Politics
Pope Madness 2013: Introducing the Pope Bracket
With Pope Benedict retiring, bets are being taken on who will be the next Pope. And then there are Pope brackets.
An Iowa company has put together a bracket to keep track of all the possibilities. They have included the top 16 choices (based on Vegas odds).
Ex-San Diego Mayor $1 Billion in Gambling Losses
Former San Diego Mayor Maureen O’Connor took $2 million from a nonprofit foundation to feed a gambling addiction in which she lost more than $1 billion over an eight-year period, federal prosecutors said Thursday.
Quebec Says ‘No’ to Pope Betting
The Canadian province of Quebec has laid down the law. Loto-Quebec will not be permitted to take bets on who will become the next Pope.
And the next Pope could very well be Canadian.
Next Pope Could be Black, Canadian, Say Oddsmakers
The first Black pope. That’s what the online oddsmakers are betting on.
Obama State of the Union Address 2013 Betting Odds: G911 Wish List
Gambling911.com wants President Obama State of the Union Address betting odds and we can only hope BetOnline will be offering them, especially being that they continue to offer up to $900 in FREE BETS on one’s initial deposit.
Unions Urge Chris Christie to Sign Off on Internet Gambling Bill
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has until next Thursday (February 8) to sign or veto an Internet gambling bill that currently sits on his desk. The measure would legalize Web gaming in a state with nearly 9 million people while making Atlantic City a hub for the activity. The bill’s sponsors hope to eventually expand the industry beyond New Jersey’s borders through multi-state compacts similar to that of the lottery system’s Powerball game.
Online Gambling Ally Robert Menendez Caught Up in ‘Prostitution’ Scandal
New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez denies having engaged in sexual activity with under age prostitutes in the Dominican Republic following allegations made by the Daily Caller, a conservative media outlet.
NJ Gov Chris Christie Considers ‘Conditional Veto” for Internet Gambling Bill
Roger Gros, the publisher of Global Gaming Business magazine and a longtime Atlantic City insider, is reporting that New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is considering a “conditional veto” of an Internet gambling bill that currently sits on his desk. The Governor must act by next Thursday February 7 or else the bill automatically becomes law.
Gros tweeted Wednesday afternoon:
Chris Christie Expresses Concerns Over Legalized Internet Gambling in NJ
Answering a question as to whether he will sign an Internet gambling bill into law by early February, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie expressed apprehension.
Christie took questions live Tuesday night during an “Ask The Governor” session.
Interstate Online Poker in the US: Nevada Governor Sandoval’s Plea
Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval wants to pass legislation that would permit Interstate online poker through the formation of compacts.
He insisted Nevada lawmakers should move forward quickly and that the Nevada Gaming Control Board create a measure eliminating Nevada's statutory barriers to interstate online poker.
"Other states are moving quickly on this issue, and I ask you to pass a bill within 30 days," he said.
Online Gambling Ally New Jersey State Sen. Raymond Lesniak to Run Again
New Jersey State Senator Raymond Lesniak confirmed Monday he will be running again for his Democratic seat.
Lesniak is among the most ardent supporters of legalized online gambling in the state and has been instrumental in getting a bill passed that would also legalize sports betting in Atlantic City casinos.
He will continue to make this one of his top priorities moving forward.
Breaking News: Online Gambling Bill to Receive Final Approval Today
ATLANTIC CITY — (Associated Press) - New Jersey lawmakers are expected to give final approval Thursday (December 20, 2012) to a bill legalizing Internet gambling within the state's borders.
Harry Reid Concedes Federal Online Poker Bill Out for 2012
LAS VEGAS (Associated Press) -- Nevada Sen. Harry Reid is declaring congressional efforts to legalize Internet poker dead for the year.
The Senate Democratic Majority Leader said Friday that proponents of an online gambling bill are out of time as the legislative session draws to a close.
Reid says he's disappointed by lawmakers' failure to reach a deal to legalize and regulate interstate gambling online.
He says he'll take up the effort again next session, along with Nevada's Republican Sen. Dean Heller.
Online Poker Bill in California to be Reintroduced Next Week Minus COPA
State Senator Roderick Wright plans to reintroduce his bill to legalize online poker in the world’s 8th largest economy of California next week, according to PokerFuse.com.
Changes to language include a “a blanket waiver of tribal sovereign immunity” as demanded by the Tribal casino operators in the state.
Past efforts to get SB 1463 passed have been met with opposition from the Tribes.
Kyl-Reid Internet Poker Bill Looks Dead Despite Enough Republican Votes
A controversial US federal Internet poker bill drafted by Senators Harry Reid (D-Nevada) and Jon Kyl (R-Arizona) appears to be going nowhere as Reid issued a pessimistic statement late Tuesday.
California Online Poker Bill to be Reintroduced in 2013
California Senator Roderick Wright will reintroduce his online poker bill (SB 1463) next month (January 2013) without amendments. The bill has previously come under fire from the powerful Tribal casinos.
From PokerUpdate.com:
Casino Kingpin Sheldon Adelson Spent $150 Million on US Presidential Election
One of the GOP’s biggest donors, Sheldon Adelson, reportedly spent $150 million in an effort to try and get Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney elected, it was revealed on Monday.
Motley Fool: Online Poker Could Help Prevent Fiscal Cliff
Travis Hoium of the Motley Fool suggested in a piece penned Wednesday November 28 that online poker could help towards preventing the so-called “fiscal cliff”.
Reid Kyl Internet Gambling Bill ‘Not Acceptable’ to Tribes in its Current Form
For years, attempts to pass legislation banning Internet gambling at the federal level were stymied by “carve outs” for various other forms of gaming (i.e. the horse racing sector). For nearly a decade, lobbyists representing the Tribes had been successful in preventing such measures from being signed into law. Their interests were typically in stark contrast to that of other groups like the horse racing industry.
Federal Internet Poker Bill Could be Challenged in Court if Passed
Opposition to a possible bill to legalize Internet poker at the federal level is growing with the possibility that any law could be challenged in court and potentially be ruled unconstitutional.
A “penalty box” mentioned as part of the draft legislation being pushed by two Nevada Senators would prohibit overseas operators from obtaining licenses over a period of five years.
Casino Gambling in Texas Possible as Bill Will Come Up in 2013 Session
Texas lawmakers began filing bills Monday before the 2013 legislative session... one of which includes a vote to have casinos in the Lone Star State.
Lawmakers will convene Jan. 8 for a 140-day session that would only go longer if the governor called a special session. Sessions that take place in even-numbered years go longer.
‘Fiscal Cliff’ Bill Could Offer Nice Vehicle for Internet Poker Measure
A lot has been made of a potential cybersecurity bill acting as a vehicle in which to attach proposed Internet poker legislation drafted by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Republican Senator Jon Kyl. A better option might be so-called “fiscal cliff’ legislation, and with good reason.
For one, cybersecurity proved a polarizing issue the last time both the House and Senate attempted to pass their respective bills. There was huge opposition from outside groups worried over the potential negative impact on freedom of speech.
Harry Reid, John Kyl Internet Poker Draft Bill Still Being Written
Responding to criticisms from the Antiguan government that a draft bill for Internet poker proposed by Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Republican Senator Jon Kyl would leave the tiny Caribbean nation out of the equation, a Reid spokesperson clarified the current status of the measure.
Nate Silver Back to Playing Poker Following Flawless Presidential Prediction
NEW YORK (Associated Press) — The other night, Nate Silver got a little taste of what things are going to be like for him, post-Election 2012.
The 34-year-old statistician, unabashed numbers geek, author and creator of the much-read FiveThirtyEight blog at the New York Times had gone out for a drink with friends on Manhattan's Lower East Side. But he couldn't stay incognito; immediately, he says, people sitting at the bar recognized him.
Wayne Root Pays Joy Behar on Romney Losing Bet (Video)
After appearing on Joy Behar’s “Say Anything” show Monday night, Las Vegas oddsmaker and 2008 Libertarian Vice Presidential nominee Wayne Root has been forced to pay out on his wager that GOP candidate for US President, Mitt Romney, would win Tuesday.
Root paid out $2000 on the bet with Joy and another guest, each of whom wagered $1000.
The Gambling911.com Special Contributor went even further telling us that Romney would “win in a landslide”.
Behar introduced Root as a “big loser”, all in fun of course as she was still smiling over President Barack Obama’s big win.
Harry Reid, Dean Heller Mend Relationship: Focus on Internet Poker
After calling out fellow Nevada Senator Republican Dean Heller for failing to muster up enough party votes to pass a proposed Internet poker measure, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has mended his relationship with Heller.
The two will now work closely to try and pass legislation that would make online poker legal in the United States with their home state acting as the primary licensing hub. Reid wants the measure passed during the critical Lame Duck session that begins next week and lasts approximately eight weeks.
Super Storm Sandy Changes Election Outcome Claims Las Vegas Oddsmaker
The following is an editorial piece from Gambling911.com Special Contributor and former 2008 Libertarian Vice Presidential nominee Wayne Allyn Root.
Washington State You Can Smoke Pot But Can’t Play Online Poker
Washington State was one of two states to legalize marijuana for recreational use following a voter referendum on Tuesday (November 6), the other being Colorado. Remarkably, while pot smoking may now be legal in Washington, playing online poker is not.
Yes, it’s true.
Maryland Approves Gambling Expansion
CBS WJZ reported Wednesday morning that gambling expansion as part of a voter referendum has passed in the state of Maryland.
Question 7 passed with 52 percent approval.
When all was said and done, $87 million had been spent on the gambling expansion initiative. This is more money than was spent on the last Governor race.
“It’s gonna be more jobs, construction jobs, long-term jobs in the hospitality industry, but it’s also gonna mean more dollars for Maryland schools,” said Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown.
Dean Heller Wins Nevada Senate, John Tierney Wins Back Massachusetts Seat
Democrat Shelley Berkley, a long time ally to the online gambling sector, has lost her bid for Nevada Senator in a tight race. Berkley represented the Las Vegas area as a Congresswoman.
Republican Dean Heller has won back his seat. He is currently working with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat also from the state of Nevada, to push forward federal online gambling legislation.
