Gambling News
Kai Chang Wins 2013 WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star and Over $1.1 Million
Kai Chang has won the 2013 WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star and a grand prize of $1,138,350. Among the finalists for this event was Erik Seidel who, with life time earnings in live tournaments now at just over $17 million, ranks 2nd as poker’s biggest earner to date.
Chang also managed to upset Paul Volpe, who has taken in just shy of $1.6 million at live tournaments to date.
Angelo Scola Favorite to be Named Next Pope
We’ll know when the smoke signal rises but for now Angelo Scola of Italy was the stand alone favorite to be named next Pope at Paddy Power.
Scola was coming in at 2/1 odds.
For some time, Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana had been favored along with Scola but his odds have gotten longer at 4/1.
Tarcisio Bertone was at 5/1 while Cardinal Odilo Scherer of Brazil was new to the front runners at 7/1 odds.
Team PokerStars Pros vs. Full Tilt Poker Pros Pre Match Comments From the Pros
This weekend Team PokerStars Pros take on Full Tilt Poker’s The Professionals in the ultimate heads-up showdown at the London Poker Festival, we caught up with some of the players and spectators for their pre match thoughts...
Gus Hansen – Full Tilt Professional
Online Poker Promotions March 2013 at Cake Include Boost in Ring Game Rewards
March 8th, 2013 – Popular online gaming site, Cake Poker (CakePoker.eu) is continuing its $20,000 Gold Card Match & Win promotion and announcing Turbo Gold Card rewards.
Nevada Gambling Revenue Down 12.5 Percent in January
CARSON CITY, Nev. —(Associated Press) - State officials say Nevada gambling revenue was down 12.5 percent in January, while state collections went up that month.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board reports casinos brought in $909 million in January.
The $507 million in winnings on the Las Vegas Strip were down nearly 19 percent in January, while downtown Las Vegas revenues of about $45 million were down 5 percent.
Casinos in Washoe County won nearly $53 million, which is down 2 percent from the same month a year ago.
Malta the Next Macau of the Mediterranean
It is already a major hub for online gambling sites. Now Seeking Alpha’s Jonathan Yates has pondered the idea of Malta becoming the “Macau of the Mediterranean”.
Macua is the largest gambling destination in the world and Yates believes Malta has the potential to some day achieve that coveted position, at least where the Mediterranean region is concerned.
RCMP Releases Names of Those Charged in Platinum SB Gambling Probe
As the result of an on-going illegal gaming investigation, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) has charged the following individuals with the offences of Commit a Criminal Offence for the Benefit of a Criminal Organization and Conspiracy to Commit the Indictable Offence of Engage in Bookmaking
Illinois Latest State to Consider Legalizing Online Gambling
New legislation, approved by the Illinois Senate Subcommittee, is looking to legalize online gambling.
The bill includes expansion of the state’s brick and mortar casinos, including the addition of a casino in Chicago.
Governor Pat Quinn said he would welcome expansion of gambling “under certain conditions”.
Full Tilt Poker vs. PokerStars: Professionals Head-to-Head Stats Revealed
LONDON, UK –It’s just three days until Team PokerStars Pros take on Full Tilt Poker’s The Professionals in the ultimate heads-up showdown at the London Poker Festival, so it’s time to have a look at the key stats...
Americas Cardroom Online Poker Site Announces $200k Guarantee April 7
San Jose, Costa Rica – With the sheer magnitude of the Online Super Series still fresh in the minds of poker players across the country, Americas Cardroom is supersizing its Sunday tournament this April. The US-facing online poker site today confirmed a $200,000 Guaranteed Texas Hold'em tournament is scheduled to take place on April 7th at 7:00pm ET.
NCAA Lifts Ban on Games Played in New Jersey
The NCAA has lifted a ban on games played in New Jersey following a judge’s ruling that the state cannot allow legalized sports betting. Governor Chris Christie has vowed to appeal that ruling, however.
The NCAA had cancelled a series of championship games that were to be played in the Garden State this past year.
888 Holdings Approved for Nevada License
(Reuters) - European online gaming operator 888 Holdings Plc cleared a key hurdle in its return to a reopening, regulated U.S. online poker market after the Nevada Gaming Control Board voted to recommend approval of its application for a state interactive gaming license at a hearing scheduled for March 21.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board on Wednesday said it recommended the approval of Gibraltar-based 888's applications, including one as a manufacturer of an interactive gaming system, one as a distributor and another as an interactive gaming service provider.
Bitcoin Now Accepted at World’s Largest Online Poker Network iPoker
Some of the biggest Bitcoin news yet as iPoker Network online poker skin WinPoker has announced it will begin accepting the virtual currency.
This is the first time a poker room on a major network has begun to accept Bitcoin for deposits and withdrawals. iPoker is the world’s largest online poker network. Bitcoin’s price has enjoyed a staggering rise over the past two months from $14 to $40.
Names of Those Arrested in Platinum SB Probe Yet to be Released
Though the RCMP announced it would be identifying those arrested Tuesday March 5, 2013 in connection with a massive bookmaking operation in the Ontario region today, this was yet to occur as of Wednesday evening.
Full Tilt Poker Defendant Ray Bitar ‘Medical Condition’ Suspends Plea Deal Talks
“Black Friday” defendant Ray Bitar, who was named as one of the key executives at Full Tilt Poker, is suffering from a medical condition of unknown origin. The matter has resulted in the suspension plea deal talks.
The story was first reported by FlushDraw.com.
Ex-Texas Attorney Gets 10 years for Theft to Support Gambling Addiction
NEW BOSTON, Texas (Associated Press) — A former lawyer in Texas and Arkansas who allegedly had a gambling problem must serve 10 years in prison for stealing nearly $250,000 from clients.
The Texarkana Gazette reports 65-year-old Don Cooksey was taken into custody Tuesday following sentencing in New Boston.
Blake Bohn Wins $3,200 Chicago Poker Classic Main Event
2013 Main Event sees 392 entrants create a $1,200,720 prize pool.
Hammond, Ind. — Blake Bohn from Savage, Minn. won the 2013 Chicago Poker Classic Main Event Monday night in Hammond, Ind. pocketing $288,171. The win, which came in one of the country’s few $3,200 main events, marks the largest score of Bohn’s career.
“It feels great. I work really hard at it,” Bohn said. “It’s really exciting to run deep. That’s why we put in so many hours, to have a victory like this.”
PokerStars was Offered Purchase of World Series of Poker, Rio Hotel
Reports surfaced Wednesday that Caesar’s had offered to sell their coveted World Series of Poker (WSOP) and Rio Hotel properties to PokerStars last month but the later refused.
This news comes on the heels of the American Gaming Association, based out of Nevada, submitting a letter to New Jersey officials urging them not to allow a proposed sale of Atlantic City’s Atlantic Club Hotel and Casino to PokerStars.
Heavy Betting Action on Christoph Von Schonborn as Next Pope Says Sportsbook
While Angelo Scola has been made the new 2/1 favorite to be named next Pope at Sportsbook.com, the popular online gambling company has also reported that Christoph Von Schonborn is suddenly receiving substantial betting action.
Zynga’s Mark Pincus Loses Billionaire Status
While casino magnate Sheldon Adelson ranked number 15 on Forbes newest Billionaire list, Zynga’s Mark Pincus has dropped off of it.
Poor Mark Pincus’ wealth has dropped into the hundreds of millions.
He’s appeared on the list over the past two years Zynga has been publicly trading.
18 More Arrests Made in Connection With Platinum Sportsbook Probe
The RCMP arrested another 18 individuals in connection with an ongoing case tied to Web-based sports betting operator Platinum Sportsbook (or Platinum SB).
RCMP to Release More Info on Platinum Sportsbook in Wake of Super Bowl Raid
The RCMP were expected to release information pertaining to Platinum Sportsbook following a much publicized raid during a Super Bowl party last month.
Breaking News: The Ader Group Wins IGT Board Seat
The Ader Group today announced that International Game Technology (NYSE: IGT) concluded that Daniel B. Silvers has been elected to the IGT Board of Directors at the Company’s Annual Meeting, based on preliminary vote tabulations.
Jason N. Ader issued the following statement on today’s results:
Poker Pro Daniel Negreanu on My Choice Center: ‘I am Not in a Cult’
Poker pro Daniel Negreanu attempted to diffuse Internet reports that he had become embroiled in a high priced cult that some have suggested encourages members to engage in intimate contact with one another while ignoring other commitments.
PokerStars Deals 95-Billionth Hand and Gives Away $900k
PokerStars yesterday dealt its 95-billionth hand at a $0.08/$0.16 NL Hold’em full ring table. The action was paused to let everyone know that they were involved in hand 95 billion and when PokerStars’ Head of Poker Communications Lee Jones gave the signal, the cards were dealt.
After a board of 3-Q-2-6-5 was revealed, ‘Domy07’ showed down Q-J to collect the side pots with top pair, but ‘RichB17’ from the UK rivered a straight with J-4 to win the main pot and see his prize money doubled.
IGT Dividend Issued on Eve of Contested Shareholders Meeting
Slots manufacturer International Game Technology (IGT) has issued an 8 cents per share dividend on the eve of a hotly contested shareholders meeting.
The IGT board of directors declared the dividend, which is a 33 percent increase over this same quarter last year.
"This is a demonstration of our continued commitment to return capital to shareholders, efficiently and prudently, driven by the strong financial performance of the company," Hart said.
Attorney General Seeks Removal of Judge in VictoryLand Case
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Associated Press) — Alabama's attorney general is asking a Macon County judge to step aside from a case involving the seizure of 1,615 gambling machines and more than $223,000 in cash from VictoryLand casino in Shorter.
Attorney General Luther Strange filed court papers telling Circuit Judge Tom Young Jr. he should recuse himself because he's prejudiced against the state's evidence.
AGA Opposes Sale of Atlantic Club Casino to PokerStars
The American Gaming Association (AGA) is opposing the sale of the Atlantic Club Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City to PokerStars.
The AGA sent a letter to the New Jersey Casino Control Commission urging them to reconsider allowing PokerStars to acquire the property.
Heads Up Tables Online Poker for All Stake Levels Now at Americas Cardroom
Competition at one of the most popular US-facing online poker rooms is about to get way more personal. Americas Cardroom announced early this month the addition of heads-up tables to its already competitive lineup of ring games. The 2-seat max tables are now available in all stake levels.
Hollywood Casino Perryville Maryland to Feature Poker, Blackjack, More
Following a contentious battle in the state of Maryland, the first table games will be rolled out at the Hollywood Casino Perryville on Wednesday. These include variations of poker, blackjack, craps and roulette.
A gambling expansion measure was approved by voters this past November. More money was spent on the gambling expansion effort – by both supporters and opponents – than was spent on prior campaigns for state Governor.
