NBA Assistant General Counsel: Gambling is More Accepted Today
In an article appearing in today’s Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, NBA officials have conceded it is only a matter of time before sports betting becomes legalized in most US states.
Two NYC Police Officers Attacked, Injured Trying to Break Up Gambling Party
(Gambling911.com News Wire) - Three individuals were arrested in the Bronx on charges of felony assault, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct after attacking two police officers early Saturday morning.
The attack occurred at an illegal gambling party. Police responded just before 1 am to break up the event. Upon their arrival, they saw three men gambling and drinking open bottles of Hennessy.
SidePrize.com The Answer to Both Traditional and Daily Fantasy Linkage
With the launch of Atlanta-based SidePrize last week, there is now a way for players to enjoy both worlds of Fantasy Sports: Traditional and Daily.
Russian Bot Ring Wins $1.5 Million at PokerStars, Maybe More
In a shocking report filed by PokerNews.com last week, it was revealed that a bot ring originating from both Russia and Kazakhstan may have infiltrated PokerStars.com, winning an estimated $1.5 million playing Pot-Limit Omaha.
Clinton Portis Facing Six-Figure Tax and Gambling Debts
(Gambling911.com News Wire) - Former NFL running back Clinton Portis is facing a serious tax fine and potentially jail time should he fail to enter into an installment agreement with the IRS. Portis allegedly failed to pay $401,432.18 in federal income taxes in 2006, and he allegedly failed to pay $57,187.61 in federal income taxes in 2010.
The colorful one-time Redskins player also allegedly incurred a debt to the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas of $287,178.56 last month. That’s not exactly going to help with paying off these tax fines.
Daily Fantasy Sports Businesses Must Be Classified as Gambling Sites in UK
(Gambling911.com Fantasy Sports Wire) - An interesting dilemma has arisen with news that Daily Fantasy Sports powerhouse DraftKings recently submitted an application with the United Kingdom Gambling Commission. Their intent was not immediately known but the presumption is that DraftKings will one day like to be regulated in the United Kingdom. After all, rival FanDuel.com was actually founded in the UK.
But this is an industry that is working hard to present itself as providing an activity not deemed to be gambling.
Omaha Bookies: Each Rake in Around $30K a Week in Profits Claim Experts
(Gambling911.com Bookie Wire) - Omaha, Nebraska became a household name prior to the 2014 Super Bowl thanks to Peyton Manning’s play calling, but did you know this city of just over 430,000 is home to some 25 large-size bookmaking businesses, none of which can totally handle the mass demand of sports bettors, especially during College Football season.
Omaha has long been a haven for mobsters, a well-kept secret up until now. Did you know that by mid-century, Omaha had a reputation for more illicit gambling per capita than any other city in the nation? It’s true.
eSports and Online Gambling: The Perfect Marriage
(Gambling911.com Gambling News Wire) – For the first time in its history, the European iGaming & Congress (EiG) will host a panel to discuss the emergence of eSports and its potential in the world of online gambling.
The conference will be held in Berlin on October 20-22 with the panel featuring Unikrn CEO Rahul Sood and Pinnacle Sportsbook Head Marco Blume. Both betting companies currently offer wagering on most major eSports events.
Bo Jackson to Host Home Run Derby for FanDuel Fantasy Sports Players
(Gambling911.com Fantasy Sports News Wire) – 1989 All-star outfielder and 1990 Pro Bowl running back Bo Jackson is set to host a home run derby in Las Vegas for 90 lucky FanDuel Daily Fantasy Baseball players.
The derby is a prelude to the $1 million World Fantasy Baseball Championship, which FanDuel, the world’s largest Daily Fantasy Sports site, will be hosting at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas Hotel and Casino August 22.
Jackson is expected to hand out the check to the winner at the conclusion of the event. – Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com
Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner Divorce Rumors Over Gambling Heat Up
(Gambling911.com News Wire) - Stories have been surfacing in recent months over what many believe is the inevitable, that “Batman” star Ben Affleck is about to break up with actress Jennifer Garner. The two are said to be living separately with Garner infuriated over Affleck’s compulsive gambling.
The couple, who have been married for over 10 years, posed together for a rare photo last month. Affleck didn’t exactly look thrilled to be there alongside Garner.
UGA Bookies Are Finance, Economics Majors: Felony Warrants Issued in Athens
(Gambling911 News Wire) – Two University of Georgia students have been charged with running a lucrative commercial bookie business on the campus. Authorities issued felony warrants following an investigation that started in November when UGA police received a hot tip.
Named in the warrants are Max Richard Braun, 22, and Brad Kirschner, 21, neither of whom were arrested as of Friday morning. Braun is also wanted for alleged cocaine possession.
Playtech Raises 227 Million for Acquisition of Forex Trading Platform
(Reuters) - British online gaming company Playtech Plc said on Thursday it had raised 227 million pounds ($361 million) through a share placement to help fund its purchase of forex trading platform owner Plus500 and other potential deals.
The company placed 29.05 million shares, representing about 10 percent of its current share capital, with institutions via an accelerated bookbuild. The shares were priced at 780 pence each.
Shares in the company were down 2.3 percent at 789.50 pence at 1335 GMT on the London Stock Exchange.
Mob Hitman Among Those Guilty in ‘Operation Heat’ $2 Bil Gambling Case
A Mob hitman currently serving life-plus-10 years in a New Jersey state prison has now pleaded guilty to another racketeering case authorities termed “Operation Heat”.
Martin Taccetta was charged in a 1993 Mob hit involving the golf club beating death of a Toms River, New Jersey car dealer, Vincent J. “Jimmy Sinatra” Craparotta. Taccetta is among six Lucchese crime family members who pleaded guilty Wednesday to running an illegal sports wagering outfit that took in at least $2.2 billion in bets.
Forbes is Speaking at the First Ever Daily Fantasy Sports Expo
(G911 Fantasy Sports Wire) - Joining the likes of CBS Sports, AlphaDraft, Vulcun, Shamrock Investments, FanWars and more, Gambling911.com can reveal that Forbes will be speaking at the first ever Daily Fantasy Sports Expo in Miami Beach this coming August 6-7.
Influential New York Lawmaker Opposes RAWA Online Gambling Prohibition
Online gambling just got itself a powerful new ally in New York. J. Gary Pretlow who chairs the Racing and Wagering Committee of the New York State Assembly.
He just wrote a letter to the state’s congressional delegation expressing his opposition to a bill that would ban most forms of online gambling at both the federal and state level.
Six Lucchese Crime Family Members Plead Guilty in Sports Betting Ring
Six men tied to New York City’s Lucchese crime family entered guilty pleas Thursday morning in connection with running a multi-billion dollar gambling enterprise.
The men were indicted in 2010 following a 15-month investigation that uncovered the ring, revealing an estimated $2.2 billion in wagers had been placed over that period.
How I Started Using Betting Sites in the UK
I have a confession to make – until recently, I knew absolutely nothing about sports. Sure, I kicked a ball around with my friends on the street and all, but I have never actually watched football. I never quite got it, as to me it just seemed like a bunch of guys running around a field for an hour and a half. What's so exciting about that, right? After moving to the UK, though, I found that my habits had to change.
Pennsylvania Online Gambling Won’t Happen for At Least Another Year
(G911 News Wire) - Should Pennsylvania legislators vote to allow online gambling in the state, actual play is not likely for at least another year. This is what gaming official told a Senate panel on Wednesday. The proposal calls for existing land-based casinos, for which there are around a dozen in the state, to license the online gambling sites.
The Pay Per Head Call Center: How to Find a Good One
When you sign up with Premier Per Head and take advantage of both their online platform and call center, you are going to realize that everything they do is geared toward higher performance for your business and more convenience for the customer.
Jason Mercier Wins 4th WSOP Gold Bracelet
(G911 News Wire) - Poker pro Jason Mercier has just won his 4th World Series of Poker gold bracelet after cashing in at only one event thus far since the start of the WSOP.
"I haven't won one yet. That's kind of what feels good about it, said Mercier about winning his first bracelet in No-Limit Hold'em.”
The 28-year-old Fort Lauderdale native beat a field of 550 entries in the $5,000 No-Limit Hold'em Six Max event and take home its $633,357 top prize to go along with the bracelet.
DraftKings British Open Millionaire Maker Announced as US Open Contest Sold Out
(G911 Fantasy Sports Wire) - DraftKings.com has announced that the PGA Millionaire Maker for the US Open is now sold out. With a small number of satellites still going, DraftKings was allowing tickets to be converted to DK dollars or an entry into the British Open Millionaire Maker on July 16, 2015. The British Open is commonly referred to as just The Open. It is one of the most wagered on events in the UK.
Contest details appear below. Drafting for this event was not yet available on June 17.
David Simon Creating New Series About The Mafia, 70’s Porn Scene
(G911 News Wire) - The Mafia and porn. Sounds titillating. Both will take center stage in a new series being developed by David Simon (“The Wire”, “Treme”). It is being billed as a show about 1970’s Time Square before it got taken over by Disney. Back then it was one of the seediest places on Earth. Porn was everywhere. The Mob often controlled it. Simon is teaming up with his writing partner from both aforementioned shows, George Pelecanos. An air time is not yet known.
Gambler Who Bribed Players to Fix University of Toledo Games Sentenced to Six Years
DETROIT (Associated Press) — A rogue Detroit gambler who bribed players to fix the results of University of Toledo games was sentenced to nearly six years in prison Tuesday for corrupting college sports and committing other crimes.
U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmith said he would reluctantly accept a sweeping plea deal that capped Ghazi "Gary" Manni's prison sentence at 70 months.
Million Dollar Sunday Qualifiers Could See Prize Top $1 Mil Mark
San Jose, Costa Rica – The next Million Dollar Sunday online poker tournament could very well see its prize pool eclipse the $1 million guarantee thanks to a renewed push to welcome more players into the signature poker event.
BetEagle Sportsbook Defendants Sentenced to Prison: Owner Awaits Sentencing
A Bayonne, New Jersey man accused of racketeering conspiracy that pertained to what authorities says is an online sportsbook run by the Genovese Crime family has been sentenced to 22 months behind bars.
Eric Patten, 38, and Dominick J. Barone, 45, of Springfield, New Jersey were both sentenced Tuesday in Newark. Barone is looking at an 18-month prison term.
Patten and Barone previously pleaded guilty before District Judge Claire C. Cecchi to separate charges of one count of racketeering conspiracy.
Betfair Shares Plummet 3 Percent Following Ratings Changes
Online gambling firm Betfair falls c.3 pct, one of the top percentage losers on the FTSE-250 mid-cap index after reporting results.
The company posted a better than expected rise in FY profit, led by strong revenue growth and a big surge in new customers but falls in early trading but a series of downgrades resulted in the share plunge Wednesday.
Panmure Gordon cut its rating to "hold" from "buy" citing higher valuations while Numis Securities also raised concerns over valuations and additional duties in the UK and Ireland downgraded to "sell" on June 5 )
‘White Power Prison Gang Saved My Life’ Says Ex-NBA Ref: Shaved Head for Cause
A former NBA referee sentenced to prison for gambling on games claims that a White Power gang saved his life while in prison. Tim Donaghy, who served 15 months behind bars, made the stunning revelations this week to TMZ.com.
“It was a matter of me surviving and getting the f–k outta there,” he said.
DraftKings Fantasy US Open Salaries – 2015
(G911 Fantasy Sports Wire) - If you are looking to participate in any of the US Open contests featured at Daily Fantasy Sports site DraftKings.com, below are the salaries being offered. Rosters will consist of 6 players. The salary needs to stay under $50,000.
Man Who Made Vegas Into Gambler’s Paradise Kirk Kerkorian Dead at 98
(G911 News Wire) - Kirk Kerkorian, a billionaire who helped transform Las Vegas into a gambling empire, has died at the age of 98. Kerkorian passed away in Los Angeles Monday from undisclosed causes. Born into an Armenian family in Fresno, California, Kerkorian immersed himself in several industries that include airline travel, Hollywood motion pictures and the auto sector. His fortune last year was estimated to be at $4 billion.
Caesars Fined $15K for Soliciting Self-Excluded Gamblers
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Associated Press) - New Jersey casino regulators have fined the local Internet gambling arm of Caesars Entertainment $15,000 for soliciting gamblers who signed up for a self-exclusion list that is supposed to prevent them from betting.
The state's Gaming Enforcement Division disclosed the fine Tuesday against Caesars Interactive Entertainment New Jersey.
