Gambling News

Antigua Declares War on US Over Internet Gambling Conflict

Forget Iran.  Forget North Korea.  The US has another battle to contend with a little closer to home as the tiny Caribbean island of Antigua has declared war on the United States of America…Well sort of.

 

Antigua has been in a decades long battle with the US over the former nation’s hosting of online gambling companies.  The World Trade Organization rewarded Antigua a $3.4 billion judgment and now the island nation is looking to collect. 

How?

They are looking to pursue sanctions.

That’s right, sanctions against the USA.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Jan/02/2013

Vegas Bookmakers Were Hit Hard in 2012

The Las Vegas bookmakers and those online are still licking their wounds after one of the worst betting seasons on record.

From the LA Times

Submitted by Don Shapiro on, Jan/02/2013

Marvin Rettenmaier Named European Poker Player of the Year 2012

Germany’s Marvin Rettenmaier has been named 2012 European Poker Player of the Year by both Card Player Magazine and BLUFF.

His many accomplishments throughout the year included:

*Winning 1st place at the €2k EPT Grand Final Monte Carlo and netting €118,300 ($156,186).

*1st place at the $25k WPT World Championship Las Vegas for $1,196,858.

*1st place at the $4k WPT Merit Cyprus Classic for $287,784

*1st place finish at the €10k EPT Prague where he won $477,479.

Submitted by Ace King on, Jan/02/2013

Record Gambling Revenue in Macau for Month of December

(Reuters) - Macau, the world's largest casino market, raked in $38 billion (23.2 billion pounds) in annual gambling revenues in 2012 after monthly revenues for December hit a record, a signal of sustained strength in the only place in China where visitors are able to legally gamble in casinos.

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Submitted by Reuters on, Jan/02/2013

Ben Sulsky Biggest Online Poker Cash Game Winner in 2012: Gus Hansen Biggest Loser

Ben “Sauce 123” Sulsky was determined to be the biggest online poker cash game winner in 2012, raking $3,581,763 on PokerStars and another $367,981 at Full Tilt Poker this fall.

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Submitted by Nagesh Rath on, Jan/01/2013

Lottery Chief Opposes Federal Online Gambling Efforts

DES MOINES, Iowa (Associated Press) — The Iowa Lottery is urging Congress to reject proposals to authorize federal regulation of Internet gambling.

Lottery CEO Terry Rich recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to lobby on the issue with the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries. Rich detailed his efforts in a report to members of the Iowa Legislature's Government Oversight Committee, the Des Moines Register reported.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Jan/01/2013

The Amazing Kreskin Talks Poker With Gambling911.com’s Jenny Woo

In our last installment, The Amazing Kreskin discussed with Gambling911.com’s own Jenny Woo how he has been banned from nearly every casino in the United States.  Today he talks about the current poker scene and how young players have filled the landscape. 

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Submitted by Jenny Woo on, Jan/01/2013

Revel Casino Gets $150 Million More in New Financing

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Associated Press) While some questioned the wisdom of opening a $2.4 billion casino resort in a cutthroat market at the end of a nationwide financial meltdown, some investors still believe in Revel.

Atlantic City's newest casino, one that has struggled to find a place in the seaside gambling market, has obtained $150 million in new financing to help keep it going.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Dec/31/2012

Zynga Shuts Down PetVille, Mafia Wars 2 and More for Cost Cutting

It’s curtains for 11 Zynga titles as the publicly traded social media company is looking to cut costs.

The casualties include PetVille, Mafia Wars 2, Fishville and Indiana Jones Adventure World.

Late this year, Zynga announced it will focus more heavily on real money online poker during the early part of 2013 ahead of inevitable legislation in the USA. 

The company also announced it was slashing 5 percent of its full-time workforce while shutting down its Japan office. 

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Dec/31/2012

The Amazing Kreskin Talks Being Blacklisted From Vegas Casinos With Jenny Woo

Gambling911.com’s Senior International Correspondent Jenny Woo sits down with The Amazing Kreskin to talk about his being blacklisted from all the Las Vegas and Atlantic City casinos.  Kreskin tells all. 

Submitted by Jenny Woo on, Dec/30/2012

2013 Oscar Odds Available: Lincoln Favored Early

Carrie Stroup here and our friends at Sportsbook.com have released 2013 Oscar odds early with a couple of dozen films to choose from.

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Submitted by Carrie Stroup on, Dec/29/2012

New Jersey Senators Urge Christie to Act on Internet Gambling Bill

A bill to legalize Internet gambling in New Jersey passed with flying colors last week and now four state Senators have drafted a letter to Governor Chris Christie urging him to sign off on the measure.

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Submitted by C Costigan on, Dec/28/2012

Gus Hansen Ignites Firestorm With Daniel Negreanu, Howard Lederer Tweet

Denmark poker pro Gus Hansen tweeted the day after Christmas:

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"@RealGusHansen: Do people hate Howard Lederer because of evidence of foul play or because Daniel Negreanu and Jason Mercier tells everybody to hate him?"

Submitted by Ace King on, Dec/28/2012

Maryland Live Casino to be Open 24 Hours

(Associated Press) - Maryland's largest casino will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Maryland Live! at Arundel Mills Mall unlocked its doors for the last time on Thursday morning.

Previously, Maryland casinos could be open from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4 a.m. Friday and Saturday. But an expansion of gambling approved by lawmakers in August and voters in November included the expansion of hours for the state's casinos.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Dec/27/2012

Poker Pro Joe Sebok Now Crushing Grapes

Having won a mere $24,792 playing in live tournaments over the past two years, poker pro Joe Sebok has decided on a bit of a career change:  cultivating grapes. 

Submitted by Ace King on, Dec/27/2012

Phil Ivey Cleans House at PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker

One of the biggest money makers in poker, Phil Ivey, added to his bankroll the day before Christmas with a $460k pay day.

He won the monies between both PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker.  Ivey began playing at Full Tilt earlier in the month following more than a 1-and-a-half year absence.  Ivey plays under the new handle “Polarizing”. 

From HighStakesDB.com:

Submitted by Nagesh Rath on, Dec/26/2012

Gambling Addict Pretending to be Rugby Player was ‘Too Fat’

Christopher Hoare, age 30, claimed to be playing for the London Wasps Rugby team.  The staff of a London hotel where Hoare racked up a £2,400 bill became suspicious, however, as he appeared far to "overweight" and "out of condition" to play such a physically demanding game. 

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Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Dec/26/2012

Texas Gambling Supporters Ready Despite Long Odds

AUSTIN, Texas — (Associated Press) - Supporters of casinos and expanded gambling in Texas say they're more united before the upcoming legislative session, but their proposals will still face long odds.

The Austin American-Statesman reports ( http://bit.ly/W1Pweb) that previous pushes for more gambling have failed when groups representing different interests have fought each other. Political consultant Bill Miller tells the newspaper that won't happen when the Legislature meets next year.

Texas has a state-run lottery and betting on horse and dog racing.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Dec/26/2012

iDate 2013 in Las Vegas to Feature Google, CBS News, Federal Trade Commission

Those in the gambling sector might be interested in attending iDate 2013 in Las Vegas this coming month (January 16-19, 2013).  Don’t be fooled by the name.  One of the best presentations at their recent Miami event was from search engine giant Bing.com.  Anyone who is even slightly involved in SEO or affiliate marketing should consider attending.  And, yes, Google will be there.

Submitted by Payton on, Dec/25/2012

Is Joey Porter Really a Degenerate Gambler Deadbeat

TMZ.com this week posted a story on NFL superstar Joey Porter being a degenerate gambler and a deadbeat to boot

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Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Dec/25/2012

Astrologer Enlisted to Help Poker Pro Daniel Negreanu Find Love (Video)

One of the most famous poker players, Daniel Negreanu, is set to appear on the Bravo reality series “Millionaire Matchmaker”. 

Patti Stanger founded the Beverly Hills-based "Millionaire's Club" in 2000 to cater to wealthy men looking for partners.  In the episode featuring the Canadian poker icon, Stanger enlists a psychic to help find Daniel true love. 

And Negreanu may have been tapping into his inner Nostradamus last month. 

The poker pro tweeted in November:

Submitted by Ace King on, Dec/25/2012

Americas Cardroom Tops Online Poker Payment Processing Report

The $1 million in guaranteed money that's on the line in Americas Cardroom's Online Super Series this January will be paid out in record time, if this month's payment processing report is any indication.

Submitted by Press Release on, Dec/24/2012

New Jersey Potential for Legalized Online Poker Causes Zynga Shares to Slide

Zynga’s shares fell 3 percent as lawmakers almost unanimously voted for a bill that would allow online gambling in New Jersey.  Next stop, Governor Chris Christie’s desk where there appears to be a better than 50 percent chance he will sign off on the measure. 

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Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Dec/23/2012

Leagues, NCAA Can Move Forward With New Jersey Sports Betting Suit

NEWARK, N.J. - Four major professional sports leagues and the NCAA are poised to move forward with their legal fight over New Jersey's plans to allow sports gambling.

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That comes after a judge on Friday rejected arguments that the leagues couldn't prove they would be harmed if the state proceeds with the plans.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Dec/23/2012

Poker Maximus IV Announced by Carbon Poker

As part of Carbon Poker’s exciting new MTT schedule, Poker Maximus IV will be running this coming February 7th - 17th, incorporating 37 events, with over $1.2m in GTD prizes!

Submitted by Matt Skinner on, Dec/22/2012

Online Poker Bill Reintroduced in California

A bill to legalize online poker in the state of California was reintroduced by State Sen. Roderick Wright (D-Los Angeles).   

SB 51 would allow for five year licenses to be handed out to Indian Tribes, poker clubs, horse racing associations and others. 

Wright has presented similar bills since 2009, none of which made it through to the Senate committee. 

Tribal casino operators still expressed frustration over the current draft legislation.

Submitted by Ace King on, Dec/21/2012

PokerStars Becomes One of First Regulated Online Poker Companies in Germany

ONCHAN, ISLE OF MAN – PokerStars announced today that it has become one of the first regulated online poker operators in Germany, having been granted a license from the German state of Schleswig-Holstein. 

PokerStars will soon offer real money cash games and tournaments under the new license, enabling players to test their poker skills against the global community of online poker players for fun and for profit. 

Submitted by Press Release on, Dec/21/2012

Playtech May Complicate William Hill Takeover of Sportingbet

LONDON (Reuters) - British bookmaker William Hill has rejected a claim by joint venture partner Playtech that it should share in the benefits of a planned takeover of online gambling group Sportingbet.

The intervention by software group Playtech has complicated a deals seen as pivotal in the overseas expansion of William Hill, Britain's largest bookmaker.

William Hill is spending 454 million pounds to acquire Sportingbet's Australian operations and an option to buy its business in Spain.

Submitted by Reuters on, Dec/21/2012

Hero Poker Eyeing New Networks: Temporarily Closes and Transfers Accounts

Hero Poker doesn’t appear to be completely done as the company’s CEO claims he will at some point move his website to another poker network.

Submitted by Ace King on, Dec/20/2012

7Red Sports Alive and Kicking Despite Reported BetIslands Purchase

A representative for 7Red Sports insists his company has nothing to do with beleaguered BetIsland and it is business as usual.

An individual representing himself as the owner of now defunct BetIslands.com announced earlier in the month that his sportsbook had just purchased 7Red Sports.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Dec/20/2012

Breaking News

Where Can I Bet the Gatorade Color Super Bowl Prop From My State?

BetUS is one of the few online sportsbooks that will be taking bets on the Gatorade bath color at this year's Super Bowl from all US states.  While popular, most state regulators prohibit bets on this time honored Super Bowl tradition with a few exceptions.