Sportsbook News

Any Online Sportsbooks Accept Bitcoin for Mayweather-Pacquiao Fight?

BetOnline is the latest online sportsbook to accept the anonymous digital currency Bitcoin and will be doing so for the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight.  They have been a long time sponsor of the Gambling911.com website.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Apr/30/2015

BetMayor Casino Complaints: Gambling Company Confiscates $51,000 From Player

A player has reported that BetMayor Casino has confiscated $51,000 in winnings after that individual went on a two-month hot streak, winning 87% of the nearly 40,000 hands.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Apr/24/2015

William Hill Reports Record Weekly Loss in January

The United Kingdom’s biggest bookmaker revealed it lost £14m in January after a series of what it referred to as "customer-friendly" football results. 

BetOnline

Shares were down 3.3 percent in Thursday’s midafternoon trading as a result.  Some of that was recovered by Friday.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Apr/24/2015

English Sports Betting Head Dead

The long time CEO and Managing Director of one of the first offshore sports betting companies, English Sports Betting, has passed away.

Tom Lanford died from natural causes recently.  He ran the long established company while it was based out of Jamaica during much of the 1990’s.  Once a wealthy businessman, Lanford was living on the streets of Atlanta, homeless, at the time of his death at 53.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Apr/22/2015

Sportech Shares Rise on News of US Entry

Gambling group Sportech (SPO) gained 2.3% to 66.25p Tuesday on news its US racing subsidiary has been awarded a gaming licence in New Jersey.   

BetOnline

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Apr/21/2015

TopBet Slow Payouts Complaints Blamed on Processing Issues

A series of slow payouts complaints related to three-year-old Manila-based online sportsbook TopBet.eu have begun filing in to the industry monitoring site SportsBookReview.com, prompting concerns from sports bettors.  Update: April 25, 2015 - Some affected players report receipt of payments

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Apr/18/2015

Trial of Legendz Sports Founder Bartice “Luke” King Gets Underway

The trial of Legendz Sports founder Bartice King (better known as “Luke” among his peers) got underway Thursday in an Oklahoma City courtroom following two days of jury selection.  The case number is CR-13-063-1-F, listed on the local courtroom docket as USA vs. Bartice A. "Luke" King.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Apr/16/2015

Magnus Hedman the New Man Behind the Curtain at Pinnacle Sports

SBC News has revealed that Touchbet ltd and Sporting Index owner Magnus Hedman is the new majority shareholder in Pinnacle Sports, once among the biggest online sportsbooks catering to North America.  The company pulled out of the US market in 2007, opting instead to focus on Europe and Asia.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Apr/16/2015

666Bet.com Back Peddling on Payout Promise: ‘We Can Only Pay When Back Online’

Beleaguered 666Bet.com issued a statement on Tuesday informing its customers they can only pay if back up and running online.  This comes after assurances the company would refund customers once its licensing authority gives the green light.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Apr/15/2015

Motorcycle Shooting of Sportsbook Operator Outside CR Bakery Was Failed Hit

A man shot four times outside an Escazu, Costa Rica bakery last month was the target of a failed hit, Gambling911.com can now confirm. 

Sources close to G911 tell us that a sportsbook operator from California by the name of Jason was the target of this hit though the incident does not appear to have any ties to a bookmaking/Pay Per Head businesses had ties to. 

Submitted by C Costigan on, Apr/14/2015

Fears Mount as 666Bet.com Players Not Getting Paid

Officials at beleaguered online gambling firm 666Bet.com sought to calm customer fears Monday that they will not be getting paid.   The company shut down abruptly last night after its Director was arrested on money laundering charges.

Since that time, 666Bet.com customers have had little success accessing their funds.

The company issued this statement Monday:

Submitted by C Costigan on, Apr/13/2015

Sports Tout Adam Meyer Sees Bail Revoked: Accused of Multi-Million Dollar Fraud

A Fort Lauderdale, Florida man charged with running an elaborate sports handicapping fraud scheme has had his bail revoked by a judge.

Adam Meyer, 43, was arrested last October for trying to extort $25 million from a Wisconsin businessman. 

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Apr/09/2015

666Bet.com Director Arrested as Part of Fraud Probe: Site Goes Offline

Paul Bell, a director of 666Bet, has been arrested as part of a joint money-laundering investigation by HM Revenue & Customs and the National Crime Agency. 

The initial arrest occurred last week at London’s Heathrow Airport.  Bell was re-arrested on the Isle of Man upon landing in his private jet.

While the firm’s license has now been suspended and the site remains offline, a spokesperson insists the probe had nothing to do with 666Bet.com.  

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Mar/30/2015

Another Suspect Pleads Guilty in 44Wager.com Bookmaking Case

Salvatore Ferraioli, 33, of Staten Island, NY, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Hartford federal court to a federal tax charge stemming from his involvement in a sports betting ring with ties to Costa Rica.  

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Mar/26/2015

BetOnline Becomes The Latest Big Online Sportsbook to Introduce Bitcoin

With the start of the NCAA Tournament last week, online betting giant BetOnline.ag saw more March Madness players in on the action than ever before.

Submitted by Press Release on, Mar/26/2015

Easy Bet Owner Will Likely Pull Through Following Brazen Assassination Attempt

The California-born owner of a Pay Per Head business in Costa Rica identified only as Jason F. is expected to pull through according to sources close to Gambling911.com. 

The individual was shot four times as he left an Escazu bakery near the La Paco shopping center Wednesday morning and attempted to get into his red Range Rover (pictured).  Two men pulled up on motorcycles and fired the shots.  Authorities are still investigating.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Mar/20/2015

Pay Per Head Owner Identified as Man Shot by Motorcycle Gunmen in Costa Rica

An individual identified only as “Noah” has been shot and is in critical condition.  Gambling911.com can report “Noah” operated a Pay Per Head business out of San Jose, Costa Rica.  The individual’s real name is believed to be "Jason" based on sources close to G911 and he also had some involvement in real estate.  His real last name is being withheld for security reasons.  

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Mar/19/2015

WBX Betting Exchange Shuttered: Regulatory Climate Spelled Doom

Online betting exchange WBX has unceremoniously closed its doors for good though the company insists players are able to withdrawal their funds in full and that any future wagers will be decided “in the normal way”.

BetOnline

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Mar/18/2015

Skybet Gets Reamed for ‘Odds Error’ Tied to PSG Shock Extra Time Win

One of the United Kingdom’s largest online bookmakers, Skybet, found itself caught up in a major controversy over the weekend following an odds error on its mobile phone app.

The app, which has been downloaded some 700,000 times to date, presented odds of 25-1 for a PSG win in extra time over Chelsea only to have the payout as 9-2 by Skybet. The bookmaker has since claimed the odds were a mistake.

Submitted by Alistair Prescott on, Mar/15/2015

Three Florida Men Convicted in Connection With Legends Sports Case

Three individuals from Florida have been convicted in Oklahoma City for their role in running what federal prosecutors called a billion dollar illegal sports betting enterprise run out of Panama City, Panama. 

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Mar/03/2015

New CNBC Primetime Program ‘American Vice’ Looks at Bookies, Poker World

A new CNBC Primetime show is set to premiere Wednesday March 4 at 10 pm ET.

Get an inside look at the world of illegal gambling. Follow those who walk the line between big risk and big reward every day. 

And some of the names cry out “Not Reality Television”.

There’s Cousin Nicky, Joey Terror and Frankie Flatscreen.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Feb/27/2015

Details of Pinnacle Sports Acquisition Limited

Curacao-based Pinnacle Sports, one of the oldest established online bookmakers operating from the Caribbean, has been sold to an undisclosed buyer. 

Little details are known regarding the purchase other than that Las Vegas-based Alternative Trading Partners (ATP) is overseeing the deal .

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Feb/23/2015

Bruce Jenner Betting Crosses Line: Bookie Apologizes for Taking Bets on New Name

Australian bookmaker Sportsbet.com.au has apologized for offering what some say was offensive betting options on one-time Olympian Bruce Jenner’s new name after it was confirmed he is undergoing a sex change.  

While the wagering firm may be sorry, they are not about to suspend betting on Jenner’s gender transformation.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Feb/18/2015

FanDuel Looking for a $1 Billion Valuation: Wants to Go Public Next Year

FanDuel.com, one of the two largest daily fantasy sports sites, is looking to raise another $100 million over the next few months in order to reach a $1 billion valuation. 

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Feb/17/2015

First Online Gambling Site Intertops Returns to U.S. After Nearly 4 Year Absence

Antigua-based Intertops has re-entered the U.S. market after exiting in 2011.  The site features a popular sportsbook, online casino and poker room.

Intertops, an Austrian-owned company, has the distinction of being the first ever online gambling site.  It has held a license on the island of Antigua for 20 years now. The company has a reputation for fast payouts and few complaints.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Feb/17/2015

TradeSports.com a New Type of Fantasy Sports League Where Salary Cap is Eliminated

NEW YORK -- Your state lottery never pays you to try out one of its new scratch-off tickets.

And your local casino never hands you free cash to sit down at the poker table with.

And most certainly your local neighborhood bookie never calls you up and tells you he's going to start paying you to make bets with him on sporting events.

But when it comes to the crowded and cut-throat world of fantasy sports, anything you can do to rise above the din and garner attention is a plus.

Even if it means doling out free cash!

Submitted by Thomas Somach on, Feb/16/2015

William Hill and 888 End Takeover Talks, Nio Acquires Guts.com

William Hill, Great Britain’s biggest bookmaker, has confirmed they ended talks to buy 888.com.

Shares in 888 Holdings plunged in early morning trading Monday as a result of the news.

“Due to a significant difference of opinion on value with a key stakeholder, it has not been possible to reach agreement on the terms of a possible offer and the board of the company has agreed with William Hill to terminate discussions,” 888 said.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Feb/16/2015

Bookmaker Looks for Boost With Morgan Spurlock ‘Inside Man’ Bitcoin Survival Piece

CNN’s Morgan Spurlock “Inside Man” plans to take us inside the world of anonymous digital currency Bitcoin on Thursday February 19, 2015 at 9 pm EST and online gambling site Bookmaker.eu is hoping to capitalize on what will likely be a mini-surge of sorts on folks trying out the mysterious currency.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Feb/13/2015

Former Offshore Bookmaker Now a Politician

ESB’s Dennis Atiyeh Failed in Run for U.S. Congress

A former offshore bookmaker who once fought the Federal government recently tried to become part of the Federal government.

Dennis J. Atiyeh, who owned and operated offshore sportsbook English Sports Betting (ESB) in Jamaica in the late 1990s and early 2000s, was charged by the Feds in 2000 with illegally running a sports betting operation from the U.S.

Submitted by Thomas Somach on, Feb/12/2015

Daily Fantasy Sports Sites in Hot Water Over Ad Claims Long Allowed by UK Agency

Yet another of the big daily fantasy sports sites, DraftKings.com, has been named in a class action suit claiming false advertising as it pertains to bonus offers.  The case was filed in a South Florida court.

Submitted by Alejandro Botticelli on, Feb/10/2015

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