Gambling News
Chris Christie’s Bloated Estimates but Money for Online Gambling Keeps Flowing
While some critics and those in the media keep coming down on New Jersey Governor Chris Christie for his apparent overestimates of anticipated revenue and taxation derived from real money online gambling, few can say the new industry that kicked off late last month has been anything other than a huge success.
Bet on Tokyo as Asia’s Next Gambling Mecca
(Reuters) - Asian countries are lining up to steal gaming business from heavyweight Macau. The tiny enclave on China’s south coast is the world’s gambling mecca: it took $38-billion (U.S.) in gaming revenue in 2012; hotels run at 87 per cent occupancy, according to official data, a shade better than Las Vegas. Yet casino operators are already looking for the next casino capital. Japan may fit the bill.
Doggone Shame: Millions of Bitcoin Alternative Dogecoin Stolen in Christmas Hack
The founders of Dogewallet, a storage system for the Bitcoin alternative Dogecoin, have confirmed a hack that may have cost owners of the currency over $12,000. Reports of the hack first began gathering pace at the Dogecoin forum, where users reported their funds were being sent to a wallet without their authorization. In separate posts on Reddit’s Dogecoin page and the dogewallet.com front page, the founders explained the issue.
Bally Technologies Gets Chastised by Gaming Board: Could be Fined
LAS VEGAS — (Associated Press) - Nevada gambling regulators say slot machine operator Bally Technologies failed to register some of its employees.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board filed a 28-count complaint against the company this week.
The complaint says that Bally registered its employees weeks, months, and in one case, years late. Nevada law requires gambling companies to register employees before they start work.
The board recommended that Bally be fined for each of the 28 counts. The company now has a chance to contest the complaint.
PokerStars Eyes Online Gambling License in New York State
Following New Jersey’s rejection of a licensing application from the world’s largest online poker company, PokerStars, its parent company is now said to be looking at neighboring New York State.
While New York does not yet allow real money online gambling, that could all change. PokerStars has reportedly begun hiring lobbyists to push for legalization in a state that this year embraced expansion of its brick and mortar casinos.
From Casino.org:
New Mexico Gambling Proposal Likely to Face Critics
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (Associated Press) — It doesn't appear that a proposed gambling compact between the Navajo Nation and the state of New Mexico will get any warmer of a reception than it did during the 2013 legislative session when it was met with complaints.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that the proposal that was unveiled in the last days of the 2013 session had run into trouble from the outset and was never voted on by the full Legislature. The Navajos' current compact and those of four other tribes expire on June 30, 2015.
Mobster Baker Sues New York for ‘False Imprisonment’ Tied to Gangland Murder
A Brooklyn bakery owner with alleged mob ties is suing the state of New York for what he claims was false imprisonment.
Mario Fortunato was placed behind bars following two guilty verdicts against him involving a gangland murder. Both those verdicts were later overturned.
The reputed Genovese Crime Family associated wants to be reimbursed for millions of dollars.
Gambling Expansion Again on the Table in Kentucky
FRANKFORT, Ky. — (Associated Press) - Those who support legalizing casinos in Kentucky are back in the starting gate, mounting another campaign that promotes expanded gambling as a lucrative revenue source during lean times in hopes of a strong stretch run for a proposal mired in defeat.
The latest version will be presented as a proposed constitutional amendment that would go on the 2014 fall ballot in Kentucky if approved by the General Assembly. Proposals have been drafted for introduction in the House and Senate.
Mobster Accused of Trying to Have Daughter’s Boyfriend Killed Won’t be Home for Xmas
(Associated Press) - A REPUTED mob associate will stay in jail over Christmas while a judge weighs charges that he tried to have his daughter's boyfriend and two rivals killed.
Ronald Galati Sr., who has an auto body shop on 20th Street near McKean in South Philadelphia, also is accused of threatening people during a grand-jury investigation focusing on organized crime and insurance fraud.
NJ Judge Approves Atlantic Club Shutdown
CAMDEN, N.J. (Associated Press) — A slowdown brought on by the rapid proliferation of casino gambling in the northeastern United States claimed its first victim in New Jersey on Monday when a federal bankruptcy judge approved the sale and shutdown of Atlantic City's Atlantic Club Casino Hotel.
The casino, which opened in 1980 as the Golden Nugget and featured then-owner Steve Wynn bringing fresh towels to Frank Sinatra in its commercials, will shut its doors Jan. 13.
Online Poker to Help Super Storm Sandy Victims in NJ With ‘Restore The Shore’ Event
More evidence of online poker’s positive impact: PartyPoker, in conjunction with the Borgata Hotel, has announced a “Restore The Shore” charity poker event to be held over a 6-month period and will assist in the restoration of six coastal New Jersey towns. Each were severely impacted by Super Storm Sandy just over a year ago. It was among the most costliest natural disasters in US history.
Somach to Talk Online Poker ‘Texas Block’em’ With Inventor Arthur Pfeiffer
Journalist Tom Somach of Gambling911.com and the San Francisco Examiner and mathematician Arthur Pfeiffer, inventor of the new poker game Texas Block 'em, will be guests on national radio on the day after Christmas--Thursday, December 26, 2013.
Canada’s Most Notorious Mobster Vito Rizzuto Dies in Hospital
One of Canada’s most notorious mobsters, Vito Rizzuto, has died of natural causes after being admitted to a Montreal hospital early Monday morning. He was 67.
Rizzuto reportedly entered the hospital after suffering chest pains.
PokerStars Announces 2014 Stops for UKIPT Season 4
LONDON, UK – UK & Ireland’s biggest and best live poker tour confirmed the final stops of the season 4 tour in six major cities today. Each event aims to be a spectacular can’t-miss festival of poker with a huge selection of poker action. The New Year will kick off with the UKIPT Edinburgh main event starting 16 January, and the tour will then visit Dublin, Nottingham, Marbella, Isle of Man finishing with the Grand Final in London.
David Beckham to Promote Casinos in Singapore, Macau
Retired British Football star David Beckham is set to begin promoting casinos in Singapore and Macau in the coming year.
He’ll be the face behind the Las Vegas Sands in those two markets.
Casinos Take Over Airwaves, Malls in New Jersey Online Gambling Blitz
The Newark Star Ledger’s Ryan Hutchins reports on what Gambling911.com noticed the last time we were in New York City during the launch of New Jersey’s real money online gambling sector in late November: online casino ads are everywhere.
Jessica Lange Set to Join Cast of Upcoming Remake ‘The Gambler’
This weekend it was confirmed that Jessica Lange has signed on for the upcoming Paramount Pictures project “The Gambler”.
Atlantic Club Casino in NJ Closing Jan. 13: Caesars Among Buyers
The Atlantic Club Casino Hotel in Atlantic City says it will close on Jan. 13, reducing the number of casinos in the struggling gambling resort to 11.
It will be the first Atlantic City casino to close since the Sands shut down in 2006 to make way for a new casino project that never got built.
The casino said Friday it reached two sale agreements that will be submitted to a judge Monday for approval. It did not list either buyer, but a bankruptcy court filing identified one as Caesars Entertainment.
Online Poker: Last 10-Package Guarantee of Year for LSOP Millions this Sunday
(San Jose, Costa Rica) - Americas Cardroom is making this Sunday the most anticipated day of the month for Hold'em fans that want to take their game offline. The online poker site is announcing 10 packages this Sunday for the $1 million guaranteed LSOP, a land-based poker tournament set to get underway this March in Panama.
Forget Santa Calls – Get Calls From Charlie Sheen, Justin Beiber Or Reggie Bush
In what is clearly a naughty or nice special, a new service, Celebcalls is offering kids of all ages Christmas calls from such charming characters as Justin Bieber, Charlie Sheen, Snoop Dogg, and Ice-T.
With their Send Santa Calls program, for only $4.99 celebs call with a customized, personalized message.
Convicted Genovese Crime Family Member Denied Furlough to Attend Rangers Game
Brooklyn Federal Judge Pamela Chen has denied Genovese crime family mobster Felice Masullo an unusual request to attend a New York Rangers game this week with his family.
Net Entertainment Inks Deal With Bet365
Net Entertainment is very proud to announce that it has signed an agreement with Bet365 Group Limited, one of the world’s leading online gambling groups. Under the terms of the agreement, Net Entertainment will deliver a number of its top online games across bet365’s mobile and desktop channels.
Online Gambling and World Peace: Bringing Rodman and Kim Together
The Sydney Morning Herald on Friday profiled former NBA star Dennis Rodman’s visits to North Korea and how online gambling – of all things – helped make it happen.
Poll Finds Voters in PA Don’t Want Online Gambling
They are loving it in neighboring New Jersey but Pennsylvania voters have spoken and they say there is no place for legalized online gambling in their state.
Casino Exec With Ties to Online Gambling Rejected as ‘Unsuitable’ by NV Gaming Board
A onetime executive of the Golden Nugget and Wynn Resorts in Las Vegas has lost his bid for a Nevada gambling license after regulators rejected his application.
Philadelphia Whacks Contract With Reputed Mobster Charged With Hiring Hitman
Reputed mob associate Ronald Galati's American Collision & Automotive Center has raked in more than $1.2 million in taxpayer money since 2011. Now the city of Philadelphia has severed the lucrative contract with the auto body repair shop.
Heartland Poker Tour Expands California Tour With Agua Caliente Event
Rancho Mirage, CA – Heartland Poker Tour (HPT) is expanding to Southern California in 2014 after three successful 2013 stops in the Golden State. Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa near Palm Springs, California will play host to HPT for a 10-day series starting on February 27, 2014, with the crowning of a new HPT champion at a nationally-televised Final Table on March 10.
Tough Luck Laak: IRS Places Liens on Poker Pro Unabomber for Unpaid Taxes
Poker pro Phil Laak owes $24,874 in unpaid taxes, according to the IRS. Liens have been placed on Laak's personal property and bank accounts as a result.
Man Dies Following Altercation in Reno Casino
Reno police are investigating the suspicious death of a man taken by ambulance from Reno’s Eldorado Casino at about 2 am Sunday morning.
“Preliminary investigation has revealed the victim was involved in a physical altercation prior to being transported to the hospital,” police said in a statement Tuesday night.
The victim’s name and age had not yet been released as police await the final results of an autopsy.
Smooth Landing: Dennis Rodman Back in North Korea After Purging, Execution
Former NBA player Dennis Rodman has landed safely in North Korea along with a documentary film crew to help coach the rogue nation’s men’s basketball team.
Rodman, whose trip is being sponsored by Irish bookmaker Paddy Power, arrives just days after the execution of supreme leader Kim Jong-un's uncle, Jang Song-thaek.
Rodman was met at Pyongyang's airport by Vice Sports Minister Son Kwang Ho.
