Gambling News
2014 World Series of Poker Kicks Off Today
LAS VEGAS (Associated Press) — The 45th Annual World Series of Poker kicked off seven weeks of play in Las Vegas on Tuesday, promising the tournament champion at least $10 million and enticing tens of thousands of players with a prize pool estimated at $200 million.
Nevada May Soon Permit Betting on the 2016 US Presidential Election
Nevada State Senator Tick Segerblom wants to push for legislation that would permit betting on US Presidential elections in the Silver State.
This is hardly a new concept. US Presidential elections in the past have taken in more money for international online gambling establishments than any other single non-sporting event.
Bitcoin-Only Casino Generates Over $1.4 Mil in Turnover in its First 3 Months
BitCasino.io, the first ever licensed bitcoin-only casino has grown to a player base of 7,000 users betting over 3,000 BTC (~$1,400,000) since February 2014. The success of the casino has been built around its world-class software that includes Live Dealers, Live Dice/Lottery and over 150 HD video slots as well as traditional table games.
Amaya Gaming Looks to Calm PokerStars Acquisition Rumors
Amaya Gaming’s share price rose 5% on rumors that it was in pursuit of a possible acquisition. The main target appears to be the world’s largest online poker room, PokerStars. Such a move would allow Stars to re-enter the US market on a clean slate.
The company was forced to issue a response Monday afternoon.
Slump in Online Gambling Adds to Christie’s Budget Woes
Bloomberg News on Monday evening reported what was already widely known throughout the gambling sector, that New Jersey has failed to meet its early expectations when it comes to their newly rolled out Internet gambling sector. Even some operators are stepping forward to say it’s been a complete disaster up to this point.
Brian Mattingley, chief executive officer of London- based 888, said in a telephone interview with Bloomberg News this weekend, “We are absolutely shocked by the slowness of the (New Jersey online gambling) market.”
Online Poker May Not be in the Cards for California After All
California’s tribal casinos remain at odds as to whether they want to legalize online poker in the state.
Hard Rock Casino Ban of Ben Affleck Could Prove to be Big Mistake
Professional gambler and Pittsburgh Gazette columnist Mark Gruetze believes that the Las Vegas Hard Rock Casino’s recent decision to ban Hollywood actor Ben Affleck from playing blackjack in their establishment could backfire.
Gulfstream Park's Rainbow Pick Six Pays Out $6.7 Million
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. (Associated Press) — Gulfstream Park got its Rainbow 6 record, a day early.
The track says only one player correctly picked all six winners needed to cash the bet on Sunday, a day before Gulfstream officials were expecting to pay out what would have been a massive wagering pool on the exotic ticket.
The winning payout Sunday was $6,678,939.12.
888.com CEO on Internet Gambling in NJ: ‘We Are Absolutely Shocked by Slowness'
Brian Mattingley, chief executive officer of London- based 888, said in a telephone interview with Bloomberg News this weekend, “We are absolutely shocked by the slowness of the (New Jersey online gambling) market.”
And he’s not the only one.
New Jersey casinos are in the process of shifting their marketing focus from poker to the online casino, which traditionally has been the cash cow for internationally based Web betting firms.
Racketeering Law Does Not Cover Online Gambling Losses in Arizona
PHOENIX (Associated Press) — A state court decision says people who voluntarily engage in online gambling can't use Arizona's anti-racketeering law to sue websites' operators to recover gambling losses.
The state Court of Appeals decision issued Thursday upholds a Maricopa County Superior Court judge's ruling against a man who had sued several operators of gambling websites after he lost $800,000.
The man's lawsuit alleged that the websites were an enterprise engaged in civil racketeering.
American Gaming Association Drops Support for Online Gambling in US
American Gaming Association chief executive Geoff Freeman said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal Wednesday that his Las Vegas-based organization will no longer support legalization of online gambling in the US, citing a nasty split between casino operators on both sides of the issue.
"One of the things I've learned in this industry is we are extraordinarily competent at shooting at one another," he said. "The snipers in this industry are of the highest quality, and if you let that be the focus, we'll kill each other."
Sheldon Adelson Insists He is Not Retiring: Right Hand to Step Down
80-year-old Las Vegas Sands Corp CEO Sheldon Adelson has dispelled rumors that he will be retiring any time soon following in the steps of 76-year-old President and COO Michael A. Leven, who announced his retirement this week.
Online Bet Startup Costs Shrink AC Casino Earnings
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Associated Press) - Startup costs associated with Internet gambling, and the closure of one casino in January lowered Atlantic City's casino earnings by 8.4 percent in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2013.
Figures released Thursday by the state Division of Gaming Enforcement showed the casinos had a gross operating profit of $38.7 million.
Las Vegas Casino Strike Planned to Begin June 1
LAS VEGAS (Associated Press) - Hotel workers and bartenders plan to strike at nine downtown Las Vegas casinos next month if contracts aren't reached, labor leaders announced Wednesday.
Officials with the Culinary and Bartenders unions said employees are prepared to walk off the job at 5 a.m. June 1 at The D, Four Queens, Fremont, Main Street Station, El Cortez, Binion's, Golden Gate, The Plaza, and Las Vegas Club.
Global Poker Index to Launch Free Magazine in US to Compete With Card Player
In less than 5 days, the 45th annual World Series of Poker will begin with 65 Events spread across 7 Weeks. The whole poker world will attend - either to play or simply follow the action. Once again, Global Poker Index will be Official Partner and have a booth.
Breaking News: Jason Ader, Spring Owl Group Wins Settlement Deal With Bwin.Party
Gambling911.com – May 22, 2014 at 6:49 am EDT - Agreement with SpringOwl: Further to the Company’s announcement on 16 May 2014, concerning planned changes to the composition of the Board, bwin.party announces that it has agreed to work closely with SpringOwl on the appointment of its new directors and confirms its agreement to consider Michael Fertik, one of SpringOwl’s nominees, as a potential candidate.
HPT500 Expands to Colorado: Conceived by Heartland Poker Tour
Cripple Creek, Colorado - The new league-based concept from Heartland Poker Tour forges on with the addition of a new location in Colorado. Wildwood Casino in Cripple Creek will become the Colorado home of HPT500, offering poker enthusiasts another opportunity to put their skills to the test and climb the ranks to fame and fortune.
Internet Gambling Attorney Sees Legal Online Gambling Coming to All 50 States
Stuart Slotnick Says It’s a “Good Revenue Model”
Legends Classic Series 2014 Launches Event at Binion’s Gambling Hall
Las Vegas - Legends Classic Gaming (LCG), announced today, the line up of sponsors for the LCS Series Events & Launch taking place at Binion's Gambling Hall in Las Vegas, June 7-9, 2014. The line up of sponsors includes Ivey League www.iveyleague.com,where you can take your game to the next level with the best resources and poker strategy available. Other sponsors include the famous Binion's Gambling Hall, Blue Shark Optics, Snowy Peak Entertainment, Lucky Leahy's, The Dough Holder, Advanced Poker Training and Crush Live Poker.
Did Floyd Mayweather Jr. Bet $5 Million on the Spurs Wednesday Night?
Vegas Gambling Steam is reporting that boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr. laid down $5 million on the San Antonio Spurs to cover the spread in their Game 2 NBA Playoffs game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
NJ Sports Betting Suit has Far Reaching Implications: Other States Offer Support
Last week, the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and the four major professional sports leagues, as well as the National Collegiate Athletic Association (“leagues”), filed their long awaited response to New Jersey’s petition to the U.S. Supreme Court to hear their appeal regarding the state’s sports betting law. This decision has far reaching implications for the future of sports betting in the United States.
Man Driving to Collect Gambling Debt Goes Missing: No Show at Daughter’s Wedding
Police in Texas are investigating the disappearance of William P. Abel, 39, who was reported missing after he failed to show up for his daughter’s wedding the next day. Abel was to walk his daughter down the aisle.
Poker Pro Sorel Mizzi to Swim in Shark-Infested Waters as Part of Prop Bet
Big name poker pro Sorel Mizzi has bet $10,000 at 3:1 odds he can swim from Brazil’s Ipanema Beach to an island 5km away.
In doing so he will have to contend with sharks and risk getting caught up in a giant Net that keeps the man-eating Selachimorpha away from the beach.
National Governors Association Sends Letter in Opposition to Web Gambling Ban
The National Governors Association on Tuesday submitted a letter in opposition to a bill that would outlaw online gambling on the federal level (a copy of which appears below).
The letter was sent to both majority leaders in the House and Senate along with the minority leaders.
The bill to ban nearly all forms of Internet gambling except fantasy sports and horse racing was introduced by South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Republican Rep. Jason Chaffetz of Utah. A handful of politicians from both sides of the aisle have come out in support of the measure.
Hard Rock Mulls Over Possible Purchase of Atlantic City Revel Hotel
(Associated Press) - The president of the Seminole Indians' Hard Rock franchise says the company would consider buying Atlantic City's Revel Casino if the price were right.
Revel, Atlantic City's newest casino, is seeking a buyer or a partner for a joint venture.
Florida-based Hard Rock has been a long-rumored suitor for Revel and made preliminary inquiries earlier this year to New Jersey casino regulators about what license it would need if it pursued Revel.
Russian Player Wins $1 Million in PokerStars 2014 SCOOP High Stakes Event
ONCHAN, Isle of Man – Russian player Ivan ‘vandir4rek’ Soshnikov won the 2014 PokerStars Spring Championship of Online Poker Main Event ‘High’ tournament for more than $1 million on Monday night, in what turned out to be a record field of 657 players for the event, easily surpassing the 2010 record of 615. It meant the total prize pool of $6,570,000 was more than double the $3 million guarantee.
LSOP Announces Cities and Dates for LSOP Millions 2014 Day 1 Flights
San Jose, Costa Rica – The LSOP Millions kicks off July 27th with a whopping 16 Day 1 events, allowing more people than ever to play in the land-based series. And poker players don't have to leave home to be a part of it.
2014 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open Schedule Unveiled
The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida released the entire tournament schedule for the 2015 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open, one of the country’s largest cash tournaments.
NJ Bill Would Require Online Gambling Processors to Get 'Stricter' License
ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey — (Associated Press) - New Jersey wants to subject companies that handle Internet gambling deposits and payments to stricter licensing requirements, in the hope it will make banks more willing to allow the use of credit cards to fund online betting accounts.
The reluctance of banks to allow credit card use to fund accounts is one of the main things holding back the growth of New Jersey's new Internet gambling industry.
Lesniak to Introduce Sports Betting Bill in NJ Despite Court Losses
State Sen. Ray Lesniak (D-Union) announced plans to unveil new legislation that would permit legalized sports betting at the state’s racetracks and casinos, threatening to call the bluff of the federal government regarding sports wagering.
