Wikileaks Exposes Sheldon Adelson: Cable Discusses ‘Missteps’ in China
Casino tycoon Sheldon Adelson’s Las Vegas Sands Corp. is under federal investigation into whether it has complied with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and a recently uncovered Wikileaks cable suggests Adelson may be in some hot water in China as well.
Adelson is alleged to have “bribed” foreign officials in exchange for lucrative business deals. His casino empire enjoys a massive presence in the Asian gambling Mecca of Macua.
From Salon.com:
Bwin.Party Responds to DOJ Megaupload.com Complaint
The world’s largest Internet gambling company, Bwin.Party, responded to the US Department of Justice complaint that mentions its role as part of the high profile Megaupload.com indictment. Megaupload.com, a file hosting service, was taken down two weeks ago. The DOJ has accused the website of engaging in copyright infringement and pirating.
Online Legal Research Database Firms Updating Info on Internet Gambling Defendant
On Thursday morning it was revealed that various online legal research firms were in the process of updating their databases as it relates to a cooperating witness in an investigation related to Web gambling that many believe was about to begin wrapping up in the coming weeks. News organizations like Gambling911.com utilize the services of these firms as a means of monitoring case law activities.
Odds on Whether US Law Enforcement Takes Down Online Sportsbook for Super Bowl 2012
Gambling911.com has been covering all the hundreds of 2012 Super Bowl betting props that are currently out there. Each year there are always a few novel prop bets such as this year’s What Color Will Madonna’s Hair Be and we’re still waiting on those Gisele Bundchen bets.
So with the US Government’s aggressive action against online gambling websites over this past year, we couldn’t help but wonder what the odds might be for a Super Bowl surprise.
Macau Gambling Revenue Rises 35 Percent in January 2012: Casinos in General Have Great Month
Casino companies gained after revenue in Macau, the world's largest gambling hub, rose 35 percent in January (2012). MGM Resorts International climbed 0.7 percent to $13.14. Las Vegas Sands Corp. increased 0.8 percent to $49.50.
Alabama Gambling Corruption Defendant had Filed for Bankruptcy 4 Days Before Death
While police await autopsy results to determine what led to the death of a defendant in a very high profile vote rigging Alabama gambling corruption case, it was revealed on Tuesday that Ray Crosby had filed for bankruptcy just four days prior to his death.
Atlantic City’s Newest Casino Revel to Impose Term Limits on Employees
If you are thinking about getting a job at the all new Revel Casino in Atlantic City, you might want to think twice.
Newly hired employees of the Revel Casino will be subject to term limits of four to six years, just like some politicians. At the end of said term, employees will have to re-apply.
The policy will "attract the most highly professional people who are inspired by a highly competitive work environment," Revel wrote in a statement.
Magic KingDOME: Wife of Purple Lounge Casino Director Must Stand Trial After Disney 'Toilet" Incident
The wife of Media Corp PLC Non-Executive Director Chris Gorman will be forced to stand trial after an alleged sexual encounter and assault in an Orlando, Florida nightclub bathroom this past August.
Rank £250 Million Offer for Gala Coral
Rank has reportedly offered £250 Million to rival Gala Coral as part of a potential acquisition bid. Should it go through, the combined company would become the biggest casino chain in Great Britain.
Rank currently operates 35 gambling establishments while Gala has a total of 24 casinos.
In a statement, Rank said: “The terms of any such acquisition have not been finalised and there is no certainty a transaction will occur.”
- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com
New York Judge Rules Mah Jong a Game of Skill: Could Help Internet Poker Cause
Mah Jong, the ancient Chinese tile-based table game, is not gambling at least not according to a New York judge.
On January 19, 2012, Criminal Court Judge John H. Wilson declared in People v. Feng that “the court declines to declare Mah Jong to be a per se ‘contest of chance.’ ”
Defendant in Alabama Gambling Corruption Case Joseph ‘Ray’ Crosby Found Dead
Police are conducting an investigation into the mysterious death of Joseph “Ray” Cosby over the weekend. Cosby is one of seven remaining defendants in a federal corruption case tied to gambling in Alabama and was found dead on Sunday, just one day before the start of a second trial in the case.
New Jersey Politicians Meet With Gov Chris Christie to Discuss Internet Gambling
New Jersey politicians, including State Senator Raymond Lesniak, were taking part in closed door meetings with Governor Chris Christie to discuss a measure that would legalize online poker.
The objective, Gambling911.com has learned exclusively, is to get something passed through the state House and Senate without the need for a voter referendum.
Zynga Online Gambling Revenue Could be $5 Billion Claims JP Morgan
Zynga, which offers the largest free online poker site in the world, has gone all in with its push to offer “real money play” games. JP Morgan claims that Zynga can potentially generate $5 billion in revenue after the company announced it was in conversations with interested parties to offer the “cash play” platform.
Lem Banker Banking on Patriots to Win 2012 Super Bowl
Once a generation, people gather outside the Vatican in Rome, looking up at the Vatican chimney to see whether the smoke coming out in billows is white or black, signifying yes or no that a new pope has been selected.
Almost as eagerly anticipated is the yearly declaration by the pope of professional sports betting, Lester "Lem" Banker of Las Vegas, as to who he likes to cover the pointspread in the Super Bowl--the favorite or the underdog.
The reason for the anticipation?
Lucky Lem usually gets it right.
i-Dating Conference in Miami Beach a ‘Must Attend’ for Online Gambling Interests
Who would have thunk it? i-Dating and online gambling the perfect marriage. It is if you have someone like Marc Lesnick running this type of event.
Lesnick, who was one of the leading Internet gambling and affiliate conference organizers back in the day and remains a close friend of the Gambling911.com website, has branched out into other industries.
This week’s Internet Dating Conference in Miami Beach may very well be his most successful conference to date, attracting somewhere in the area of 450 attendees.
Five-Year Long Investigation Into Online Gambling About to Wrap Up?
Gambling911.com sources have revealed that a more than five-year investigation related to online gambling, telemarketing and alleged bank fraud is about to wrap up.
“Law enforcement agencies are under intense pressure to conclude ongoing investigations ahead of inevitable legalization of online poker, casino games and possibly even sports betting,” our source tells us. “But some of these agencies are just out for blood.”
New Jersey Congressmen Introduce Sports Betting Bill
New Jersey Congressman Republican Rep. Frank LoBiondo introduced legislation that would bring legalized sports betting to all states that want it, not just the Garden State.
New Jersey residents overwhelmingly voted in favor of a referendum that would legalize sports wagering in the state. Governor Chris Christie signed the legislation that passed through both the House and state senate last week. New Jersey legislators must now overturn a federal law that makes it illegal to bet on sports in all but four states.
Online Poker 2012 25k Booster Freeroll Announced by Carbon
Starting Sunday January 29th Carbon Poker will be running two types of daily qualifiers to their exclusive $25,000 online poker freeroll, to be held on Sunday February 26th at 14:00.
Psychiatrist on Why People Get Transfixed to Slot Machines, Video Poker: Draws Similarities to Prayer
Dr. David Forrest, clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, claims that gamblers enter into a “meditative” state or a “trance” when playing casino slot machines and video poker.
Forrest should know. He’s not just a psychiatrist, he’s also an avid slots player himself.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid Postpones Vote on Antipiracy Bill
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has delayed vote on a controversial antipiracy bill originally set for consideration this coming Tuesday.
A massive protest by hundreds of Internet websites including Wikipedia, Reddit.com and Google resulted in a number of the bill’s co-sponsors bailing on Wednesday.
Reid did not offer an explanation for the delay.
The Senate Majority Leader said he still hopes a compromise can be reached "in the coming weeks."
Anonymous Takes Down FBI Website
Reacting to news of a US Justice Department indictment against streaming upload site magaupload along with the website’s seizure, the hactivist group Anonymous has taken down none other than the US Justice Department website.
Power Struggle at Wynn: Another Ugly Divorce Battle
Have you all been following the power struggle at Wynn Resorts Inc?
It seems their largest shareholder, Japanese pachinko mogul Kazuo Okada, recently nominated up to four people to the board of the U.S. casino company. He is currently suing founder Steve Wynn and accuses the Vegas casino titan of blocking access to records related to his investment in the company as well as objecting to an “inappropriate” $135 million company donation to the University of Macau.
Ladbrokes Buys Stakes in US-Based Stadium Technology Group
One of the United Kingdom’s largest bookmakers has bought a 65 per cent stake in US-based Stadium Technology Group, which specializes in sports betting technology and is used by a number of Las Vegas sportsbooks.
“The size of the US market and potential for positive regulatory change in the coming years make it a sensible place to establish a presence,” said Richard Glynn, Ladbrokes’ chief executive. “Stadium Technology is already one of the key software suppliers to casinos in Nevada and Delaware and it has the potential to expand.”
Betfair Signs Olympics Deal, Casinos in Miami: Who Needs ‘Em? More…
The largest sports betting exchange in the world, Betfair, has signed a deal with the International Olympics Committee. Has nothing to do with advertising or sponsoring athletes, it’s all about monitoring bets and ensuring a corruption-free Olympics this year in London.
From Gambling Kingz:
The SOPA Blackout: Ron Paul, Nancy Pelosi, Michele Bachmann on Board
The uber popular web news and aggregation site Reddit.com is planning to blackout their site next Wednesday January 18 in opposition of Stop Online Piracy Act and the Protect IP Act (better known as SOPA). And you won’t believe whose supporting the efforts to block this controversial bill: The likes of Ron Paul, Nancy Pelosi and Michele Bachmann just to name a few. Talk about a bipartisan issue!
Wikipedia founder James Wales has proposed a similar blackout while Google, Yahoo, AOL and other major Web companies continue to condemn SOPA.
Sununu Takes Aim at Sheldon Adelson: “Not So Bright” (Video)
If ever there was a time when US citizens could cry foul over big businesses and campaign donations influencing politicians, that time might be now.
World Sports Exchange Slow Paying 123 Players $738,852 to Date
World Sports Exchange (WSEX.com) is like Somalia, a failed state….but they still exist. SportsBookReview.com is reporting that it has documented 123 players currently waiting on payments that total $738,852. Many players have been waiting over a year for payouts, though it should be noted a few are trickling in.
MGM Resorts International Granted Injunction Against Cybersquatters
A federal judge has sided with MGM Resorts International in its complaint against a group of so-called cybersquatters looking to capitalize on the companies name.
The court ordered GoDaddy.com Incorporated, Wild West Domains Incorporated and Melbourne IT Incorporated to place the following domains on hold: bellagioonlinepoker.com, circuscircuspoker.com, excaliburpoker.com, luxorpoker.com, mandalaybayonlinepoker.com, mgmpoker.com and ariapoker.com.
Ice, Ice, Baby - Bigger and Better ICE Online Gambling Affiliate Party January 2012
The Sports Betting Community (SBC) in association with iGaming Super Show announced that its second Ice, Ice, Baby party will be bigger and better than last years.
New Jersey Approves Sports Betting in Final Minutes
With only hours to go before a legislative session deadline, the New Jersey Assembly approved legalized sports betting in the state.
Early in the day, the Senate had approved the measure.
Last November, voters gave the approval for legalized sports betting in the state by a 64/35 margin. Bets could be placed on professional sporting events at Atlantic City’s 11 casinos and 4 racetracks.
