Gambling News
Philadelphia Plays Host to Internet Gambling Conference
HARRISBURG, Pa - Gaming Control Board Chairman William H. Ryan, Jr. along with Executive Director Kevin O'Toole and Bureau of Licensing Director Susan Hensel will participate in the World Regulatory Briefing USA focusing on iGaming on October 22 and 23, 2013 in Philadelphia.
Leaders from the gaming industry along with regulators from state, international and Native American gaming jurisdictions will be presenting at the conference.
Adelson Republican Strategic Research Study: ‘Universal Opposition to Web Gambling’
Online gambling opponent and one of the GOP’s biggest donors, Sheldon Adelson, recently commissioned the Republican strategic research and polling firm, The Tarrance Group, to conduct a study to determine voter attitudes towards legalized online gambling in the US. Their findings, not surprisingly, favor Adelson’s stance.
Trump Casinos in Atlantic City Latest to be Granted Online Gambling Permits
(Associated Press) - The two Trump casinos in Atlantic City received their Internet gambling permits Thursday, as New Jersey regulators continued preparing for the launch of online gambling next month.
Trump Plaza and the Trump Taj Mahal got their Internet gambling permits and join the Borgata and the Golden Nugget among casinos approved to begin Internet gambling.
Online gambling will begin Nov. 26 in New Jersey after a five-day, invitation-only trial period.
New Jersey is the third state in the nation to offer online gambling, along with Nevada and Delaware.
Americas Cardroom to Host $350k ‘The High Five’ Poker Tournament Series
US facing online poker room Americas Cardroom (ACR) will be hosting a new tournament series called the High Five Tournament Series (HFTS). The series of tournaments runs from November 20th to 24th and promises 5 major guaranteed tournaments each night along with smaller events for a series guarantee of $350,000.
888 Holdings Anticipates Dramatic Revenue Rise in 2014 With US Web Gambling
(Reuters) - London- listed 888 Holdings is expecting to start to see the benefits from next year as a number of U.S. states ease a ban on Internet gambling.
888, which runs online gambling and poker sites, is already operating in Nevada, with markets in Delaware and New Jersey expected to go live in the coming weeks.
"In 2014, we should start to see some meaningful revenues come through," Chief Executive Brian Mattingley said, talking about prospects in the American market.
CAMS Names Former Nevada Gaming Control Head Mark Lipparelli Advisor
Los Angeles – CAMS, LLC, the leader in providing online operators with payment connectivity and Know Your Customer (KYC) verification services, today announced that Mark Lipparelli has been engaged by the company as an advisor. The company will look to him for strategic guidance as they navigate the newly-regulated internet gambling industry.
Golden Nugget Obtains Second NJ Online Gambling Permit
The Golden Nugget is the second Atlantic City casino operator to be granted an Online gambling permit.
New Jersey anticipates launching its Web gambling industry on November 26 with real money play permitted by those physically located within the state’s borders.
Lisa Spengler, a spokeswoman for the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, said there is no competitive advantage to being issued a permit early as the launch date is the same for all casinos.
Last week the Borgata was the first casino property to receive a permit.
Judge Throws out Lawsuit Challenging New York Gambling Referendum
ALBANY, N.Y. (Associated Press) — A judge on Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit challenging a referendum on Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposal to authorize seven more casinos in New York, ruling it was filed too late.
The suit by Brooklyn lawyer Eric Snyder contested the language of the Nov. 5 ballot proposition, claiming it was biased in favor of approval. It was reworded by the Cuomo administration and legislative leaders to promise benefits including jobs, lower taxes and school aid without mentioning any potential downside to casinos, including problem gambling and crime.
Betfair Launches LetsPlayNJ.com for Web Gambling but Can’t Play Yet in Garden State
While New Jersey prepares to begin allowing online gambling by the end of next month, European powerhouse Betfair has mostly been left out in the cold.
Embezzlement Scheme Uncovered at Bodog: Several Employees Allegedly Involved
The online gambling firm Bodog has accused a number of high-ranking company officials of perpetrating a scheme to embezzle millions of dollars from its Asian operation.
Caesars Stock Price Slides 12 Percent: No Right to Online Gambling IPO
Caesars Entertainment Corp. has sold 10.3 million shares of its common stock to a Swiss banking firm for $200 million, resulting in a sharp 12 percent decline in its share price Tuesday (October 15). This represents the biggest decline of the year so far.
The stock began trading without rights to participate in an IPO of the company’s online gambling unit. Anyone purchasing the stock as of the 15th would not enjoy rights to the new unit. Those already owning stocks in Caesars will be able to purchase Caesars Acquisition Co. stock.
Mobster-Turned-Cattle-Rancher to Face Trial for Conspiracy, Murder
(Associated Press) - With his East Coast accent and tales of living in New York, Jay Shaw stood out when he moved to the tiny farm town of Marsing, Idaho.
But he was friendly enough, even helpful, to his neighbors, and they never suspected him of having a dark secret.
Anticipated Positive Results With This Week’s Sands Earnings Report
Las Vegas Sands (LVS) is expected to report its Q3 2013 earnings this coming Thursday October 17 and results should be positive according to Zacks Investment Research’ Steve Reitmeister.
Poker Pro Annie Duke: ‘Smart’ People are Manipulating Us
Female poker pro Annie Duke says we should be careful about what we read as smart people control the news and, as such, manipulate it.
Casino Woes Continue in Atlantic City: Revenues Way Down
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — (Associated Press) - Thousands of people came to Atlantic City to see Miss America last month, but not enough of them ventured into a casino to boost the gambling halls’ monthly revenue.
Atlantic City’s casinos saw their revenue fall by nearly 13 percent in September compared with the same month last year.
The city’s 12 casinos won $240.2 million from gamblers, a decline of 12.9 percent from September 2012.
$59 Million Spent on Gambling Lobbying in NY Since 2005
A staggering figure indeed: As Gambling911.com reported the other day, New York State has received a substantial amount of money from gambling interests over the years.
How much in total?
From the New York Times:
Prostitution Charges Dropped Against Poker Pro Greg Raymer
Prostitution charges have been dropped against one of poker’s biggest stars, Greg Raymer, after he successfully completed 75 hours of community service at a local non-profit.
Return of Miss America Pageant to Atlantic City Doesn’t Boost Revenue: Costs $400k
Atlantic City, NJ – (Associated Press) - The return of the Miss America pageant to Atlantic City brought attention to the seaside gambling mecca and a boon to police and public works employees.
The Press of Atlantic City reports the pageant cost the city about $400,000 in overtime. The city’s business administrator tells the newspaper that some of the costs will be reimbursed, possibly by the state. But it isn’t known how much, or when.
Gambling Pastor Embezzles $230k: School Funds Utilized
A Boston area pastor has been relieved of his duties after allegations surfaced that he had stolen more than $200,000 to help support his gambling addiction.
Father Stephen M. Gemme of Saint Bernadette Parish in Northboro, Massachusetts has served as that congregation’s pastor for nearly 10 years. The church published the announcement on its website.
Part of the letter, written by Reverend Robert J. McManus Bishop of Worcester, reads:
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Woman Stiffed Out of $1 Mil Casino Prize: Casino Joins Her Suit to Recover Winnings
A woman has filed suit claiming she was stiffed out of winnings from an Oregon Tribal casino promotion.
Beverly Mackey won the $1 million dollar grand prize in Tribal casino Chinook Winds’ Swipe, Play & Win promotion game. The former home health care provider, who recently had heart surgery, has been denied the winnings.
Vault of Satoshi Offering Trades Between Fiat Currency and Bitcoin
A new Canadian exchange promises cheaper rates at 0.5 percent or below and an advanced API.
The Toronto-based Vault of Satoshi will offer trades between fiat currency and either bitcoin or litecoin, two anonymous digital currencies.
Americas Cardroom Multi-Tabling Option With $100k, Punta Cana Entries Up for Grabs
Americas Cardroom players have a staggering multi-tabling opportunity this Sunday October 13th as the U.S.-friendly online poker site has scheduled two major tournaments alongside one another. 12-Package Punta Cana Poker Classic Guarantee and a $100,000 Guaranteed.
Robin Ylitalo Wins PokerStars EPT London Main Event for £560,980
Swedish pro Robin Ylitalo has won the £5,250 PokerStars.com EPT London Main Event today for a £560,980 first prize.
The 27-year-old from Gothenberg, who made the final of EPT8 Campione, beat Greek player Georgios Karakousis heads-up to win his first EPT title and a stunning watch from Official EPT 10 Main Event Watch Sponsor SLYDE.
He said: “It’s amazing to win this, the best feeling. I absolutely thought I could do it... I thought I was able, but it didn’t happen. I can’t put words to how great it feels. I have been dreaming of this for a long time.”
EPT London Final Table Determined
The EPT London Final table is set with many unfamiliar names but with many international flavors from the local UK to Greece, Australia, Scandinavia and Slovakia. This event is sponsored by PokerStars.com.
Millionairess Carole Waugh Murdered by High Rolling Conmen
High stakes gamblers Rakesh Bhayani and Nicholas Kutner have been charged with murdering a wealthy businesswoman in order that they could fleece her bank accounts to support their gambling lifestyle.
Ms Waugh, 49, an accounts clerk in the oil industry and an escort, lived alone at a £600,000 flat in Marylebone, central London, the Mirror reported.
She had been missing since May with her body eventually discovered in a New Malden, south-west London garage.
PokerStars Live Macau Announces MPC20
Macau Poker Cup celebrates 20th installment with special HK $8 million guarantee for the Red Dragon Main Event
MACAU, CHINA – October 11, 2013 – ‘PokerStars LIVE Macau’ today announced its plans for the 20th installment of the Macau Poker Cup (MPC), which takes place from January 10-21, 2014.
In celebration of MPC20, the legendary Red Dragon Main Event has been given a massive HK $8 million (US $1 million) guarantee.
Ben Affleck Knew ‘Runner, Runner’ Would be an Epic Failure
“Runner, Runner” star Ben Affleck was so worried over the outcome of the online gambling flick that he brought in his go-to-film editor, Academy Award winner William Goldenberg, to spruce things up.
Jury Begins Deliberations in Florida Veterans Gambling Case
SANFORD, Fla. (Associated Press) -- Florida's statewide prosecutor has told jurors that an attorney "gamed" the legal system to help build a multimillion-dollar network of storefront casinos throughout Florida under the guise of a veterans' charity.
In rebuttal closing arguments, Nick Cox said Thursday at Kelly Mathis' trial that the Jacksonville attorney manipulated the law while helping Allied Veterans of the World set up Internet cafes in Florida.
Later Thursday, jurors could begin deliberating whether Mathis committed any crimes.
Two South Carolina Men Charged With Running Illegal Gambling Operation
GREENVILLE, S.C. (Associated Press) — Two men are being held on charges of laundering more than $140 million in connection with an illegal gambling operation.
A report Thursday by WYFF-TV says Bobby Mosley and Michael Caldwell have been charged with operating an illegal gambling business. Also named in the indictment were the firms Gateway Systems, Frontier Software Systems and Frontier Gaming.
Jury to Decide Florida Charity Gambling Role
(Associated Press) - The case against a lawyer accused of helping to build a multimillion-dollar network of storefront casinos throughout Florida under the guise of a veterans' charity is based on "blurry evidence," a defense attorney said Wednesday.
Attorney Kelly Mathis is the first of more than 50 other defendants to go on trial in the Allied Veterans of World case that led to the resignation of Florida's lieutenant governor and a ban on all Internet cafes in the state. It also drove legislators to return campaign donations made by the group.
