Crime
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.”
PartyPoker.com, Moneybookers Named in MegaUpload Piracy Indictment
For an industry rattled by US Justice Department domain seizures in recent years, it may not have been too much of a shock seeing PartyPoker.com mentioned as part of the much publicized indictment of video and image hosting website, Megaupload.com. The site was taken down by US authorities on Thursday with principles in the company charged with conspiracy.
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.
Funds Seized From Players Leaving PokerStars Caribbean Adventure
Three American players had their poker winnings seized by authorities in the Bahamas as they were leaving the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA) 2012 this week.
Another Black Friday Defendant, Ira Rubin, to Plead Guilty
Ira Rubin, a defendant in the April 15, 2011 “Black Friday” sweeping indictments of online poker operators, is set to plead guilty, according to Bloomberg News. A Manhattan federal court clerk advised the news source.
Van der Sloot Sentenced in Peru
Dutchman Joran van der Sloot pleaded guilty this week in the murder of Peruvian college student Stephany Flores. On Friday he was sentenced to 28 years behind bars.
Joran van der Sloot Pleads Guilty to All Charges Including Murder
Dutchman Joran van der Sloot pleaded guilty early Wednesday on all counts against him for the murder of Peruvian college student Stephany Flores.
"I am really sorry for what happened," he said. He pleaded guilty to "qualified murder" and simple robbery.
Van der Sloot had met Flores in a casino while attending the Latin American Poker Tour in May of 2010.
Police say van der Sloot killed Flores in his Lima hotel room shortly thereafter, then took money and bank cards from her wallet and fled to Chile, where he was arrested a few days later.
Connecticut Online Poker ‘Inevitable’ Says Governor
Could Connecticut somehow join a multi-state pact with neighboring New York and New Jersey to pool online poker players should the activity become legal stateside?
Connecticut’s Governor Dannel P. Malloy has been among the most emphatic when it comes to welcoming Web poker to his state since the Department of Justice released a statement that it would no longer apply The Wire Act to Internet poker.
“It is quite clear that Internet gaming is coming to Connecticut. Period. It’s coming,” said Malloy. “We have a stake in protecting that industry.
Bail Denied for Two Assailants in Jonathan Duhamel Attack, Including Ex-Girlfriend
The ex-girlfriend of 2010 World Series of Poker champion Jonathan Duhamel and one other accomplice, John Stephen Clark Lemay, have been denied bail by a Montreal judge. Both are accused of forced entry into Duhamel’s home along with robbery and a beating of the poker pro that left him hospitalized.
Anthony Bourque, charged with the home invasion of poker champion Jonathan Duhamel, used his sweatshirt to wipe away his tears after a Quebec Court judge released him on bail today.
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.
Poker Pros Girlfriends, Wives From Hell
Poker pros haven’t always been lucky in love, as we have discovered in recent weeks (a la that Jonathan Duhamel home invasion, allegedly planned by his ex).
Phil Laak (The Unabomber) – He may be madly in love with his poker playing girlfriend Jennifer Tilly but talk about a girlfriend from Hell, literally.
Suspects in Jonathan Duhamel Home Invasion Like Drinking, Being Promiscuous and the Law
When asked during a bail hearing Thursday what interests a woman charged in the home invasion of World Series of Poker champion Jonathan Duhamel, Bianca Rojas Latraverse responded with a smirk: “I really like law”.
Joran Van Der Sloot Erratic Courtroom Behavior (Video)
Joran van der Sloot, the Dutchman accused of killing a young Peruvian college student, Stephany Flores, stopped short of pleading guilty on Friday after expressing apprehension over some of the charges.
Van der Sloot May Plead Guilty
The Dutchman accused of killing a Peruvian woman he met in a casino while attending the Latin American Poker Tour may plead guilty to the murder. Joran van der Sloot is accused of killing college student Stephany Flores in May of 2010. He has long been the prime suspect in the disappearance of High School grad Natalee Holloway on the island of Aruba nearly 7 years ago.
UConn Poker Addict Balks at Proposed Legalization of Internet Poker in State
A UConn graduate claims that Internet poker nearly destroyed his life and balks at the idea that Connecticut and other states might consider legalizing the activity.
Jonathan Duhamel Ex Girlfriend Planned Home Invasion: Tipster Was Part of Threesome
The former girlfriend of 2010 World Series of Poker Main Event winner Jonathan Duhamel is alleged to have planned the forced entry and robbery of his home outside of Montreal just days before Christmas (both are pictured). A woman who participated in a ménage à trois with the couple just months before the attack acted as a tipster.
Joran van Der Sloot Finally Will Have His Day in Court
The Dutchman accused of killing Peruvian college student Stephany Flores will stand trial beginning tomorrow (January 6, 2012).
Duhamel Wouldn’t Have Been Sitting Duck in USA
In a tongue-in-cheek essay earlier this month about New Year's resolutions we'd like to see from poker players, Gambling911.com joked that 2010 WSOP Main Event champ Jonathan Duhamel, who was recently beaten and robbed in a home invasion, should resolve to buy a home security system and some guns.
In all reality, however, Duhamel, who lives in suburban Montreal, really can't buy a handgun to protect himself or his home, because under strict Canadian anti-gun laws, it's almost impossible for a private Canadian citizen to legally get a handgun!
UK Online Gambling Tax Could Backfire
The United Kingdom is proposing a point of consumption tax on online gambling of 10 percent that could force current operators offshore.
In anticipation of this tax, William Hill conducted its own study and found the following, a la the Telegraph:
Suspects in Jonathan Dahamel Home Invasion to Appear in Court Today
Four individuals charged in a brazen home invasion outside of Montreal, Quebec will appear in court today. They are alleged to have forced their way into the home of 2010 World Series of Poker Main Event winner Jonathan Duhamel just days before Christmas. One of the suspects is a former girlfriend who accompanied the pro to this year’s WSOP in Las Vegas. Duhamel was badly beaten during the attack.
Bookmaker Denise Coates Receives Queen’s New Year’s Honors for Good Deeds
Bookies can be good people too. Denise Coates, founder of Bet365 in Great Britain, has been awarded the prestigious Queen’s New Year’s Honors for 2012.
Ms. Coates was honored for her community service work.
Her father, Peter, had this to say about Denise and what she has meant to the Bet365 firm, which is currently the biggest private sector employer in Stoke-on-Trent:
"We are all delighted and all proud of her.
"She has done an absolutely amazing job for bet365, building it up from scratch.
Jonathan Duhamel Speaks About Home Invasion: “They Threatened My Parents Lives”
A terrified Jonathan Duhamel spoke to the media just one week after a harrowing home invasion left him badly beaten and robbed of his 2010 World Series of Poker bracelet. The suspects, four in total, have been arrested. One of those charged is a former girlfriend of Duhamel’s, Bianca Rojas-Latraverse, who we are learning actually accompanied Duhamel to the WSOP Main Event this past year.
"I've played hockey all my life, so I've had some fights -- but not one like this one," Duhamel, 24, said in an interview Friday.
Utah Wants to Prohibit Online Poker: Would be Second State to do so
Utah has little interest in jumping on the state legalization of online poker bandwagon in the wake of a decision by the US Justice Department that essentially allows intrastate Web poker.
Utah is one of two states that does not have a lottery and there is not a single casino based there.
Washington is the only state thus far that specifically prohibits online poker by its residents, making the activity a Class C felony.
Utah Rep. Stephen Sandstrom (R-Orem) is in the process of drafting an anti-Internet gambling bill.
Jonathan Duhamel Suddenly Becomes Relevant: Opens Up About Home Invasion
Nothing against Jonathan Duhamel. We know he’s a great poker player. But up until last weekend he was one of many World Series of Poker Main Event champions who were – let’s just say – forgettable.
Duhamel was best known for becoming the first Canadian to win the Main Event.
Bianca Rojas-Latraverse Dated Poker Champ Briefly
The ex-girlfriend of 2010 World Series of Poker champion Jonathan Duhamel was among those arrested in connection with a forced entry and robbery of his home last week.
Jonathan Duhamel’s Ex Girlfriend Among Those Arrested in Connection With Home Invasion
The ex girlfriend of Jonathan Duhamel has been arrested in connection with last week's home invasion. Bianca Rojas-Latraverse reported dated pro.
Four individuals were arrested Wednesday in connection with a home invasion that left 2010 World Series of Poker Main Event champion Jonathan Duhamel badly beaten. His diamond encrusted bracelet, Rolex and cash were stolen from the home last week as well.
Breaking News: Jonathan Duhamel Assailants Arrested
Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the home invasion of World Series of Poker Main Event 2010 winner Jonathan Duhamel. He was the first Canadian to ever win the coveted WSOP Main Event bracelet and walked away with $8.9 million US.
Arrests Made in Jonathan Duhamel Home Invasion
Arrests have been made in last week's brazen home invasion of 2010 WSOP winner Jonathan Duhamel with a rolex found but bracelet still missing.
Four individuals have been arrested and taken into custody following last week’s home invasion and beating of World Series of Poker Main Event 2010 winner Jonathan Duhamel.
The attack occurred at Duhamel’s home in Longueuil, just outside of Montreal.
Police say two men and one woman were charged Wednesday in connection with the case and a fourth person was arrested and questioned.
Optimism Grows Over DOJ Position Change Regarding Internet Poker
Individual states are the most likely beneficiaries of a new stance taken by the US Justice Department, which essentially concluded that online poker will not be deemed as illegal on the federal level should state law mandate otherwise. Nevada is one such state that has already approved a regulatory framework. Those in the poker community hope that smaller states will ultimately follow Nevada’s lead and pool their player base with the Silver State.
Lee Amaitis, president and CEO of Cantor Gaming, believes Nevada has enough players to support the industry in the short term.
Has Online Poker Become Legal in the United States: DOJ Plays Santa
Following a shock announcement that has the online poker community wondering if the floodgates may soon be opening, experts and the media alike were attempting to interpret the US Department of Justice new stance on Internet poker’s legality. It appears the activity may no longer be viewed as “illegal”.
From the Wall Street Journal:
