Gambling News
Barry Greenstein to Pay Back Full Tilt Poker Loan
Poker pro Barry Greenstein has agreed to pay back a $400,000 loan made to him by Full Tilt Poker prior to last year’s indictment against company officials and subsequent closure. This past week, the US Government entered into a deal with PokerStars that allows the world’s largest “real money” online poker site to acquire Full Tilt Poker and all its assets.
From PokerNews.com:
More Headaches for Zynga as EA Lawsuit Claims Farmville Game Violates Copyright
NEW YORK — (Associated Press) - Electronic Arts Inc. has sued online game maker Zynga saying that its new game “The Ville” infringes its own game, “The Sims Social.”
EA said Friday that “The Ville” is “unmistakable” in its similarity to “The Sims Social,” which launched more than a year earlier. EA says the games are “largely indistinguishable” to a casual observer.
Illegal Gambling Yet to Target London Olympic Games
(Reuters) - Illegal gambling has not yet targeted sports during the London 2012 Olympics after almost a week of competition, the International Olympic Committee said on Thursday.
The IOC has set up a monitoring system for illegal gambling on the 26 competitions during the July 27-August 12 Games as it seeks to counter the growing threat in professional sports.
The Beast Tops $132k in July: Online Poker Progressive Points Race
It turns out online poker player GiFt oF Gab knows how to talk the talk and walk the walk. The online poker player took control of The Beast leaderboard in July, earning $10,400 in cash for taming The Beast. GiFt oF Gab is one of 501 poker players who shared in The Beast's $132,646 combined cash and tournament prize pool for July.
Allowing Internet Gambling in Maryland Would Ease Opposition
Maryland Live Casino owner David Cordish listed permission to offer Internet gambling as one of the conditions that could persuade him to ease his opposition to a proposed casino in Prince George's County, according to a report in the Baltimore Sun on Friday.
86 Percent of Respondents Would Play ‘Real Money’ Online Poker if Legal in US
A survey conducted by GoldenNuggetPoker.com revealed that 86 percent of its customer base would play online poker for “real money” should the activity become legal in the US.
GoldenNuggetPoker.com currently offers a “free-to-play” platform only.
PokerStars Settlement Great for Everyone Except Bwin.party Investors
While nearly everyone in the poker community seemed elated by news of a settlement between the US Government and PokerStars paving the way for that company to some day re-enter the US market, executives and shareholders at one betting firm may have been cursing out all those involved.
Bwin.party it seems has taken quite a hit by the news in recent days. The company has witnessed a 10 percent decline in its share price over the past three days.
Man Pleads Guilty in Philadelphia Mob Case Involving Gambling
PHILADELPHIA – (Associated Press) - A man charged in a Philadelphia mob case has pleaded guilty in federal court.
Federal prosecutors say 59-year-old Gaeton Lucibello pleaded guilty Thursday to participating in a racketeering conspiracy involving extortion and illegal gambling. Authorities say he admitted that he assisted in shaking down a bookmaker for "street tax" payments and operated two illegal video poker machine businesses.
Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 26.
Lawmakers in Maryland Gather for Special Session Next Week to Discuss Internet Gambling
ANNAPOLIS -- (Associated Press) - As the battle for gamblers' dollars intensifies in the mid-Atlantic region, the possibility of developing Internet games in Maryland will be considered when lawmakers gather for a special session next week to expand gambling, the House speaker wrote in a memo.
Courier Mail: Daniel Tzvetkoff Would Have Been Better Off Going to Jail
In a very well written article by Paul Toohey of the Courier Mail, the question is raised as to whether online poker payment processing “Wiz Kid” Daniel Tzvetkoff would have been better off spending a year or two behind bars as opposed to “snitching”.
Maryland Indicts Bodog for Internet Gambling and Now Wants Piece of the Pie, Oh My
For those of you who have been reading the Gambling911.com website in recent days, you may have been following coverage of Maryland’s decision to institute a special session for the sole purpose of expanding its casino industry.
Oh the hypocrisy! It’s so thick you can cut it with a knife. It’s thicker than the smog in my native India.
PokerStars Will Have Tough Time Obtaining License in Nevada
In a report filed by CardPlayer.com’s Brian Pempus this week, it was revealed that PokerStars will have some serious “credibility issues to overcome” should it want to obtain a license to operate an online poker site from the state of Nevada.
Moore Games Accuses Playtech ‘s iPoker Network of Holding Funds, Not Paying Players
Playtech and its iPoker Network arm went on the defensive this week, denying claims made by its former Swedish poker skin Moore Games, that they are the one’s holding player funds.
David Baker Leads 2012 ‘Player of the Year’ Race
PokerNews.com has announced that David “ODB” Baker is currently leading as 2012 “Player of the Year”.
[Lock Poker Increases Their Sunday GTD's from 100k to 110k]
Dusty ‘Leatherass’ Schmidt Becomes First Americas Cardroom Elite Pro
Dusty "Leatherass" Schmidt will represent Americas Cardroom at poker events (including the upcoming Punta Cana Poker Classic in November), and will also create blogs for the site's members. He will also be closely involved in the selection of other pros for the ACR Elite team, seeking players who are dedicated to the online game and are active in social media.
Poker Phenom Ilari ‘Ilari FIN’ Sahamies Wins 403k
29-year-old Finnish online poker player Ilari ‘Ilari FIN’ Sahamies managed to win $403,000 Wednesday to kick offf the month of August (2012) following an impressive early week’s take by Viktor “Isildur1” Blom.
Latest Online Poker Promos – August 2, 2012
Here are your latest online poker promos as of August 2, 2012. Watch Gambling911.com regularly for all the latest promos and bonuses.
Carbon Poker VIP Race Points (Introduced August 1 – Limited Time Only)
Carbon Poker has just announced it is giving away over $100,000 during the month of August with its VIP points race.
Screwed: Sheldon Adelson’s Sands Corp 'Prostitution Strategy' Docs Under Scrutiny
Former Sands CEO Steven Jacobs alleges that casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson and his company, the Las Vegas Sands, engaged in all kinds of illegal activities in Macau, the most notable being a Chinese “prostitution strategy”.
Ladbrokes Vows to Fix Online Woes as Poker Revenue Dips, Shares Drop
(Reuters) - Ladbrokes, Britain's second-biggest bookmaker, pledged on Thursday to fix its ailing digital operations where profits halved in the first six months of 2012 in contrast to a strong online performance by its rivals.
Its British high street business and an improved performance in European retail and telephone operations helped to fuel an 11 percent rise in group operating profit to 106.9 million pounds ($166.6 million) in the first half, just ahead of forecasts.
Shares in Ladbrokes added 1.8 pence to 156.5 pence by 0810 GMT.
Shamballa Jewels Renews Partnership with European Poker Tour for Season 9
EPT President Edgar Stuchly today announced that the European Poker Tour will partner with Shamballa Jewels for a third consecutive year and confirmed the luxury jewellery brand as the Official Bracelet Sponsor of the European Poker Tour Season 9 High Roller and Super High Roller events.
This announcement marks the second major EPT Season 9 sponsorship deal after Slyde by HD3 watches was confirmed as the Official Watch Sponsor of the European Poker Tour Season 9 Main Events.
Online Poker VIP Points Race for $100,000
Carbon Poker, one of the largest online poker rooms, is giving away over $100,000 during the month of August with its VIP points race.
CNBC: Sheldon Adelson Casino Probed in ‘Prostitution Probe’
Casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson’s Sands Casino in Macau is reportedly under investigation by the local Chinese Government according to a CNBC report.
The company reportedly transferred documents linked to a wrongful dismissal case to the United States from Macau.
Big Surprise! WSOP Main Event Chip Leader Favorite to Win
Online sportsbooks have started posting odds on which of the nine 2012 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event final table members will win the tournament--and the odds are as predictable as the winner of an eating contest between Annette Obrestad and Kate Moss.
Zynga Execs Accused of Insider Trading: Slapped With Lawsuit
Social gaming company Zynga, its executives and bankers were hit with a class action lawsuit Tuesday alleging insider trading.
From MSNBC.com:
Macau Gambling Revenue Slowest Since 2009: Tropical Storm Blamed
(Reuters) - Gambling revenue in Macau, the world's largest gambling market, inched up 1.5 percent in July from a year earlier, the slowest growth since the financial crisis in 2009 as a tropical storm reduced visitor numbers, compounding subdued demand from Chinese gamblers.
July's revenue was 24.58 billion patacas ($3.08 billion dollars), though still ahead of analyst expectations and up from 23.3 billion patacas in June, government data showed on Wednesday. Analysts had forecast July growth to be flat or down 1 percent year-on-year.
Leaked Email: PokerStars Chairman Seeks World Domination
Following news that the world’s largest “real money” online poker venture, PokerStars, will be acquiring its one time second biggest rival, revelations have surfaced regarding Stars intent and its pursuit of world domination, at least within the Internet poker universe.
From eGaming Review Magazine:
Americas Cardroom Giving Away Dream Car
Serious poker grinders who put in tons of action at Americas Cardroom could find themselves putting serious pedal to the metal in a $50,000 car of their dreams (car pictured is not the one you are going to win). The giveaway is part of Americas Cardroom's enhanced Elite Benefits program, which now includes a sixth military rank—5-Star General.
Full Tilt Poker Exec Nelson Burtnick Out on Bail: Absolute Poker Players Hopeful
At almost the exact time Full Tilt Poker executive Nelson Burtnick landed at Newark Liberty Airport on United Airline flight 23 from Dublin to 10:58 am (July 31, 2012), the US Justice Department confirmed Friday’s report on Gambling911.com that a settlement agreement had been reached between Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars whereby all players would be paid back monies owed.
Baltimore Casino License Approved
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- A Maryland panel has approved a slot machine license for Caesars Entertainment to build a casino in Baltimore and a scaled-back proposal for a casino in western Maryland.
The slot machine commission unanimously approved the two separate requests on Tuesday in Annapolis.
Mohegan Sun Posts Profits Plunge More Than Two Thirds
By STEPHEN SINGER
(Associated Press) - The parent company of the Mohegan Sun casinos in Connecticut and Pennsylvania reported Tuesday that third-quarter profit plunged more than two-thirds as new casinos in the Northeast lured away gamblers and remaining customers reduced spending.
The Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority said that net income for the April-June period was $9.4 million, down nearly 68 percent from the same period last year. Revenue of $344.4 million was down 4.7 percent.
