Gambling

Ex-Wis. Payroll Worker Accused in $1M Embezzlement

A former payroll specialist at Wheaton Franciscan Services is accused of embezzling more than $1 million to support her gambling, according to a complaint released Monday.

Janice Nieman, 49, of Milwaukee is charged with four felonies _ three counts of theft over $10,000 and one count of identity theft for a scheme that dates back to 2004.

According to the complaint, Nieman admitted to the theft and told Glendale police she used much of the money to play the slots at Potawatomi Bingo Casino.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Dec/02/2013

Players Flock to New Jersey Internet Gambling

(Associated Press) - The first week of Internet gambling in New Jersey went well, according to the state's top casino regulator, who says he finally stopped worrying about it.

"I'm pleasantly pleased," said David Rebuck, director of the state Division of Gaming Enforcement. "I'm also very tired because for the last seven days, all I've been doing is worrying this was going to crash."

It didn't.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Dec/02/2013

Web Gambling Won’t Help NJ Credit Rating Much: Christie Still Predicts $1 Bil by July

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie came under heat for claiming that online gambling will bring in some $1 billion to the Garden State.  Industry analysts have since said that Christie grossly overestimated the amount that would be generated.

But the outspoken Governor is standing by his original prediction.

“Same as they were before,” Christie said during a press conference when asked about his generous estimate.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Dec/02/2013

Use of Credit Cards for Legalized Online Gambling Sites in US Encounter High Failure Rate

Global Gaming Business Magazine released an interesting report a few days back highlighting the challenges of legalized online gambling sites in the US ability to process payments. 

“Without the top banks supporting iGaming, we cannot be successful as an industry,” says Tim Richards, manager of interactive solutions at Global Cash Access, in an interview with the industry trade publication.

From Global Gaming Business:

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Dec/02/2013

Macau Revenue Jumps an Impressive 21 Percent in November

HONG KONG - (Reuters) - Gambling revenue in the southern Chinese territory of Macau jumped 21.3 percent on year in November after events including an international boxing match and annual Grand Prix motor race led to an increase in high-spending visitors.

China's only legal casino hub is one of the world's fastest-growing economies thanks to the gambling industry, earning most of its income from visitors from nearby Chinese provinces such as Guangdong.

Submitted by Reuters on, Dec/02/2013

Cantor Gaming Enters China Market With Lottery

LAS VEGAS (Associated Press) — Cantor Gaming is the latest Las Vegas-based gambling company to move into the Chinese market.

The sports betting and mobile gambling company announced this week that it will help operate a lottery club in the large northern city of Tianjin, along with partners Global Entertainment Investment & Management Co. and the Tianjin Welfare Lottery club.

Cantor will provide infrastructure and technological know-how, and will allow the club to offer wireless wagering, as opposed to paper-based betting.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Dec/02/2013

Anna Benson Talks to Dr. Phil Following Home Invasion Guilty Plea (Video)

Poker babe and one-time model, Anna Benson, appeared on the “Dr. Phil Show” last week to discuss her brazen home invasion of ex-hubby Kris Benson’s residence.  Kris, a former Major League Baseball player, called 911 at the time telling the dispatcher that his enraged wire brandished a gun and baton.  He hid out in the basement until police arrived.

Anna Benson has since plead guilty.  In her words, Anna claimed to Dr. Phil she was anticipating having sex with Kris.  That apparently wasn’t his intentions.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Dec/01/2013

Deadwood Casino to Appeal Unprecedented Punishment

DEADWOOD, S.D. (Associated Press) — Owners of the Four Aces Casino in Deadwood say they plan to appeal to circuit court an unprecedented $25,000 fine and a 15-day suspension of the business’s gambling license.

South Dakota’s Commission on Gaming says the casino has repeatedly failed to provide accurate, complete and legible revenue reports, dating to 2008. The license suspension takes effect Monday.

Commission Executive Secretary Larry Eliason has said it is the largest penalty he can remember in his nearly two decades with the commission.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Nov/29/2013

Two People Charged in Football Match Fixing Scheme

Two individuals have been charged over alleged match-fixing in English football, the National Crime Agency (NCA) told the BBC on Friday.

Singapore national Chann Sankaran, 33, and Krishna Sanjey Ganeshan, 43, were charged with conspiracy to defraud.

They were among six people held earlier this week, and a seventh person has now been arrested.

Submitted by Alistair Prescott on, Nov/29/2013

Odds of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Taking Place: Floats Should Fly

With winds expected to be at the threshold of 34 mph Thanksgiving morning, odds of the famed Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade going according to plan would typically not be very good.  But Gambling911.com has placed odds that the parade will go forward at 1-4, good odds and here is why:

Local WCBS weatherman Lonnie Quinn gave his daring prediction Wednesday evening.

“There is a decline in wind speed throughout the day,” he said.  “They (the floats) will be a little lower to the ground but I think they will fly.”

Submitted by Jordan Bach on, Nov/27/2013

Telegraph Exclusive: Footballers Arrested in Biggest English Match Fixing Case

Members of an alleged betting syndicate have been arrested on suspicion of fixing English football games in the biggest match-rigging scandal for decades, The Telegraph newspaper reportedly exclusively heading into the early morning hours of Thursday.

Submitted by Alistair Prescott on, Nov/27/2013

People Are Talking: Gambling911.com Comments November 21 – 27, 2013

Everybody loves readership participation and Gambling911.com now allows its readers to comment on select articles.  Approval takes place a few times a day, typically around the time of publication cycles.

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"It has taken some time to get this feature up and running with the recent new site design and launch," noted Gambling911.com Senior Editor, Payton O'Brien.  "We had to prevent the large amount of spam coming in."

Submitted by C Costigan on, Nov/27/2013

17,000 Bet During New Jersey Internet Gambling Test: PartyPoker Ads Everywhere

The numbers are in and they are pretty good.  A grand total of approximately 17,000 people took advantage of a five-day test period to kick off real money Internet gambling in New Jersey.  An average of 3000 new users signed on each of the days.

Submitted by Ace King on, Nov/27/2013

Nevada Gaming Revenues Down in October

CARSON CITY, Nevada — (Associated Press) - Nevada gambling revenues are down 2.6 percent in October compared with a year earlier.

Officials from the Nevada Gaming Control Board say Wednesday that the state's casinos brought in $954 million last month.

Las Vegas Strip winnings of $551 million were down 5 percent from the same month last year, while downtown Las Vegas revenues of $47 million were down 3 percent.

Reno casinos saw their winnings drop 1 percent to $43 million. South Lake Tahoe saw revenue fall 23 percent to $12 million in October.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Nov/27/2013

Michael Chopra Witness in Drug Trial Related to Gambling Debts

Former Newcastle and Sunderland footballer, Michael Chopra, is set to be called to the witness stand during a 750,000 cocaine trial involving an alleged “drugs factory” on Wearside, England.

Police officers in 2010 discovered £50,000 in cash hidden in a Jaguar they claimed was drug money.  That money, according to authorities, actually belonged to Chopra, who had mounting debts and turned to loan sharks in order to pay them off. 

Submitted by Alistair Prescott on, Nov/27/2013

Manny Pacquiao Bank Account Froze By Philippines Government Following Bodog Raid

The authorities in the Philippines are not just targeting online gambling firm Bodog.com and its colourful found Calvin Ayre in recent days it seems.  They also have their eyes set on another high profile figure, fighter and Congressman Manny Pacquiao.  All of this in the wake of a massive typhoon wiping out entire towns and killing several thousand.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Nov/27/2013

Sentencing Postponed for Convicted Gambler Teddy Mitchell

OKLAHOMA CITY - (Associated Press) - Sentencing has been postponed for an Oklahoma man who pleaded guilty to federal gambling and money laundering charges.

Teddy Mitchell pleaded guilty in July to being involved in an illegal offshore Internet sports gambling business. Prosecutors called him one of the most successful "sub-agents" in a Costa Rica-based business and say he made about $900,000 a year.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Nov/26/2013

Steve Wynn Calls US Efforts to Stymie Online Gambling Like That of Prohibition (Video)

Vegas casino tycoon Steve Wynn spoke this week about the launch of Internet gambling in New Jersey and compared the US Government’s attempts to quash the activity to that of prohibition in the 1920’s and 1930’s.

“I’m not sure as I stand here where online gaming is going,” Wynn said. “Within the state of New Jersey it’s legal. Its status in America is much in doubt," Wynn acknowledged.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Nov/26/2013

Internet Gambling in New Jersey Could Increase Addiction

“For people who have a problem, there is a real concern due to the ease of access and the availability around the clock,” said Donald Weinbaum, CCGNJ executive director, in a radio interview with NJ1015. “You can gamble anytime, anyplace. You can even wake up in the middle of the night and gamble if you want, so that is a concern.”

New Jersey approved real money online gambling Monday for six of the state’s casino operators, leading addiction experts to fear the worst.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Nov/26/2013

Bodog Raid Before and After: Typhoon Yolanda Relief Supplies Gone

Much controversy arose late Tuesday following news released by Gambling911.com that law enforcement allegedly confiscated relief supplies for victims of Typhoon Yolanda during a 5-hour raid of online gambling firm Bodog’s Manila, Philippines office last week.

Photos obtained exclusively by Gambling911.com show the Bodog office before it was raided, then the ransacked office immediately following the raid.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Nov/26/2013

Philippnes Police Steal Yolanda Hurricane Relief Aid in Bodog Raid: G911 World Exclusive i

The Philippines CIDG actually took way more than computers, phones, servers, laptops and monitors during their raid on the Bodog offices throughout metro Manila, which has everyone in complete shock especially since the whole entire world reads Gambling911.com.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Nov/26/2013

‘Ray Donovan’ Producer Sentenced for Role in Russian Mob Gambling Operative

The former producer of Showtime’s popular “Ray Donovan” cable television series, Bryan Zuriff, has escaped prison time for his role in a Russian Mob-run illegal gambling ring.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Nov/25/2013

Six Casinos Get Green Light to Operate in New Jersey

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Associated Press) - New Jersey gambling regulators gave six casinos the green light to offer Internet gambling statewide on Monday.

The state Division of Gaming Enforcement's decision, which came after more than four days of testing the technology involved in online betting and making sure gamblers are within New Jersey, allows the state to join Nevada and Delaware as the only ones offering Internet gambling. It authorized six of the seven casinos that hold Internet gambling permits to immediately offer online gambling throughout New Jersey.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Nov/25/2013

Colombo Crime Boss Attempts $164 Home Depot Heist: Arrested

Angelo “Little Angelo” Spata has been charged with shoplifting $164 worth of lighting equipment from a Brooklyn, New York Home Depot.

Spata is the son-in-law of Colombo crime boss Carmine “The Snake” Persico.

A police report indicates that the alleged heist occurred November 8 whereby Spata attempted to exit the store with a dimmer switch and LED recessed lights without paying.

“How pathetic!” a law enforcement source told the New York Daily News. 

The maximum prison sentence for this misdemeanor is one year in prison.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Nov/25/2013

Men Prefer Gambling Over Sex Recent Study Reveals: There's an App for That

A recent study conducted in the Netherlands has determined that our brains are programmed to pursue easy money over easy women.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Nov/25/2013

New Jersey's New Internet Gambling Era Has A Lot Of People Very Excited

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Associated Press) — Some were locked out by software that didn't believe they were in New Jersey. Others had their credit cards rejected, their Social Security numbers questioned and their utility bills requested.

But despite the initial glitches as New Jersey's Internet gambling era got underway last week, many gamblers say they're optimistic the kinks will get worked out and the fledgling industry will take off as online gambling gets opened up to the entire state as soon as Tuesday.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Nov/24/2013

Oregon State Lottery Dependent on Gambling Addicts

PORTLAND, Ore. (Associated Press) — The Oregon Lottery is beginning an aggressive campaign to upgrade video lottery machines and bring in more players, even as research suggests that a relatively small group of problem gamblers supply a huge portion of lottery revenue.

The Oregonian reports that consultants found the biggest chunk of video lottery players park in front of a machine and gamble alone until all their money is gone.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Nov/24/2013

Report: Gamblers in 23 Other States Tried to Play With Online Sites in NJ

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Associated Press) — Would-be gamblers from at least 23 states tried to log onto casino gambling websites in the first night of New Jersey's test of online betting.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Nov/24/2013

Multi-State Slot Jackpots Could Come to NJ in Wake of NV Decision

LAS VEGAS — (Associated Press) - In a decision being watched by New Jersey and other states, Nevada gambling regulators this week approved regulations to let slot machine makers and keno companies widen prize pools and offer mega-sized jackpots across state lines.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Nov/22/2013

Adelson Pledge: ‘Willing to Spend Whatever it Takes’ to Eradicate Online Gambling

Casino magnate Sheldon Adelson told Forbes.com’s Nathan Vardi Friday, he will spend whatever it takes to eliminate legalized online gambling from the US landscape.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Nov/22/2013

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