Gambling News
Brennan Jr: Harry Reid Likely Eyeing Cyber Security Bill for Online Poker Measure
The Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Association (imega.org) founder Joe Brennan, Jr. believes that a reintroduced Cyber Security measure could be the vehicle for passing online poker legislation during the lame duck session.
Brennan, Jr. tweeted:
Bet this is the ‘must pass’ bill Reid will tack his poker bill to in Lame Duck; is it enough of a “must have” to work?
Despite Shedding European Market, Bodog Poker Close to Cracking Top 10
Earlier this month Bodog Poker announced it will no longer be servicing the European market, citing the regulatory barriers for individual nations and a renewed focus on the Asian market.
Taking this into account, it is somewhat surprising that Bodog appears to be on the verge of cracking the top 10 most trafficked online poker networks in the world according to PokerScout.com, a traffic monitoring website.
EuroClub Network: The Newest Online Poker Network Debuts With Goldbet
Euroclub Network Ltd. announced today that it launched a new online poker network, branded League Network, with its showcase premier customer, Goldbet. The League Network differentiates itself from other poker networks through its focus on entertainment value, balanced player pools across partner sites and higher partner revenues, as sites operating on the League Network will not offer rakeback.
Draft Internet Poker Bill Favors Harry Reid’s Home State of Nevada
Politico.com says that the draft Internet poker bill featured on sites like Gambling911.com is “expected to drop during the lame-duck session”.
And, oh yeah, the measure not-so-subtly favors Senate Majority Leader and co-author Harry Reid’s home state.
From Politico.com:
Zynga Lay Offs in Boston, Austin, Japan and Great Britain Leave Hundreds Out of Work
Zynga on Tuesday announced it was laying off 5 percent of its full-time workforce, mostly in Boston and Austin. It will also be shutting down offices in the UK and Japan.
Reuters News Service received a copy of the message to employees, which came a day before third-quarter earnings were to be announced.
"This is the most painful part of an overall cost reduction plan that also includes significant cuts in spending on data hosting, advertising and outside services, primarily contractors," Pincus said in his memo.
Howard Lederer All-In at Live Poker Events as US Government Closes In
Following a series of long winded interviews with various poker media outlets, Howard Lederer now appears more comfortable than ever attending live poker events.
He was MIA for nearly a year-and-a-half after Full Tilt Poker found itself at the center of a US investigation into money laundering and bank fraud. The US Government later filed a complaint against part-owner Lederer, accusing him of running an elaborate ponzi scheme. He now faces civil fines in the millions.
Third Year of Punta Cana Poker Classic Improved With the Flop: No Dealer Buttons
From no dealer buttons to great dealers and fantastic rulings made by Staff.
The third year of the Punta Cana Poker Classic improved with the flop, yet we have to see the turn and the river.
Carbon Poker Lowers Minimum Buy-in on Fixed Limit Games, Introduces New Blind Structure
Carbon Poker on Tuesday announced a decrease in their minimum buy-in.
The popular online poker website has changed the minimum buy-in to 5 big bets on all fixed limit games.
Poker Player Dan Smith $219,504 First Place Payout Bigger Than Expected at Sunday Million
Dan "Danny98765" Smith won $219,504.25 at PokerStars Sunday Million even though the first place prize was supposed to be $211,800.
PokerStars claims the added reward of nearly $8000 was a result of a five-way deal.
From CardPlayer.com:
PartyPoker Glitch Results in Hole Cards, Player Names Changing Mid Hand
PartyPoker is investigating a bizarre glitch in their software that has recently caused hole cards and player names to change mid-hand during real money play.
From PokerFuse.com:
European Commission Action Plan for Online Gambling Published
Online gambling in the Internal Market - Frequently asked questions
Why is the Commission adopting an Action Plan on online gambling?
Online gambling services are both in demand and widely offered throughout the EU and the economic significance of the sector continues to grow. This process has so far proven to be largely independent from the level of restrictions imposed by individual Member States. Thus in 2008, four out of the five largest national online gambling markets in the EU were characterised by very restrictive regulatory models (Germany, Italy France, Sweden)
Philadelphia Mobster Wanted Frank Sinatra Dead
A high profile Mob trial began last Thursday in Philadelphia and on Monday we learn that reputed Mob 'boss' Joseph Ligambi wanted crooner Frank Sinatra dead for insulting him at a concert.
Ligambi is charged with illegal gambling and extortion.
Greg Raymer Wins Heartland Poker Tour Triple Crown
Stop us if you’ve heard this before: Greg “Fossilman” Raymer won an HPT championship today. The 2004 World Series of Poker Main Event Champion is on a roll in the Heartland. For the third time in three months, the poker icon from Raleigh, North Carolina found himself on the set of Heartland Poker Tour’s nationally-syndicated TV show. Appropriately, he earned his triple crown at Prairie Meadows Racetrack Casino Hotel just outside of Des Moines in Altoona, Iowa.
Latest US Presidential Betting Odds
The latest odds for the US Presidential race as of October 22, 2012 had President Barack Obama paying $10 for every $16.50 bet with a win (the $16.50 is refunded with a win). GOP nominee Mitt Romney would pay out $14.50 for every $10 bet. All odds courtesy of Sportsbook.com here
EU Unveils Online Gambling Mission
The European Union on Monday unveiled plans to improve safeguards for money laundering activities via online gambling websites.
The EU mission also looks to prevent match fixing while protecting players against fraud.
From Bloomberg News:
Stratosphere Owners Will Have Online Poker Live by December
In an exclusive interview with Alec Driscoll, Director of Gaming Development for American Casino & Entertainment Properties, it was revealed that the established casino operator’s free online poker site should go live by December.
Reid-Kyl Internet Poker Bill Removes Player Punishment Language
Players will not be penalized for playing with offshore Internet poker rooms after all.
William Hill Online Poker Revenue Down
William Hill, the United Kingdom’s largest bookmaker, reported net poker revenue down 24 percent in the third quarter of 2012. Hill’s online poker platform is tied to Playtech and its iPoker Network, the 2nd most trafficked in the world.
The change is significant compared to last year during the same period.
Sportsbook turnover, on the other hand, was up 27 percent while the casino grew by 2 percent. Bingo was up 6 percent.
Eric Drache and Brian ‘Sailor’ Roberts Inducted Into Poker Hall of Fame
The Poker Hall of Fame has inducted two new members: Eric Drache and Brian “Sailor” Roberts. They become the 43rd and 44th members, respectively.
The pair were nominated by the public with a final decision made by a 36-person panel made up of existing Poker Hall of Famers along with members of the media.
Roberts won the World Series of Poker $10,000 buy-in No Limit Hold’em World Championship in 1975. He was one of three members of the “Texas Road Gamblers” that also included the late Amarillo Slim and Doyle Brunson. Roberts passed away in 1995.
Reid Kyl Online Poker Bill Revealed – All 73 Pages
Everybody has been anxiously awaiting the much ballyhooed Harry Reid/Jon Kyl bill that would ultimately legalize online poker at the federal level in the United States. Quadjacks.com has uncovered the bill in its entirety, 73 pages (see below).
Title: To prohibit Internet gambling, to regulate online poker, to provide consumer protections, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Cake Poker Battle of Malta $2,500 Up for Grabs
Cake Poker is giving away prize packages for the Battle of Malta main event with a $2500 package up for grabs.
Lawyer: Philly Mob Case Defendants are 'Victims'
PHILADELPHIA -- (Associated Press) - The racketeering case against the reputed boss of the Philadelphia mob and six co-defendants is based on half-truths and fabrications from cooperating witnesses, a defense attorney said in opening statements Thursday at the federal trial.
US Poker Player Matthew Weber Wins 2012 Punta Cana Poker Classic
Following wins by two Canadians over the first two seasons of the famed Punta Cana Poker Classic, US poker player Matthew Weber walked away with the victory this go-around.
Illegal’ Family Gambling Exploits Raised During Tierney, Tisei Debate
BOSTON (Associated Press) — Democratic U.S. Rep. John Tierney and his Republican challenger Richard Tisei butted heads on health care, gun control and the controversy surrounding the illegal gambling business operated by Tierney's brothers-in-law in a feisty televised debate.
The two candidates in Massachusetts 6th Congressional District tossed charges and countercharges in the 25-minute match Thursday on NECN.
Lose a Bet, Rob a Walmart
A Tennessee couple have been charged with robbing a Walmart after Brandon Lee Henry lost a bet on his beloved Vols. The girlfriend assisted in stealing $756 worth of goods to pay off the $150 lost bet (fuzzy math, we know).
Romney Now With 1 to 6 Odds of Winning North Carolina: 6 to 1 Dog in Michigan
GOP US Presidential candidate Mitt Romney is reportedly pulling out of North Carolina under the premise that they have essentially won the state. Oddsmakers and gamblers seem to agree with odds now at 1/6 at Sportsbook.com. In the world of odds, this is essentially a “lock”.
MGM to Develop New Casino in Macau
HONG KONG - (Associated Press) — The Chinese arm of U.S. casino company MGM Resorts International signed a land deal Thursday for a new $2.5 billion casino resort in Macau, the world's biggest gambling market, hoping to catch up with the rapid expansion of rival casino operators.
MGM China Holdings Ltd. said it formally accepted a long-awaited land concession contract from the Macau government for a 7.2 hectare (17.7 acre) plot in the Cotai district, an area of reclaimed land that's earmarked for all new casinos in the Asian gambling haven.
Isaac Haxton Joins Team PokerStars
One of the poker world’s smartest, most successful and fearless young talents, Isaac ‘philivey2694’ Haxton has joined PokerStars as the latest member of Team Online. The high stakes pro, who is one of the best known players never to have represented a poker site, has chosen to make PokerStars his home because he believes in what the world’s most popular poker site represents.
South Point Poker Real Money Launch Delayed
Testing delays and ongoing negotiations with Nevada regulators may result in South Point Poker pushing its launch date to December or, quite possibly, the start of the new year.
South Point had hoped to be the first to launch its real money online poker site in the newly regulated Nevada market. South Point Poker will be operated by the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
Three other Web poker ventures are vying to get a much needed jumpstart including rival Station Casinos.
Olympics and Cancelled Horse Races Hurt Ladbrokes Bottom Line
(Reuters) - Blanket Olympic television coverage and canceled horse races in a soggy summer reduced the sums gambled in British betting shops, bookmaker Ladbrokes Plc said on Thursday.
The Olympics in London were hugely popular with Britons but this did not translate into a surge in business for bookmakers, as many of the sports in the Games do not attract large numbers of gamblers.
