Ohio Man Gets 7 Years in Poker Chip Robbery
CANTON, Ohio (Associated Press) — A northeast Ohio man has been sentenced to seven years in prison after admitting his role in the January home-invasion robbery of a professional poker player.
Police in Canton said 25-year-old Christopher Lucius and another man broke into the home and stole $150,000 in casino chips and cash at gunpoint from Jerad Klick.
The (Canton) Repository (http://bit.ly/1ixOTuI ) reports Lucius halted his trial Wednesday to take a plea deal. He pleaded guilty to charges including aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary and aggravated theft.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Sheldon Adelson: ‘Don’t Pick on Him’
Speaking to MSNBC’s Chuck Todd, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid came to the defense of casino billionaire and GOP mega donor Sheldon Adelson, this after blasting two other Republican mega donors, Charles and David Koch.
"Sheldon Adelson, don't pick on him," he told NBC's Chuck Todd. "He's not in this for money. He's in this because he has certain ideological views."
That comment has raised eyebrows amongst those in the online gambling sector. While Reid has supported legalizing Web gambling at the federal level, Adelson is staunchly opposed.
The Players Championship 2014 Final Table: John Hennigan Wins
The Players Championship 2014 Final got underway on Thursday at 2 pm PST (5 pm EST).
This event featured a $50,000 buy-in. Ultimately it was John Hennigan who walked away the winner.
The man known as Johnny World was final tabling this event for the second time in a row. After taking 12th in the 2012 PPC, Hennigan finished in third place last year, collecting over $685,000. Hennigan was heads-up for what would have been his third bracelet earlier this summer, but he lost to Ted Gillis in a $1,500 No Limit Hold’em event.
Bwin.Party on Verge of Breaking Up?
The party might be over for Bwin.Party. Rumors surfaced this week that the world’s largest publicly traded online gambling firm is on the verge of breaking up.
The company on Thursday denied it was breaking up or looking for a selling but said it was examining ways to increase shareholder value.
Rochester Area Restaurant Owners Charged With Running Offshore Sportsbook
Three Rochester, New York area men have been indicted on 23 counts for their role in running an offshore sportsbook.
New Jersey Starts Review of PokerStars Buyer Amaya Gaming
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Associated Press) - New Jersey casino regulators have begun their review of a Canadian company that's buying the PokerStars online gambling website and hoping to get it licensed in Atlantic City by this fall.
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement says Amaya Gaming Group has begun submitting documents required for a determination on whether PokerStars can be licensed in New Jersey.
Harrah’s Fined for Underage Drinking in AC
(Associated Press) - Two Atlantic City casinos have been fined a total of $66,000, with the bulk of the fines levied against Harrah's Resort Atlantic City for letting underage patrons gamble and drink.
Harrah's was fined $60,000 by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement for five incidents involving patrons ranging in age from 18 to 20. The minimum age for gambling and drinking in New Jersey is 21.
In one instance, Harrah's let a 20-year-old from New York play blackjack even after a security guard checked his ID.
Doyle Brunson Near Death…… at 2014 WSOP Players Championship
The Legend of Poker, Doyle Brunson, keeps chugging along and has thus far made a strong showing at this week’s World Series of Poker Players Championship (Event 46) but was on the verge of elimination heading into Day 4.
Brunson, who turns 81 in August, made it through nearly half the field of 102 in the $50,000 buy-in but had the lowest chip count at the start of Day 4.
There was some question as to whether Brunson would actively participate in this year’s World Series of Poker.
Verdict Upheld Against ‘Girls Gone Wild’ Founder in Wynn Slander Suit
LOS ANGELES (Associated Press) — An appellate court on Monday upheld a $19 million judgment against "Girls Gone Wild" founder Joe Francis in a slander case filed over his claims that casino mogul Steve Wynn had threatened to kill him.
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The California 2nd District Court of Appeal in Los Angeles found no basis to overturn the judgment or order a new trial, and the justices also left in place an injunction barring Francis from repeating the claims.
Jonathan Duhamel Ex-Girlfriend Wants More Prison Time: Lead Home Invasion
The former girlfriend of 2010 World Series of Poker Main Event champion Jonathan Duhamel wants to remain in prison, the Winnipeg Sun reported late last week.
California Tribes Worry PokerStars Might ‘Cut Their Throats’
With Gambling firm Amaya announcing the purchase of the world’s largest online poker room, PokerStars, earlier this month, the firm hopes to enter the California Web gambling market. Not so fast.
Leonardo DiCaprio Used as ‘Bait’ for Poker Games: Toby Maguire ‘Hannibal Lecter’
Indicted poker madam Molly Bloom tells all in her newly published book “Molly’s Game”. Bloom told ABC News “Spiderman” star Toby Maguire used marquee Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio as bait to lure in big fish to play in her games.
Macau Authorities Bust US$645 Million World Cup Betting Ring
Authorities in Macau have arrested 22 individuals in connection with a worldwide US$645 million FIFA World Cup betting syndicate. This is believed to be the biggest raid ever on a sports betting ring in the Chinese gambling enclave.
According to CNN, the illegal enterprise utilized three hotel rooms to take both Internet and phone wagers with one gambler placing a US$5 million bet.
Supreme Court Will Allow Ban on Sports Betting to Remain in New Jersey
WASHINGTON (Associated Press) — The Supreme Court on Monday left in place a ban on sports gambling in New Jersey, rebuffing an attempt to bring betting on professional and college sporting events to Atlantic City casinos and the state's racetracks.
The justices did not comment in letting stand lower court rulings that struck down New Jersey's sports betting law because it conflicts with a federal law that that allows state-sanctioned sports gambling only in Nevada and three other states.
Pope Francis Denounces, Ex-Communicates Italian Mafia: Could Become Target
In the strongest language ever to come from the Vatican against Italy’s powerful and often brutal Mafia, Pope Francis denounced the criminal enterprise and ex-communicated all Mafia members this weekend.
Pay Per Head Review - WagerHome.com: 4 Week Free Trial Offered
Wager Home has emerged into the best price per head service company in the industry. They have serviced thousands of agents big and small and continue to upgrade their service every year.
Some of the great options offered by Wager Home:
As low as $10 head
Resorts International Inks Deal With Sportech: Could Join Forces With PokerStars
ATLANTIC CITY — (Associated Press) - An Atlantic City casino that was thwarted in its efforts to join the Internet gambling market is preparing to get in the game.
Resorts Casino Hotel announced partnerships late Friday with European firms Sportech and NYX Gaming to offer Internet gambling.
They will join PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker to form an online betting option that could rival New Jersey’s market leaders, Borgata and Caesars Interactive.
NJ's Bankrupt Revel Casino Gets Cash Lifeline to Hunt for Buyer
CAMDEN, N.J., (Reuters) - Atlantic City's bankrupt Revel Casino Hotel has received court approval to borrow $23.9 million that it said would keep the 1,400-room resort operating for the coming month as it scrambles to find a buyer.
Revel filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Thursday afternoon and rushed to court early on Friday for a slew of court orders it said were vital to pay its 3,140 employees, soothe nervous vendors and honor programs that provide gamblers with key perks.
PokerStars Commits Its Future to the Isle of Man in Wake of Amaya Takeover
The Department of Economic Development has welcomed the announcement that PokerStars has committed its future to the Isle of Man following its planned takeover by Amaya Gaming Group Inc.
General Counsel to the Rational Group of Companies Paul Telford wrote an open letter to the Chief Minister reiterating the company’s commitment to the Isle of Man.
Leonard Singer MHK, the Department Member with responsibility for e-Business said:
George Danzer Wins WSOP Bracelet on Way to Becoming Player of Year
Team PokerStars Pro George Danzer has just won the WSOP Seven Card Stud Hi-Low Split-8 or Better Championship for $352,696. Last week, he won the Seven Card Razz Championship for $294,792.
Current WSOP Player of the Year Leader George Danzer Leads at Event 38
The current World Series of Poker Player of the Year leader continues to prove why he should earn that title. George Danzer came into Day 3 of Event #38: $10,000 Seven-Card Stud Hi-Low Championship as the chip leader with 13 players remaining.
Senior Citizens Busted in New Jersey Gambling Ring: Made $3 Mil in a Year
29 individuals were arrested for their role in running an illegal gambling business out of Northern New Jersey. Nearly all the men charged are over the age of 50.
One of the individuals, Daniel Pronti, 70, was suspended without pay from his job as a Jersey City Department of Public Works employee on Thursday.
Esquire: How Sex, Drugs and Gambling Can Help Boost a Nation’s Economy
Esquire Magazine’s digital edition featured an article Wednesday on how sex, drugs and gambling can actually help a nation’s economy.
They offer up a few strong examples.
When we think of sex and drugs and tourism, Amsterdam is typically the first thing that flashes in our minds.
Pennsylvania Introduces Online Gambling Bill in Senate: PokerStars Exclusion
Pennsylvania lawmakers on Wednesday introduced Bill 1386 in the Senate. The bill, drafted by State Sen. Edwin Erickson, would legalize online gambling in the Keystone State.
A newer version of the legislation co-sponsored by Republican Bob Mensch allows for an expanded number of casino games whereas Erickson’s bill focused almost exclusively on poker. Mensch also wants to charge a $5 million licensing fee along with a 14% tax on gross gaming revenues.
PokerStars Buyer Will Begin Talks With New Jersey Casino Regulators to Enter Market
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Associated Press) - A Canadian company buying the PokerStars website will begin licensing talks with New Jersey casino regulators aimed at letting the world's largest Internet poker site operate legally in the state, the state's top casino regulator said.
41 Players Confirmed for Big One For One Drop: Approaching 56 Cap
The World Series of Poker has confirmed that 41 players are signed up to take part in the upcoming Big One For One Drop, which could ultimately pay out over $20 million.
World Cup Highlights Asia’s Illegal Gambling Boom
HONG KONG (Associated Press) — As teams battle for football glory at the World Cup in Brazil, the biggest winners from the tournament may be illegal bookmakers in Asia.
Since kickoff, Chinese officer worker Chen has already wagered 2,000-3,000 yuan ($320-$480) through black market online bookies and plans to gamble more on big upcoming games.
Dreyfus: Online Poker is Coming to California
In his blog this week, Alexandre Dreyfus of the Global Poker Index writes that California dreaming is about to become a reality with Amaya’s acquisition of PokerStars last week and the ability for the world’s largest online poker room to now re-enter the California market.
A number of the powerful state tribes have offered up resistance when in comes to allowing PokerStars to re-enter the US market. They claim an unfair playing field since Stars operated in the States long after federal prohibition had passed.
Gambling Addiction: It’s All About Bad Genetics
A study conducted by the National University of Singapore has found that genetics play a role in determining whether a person is willing to take strategic risk. And while individuals with these genes are likely to exhibit a higher degree of belief learning and, as such, anticipate the actions of others, such genes can also result in increased reinforcement learning.
And these genes can also regulate the way dopamine – a chemical released in the brain that signals pleasure and motivates people to seek rewards.
Enter gambling addiction.
PokerStars, Asia Pacific Poker Tour Debuts Beijing Millions
PokerStars and the Asia Pacific Poker Tour will host the inaugural Beijing Millions, scheduled for July 18th to 27th. It is the first foray into the Chinese Mainland market for both PokerStars and the APT.
While rare, a sanctioned poker tournament is not unprecedented in China.
In 2012 and 2013, the World Poker Tour did hold a US$1,500 event in Sanya, on the Chinese island of Hainan.
