Gambling Companies
Gambling Companies, Gambling Stocks
Poker News: Zynga in Talks to Offer ‘Real Money’ Poker, MSNBC on UB.com Player Plight
Here is a recap of poker news headlines as we head into the Friday afternoon hours January 20, 2012. Among the headlines, the mainstream press is now taking notice of a lawsuit filed against UB.com while Zynga confirmed it is in conversations with other parties to offer “real money” online poker.
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.”
US Attorney Still Bowing to Full Tilt Poker, Pixie Dust Fairies
We at Gambling911.com simply cannot take it any more and apparently neither can much of the rest of the online poker sector.
After months of reporting that a white knight had come to the rescue of Full Tilt Poker players who have been waiting upwards of nine months to get paid and how that white knight was supposedly going to set the US Feds straight by entering into some type of deal to ensure players get paid as two of its executives remain on the lam, the industry is finally coming to its senses and refraining from publication of such banter.
Forbes: Online Poker Would be Huge for Zynga
Forbes.com published a report Wednesday afternoon suggesting that legalized online gambling, specifically online poker, would be huge for Zynga. Its free Texas Hold’em product is the biggest in the world.
Following its Initial Public Offering just a few weeks ago, Zynga’s stock performance has failed to impress.
What is Going on at PokerStars? Company Parts Ways with EPT CEO John Duthie
Yet another high ranking executive from the world’s largest real cash online poker firm, PokerStars, has left the company. This time it’s European Poker Tour CEO John Duthie.
His successor has already been announced as EPT President Edgar Stuchly.
PPN Poker Returns After Leaving Players in Limbo for Four Months
There appears to be some good news involving Chuck Kidd’s Poker Pros Network (PPN). After announcing more than four months ago it would be leaving the Cake Poker Network, PPN stopped accepting players and stopped paying them as well. PPN Poker claimed it was in the middle of creating its own website/network.
PokerStars Assembles Panel to Meet With Disgruntled Players: CEO Exit Still a Mystery
You can’ fault PokerStars, the world’s largest real money poker room, for at least trying. It was for Stars probably the worst two weeks they’ve had from a public relations standpoint since the company’s founder was indicted for money laundering and bank fraud back in April of last year.
News broke earlier in the month that players were organizing a mass protest of the website after Stars changed its rake structure (switched to a weighted-contributed method) and rewards program. PokerStars responded by banning the protesters from playing.
Online Poker Traffic Stagnant for Week
Following a huge increase in online poker traffic last week, there was virtually zero growth during mid-January.
PokerScout.com reported a 0.1 percent net decrease. The good news, among the top 10 sites and networks, advancers outnumbered decliners seven to three.
Merge Gaming Network gained 3 percent for the week as its bad beat jackpot rose to more than $1 million.
Microgaming.fr moved up to ninth place ahead of PokerStars.fr.
LowVig.com Reduced Juice a Bargain for Bettors During 2012 NFL Playoffs
Experienced sports bettors are celebrating the New Year with toasts, returning to the days of ‘reduced juice’ on NFL and NBA betting at high limits at the new sportsbook, LowVig.com. The online betting site is currently offering low vig for the 2012 NFL Playoffs. You can view lines here.
Federal RICO Complaint Filed Against UB.com
Eight high stakes poker players are named as plaintiffs in a federal RICO complaint against UB.com (formerly UltimateBet), claiming the company stole $20 million by exploiting security flaws. Players were allowed to see others hole cards, the complaint alleges.
Gabi Campos: The PokerStars CEO That Wasn't
PokerStars late Monday confirmed that its CEO for nearly two years, Gabi Campos, has jumped ship following the exodus of a handful of other executives and poker pros who were part of the world’s largest online poker firm.
Officials from the company issued the following statement to the news media late Monday after reports first surfaced on Pokerati.com:
Turmoil at PokerStars as CEO is Out
Gabi Campos is out as CEO of PokerStars. Campos joined the world’s largest real cash online poker company in 2010.
Victor Chandler Re-brands Itself to Bet Victor
The “Gentleman’s Bookmaker” is trying to get a strong foothold in the exploding online poker market through a re-branding of the Victor Chandler name to “Bet Victor”.
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:
Merge Bad Beat Jackpot Hits at Over $1 Million
Gambling911.com has been paying very close attention to the Merge Bad Beat Jackpot as we have a few sponsor online poker rooms that utilize the network. It finally it on Sunday.
The Merge Bad Beat Jackpot has once again gone off. It had been building for a while and we had finally cracked the $1 million mark again before it was hit. Here is the hand ID for reference - #47082389-318
Merge Poker Moves to the Number 8 Position in Terms of Worldwide Traffic
Merge Poker had been sitting at number 10 in terms of overall worldwide traffic pretty shortly after re-entering the North American market this past fall. Since that time, Merge has been creeping up towards the top 5, landing in the number 8 spot this week.
Double Down Interactive (DDI) Acquired by Video Poker Giant International Game Technology for $500M
An acquisition of Seattle-based Double Down Interactive (DDI) by video poker giant International Game Technology was announced after the markets closed on Thursday. The deal was for $500 million.
From All Things D:
The deal includes $250 million in cash, $85 million in retention payments over the next two years and up to $165 million in cash payable over the next three years subject to Double Down meeting certain targets.
Yatahay Becomes the Winning Poker Network
It’s about time! To this day we at Gambling911.com have trouble remembering the Yatahay Poker Network, but we can certainly remember the Winning Poker Network.
And that’s the name change folks.
Ohio Open to Internet Poker: Nevada Permitted Private Testing of Poker Sites
Ohio has become the latest state exploring its options to allow residents of the Buckeye State the opportunity to play “real money” Internet poker.
“We’re exploring this topic,” Dennis Berg, interim director of the Ohio Lottery Commission, told The Cincinnati Business Journal on Wednesday. “We want to be in the forefront of being able to generate revenue for the lottery commission. But it’s a policy decision that we will not make on our own.”
Epic Poker in Acquisition Talks With Pinnacle Entertainment
The fledgling Epic Poker League is reportedly in talks with Pinnacle Entertainment regarding a potential purchase of the league, sources close to WickedChopsPoker.com reported on Wednesday. The deal could occur within the next 60 days.
A previously scheduled event has been pushed back to a yet-to-be-determined April/May date. While the league claims this move was a result of player feedback, others have speculated Epic may be undergoing financial difficulties.
Americas Cardroom Logs Record Number of Players to Kick Off 2012
Popular US-friendly online poker site Americas Cardroom logged record numbers at the start of 2012, and management is crediting the doubling of all guarantees for the surge in traffic.
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.
Daniel Negreanu Vows No Drinking, No Sex Before a Tournament: Bad Beat Nears a Million
It’s been a while since we here at Gambling911.com have covered one of our personal favorites in the poker world, Daniel Negreanu. For a while he was among the most trafficked figures here at G911. Alas, Negreanu has revealed a few goals for 2012 that include, of course, winning at least one more bracelet.
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.
Online Poker Surges With Nearly 10 Percent Increase in Traffic This Week
The poker sector received more great news this week after it was revealed Tuesday morning that traffic for all the world’s networks had jumped an amazing 9.8 percent.
Bail Decision for Bianca Rojas-Latraverse and Accomplices Will Come Tuesday
A Quebec Court judge is weighing a decision to release Bianca Rojas-Latraverse and two other accomplices out on bail after she was charged with orchestrating the forced entry and robbery of her former boyfriend’s home, 2012 World Series of Poker Main Event champion Jonathan Duhamel.
Casino Billionaire Sheldon Adelson Behind Super PAC Ad Blasting Mitt Romney
The casino billionaire magnate Sheldon Adelson is reportedly spending $5 million to a Super PAC group supporting Newt Gingrich. Adelson is said to be a huge supporter of the former House Speaker.
Alderney Gaming Commission Tells Full Tilt Poker Customers: Go To Local Police
The Alderney Gaming Control Commission (AGCC) may be wiping its hands of Full Tilt Poker and all responsibilities associated with the now defunct company once and for all.
