Gambling
German States Sign New Gambling Law
(Reuters) - Fifteen of Germany's 16 federal states gave their approval on Thursday (December 15) to a new gambling law which will open up 20 sports betting licences and introduce a 5 percent gambling sales tax.
State premier Peter Harry Carstensen of Schleswig-Holstein, the only state not to add its signature to the new law, told reporters it would still need approval from the European Commission.
But another premier, Reiner Haseloff of Saxony-Anhalt, said the approval of Brussels was expected.
Hellinger Online Gambling Trial On Hold
The trial for Magazine Publisher and online gambling payment processor Don Hellinger has been put on hold with a yet-to-be-determined new date. The trial was originally set to begin January 3, 2012.
Hellinger processed online gambling payments for a number of prominent i-Gaming ventures during the period 2005-2006 including now-defunct BetOnSports.com and Bodog.com, which has since become Bovada.lv.
No More Bodog.com in US: Hello Bovada.lv
In with Bovada.lv and out with Bodog.com.
Bodog.com has stopped accepting US customers as of Wednesday December 14, 2011.
While the company planned to pull the Bodog.com and .eu domain names from US reach while offering a rebranding alternative, the move comes a bit sooner than previously expected.
Ongame Sale Unlikely to be Finalised by Year’s End
LONDON (SHARECAST) – Online gaming company Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment has reported a 'solid' performance since September, with its core margin for the full year set to be between 22% and 24%.
However, investors were disappointed by news that the sale of Ongame B2B is unlikely to be finalised before the end of the year despite being at an "advanced stage".
The firm said revenue performance since the end of September has been in-line with management's expectations and it remains on-track to deliver around €40m of annualised synergies in 2012 and €65m in 2013.
Eastern PA Online Gambling Cold Case Gets Hotter as Trial Set for January 3
An online gambling payment processing case is reportedly set to go to trial on January 3, though a delay is possible.
The US Attorney’s Office in Eastern Pennsylvania case involves processing for companies during the years 2005 and 2006, including the now defunct BetOnSports.com. Companies that are still in existence today are also mentioned in the complaint, including Bodog.com, though they are not named as one of the defendants.
Miami Casino Won’t be the World’s Largest
It will be enormous, but not the world’s largest casino as previously suggested. Casino giant Genting plans to build a sprawling casino complex in downtown Miami but the perceived enormity of the project has raised some concerns.
“That’s simply false,’’ Christian Goode, Genting’s top Florida executive said during a panel discussion where the casino was referred to as the ‘largest casino on the planet’. “It’s not even close to being the largest.”
Ontario Gets On Board Online Gambling Bandwagon
The Canadian province of Ontario has announced plans to allow legalized online gambling.
Government officials believe that the industry could bring in $100 million over a five year period.
Other provinces like British Columbia already allow Internet gambling for its residence via the Lottery.
“We want to . . . get this right the first time,” said lottery spokesman Tony Bitonti.
Rob Ferguson of The Toronto Star writes:
Introducing Oddsfutures.com, the Future of Sports Trading
Oddsfutures.com, the world’s first odds trading exchange, is the ideal way for sports traders to make money on a race - regardless of the result! This is because Oddsfutures.com is a unique marketplace which allows its customers to take advantage of fluctuations in betting patterns, rather than having to purchase a bet and await the outcome of the race.
Antoine Walker Gets 5 Years Probation for Vegas Debt
LAS VEGAS — (Associated Press) - Former NBA star Antoine Walker was sentenced Tuesday to five years of probation and ordered to pay $770,050 in restitution to three Las Vegas casinos after pleading guilty to failing to repay gambling debts.
Walker and his lawyer declined to comment after his brief appearance before Clark County District Court Judge Valorie Vega.
Walker has repaid some of his Las Vegas casino debts since his arrest in July 2009 in Lake Tahoe, where he planned to play in a celebrity golf tournament.
Joe Barton Okay With Online Poker Bill Being Attached to Deficit Spending Measure
There hasn’t been a whole lot of coverage of this week’s Washington, DC Digital Gaming and Lottery Policy Summit, but some of the heaviest hitters connected to online poker are in attendance including our friends at SouthPointPoker.com and the Congressman who has drafted a measure to legalize Internet poker in the US, Texas Republican Joe Barton.
State Casino Legislation: New York, Florida and Massachusetts
Three states are looking to expand casino legislation: New York, Florida and Massachusetts.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo expressed interest in allowing casinos throughout the state.
MGM Files Trademark Infringement Suit Against Poker Sites
MGM Resorts International has filed suit in the U.S. District Court in Las Vegas this past Thursday against four individuals and two companies related to websites they claim infringe on their own trademarks.
Website domain names that are part of the suit include:
bellagioonlinepoker.com
circuscircuspoker.com
excaliburpoker.com
luxorpoker.com
mandalaybayonlinepoker.com
mgmpoker.com
ariapoker.com
Churchill Downs Increases Its Annual Dividend by 20 Percent
(AP) NEW YORK — Churchill Downs Inc. said Monday it will increase its annual dividend by 20 percent to 60 cents per share.
Hells Angels Biker in Court Over Las Vegas Casino Shootout
By SCOTT SONNER
Associated Press
RENO, Nev. (AP) - A California member of the Hells Angels pleaded not guilty Thursday to second-degree murder for his role in the death of his chapter president in a September shootout in a Nevada casino.
Cesar Villagrana of Gilroy also pleaded not guilty to shooting and wounding two members of the rival Vagos motorcycle gang in the melee.
Ladbrokes Agrees to Debt Facility With Banks
LONDON, Dec 2 (Reuters) - Ladbrokes, Britain's second-biggest bookmaker, said it had agreed a new five-year, 540 million pounds ($847 million) debt facility with its banks.
Ladbrokes, which has 2,100 betting shops in the UK, on Friday said the new facility would mature in 2016 and replaces its existing 560 million pounds facility that was due to mature in 2013.
The company estimates that the new blended rate of interest for the group will be 7.5 percent in 2012.
Best Hotel Rates New Year’s 2012 in Las Vegas
Sure they may be an advertiser here at Gambling911.com, but South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa just happens to be offering the very best rates in Las Vegas for New Year’s 2012.
Huffington Post: Sports Betting Could Be the Answer for Ailing State Economies
While much of the talk these days is related to how legalizing online poker can help boost state economies as well as help the national deficit through massive gambling tax collections, the Huffington Post on Thursday published a great article about New Jersey’s efforts to legalize sports betting as a means of helping the Garden State recover from its own financial woes.
Facebook Real Money Online Gambling in the UK: Apps Coming Soon?
Facebook, the social networking behemoth, is considering real money online gambling in the United Kingdom?
Those are the latest rumors.
“We’re always in discussions with companies about lots of different ideas, but we don’t comment on future plans or speculation,” a Facebook spokesperson said in a statement issued to ZDNet.com late Wednesday.
Google, Facebook Ordered to Delist Over 700 Domain Names
In a move that has sent chills throughout many industries, including the online gambling sector, a federal judge out of Nevada has ordered the seizure of over 700 domain names related to counterfeit products in addition to demanding that Google, Facebook, Bing and Twitter delist the named websites.
“So are they (the US Government) going to seize eBay.com’s domain too since they sell ‘fake’ Chanel products,” asked one individual upon being informed of the seizures.
It could very well happen.
With South Africa Deeming Online Poker Illegal: PiggsPeak Casino and Poker Shut Down
Long established online casino and poker room PiggsPeak has shut down following a court ruling in South Africa that makes online gambling illegal.
The judge's decision states the gambling takes place where the play is, not where the gaming site's servers are physically located.
PiggsPeak and other online casino companies attempted to appeal a ruling by the North Gauteng High Court that declared Internet gambling illegal in the country.
Chicago to Las Vegas Cheap Air Fares (December 2011)
For those of you living in Chicago looking for cheap air fares to Las Vegas in December, Gambling911.com makes life easier. These fares are Wednesday thru Tuesday, round trip and through O’Hare International Airport, unless noted otherwise. These flghts were listed on November 26 and subject to change.
Las Vegas Airport: New Gateway to Asia
Las Vegas tourism officials are betting that a new air terminal will offer a new route for air passengers to connect between the US and Asia.
A new terminal will make its debut in June and connect international passengers through six gates. Customs will be able to process 2,200 passengers per hour,
"We see Las Vegas not just as an origin and destination point, but also as another hub for us," John Jackson III, vice president of passenger marketing and sales for Korean Air's Americas region, says to AP.
Belgium Online Gambling Blacklist Likely to Feature Bwin
Belgium has announced plans to incorporate a so-called “blacklist of online gambling websites”, a move that is seen as shocking in most industry circles.
Belgium’s biggest city of Brussels is considered the de facto capital of the European Union. The EU has worked hard to abolish individual nation prohibition of Internet gambling within its membership organization, even going as far as to condemn the United States for its position against Web gambling.
Ladbrokes, BetDSI.com Demonstrate Importance of Mobile Betting, Live Wagering
Ladbokes this week launched a live streaming of AtTheRaces live coverage of British and Irish horse races in an effort to expand on its vital mobile betting platform. iPhone users can currently access while the product will ultimately be available to Android and other mobile platforms.
Richard Ames, Ladbrokes managing director, products, commented: "Mobile betting is growing rapidly and Ladbrokes customers have a leading range of services. We continue to develop it and aim to make it the first choice for mobile betting and gaming customers."
Sky Bet, Other British Bookmakers Slaughtered After This Week’s Premier League Action
Sky Bet bookmakers were left reeling after a week where all of the Premier League favourites walked off victorious.
It was the “worst day in their sports betting history” according to a company statement.
Sky Bet paid out to thousands at 7/1 with Manchester City, Southampton, Charlton and Southend all winning.
Sky Bet's Head of Football Trading Sandro Di Michele said: "Pretty much everything that could of gone wrong for us today did, with the 'What If' market just one of our enhanced accumulators to have come in.
Isle of Man Seeks New Head of E-Gaming
Garth Kimber, who is currently contracted to the role of Head of E-Gaming, has decided to return to the private sector and as a result will be leaving his position in December. The process to recruit and appoint a replacement for Garth has already commenced.
The California Tribal Business Alliance Demands Regarding Online Poker Regulation
The California Tribal Business Alliance believes the following principles must be adhered to for any online gaming legislation at the state or federal level. The legislation must:
• Not compromise the inherent rights of tribal governments, modify the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act or undermine existing tribal-state gaming compacts.
• Allow tribes to accept wagers from persons not on Indian lands.
Prince Harry Does Las Vegas: $200 Lost During BJ
Prince Harry and friends spent this past weekend in Las Vegas gambling like rock stars….down and out rock stars maybe. A high roller he is NOT.
No Harry didn’t win a million dollars or lose a million dollars. Instead, he and his buddies total lost $500 ($200 of which was Harry’s). They were reportedly playing at the blackjack tables.
A source told People Magazine Harry “couldn’t believe you got free drinks from gambling at the blackjack tables.”
It wasn’t all gambling and drinking though. Harry and company also watched the Cirque Du Soleil show “O.”
President Obama Pardons Man Who Ran Illegal Gambling Operation
US President Barack Obama on Monday announced the pardons of five individuals, including one who was convicted of running an illegal gambling operation.
Thomas Paul Ledford of Jonesborough, Tenn was sentenced in 1995 to one year of probation for conducting and directing an illegal gambling business.
Other pardons were as follows:
Cheap Air Fares to Las Vegas From… New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC – December 2011
Gambling911.com has your cheap air fares to Las Vegas from the New York City metropolitan area along with Philadelphia, Washington DC, Boston and Hartford. These fares are for the month of December 2011. Fares are based on Wednesday thru Tuesday travel (round trip). When in Las Vegas, $42 per night weekday rates and $72 per night weekend rates at the fabulous South Point Hotel Casino and Spa here.
New York City/Newark to Las Vegas –
