Gambling911.com Top Stories for July 17, 2024

• Manifred warns of threats to players over gambling.
• Former LSU standout Kayshon Boutte won't face prosecution for underage gambling.
• WSOP main event final kicked off Tuesday night.
• Malo Latinois Eliminated in 9th Place ($1,000,000).
• Phil Hellmuth Turns 60.
• Finland's Patrik Antonius becomes the latest Poker Hall of Fame inductee.
• Shannon Elizabeth talks 25th anniversary of "American Pie"

Poker

Astedt, Tamayo and Griff to Battle for 2024 WSOP Main Event Title

The penultimate day of the 2024 World Series of Poker has come and concluded at the Paris and Horseshoe Las Vegas. While several gold bracelet events took place, most of the attention was on undoubtedly the record-breaking 2024 WSOP Main Event. Out of a field of 10,112 unique entries, only nine players from six different countries took their seat in the mothership, each of them supported by a boisterous rail.

When the dust had settled, only three of them remained. The two big stacks heading into the day, Jordan Griff and Niklas Astedt, retained their prime spot while Jonathan Tamayo went from seventh in chips to nearly even atop the leaderboard. One year ago, it took 164 hands to whittle the final nine contenders to a winner. This is still possible in tomorrow's grand finale, albeit very unlikely as 161 hands have already been completed to reach the final three in the record-breaking contest.

Astedt did the lion's share throughout the day and notched up four eliminations en route to a stack of 223,000,000 while Tamayo (197,000,000) and Griff (187,000,000) both dispatched one opponent each. Only eight big blinds separate them, though, most onlookers will give the role of favourite to Swedish online poker legend Astedt, who is known for his moniker of "Lena900". Tamayo's rail included 2015 WSOP Main Event champion Joe McKeehen and four-time bracelet winner Dominik Nitsche.

Gambling Quick Takes

• Rob Manfred: MLB Players Say They Have Received Threats over Gambling

"If a player receives a threat from any source, on any topic, it is a matter of concern to us that we take really seriously," Manfred said Tuesday when discussing player safety related to gambling, per ESPN's Jesse Rogers. "I've had players in the last month mention this issue to me as one of concern, and we're discussing what we should do to be more proactive in this area."

Manfred also discussed the series of gambling scandals effecting the likes of Padres pitcher Jay Groome, Oakland A's pitcher Michael Kelly, Philadelphia Phillies infielder José Rodríguez and Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Andrew Saalfrank as well as Shohei Ohtani's former translator, Ippei Mizuhara.  Ohtani has insisted that he has never personally bet on baseball in light of the scandal.

"I'm a believer that penalties and demonstration of your ability to figure what's going on serves as a deterrent," Manfred said. "Working your whole life to get to the major leagues in whatever role and lose that over sports betting, that's a huge penalty.

"I truly believe we're in a better position to know what's going on today than we were in the old days when it was all illegal."

• Patriots Receiver Won't Face Prosecution Over Online Gambling While at LSU

Baton Rouge prosecutors have agreed not to pursuit a case into New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte related to illegal online gaming that police say occurred while he was underage.

First Assistant District Attorney Tracey Barbera said the decision was made in part because Boutte has completed a “gambling awareness” mitigation program.

“Betting against himself would be the only way that he could control the bet," Barbera told The Associated Press. "He can guarantee a dropped ball, but he can’t guarantee a reception or a touchdown.”

Boutte also has agreed to a ban from gaming in Massachusetts and on the FanDuel and BET99 online sites.

“In light of his mitigatory actions, we do not believe a felony prosecution is appropriate,” said Barbera, who also praised the Louisiana State Police investigation which led to the charges.

“We have been following developments in the matter, which remains under review,” the NFL said Tuesday in a statement provided by league spokesman Brian McCarthy. “He may continue to participate in all team activities.”

It is still possible that Boutte could be suspended by the NFL.

• Investigators Did Not Violate Rights in College Gambling Probe, State Says in Filing

Attorneys for the state of Iowa have filed to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the investigation that roiled Iowa collegiate athletic programs and resulted in multiple criminal charges.

More than 20 people, mostly student athletes at the University of Iowa and Iowa State University, were accused last year of underage gambling and identity theft, the latter for allegedly using other peoples' online gambling accounts to place wagers on athletic events. Nineteen pleaded guilty and were fined $645 for underage gambling, while six more had their charges dismissed.

Poker

Phil Hellmuth Turns 60

"Hello 60 years old! I am 60 years old today. My first WSOP cash at 60 years old, happened 5 minutes after I turned 60, weird. I had my first @WSOP cash at the age of 60 years old. Last night/this morning, in $25,000 HORSE tourney, at like 12:05 AM (today July 16th) I finished 18th, 18 were paid. Was hoping to win this HORSE tourney on my birthday!

"I won WSOP tourneys in my 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s. In the 1980’s, 1990’s, 2000’s, 2010’s and 2020’s. I have two more shots to win my 18th this year at age 60. Both tourneys end tomorrow on the 17th. Maybe they bleed over to July 18th. Win my 18th on the 18th? Has a nice ring to it! Equally happy to win it on the 17th #POSITIVITY"

Poker

Patrik Antonius Announced as 2024 Poker Hall of Fame Inductee 

Following a nomination process and voting period, the World Series of Poker® (WSOP®) today announced Patrik Antonius as the 2024 inductee to the Poker Hall of Fame. The Finland native was honored with an induction ceremony surrounded by friends, family, and fans inside the Paris Ballroom at Paris Las Vegas before delivering the ceremonial “Shuffle Up and Deal” for Event #95: Poker Hall of Fame Bounty No-Limit Hold'em.

Antonius, from Helsinki, Finland, is one of poker’s most successful European players, ranking 36th all-time in career earnings with $22,995,774 to date. In 2023, Antonius made history by winning a $1,978,000 cash game pot, the largest ever on a U.S. livestream broadcast. Antonius edged “Miami” John Cernuto and Isai Scheinberg in the voting to secure his 2024 nomination.

“In the modern era of poker, few have been as bold and fearless as Patrik Antonius,” said Ty Stewart, Executive Director of the World Series of Poker. “A force both online and live, we’re thrilled to see Patrik’s high-stakes career acknowledged by legends who have added the first international player to the Poker Hall of Fame in a number of years.”

Congratulations to Patrik Antonius, the newest inductee into the 2024 Poker Hall of Fame!

Don't miss his heartfelt acceptance speech a quick look at Patrik's new Poker Hall of Fame trophy! #WSOP2024 pic.twitter.com/Io2wlJAUQ2

— WSOP - World Series of Poker (@WSOP) July 14, 2024

Poker

Shannon Elizabeth Talks 25th Year Anniversary of Iconic Film "American Pie"

Life Outside Poker is a new podcast for PokerNews hosted by Connor Richards that seeks to pull back the curtain on poker players and allow viewers and listeners to get to know them on a personal level.

In the 12th episode, Connor speaks with actress and conservationist Shannon Elizabeth on the 25th anniversary of American Pie, in which she played the iconic role of Nadia. Elizabeth talked about her roles in films like Scary Movie and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, playing poker with the cast of That '70s Show, finishing third in the 2007 NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship and taking part in Phil Hellmuth's 2024 WSOP Main Event entrance.

Elizabeth also spoke about her conservation efforts in South Africa through the Shannon Elizabeth Foundation, including caring for and providing a sanctuary for a blind black rhino named Munu.

In the 12th episode of Life Outside Poker, Connor Richards speaks with actress and conservationist Shannon Elizabeth on the 25th anniversary of American Pie https://t.co/sQnMMqJGq0

— gambling911 (@gambling911) July 16, 2024