Gambling
Top Gambling Stories – May 29, 2013: Noon EDT Wire
These are the top gambling news stories as they happen at Gambling911.com. Follow us on Twitter here.
Bitcoin Fears Loom in Wake of Liberty Reserve Indictment
Costa Rican Online Bookies Find Love, Sex at Newly Opened Jaco Beach Del Rey
An infamous meat market bar/hotel of San Jose, Costa Rica has now opened a second location on the beach in Jaco.
The Hotel Del Rey, a staple for American bookmakers and their colleagues from the early days of Costa Rica’s burgeoning online sports betting industry, announced the opening of its second location this week.
Cantor Gaming Suit Accuses William Hill of Poaching Precious Trade Secrets
As reported by the Las Vegas Review Journal this week, Cantor Gaming is none too happy about rival William Hill entering its cherished US sports betting territory.
Indecisiveness, Exclusion Prevented Federal Online Gambling Bill From Passing
Former Nevada Congressman Jon Porter blamed the casino industry’s indecisiveness for the failure to pass federal legalization of online gambling over the past few years.
Porter, who is now a lobbyist for the industry, also said that gaming interests refused to recognize the importance of Tribal casino groups and state lotteries.
Bitcoin No Liberty Reserve: Shutdown to Affect Only One Online Casino
Anonymous payment solutions company, Liberty Reserve, has been shut down by federal authorities out of the Southern District of New York on Tuesday.
The indictment alleges Liberty Reserve, a company incorporated in Costa Rica, has for years operated as one of the world’s largest digital currencies. Law enforcement refers to the company as a “PayPal for criminals” that allegedly laundered money to the tune of $6 billion over the past 7 years.
Gambling Ads Crackdown in Australia: Football Shirts to be Pulled
Australia will no longer be permitting gambling ads to run on television during live sporting events nor will bookmakers like Centrebet and bwin be permitted to have their logos on signage at venues or stadium naming rights.
Las Vegas Sands Corp to Develop Multi Billion Euro Casino in Madrid
Las Vegas Casino giant Las Vegas Sands Corp. has chosen Madrid for a multi-billion dollar gambling resort project which has been dubbed “EuroVegas” and will be Europe’s biggest casino and conference centre.
The latest plans for this exciting project were revealed by the company’s chairman and chief executive officer Sheldon Adelson at the Second Jerusalem International Tourism Summit.
Ohio Wants Its Colleges to Curb Gambling
CLEVELAND (Associated Press) — Ohio's college and university counselors are being asked to help keep compulsive gambling from becoming a problem among young people in the state as gambling venues multiply.
The state Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services hopes prevention and treatment of gambling addiction can be improved at universities and colleges, The Plain Dealer in Cleveland reported. A conference at Ohio State University conference last month alerted counselors, although some said they hadn't detected widespread addiction at their schools.
More Arrests in IPL Spot Fixing Scandal
New Delhi/Panaji (IANS) Six bookies allegedly involved in the Indian Premier League (IPL) spot fixing scandal were arrested by Goa Police Monday.
"Ketan Chavera, Amit Papat, Ritesh Patel, Paresh Asad Kota, Sandeep Asad Kota and Nikunj Lalan were arrested from a beach resort in Candolim after the Delhi Police intimated the Goa Police about them hiding there," said a Delhi Police officer.
Massachusetts Officials Promise Full Review of MGM Resorts Plan
SPRINGFIELD — (Associated Press) - The chairman of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is promising full scrutiny of MGM Resorts' plan for an $800 million casino in Springfield.
Chairman Stephen P. Crosby told the Republicans that the gaming commission is looking at every area where MGM Resorts does business. Background investigations should be complete by the end of August or early September.
Bookie Testifies: ‘Ridiculous’ When Asked If He Killed His Wife
South Carolina bookie Brett Parker, on trial for allegedly killing his wife, testified for nearly three hours Friday.
“No,” Brett Parker when grilled about killing his wife, Tammy Jo Parker. “That’s crazy.”
“That’s ridiculous,” he would respond when asked again.
95-Year Old Vegas Icon Missing, Reportedly Held Captive
The wife of 95-year-old Las Vegas casino developer Kirk Kerkorian claims her husband is being held captive by his attorneys.
Kerkorian, who made $2.9 billion through the development of such Vegas landmarks as Caesar's Palace and the MGM Grand, has not been seen for nearly a year.
Lawsuits Challenge Legality of Fantasy Sports Contests: DraftDay.com Sued
The same attorney who filed suit against fantasy sports site FanDuel.com now has a suit against competitor Draftday.com.
SC Prosecutors Rest Their Case Against Sports Bettor Charged in Wife’s Murder
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Prosecutors have rested their case after 10 days of testimony against a man accused of killing his wife and colleague in a sports gambling ring at his Columbia home.
New Hampshire Rejects Casino Bill
CONCORD, N.H. (Associated Press) — In line with decades of opposition to casinos, the House turned aside lobbying by the governor and arguments that New Hampshire should compete with Massachusetts for gambling dollars to vote down yet another casino bill Wednesday.
After two hours of debate, the House voted 199-164 to kill a Senate bill that would allow 5,000 video slot machines and 150 table games at one facility. Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan had lobbied heavily for its passage, and supporters said New Hampshire needed money for higher education, highways and other programs.
Bitcoin Economy Now Worth $1 Billion
The Bitcoin economy is now worth a whopping $1 billion and, despite a few near death experiences, continues to grow.
This past weekend, some 1000 people attended the Bitcoin 2013 event in San Jose, California.
’60 Minutes’ to Offer Update on WSEX Story, Discuss Schillinger Suicide
Gambling911.com’s Thomas Somach has confirmed that the CBS news magazine “60 Minutes” will be airing an update on a story about online gambling that featured co-founders of the now defunct sports betting site World Sports Exchange
Somach tells Gambling911.com "60 Minutes" will simply be mentioning the suicide, likely at the end of an upcoming program. The exact date is not known. The original story about WSEX.com and Schillinger from 12 years ago is not likely to be re-aired.
Dutch Online Gambling Market to Open Up by 2015
The Netherlands gambling monopoly will be coming to an end, it was announced on Wednesday.
Foreign i-Gaming firms will soon be permitted to operate under strict licensing guidelines.
And…as one might suspect….there will be a tax imposed on licensees.
From DutchNews.com:
Free Sports Betting for Prizes Could be Introduced in New Jersey
For the time being, New Jersey will not be permitted to offer sports betting for real money, however, the Monmouth Racetrack is looking into a free sports betting platform for the upcoming Football season.
Private Equity Groups, Syndicates Won’t Be Permitted in Nevada
Nevada state Senate bill 346 that would have permitted large groups to place sports bets within the state has failed to pass the Assembly Judiciary Committee on Friday.
Another bill that would have allowed bets on the outcome of federal elections also joined the scrap heap, the AP reported.
Nevada Gaming Control Board Continues to Probe Colbert, Cantor Gaming
Following last October’s indictment of former Cantor Gaming Sportsbook head Mike Colbert and 24 others, the Nevada gaming Control Board continues to conduct an investigation of its own.
‘The Outsider’ Details Tennis Great Jimmy Connors $1 Million Bet on Himself
Tennis great Jimmy Connors has released his autobiography “The Outsider” detailing a $1 million wager he once placed on himself in a 1992 matchup with Martina Navratilova.
His wager had Navratilova beaten in straight sets and that he would lose no more than eight games. Ultimately he would go on to win the bet
Cantor Gaming Using Algorithms in Creating Sports Betting Lines
Great article appearing on Wired.com on how Cantor Gaming has begun to use algorithms in determining game lines for its sports betting operations.
Cantor Gaming runs a number of sportsbooks in Las Vegas, including at the M Resort.
Skrill Unauthorized Logins Have Online Gamblers Worried
A spate of reported unauthorized Skrill logins have the online gambling community on edge.
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Skrill, formerly known as Moneybookers, is a popular money transfer platform for those gamblers living outside the United States. It is similar to PayPal.
Assailants Used Bricks to Bash Lawyer in Gambling Mecca of Macau
HONG KONG – (Associated Press) - A Macau lawyer assaulted in broad daylight in the Chinese gambling haven says the attack was an attempt to intimidate him.
The two assailants used bricks to bash the lawyer, Jorge Menezes, on the head before fleeing in last week's attack.
The former Portuguese colony has largely shed its reputation for triad violence.
Menezes said Monday he believed the attack was intended to intimidate him over his work but he wouldn't say who he thought was behind it.
Legends Sports Head Man Remains Behind Bars: Denied $2.5 Mil Bond
Bartice King, aka Luke King, will remain behind bars after Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Dickerson Cox filed a motion for revocation of the order of release entered by Western District of Oklahoma Magistrate Judge Shon T. Erwin.
Affidavits Provide Window Into Russian Mob Tied Gambling Operation
A major gambling ring bust last month netted the head of a prominent art gallery, a so-called “Poker Princess” and associates of an alleged Russian-tied crime organization.
Is This the Beginning of the End of MCC 7995 for Online Gambling in Regulated States
The new Ultimate Poker, Station Casino’s online poker property, is now accepting Mastercard transactions, making them the first licensed poker room in the United States to do so.
Powerball Drawing Nears Record Level at Over Half a Billion
(Associated Press) - Less than 10 months after three tickets split a world-record lottery prize, the jackpot for Saturday's Powerball drawing was nearing historic territory once again.
Should nobody pick the correct six numbers, the prize money will roll over to next week's drawing and almost certainly eclipse the $656 million doled out to winners in Illinois, Kansas and Maryland in the Mega Millions game in March 2012.
Judge Rules That Atlantic Club Casino Can Seek New Buyer
(Associated Press) - After paying an $11 million advance to a struggling Atlantic City casino it intended to buy, the parent company of the world's largest online poker website was left with nothing for its troubles Friday when a judge ruled the casino had the right to scrap the deal.
Superior Court Judge Raymond Batten said The Atlantic Club Casino Hotel could terminate the contract it signed with The Rational Group, the British parent company of PokerStars, when the company failed to get New Jersey's preliminary approval by April 26 to own a casino.
