Gambling News
Genting to Spend $3-$4 Billion in Vegas
KUALA LUMPUR - (Reuters) - Genting Bhd, Southeast Asia's biggest gaming group, will spend an initial $3 billion to $4 billion to develop an unfinished resort on the Las Vegas strip, as it seeks to build a U.S. empire of casino and leisure assets.
The Malaysian company is seeking to expand in the United States as the world's largest economy starts to recover, and as various states relax restrictions ranging from casino licenses to online gambling.
‘Rounders 2’ May Feature DeNiro as Russian Mobster
Poker fans will be excited to learn that Harvey and Bob Weinstein are set to produce “Rounders 2”, a sequel to the wildly successful poker classic “Rounders” made in 1998.
Tribe Suing New Mexico Over Failed Gambling Compact Negotiations
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (Associated Press) - One of New Mexico's American Indian tribes is suing the state over failed negotiations concerning its gaming compact.
Pojoaque Pueblo Gov. George Rivera says the agreement being sought by Gov. Susana Martinez's administration would further restrict tribal gambling operations and would increase taxes, fees and other charges.
Rivera says such a compact would not help New Mexico's gaming industry compete with other states, especially since casino revenues have been flat since 2008 and government funding for tribes has diminished.
Paddy Power Places Dennis Rodman in the Line of Fire With North Korea Trip
Former NBA star Dennis Rodman is on his way to North Korea where he will meet with his so-called “friend for life”, the Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un. The timing couldn’t be any better. Kim Jong-un, it is believed, just had his uncle executed and his aunt, the one believed to be responsible for the purging and subsequent execution, is reportedly missing.
Convicted Mobster Whitey Bulger Transferred to Oklahoma Prison
Former Boston crime boss James "Whitey" Bulger has been moved to a federal prison in Oklahoma, although it was not immediately clear if he is there to stay.
The 84-year-old Bulger was being held Tuesday at FTC Oklahoma City, according to the federal Bureau of Prisons website. The facility is a transfer point for many federal prisoners.
Churchill Downs, Wynn, Station Casinos Gets Seats on AGA Board
The American Gaming Association (AGA) announced three new seats to its board on Tuesday. Among the new additions are Wynn Resorts, Station Casinos and Churchill Downs.
Station Casinos is behind the first ever licensed real money online poker site to operate from the US, Ultimate Poker. The company currently operates within both Nevada and New Jersey but does not permit customers to play beyond those respective state borders.
Internet Gaming Expo to be Held in Atlantic City, New Jersey January 25
The first ever Internet Gaming Expo will be held at the Atlantic City Convention Center January 25 (2013). The one-day event is being organized by iGamingPlayer.com.
APPT Season 8 Schedule Announced
ONCHAN, Isle of Man – PokerStars today announced the schedule for Season 8 of the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT). The 2014 season will begin at PokerStars LIVE Macau with the 20th celebration of the Macau Poker Cup (MPC20) on January 10 and conclude in New Zealand with APPT Auckland on November 19.
Poker Hostess Molly Bloom Pleads Guilty in Russian Mob Linked Gambling Case
NEW YORK (Associated Press) — A former high-stakes poker game hostess pleaded guilty on Thursday to charges she helped run underground games for Wall Street financiers and celebrities in guest rooms at The Plaza hotel.
Molly Bloom was among more than 30 people charged earlier this year in a sprawling scheme by two related Russian-American organized crime enterprises, authorities said. In recent years the operations laundered at least $100 million in proceeds from an illegal sports betting operation that catered largely to superrich Russians, prosecutors said.
Damon Shulenberger Wins Longest Poker Tournament in History
American Damon Shulenberger has won the longest poker tournament in history, a grueling 48 hour event.
The APT-RWM Iron Man Poker Challenge officially took 48 hours, 55 minutes, and 58.5 seconds. Shulenberger’s accomplishment surpassed that of Korean player Choi Byung Kyoo.
91,000 Online Gambling Accounts Set Up in New Jersey After One Month
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Associated Press) -- New Jersey casinos added 20,000 Internet gambling accounts last week.
The state's Gaming Enforcement Division said Monday that 91,531 accounts had been created as of Sunday. The number of individual gamblers who have played so far has yet to be determined, though, as some users have created accounts with multiple gambling websites in New Jersey.
PokerStars to Start High-Stakes Zoom Poker Trial
ONCHAN, Isle of Man – PokerStars today announced that on January 1st, 2014, all $50/$100 NLHE & PLO Ring Game tables and Table Starters will be removed and replaced with Zoom Pools. This change will occur during off-peak hours, and will strictly be a trial to evaluate player reception.
No decision has yet been made as to whether this change will be permanent or temporary.
After the change has been implemented, PokerStars will look at how it affects the games and make further decisions regarding either rolling back or expanding the change at that time.
Wynn Resorts Suitable to Open Casino in Massachusetts
(Associated Press) - The Massachusetts Gaming Commission's investigative unit has found Wynn Resorts suitable to open a resort casino in Everett.
The commission wasn't planning to take a final vote Monday, but the recommendation is another hurdle Wynn has cleared as it seeks to win the one eastern Massachusetts casino license allowed under the 2011 casino law.
The commendation comes after four commission members signed off on a revised real estate deal for the proposed casino.
Colorado Latest State to Consider Legalizing Online Gambling
The state of Colorado is the first in the Mountain Zone to consider legalizing online gambling.
Already three states in the US have legalized Web gambling within their respective borders: Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware.
Ludovic Lacay Leads for Day 4 of EPT Prague 2014
EPT Sanremo champion Ludovic Lacay is chip leader as the EPT Prague Main Event goes in to Day 4. The French pro has a massive 1.7 million in chips, more than 500,000 clear of his nearest rival, German player Julian Track. There are now just 61 players left from the record-breaking starting field of 1,007. Other big names still in contention for the €889,000 first prize are Jonathan Little, Ole Schemion, Ana Marquez, Eureka Main Event winner Dimitri Holdeew and Stephen Chidwick.
Texas Block’Em Removes Element of Chance in Online Poker: Site to Open in US
Gambling911.com contributor Thomas Somach has interviewed an 80-year-old man who has developed a new form of online poker that eliminates the element of chance: Texas Block ‘Em. And, yes, it will operate from the US to those living in the US.
Arthur M. Pfeiffer, owner and founder of Palo Alto software company Thwart Poker Inc., told The San Francisco Examiner that his venture will be a website called Texas Block ’Em that is expected to debut some time next year.
Sergei Popov wins Eureka Season 3 Leaderboard
Eureka Prague is now finished, all the events are already over. Tour's season 3 has come to an end since the Czech capital was the last stop this year (preceded by Rozvadov, Bulgaria and Croatia).
Seminole Hard Rock Showdown Promises Largest Prize Pool for $3500 Buy-In
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. - Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, today, announced its major series tournament schedule for 2014 with events in March/April, August and November. Up first, the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown returns March 27 – April 16.
Former Crime Boss Son Charged With Possession of Kiddie Porn
The son of one-time Genovese Crime boss Arthur (Artie) Nigro was arrested in the Bronx Wednesday for promoting a sexual performance of a child under the age of 17.
Adelson Ditches Plans to Build $30 Billion Mega Casino in Madrid
Feisty 80-year-old gambling tycoon Sheldon Adelson has cancelled plans to build a $30 billion gambling and leisure complex outside of one of Europe’s biggest metropolises, Madrid, Spain.
No way had been found to meet the "necessary criteria" for the project, the head of Las Vegas Sands Corporation said in a press release.
Win a Heads-Up Match Against Gus Hansen or Isildur1 and Play for Up to $50k
ONCHAN, Isle of Man – Full Tilt Poker’s Bust a Pro is giving players the opportunity to challenge Gus Hansen or Viktor ‘Isildur1’ Blom in heads-up matches for up to $50,000.
Players can battle for a heads-up spot by choosing between Gus Hansen or Isildur1 Bust a Pro Freerolls. There are four freerolls in total, each featuring a $10K prize pool.
Georgescu Leads at End of EPT Prague Day 1A
Romanian player Georgescu Tiberi-Florian is leading the 210 players who have made it through Day 1a of the EPT 10 Prague Main Event. Also among the chip leaders are Ronny Voth, Joao Simao, Sebastian Saffari and Simon Mattsson. The tourney started at noon with 389 players.
The EPT Prague Main Event runs until December 18 - with a live stream every day on EPTLive, starting at 3pm on Day 1b. Prague is the third stop of EPT Season 10 and yet again has joined the regional Eureka Poker Tour to create a spectacular 11-day festival of poker at the Hilton Prague featuring 47 events.
Dmitri Holdeew Takes Down Eureka Prague Main Event
The record-breaking tournament is finally over after Dmitri Holdeew from Germany became the Eureka 3 Prague champion for a €226,400 first prize. He is mainly a cash game player but was still capable of beating online tournament professionals Ami "UhhMee" Barer and Stephen "stevie444" Chidwick at the final table.
World Tennis Number One Rafa Nadal Wins EPT Charity Challenge in Prague
PRAGUE, Czech Republic – World tennis number one Rafa Nadal emerged as winner of the EPT Charity Challenge today, beating Brazilian football legend Ronaldo and world number one poker player Daniel Negreanu.
North Korea Leader Kim Jong Un Uncle Executed Over Gambling, Drug Usage
The uncle of North Korea leader Kim Jong Un has been executed after being charged with disloyalty to the regime.
Skrill to Stop Online Gambling Transactions in Canada
The popular payment processing firm Skrill has decided to halt transactions for online gambling activity for the foreseeable future.
The change is anticipated as of January 2 of this coming year (2014). Transactions from merchants will end effective January 31.
New Jersey Gambling Expansion on the Table
TRENTON, New Jersey — (Associated Press) - Some New Jersey lawmakers are busy preparing for the day they expect casino gambling to expand to the Meadowlands.
A state Assembly committee on Thursday is considering a bill that would create a commission to study expanding casino gambling to East Rutherford.
2014 Borgata Winter Poker Open and LA Poker Classic Schedules Released
Schedules for both the 2014 Borgata Winter Poker Open and the LA Poker Classic have been unveiled. These are two of the most prestigious poker tournaments on the circuit today.
The 23-event 2014 Borgata Winter Poker Open will take place at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, N.J. from Jan. 14-31 of next year.
Caesars Files Suit Against Massachusetts Gambling Panel Head
BOSTON — (Associated Press) - A lawsuit filed by Caesars Entertainment against the state's top gambling regulator alleges he failed to disclose a potential conflict of interest in a timely manner.
Caesars had been a partner of the Suffolk Downs horse track in a casino bid but withdrew after a background check by commission staff.
The federal lawsuit challenges the ''constitutionality, objectivity and fairness'' of Caesars' treatment by Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chairman Stephen Crosby.
Graphic Video of Shooting Outside Bally’s Nightclub Drai’s Released (Video)
Video surveillance of an October 21 shooting outside Drai’s After Hours club inside Bally’s Las Vegas casino was released to the public on Tuesday.
Benjamin Frazier, 41, is charged with one count of murder, two counts of attempted murder and one count of carrying a concealed firearm or other deadly weapon.
Frazier opened fired following a dispute over a $30 cover charge, according to a Metro Police arrest report.
