Sportsbook News
First Ever Online Gambling Affiliate Indicted for Recommending Website
In the first case of its kind, an online gambling affiliate based in the US has been named in an indictment for promoting an online sportsbook by simply recommending them.
Gregory “Patchman” Roberts was among 34 charged in a sweeping investigation into a sports betting operative, Legends Sports, which authorities claim had operatives based in both the US and in Panama. Gambling911.com first broke the story Wednesday afternoon.
Law Enforcement Used Skype Wire Taps in Sports Betting Probe Tied to Legends
Law enforcement utilized wire tapping of Skype conversations in an international offshore gambling probe that resulted in charges against principals of Legends Sports in Panama and others.
Legends Sports: ‘All Players Funds Safe Following OKC Indictment’
The US Justice Department out of Oklahoma City filed a 96-page indictment against one of Central America’s oldest US-facing bookmaking operations. Legends Sports and 34 individuals connected to the lucrative wagering business were charged with running an illegal sports betting ring, a story first broke by Gambling911.com.
57 Charged With Operating Illegal Sports Betting Ring
From FBI Oklahoma Division….It is not immediately known if individuals arrested earlier in the day from Albany, New York were tied to this matter. Both men were charged with their role in an extensive sports betting ring with arrests that were taking place thoughout the country Wednesday. This story is very fluid....
Head man of TheGreek.com also named in indictment.
Breaking News: Sports Betting Agents Being Rounded Up Throughout Florida
Gambling911.com has learned that the Northern District of New York was in the process of rounding up sportsbook agents throughout the state of Florida and elsewhere.
Details were not immediately known, however, the indictments are currently under seal and G911 has been unable to obtain further information.
BetRevolution.com Confiscates Players Funds: Claims ‘Syndicate’ Play
Online sportsbook BetRevolution.com has come under fire in recent days for reportedly confiscating $26,908 from two players citing syndicate betting, according to the website SportsBookReview.com.
According to the SBR site:
NATIXIS Issues ‘Buy’ Rating for Gambling Powerhouse William Hill
NATIXIS reissued a ‘buy’ rating on shares of England’s biggest bookmaker and online gambling firm William Hill with a target price of $7.16 on its stock.
This move follows JPMorgan Chase cutting their price target on shares of William Hill from $7.70 to $7.33 in a research note to investors on March 21st.
Four analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock.
Ex-Playtech, Asian Logic Man Greg Fermont Joins Bodog Asia
With Bodog Asia growing as both an operator and B2B provider the long search for a COO to join Managing Director, Robert Gustavsson and his team is finally over.
Greg Fermont’s industry experience speaks for itself with stints at Playtech, Asian Logic and most recently Sun City. Greg brings not just gaming knowledge to Bodog Asia but also years of regional experience so vital to success in the area.
RCMP Releases Names of Those Charged in Platinum SB Gambling Probe
As the result of an on-going illegal gaming investigation, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) has charged the following individuals with the offences of Commit a Criminal Offence for the Benefit of a Criminal Organization and Conspiracy to Commit the Indictable Offence of Engage in Bookmaking
Names of Those Arrested in Platinum SB Probe Yet to be Released
Though the RCMP announced it would be identifying those arrested Tuesday March 5, 2013 in connection with a massive bookmaking operation in the Ontario region today, this was yet to occur as of Wednesday evening.
18 More Arrests Made in Connection With Platinum Sportsbook Probe
The RCMP arrested another 18 individuals in connection with an ongoing case tied to Web-based sports betting operator Platinum Sportsbook (or Platinum SB).
RCMP to Release More Info on Platinum Sportsbook in Wake of Super Bowl Raid
The RCMP were expected to release information pertaining to Platinum Sportsbook following a much publicized raid during a Super Bowl party last month.
Online Gambling Web Chat Files: ‘A Phone Call From God Won’t Save You’
Social gaming, this is not. Angry customers have taken to the posting forums to cut and paste online chats with reps from various online gambling sites. Some of the best cut and pasted chats are courtesy of 5Dimes.com customer as the owner of that long-established company loves to “engage” with his clientele on occasion.
Ladbrokes Gaining Ground in Online Gambling
(Reuters) - Ladbrokes, Britain's second-largest bookmaker, expects to see payback this year from a 50 million pound ($77 million investment in an online business that had failed to keep pace with rivals.
While growing numbers of people are gambling via smartphones and tablet computers, Ladbrokes has been hit by delays upgrading its technology. It has lost ground to market leader William Hill in online and faced competition from smaller rivals.
Betmaker Exchange Customers Moved to Bookmaker
Bookmaker has taken over all existing accounts of the US-facing online betting exchange Betmaker, it was announced on Tuesday.
All funds are safe and the transfer of accounts was expected to be seamless.
Gone Fishing: Ladbrokes Takes Bets on Species Extinction
Ladbrokes may be known more for the fish that play in their online poker room.
Now the fish have become a focus of the company’s sports betting arm….and we’re not talking the Bassmasters Classic.
The UK’s second largest bookmaker, Ladbrokes, is taking odds on various fish species becoming extinct.
George Monbiot of the Guardian noted that, earlier in the week, Ladbrokes was taking bets on mackerel after conservationists removed it from the “fish to eat” list.
Monbiot noted:
Tote Bet on Fantasy Football: New BetFred Deal
Betfred has signed a deal with TotelFootball to make pool betting on fantasy football available to Totepool.com customers. This is the first deal the Tote, now owned by Betfred, has done with a third party for another pool product and is indicative of Betfred’s ambitions to take pool betting to a new level, across all sports, internationally.
Ladbrokes Buys Betdaq for €30m
One of the United Kingdom’s biggest bookmakers, Ladbrokes, has agreed to acquire Betdaq from TBH Ltd. in a deal said to be worth €30m. Ladbrokes will also acquire a 10 percent stake in TBH Guernsey Ltd, which is the technology partner of Betdaq for an additional €4m.
M88 Site Named in Gambling Bust
Seven individuals have been arrested for their connection to a Vietnamese sports betting ring said to have taken in US$48 million.
Those arrested early January 17, 2012 include Nguyen Le Sang, 37; Nguyen Le Giang, 50; Le Van Hai, 25; Nguyen Thai Ngan, 22; Pham Thi Kim Loan, 41; Cu Huy Giap and Nguyen Anh Thai.
BTCSportsBet.com: The Future of BitCoin Sports Betting is Now
BitCoin, the anonymous online payment solution, is starting to make waves with the recent $510k investment into payment solutions company BitPay. This is likely to further drive business towards BTCSportsBet.com, one of the few online sportsbooks currently accepting BitCoins. They have nearly 8000 followers on Twitter.
Online Gambling Pioneer Sentenced to Three Years Probation
Bill Scott, the founder of once powerful World Wide Tele Sports, has been sentenced to three years of probation for violating the US Wire Act and money laundering. Scott also had to forfeit $6,786,934.65 from various US bank accounts.
Online Gambling Software Pioneer Facing Prison Time
An Arizona-based Internet gambling software pioneer, Robert (Bob) Stuart, has been charged with promoting gambling in New York because authorities claim the software in question was used by other individuals for “illegal” purposes.
It is Christmas at NorthBet: Free Fantasy Football Offered
Northbet, the premier boutique online sportsbook that also features free Fantasy Football in addition to wagering, wants to wish all Gambling911.com readers a very merry Christmas and they have plenty of gifts for their customers as we see below.
Playtech May Complicate William Hill Takeover of Sportingbet
LONDON (Reuters) - British bookmaker William Hill has rejected a claim by joint venture partner Playtech that it should share in the benefits of a planned takeover of online gambling group Sportingbet.
The intervention by software group Playtech has complicated a deals seen as pivotal in the overseas expansion of William Hill, Britain's largest bookmaker.
William Hill is spending 454 million pounds to acquire Sportingbet's Australian operations and an option to buy its business in Spain.
7Red Sports Alive and Kicking Despite Reported BetIslands Purchase
A representative for 7Red Sports insists his company has nothing to do with beleaguered BetIsland and it is business as usual.
An individual representing himself as the owner of now defunct BetIslands.com announced earlier in the month that his sportsbook had just purchased 7Red Sports.
Defense Rests in High Profile Philadelphia Mob Trial
PHILADELPHIA (Associated Press) — They won’t be going home for Christmas, but several accused mobsters appeared upbeat Wednesday as their racketeering trial in Philadelphia nears an end.
BetCRIS.com Announces Major Acquisition
San Jose, Costa Rica -- BetCRIS.com, one of the leaders in the online gaming industry, announced the acquisition of all BookMaker.eu non-US accounts.
BetIslands.com, EZ Street and 7RedSports.com to Shut Down: 'Money Man' Pulls Out
SBRForum.com confirmed Tuesday morning what many hard core sports bettors already feared, that BetIslands.com will be shutting down and stiffing its relatively small but high end customer base.
Sports Bettors Fear the Worst as BetIslands Payout Issues Mount
Sports bettors were on edge following reports that tiny BetIslands.com may be on its way to shutting down.
Replacement Checks for TopBet.com Customers Now Arriving
Good news for TopBet.com customers as some have reported the receipt of new replacement checks following a series of payouts that resulted in “insufficient funds” (i.e. checks bouncing).
Gambling911.com reported earlier in the week that TopBet.com had lost one of its processors, a common industry problem facing US-based players.