Gambling News
Poker Pro Justin Smith Sentenced for Role in Russian Mob Run Gambling Ring
Kissimmee, Florida resident Justin “BoostedJ” Smith has been sentenced to probation for his involvement in an illegal gambling ring with ties to the Russian Mob. The poker pro, who has won over $2.1 million in live tournaments to date, was sentenced to three months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service.
Devils, Sixers Boss Not Worried Over Online Poker Sponsorship
NEWARK, N.J. — (Associated Press) - The chief executive of the NHL's New Jersey Devils and NBA's Philadelphia 76ers doesn't believe the teams will be cast in a bad light by agreeing to a multiyear sponsorship deal with one of the world's leading online poker companies.
Scott O'Neil, who runs the teams and the Prudential Center for groups led by leverage buyout specialist Josh Harris, and Norbert Teufelberger, the chief executive of bwin.party digital entertainment that operates partypoker, announced the historic deal Thursday.
Pascal Lefrancois Leads for Day 3 of PCA 2014 Main Event
There were 1,031 players at this year's PCA, hailing from 65 countries. Remarkably, given the horrendous weather conditions in the States, 346 Americans managed to get to the Bahamas accounting for 34% of the field, with 143 Canadians also present (14% of the field).
The players (295 on Day 1a, 710 on Day 1b yesterday, 12 new entries before start of play today and 14 no-shows) have generated a $10,000,700 prize pool. The winner will get $1,820,420 with 150 others also getting paid.
BetFred to Slash Employee Salaries in Half: Some Will Have to Sell Their Homes
At least they waited until after Christmas to play Scrooge but the powers-that-be at British bookmaker BetFred.com have announced employees will soon have to endure a 50 percent cut in their salaries.
Dan Bilzerian: ‘Poker Players Are Kind of a Degenerate Group’
Colorful poker pro Dan Bilzerian gave few details on that $10.8 million session he tweeted about recently other than that it was a $5,000-$10,000 no-limit event. But in an exclusive Card Player interview, Bilzerian talks about how he got into poker and readily admits there is "nothing normal about winning or losing $10 million in a single night".
Shares in William Hill, Ladbrokes Plunge Over Fixed-Odds Machine Vitriol
Shares in the UK’s two biggest betting firms, William Hill and Ladbrokes, dropped 7 percent and 9 percent, respectively, Thursday following Prime Minister David Cameron’s assertion that fixed-odds machines need to be curbed.
The machines have been dubbed the “crack cocaine of gambling” by campaigners.
Cameron said he "absolutely shares the concerns" raised over the “epidemic” of fixed-odds terminals.
Heartland Poker Tour Expands Into Mississippi
Vicksburg, MS – Heartland Poker Tour (HPT) continues to push the boundaries of the Heartland by adding a tour stop at Ameristar Casino in Vicksburg, Mississippi. HPT’s first visit to Mississippi is expected to draw hundreds of participants from across the country. The series will kick off with a deep stack tournament on March 14th and conclude with a nationally-televised Final Table in the Main Event on March 24th.
John Goodman Joins ‘The Gambler’ Cast
“Inside Llewyn Davis” star John Goodman has joined the cast of “The Gambler” remake. He will star along side the likes of Mark Wahlberg and Jessica Lange.
James Caan was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance in the 1974 original.
Here is an excerpt from Wikipedia regarding the plot:
Mobster Gets More Than 9 Year Sentence for Pot Distribution
Though his lawyer argued the drug is mainstream, mobster Salvatore Larca has been sentenced to 9.5 years behind bars for running an illegal marijuana distribution business.
The reputed Genovese crime family member admitted to running the operation from the Bronx, New York.
Cantor Could Pay Over $2 Million in Damages Resulting From Colbert Indictment
Cantor Gaming, which changed its name to CG Technologies this week, has agreed to pay over $2 million under a tentative settlement reached over the weekend with the Nevada Gaming Control Board, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Openings Set to Start in Mob Financial Fraud Case
CAMDEN — (Associated Press) - Federal prosecutors will start making their case to jurors that a group of Philadelphia and southern New Jersey mobsters pulled off a white-collar financial fraud scheme.
The trial of Nicodemo Scarfo and six other defendants is scheduled to start Wednesday. Prosecutors say the defendants used threats to take over a mortgage company and then kept the firm’s assets for themselves.
76ers, Devils Ink Online Gambling Sponsorship Deal
NEWARK, N.J. (Associated Press) — The Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA and the New Jersey Devils of the NHL have become the first major U.S.-based professional teams to sign a sponsorship deal with an online gambling company.
Gambling911.com World Exclusive: Americas Cardroom Now has Bitcoin Option
As first reported by Gambling911.com Monday, the biggest online poker room to date will begin offering bitcoin deposit and withdrawal options. Depositing via bitcoin will be available as of today (January 8, 2014). Withdrawal availability will follow shortly.
Ameristar Casino to Host First Televised Poker Tournament in Kansas City
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Poker enthusiasts will have an opportunity to play on national television in Kansas City for the first time when Heartland Poker Tour (HPT) visits Ameristar Casino April 25-May 4, 2014. The 10-day series will include several preliminary events, satellite opportunities, and a two-day televised Main Event. The first-place prize is anticipated to be six figures, which is consistent with other HPT stops across the country.
Morgan Stanley Employee Gambled Away Millions of Bank’s Funds, Strangled Wife
A former product controller at Morgan Stanley was terminated by the company after losing millions of dollars due to an “accounting error”. Investigators also believe Manas Kapoor, 35, strangled his wife to death the same day he was to attend a disciplinary hearing.
Kapoor admitted he was £8,000 in debt and was borrowing from friends and family to support his gambling addiction.
NBA Star Gilbert Arenas Goes All-In and Becomes Professional Poker Player
Big name former NBA star Gilbert Arenas was one of 295 poker players to take part in day 1A of the $10,000,000 Guaranteed Main Event of the 2014 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure or PCA.
Arenas was eliminated halfway through the first day after accidentally raising a pot (when he was merely trying to call).
PokerStars Announces Schedule for Third Turbo Championship of Online Poker
ONCHAN, Isle of Man – PokerStars today announced the schedule for the third annual Turbo Championship of Online Poker (TCOOP), which will take place from January 23 to February 2 and guarantee $15 million across 50 events.
World Poker Tour Makes ‘Monster’ Mistake Says Caro: Fury Over Headphones
Legendary poker pro and strategy expert Mike Caro believes that the World Poker Tour may have just made a “Monster” mistake.
Maryland Live Casino Enjoys Huge Success in 2013
Maryland Live, the Old Line State’s largest casino, generated a whopping, according to the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency.
The casino began offering the table games last April.
Three UTEP Men’s Basketball Players Ousted For Betting on Games
The leading scorer for the University of Texas men’s basketball team, McKenzie Moore, has been kicked out of the program along with two other reserves after they were discovered betting on sporting events. The school emphasized that there is so far no evidence of point shaving or betting on Miners games.
PCA 2014 Main Event Kicks Off With 275 Poker Players
There are at least 275 players in seats for the $10k PCA 2014 Main Event which started today at noon.
New Jersey Internet Gambling Accounts Reach 150,000
ATLANTIC CITY — (Associated Press) - The number of Internet gambling accounts created in New Jersey continues to grow and is nearing 150,000.
New Jersey online gambling was authorized last year to give a boost to Atlantic City’s struggling casino industry, which has been beset by increasing competition for the past seven years. It began with a five-day trial period on Nov. 21 and launched publicly on Nov. 25.
Hedge Fund Billionaires Take Stake in Caesars Online Gambling: Take on Adelson
Three billionaires against one: George Soros, John Paulson and Leon Cooperman have reportedly taken a stake in Caesars Acquisition Co, the online gambling spinoff of the Vegas giant. ((Image credit: Steve Brodner)
Nevada Gaming Control Board Files 18-Page Complaint Against Cantor Gaming
The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGC) has filed an 18-page complaint against Cantor Gaming following a lengthy investigation. A former director of the company was indicted by US law enforcement in late 2012 for his role in an illegal sports betting venture and pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy this past summer. Read Complaint Here
Former NFL Player Donald Caldwell Charged With Bookmaking
TAMPA, Fla. – (Associated Press) - Former NFL and University of Florida player Donald “Reche” Caldwell has been arrested by Tampa police on charges of operating an illegal gambling house and bookmaking.
Police say Caldwell was one of three leaders of the operation. Five other men are facing a variety of charges including probation violations, possession of a controlled substance and illegal gambling.
Poker Pro Dan Bilzerian Makes Acting Debut in ‘Lone Survivor’ (Video)
Poker pro and Instagram sensation Dan Bilzerian has made his acting debut in the critically acclaimed “Lone Survivor”.
Biggest Online Poker Room Yet to Begin Offering Bitcoin – G911 Exclusive
Gambling911.com has confirmed that one of the world’s largest online poker networks is set to begin offering the anonymous online currency bitcoin as early as this week.
This room will also convert bitcoins to cash on their end to minimize the risk factor for players, we have been advised. Until now, players have been relegated to online poker rooms that were either new to the seen or only offered bitcoin exclusively as a deposit or withdrawal method.
PCA Super High Roller to Reward $1.6 Million to Winner
The winner of the $100k PCA 2014 Super High Roller will get $1,629,940 with eight players paid. There were 46 entries and ten re-entries for this year’s $100k PCA Super High Roller event, creating a $5,433,120 prize pool.
European Poker Tour Announces 45 Event Deauville Schedule
ONCHAN, Isle of Man – The European Poker Tour today confirmed the schedule for the EPT10 Deauville Festival in January 2014, with the GPI European Poker Awards as part of the 11-day festival.
PartyPoker Borgata to Surpass Merge Poker Network by Mid January
Another sign of just how successful online poker in the state of New Jersey has become: PartyPoker Borgata is set to surpass Merge Gaming and the Chico Poker Network’s traffic in the US.
Both Merge and Chico operate offshore and accept customers from most US states. PartyPoker Borgata has a little ways to go before catching up to surging Winning Poker Network (home to Americas Cardroom) and top 10 traffic site Bodog Poker.
