launched with a bang, offering up the likes of World Series of Poker Main Event champion Joe Hachem and JC Tran as its spokespersons. The company has developed its own proprietary card room and will license to other “skins” using a model similar to that of Merge Gaming and iPoker.
Online Sportsbook Seeing Nice Spike Ahead of NFL, College Football Betting
The boutique online sportsbook, Northbet, tells Gambling911.com they are already seeing some decent traffic coming in ahead of the upcoming College Football and NFL betting season, economy aside.
“The economy is always a factor, but we don't expect it to be any different than the past 2 years,” a Northbet representative tells Gambling911.com. The company is heading into its third College Football and NFL betting season.
Fifth Street Gaming Takes Over Casinos at Gold Spike and Siegel Slots in Vegas
(Associated Press) - Fifth Street Gaming says it is taking over gambling operations at two Las Vegas hotels, the Gold Spike and Siegel Slots and Suites.
Both hotels are properties of the Siegel Group, which owns several boutique hotels, apartment complexes and other developments.
The contracts announced Monday are subject to approval by gambling regulators. Terms weren't disclosed.
Golden Route Operations currently operates gambling at the two properties.
Everest Poker to Join iPoker Network
Everest Poker is doing away with its own proprietary online poker software to join the world’s second largest network, iPoker.
The move comes at a time of slumping traffic over the past six months that has resulted in a 30 to 40 percent decline in cash game action.
Poker Pro Nancy Todd Attempt to Gain Control Over Arkansas Casinos Fails
Professional poker player Nancy Todd has lost her fight to gain exclusive operating rights to Arkansas casinos on Monday.
Shuttered Moore Games to Resume Payments to Poker Players
Good news is here as Moore Games has announced it will begin paying back customers after the online poker room was forced to shut down.
The former iPoker Network skin claims that it has received funds from the network to begin the payout process.
As reported by PokerFuse.com Monday:
Bid Farewell My Pretty! eBay Bans Gambling Spell Potions
The online auction site eBay on Monday announced it will no longer be permitting the sale of magic potions, one of which claims to help individuals win at gambling.
“Windfall Money Riches Fortune Gambling Good Luck Spell” ($8.99) has been cut along with “magical demon destroyer potion” ($51), “powerful female succubus lover spell” ($24.99) and a number of voodoo dolls.
eBay SPELLed it out in plain English, releasing this statement regarding the policy decision:
Galaxy's H1 Net Profit Jumps Ninefold on New Casino
HONG KONG - (Reuters) - Macau casino operator Galaxy Entertainment, posted a ninefold increase in first-half net profit, beating expectations as its new casino cashed in on a steady flow of Chinese visitors keen to try their luck in the world's largest gambling destination.
Although China's economic slowdown is threatening to rein in the flow of visitors that made Macau one of the fastest-growing economies in 2011, Galaxy is seen as better positioned than most rivals as its new casino benefits from high traffic on Macau's glitzy Cotai strip.
Sheldon Adelson’s Las Vegas Sands Allegedly Tied to Organized Crime Figure
Reuters was reporting late Sunday that the Las Vegas Sands had allowed a man identified by the US Senate as an “organized crime figure” to move US$100k in gambling credit from the Sheldon Adelson managed Sands to one of its Macau-based casinos.
Documentation of this alleged incident emerged in the wake of a lawsuit filed by a former Sands employee who previously claimed prostitution was permitted on the Sands Macau property.
From Rueters:
Reno Nevada’s Atlantis Casino Resort Spa Among Those That Get First Online Poker License
Monarch Casino & Resort Inc, owners of Reno Nevada’s Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, received final approval to operate an online poker venture within the Silver State’s borders on Thursday. Las Vegas hotel and casino, South Point, and Global Cash Assets Holdings were also granted a license by the state Gaming Commission.
Gambling Expansion Referendums on Ballots in Both Rhode Island and Oregon
Both Rhode Island and Oregon will let voters decide on proposed gambling expansion in their respective states.
In both matters, powerful Tribal casino operators are in staunch opposition.
South Point Poker, Monarch Interactive Given Final Approval to Operate Online Poker in Nevada
LAS VEGAS — (Associated Press) - Nevada gambling regulators have approved three companies' plans to participate in Internet poker sites accessible only within state boundaries, although the sites themselves have a few hurdles to clear.
The Nevada Gaming Commission on Thursday approved South Point Poker LLC for the state's first interactive gambling operator's license. Reno-based Monarch Interactive Inc. was also licensed as an operator.
The Las Vegas Sun reports Global Cash Access Holdings, Inc., was licensed to provide online payment services.
Probe Requested Into Revel Casino Financial Troubles: Credit Relief Obtained
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Associated Press) - Atlantic City's newest casino has some more room to breathe.
Revel signed a new credit deal Wednesday night allowing it to borrow up to $100 million.
That deal came hours before a union president called on state casino regulators to investigate whether Revel is financially stable - a key requirement for running a casino in New Jersey.
Revel CEO Kevin DeSanctis says the credit deal guarantees the business adequate operating funds through 2013.
BetFred Pays Out on Sam Oldham’s Granny Olympic Bet Following Public Outcry
BetFred advised Gambling911.com late Thursday it had decided to pay out on an Olympic bet placed by the grandmother of Olympic gymnast Sam Oldham, ending a brief - albeit ugly - chapter in the company’s history.
The British bookmaker had endured extensive negative press over a 48 hour period after it was learned they had refused to honor a bet placed by Oldham’s grandma, Linda Aldred, that would have paid out £1000.
Twitter Followers Have Beef With BetFred Over ‘Void’ Granny Bet: Firm Responds
Late Thursday, British bookmaker BetFred, run by multi-millionaire Fred Done, refused to budge in regard to paying the grandmother of Olympic swimmer Sam Oldham. Many across the nation – and the world for that matter – have taken to Twitter to voice their outrage and hopefully pressure BetFred into doing what they believe to be the right thing.
Player Verify Applies for Nevada Online Gambling License
Online poker sites in Nevada have 30 days after a player registers to collect detailed identifying information about that player. The policy is known as Know Your Customer, or KYC, and it can be especially problematic for gambling sites that lack the verification tools to properly conduct KYC activities. But with Player Verify’s recent application for a Nevada online poker service provider license, KYC will soon become simple and accurate for Nevada-based online poker companies.
Springfield Mass Might be Getting Massive New MGM Casino
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — (Associated Press) - Casino giant MGM Resorts International re-entered the Massachusetts casino sweepstakes on Wednesday with an ambitious $800 million plan for a resort entertainment complex in the heart of downtown Springfield.
Pay Grandma BetFred! Bookie Berated in London Press
The headlines these past 24 hours have been jarring.
From the Daily Express: I’ve Won 200-1 Bet on My Grandson at Olympics….But Bookies Won’t Pay Up
From the San Francisco Chronicle: British Bookmakers Won’t Pay Out Grandmother’s Winning Bet
Revel Casino Downgraded by Moody’s
Troubled Revel Casino has been downgraded by Moody’s Wednesday.
The newest Atlantic City casino reported the biggest losses in that New Jersey gambling Mecca during its first several months of operation.
Poker Player Nancy Todd Submits 121,503 More Signatures for Arkansas Casino Measure
By ANDREW DeMILLO, Associated Press
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Associated Press) - A professional poker player who wants to put a casino legalization measure on the ballot has submitted more signatures to state election officials. But it's unclear whether she'll be able to put her proposal before voters this fall.
PokerStars Founder Isai Scheinberg Could See Charges Dropped in Wake of Poker Ruling
Following a New York federal judge ruling proclaiming poker as a “game of skill” and not “gambling” under current federal legislation, there is talk that charges against PokerStars founder Isai Scheinberg could soon be dropped.
Scheinberg founded what is today the world’s largest “real money” online poker room the very day the World Trade Centers were under attack in New York City, September 11, 2011.
Sam Oldham Granny Gets Shafted by BetFred.com: Bookie Refuses to Honor Olympic Bet
British bookmaker BetFred.com has refused to pay out on a 200/1 bet placed by Olympian Sam Oldham’s grandmother that he would win a medal at this year’s London Olympics. Oldham ended up winning a gymnastic team bronze medal representing Great Britain.