Gambling

RCMP Releases Names of Those Charged in Platinum SB Gambling Probe

As the result of an on-going illegal gaming investigation, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) has charged the following individuals with the offences of Commit a Criminal Offence for the Benefit of a Criminal Organization and Conspiracy to Commit the Indictable Offence of Engage in Bookmaking

Submitted by Press Release on, Mar/07/2013

Illinois Latest State to Consider Legalizing Online Gambling

New legislation, approved by the Illinois Senate Subcommittee, is looking to legalize online gambling.

The bill includes expansion of the state’s brick and mortar casinos, including the addition of a casino in Chicago.

Governor Pat Quinn said he would welcome expansion of gambling “under certain conditions”.

Submitted by Ace King on, Mar/07/2013

NCAA Lifts Ban on Games Played in New Jersey

The NCAA has lifted a ban on games played in New Jersey following a judge’s ruling that the state cannot allow legalized sports betting.  Governor Chris Christie has vowed to appeal that ruling, however.

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The NCAA had cancelled a series of championship games that were to be played in the Garden State this past year.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Mar/07/2013

888 Holdings Approved for Nevada License

(Reuters) - European online gaming operator 888 Holdings Plc cleared a key hurdle in its return to a reopening, regulated U.S. online poker market after the Nevada Gaming Control Board voted to recommend approval of its application for a state interactive gaming license at a hearing scheduled for March 21.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board on Wednesday said it recommended the approval of Gibraltar-based 888's applications, including one as a manufacturer of an interactive gaming system, one as a distributor and another as an interactive gaming service provider.

Submitted by Reuters on, Mar/07/2013

Names of Those Arrested in Platinum SB Probe Yet to be Released

Though the RCMP announced it would be identifying those arrested Tuesday March 5, 2013 in connection with a massive bookmaking operation in the Ontario region today, this was yet to occur as of Wednesday evening.   

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Mar/06/2013

Ex-Texas Attorney Gets 10 years for Theft to Support Gambling Addiction

NEW BOSTON, Texas (Associated Press) — A former lawyer in Texas and Arkansas who allegedly had a gambling problem must serve 10 years in prison for stealing nearly $250,000 from clients.

The Texarkana Gazette reports 65-year-old Don Cooksey was taken into custody Tuesday following sentencing in New Boston.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Mar/06/2013

18 More Arrests Made in Connection With Platinum Sportsbook Probe

The RCMP arrested another 18 individuals in connection with an ongoing case tied to Web-based sports betting operator Platinum Sportsbook (or Platinum SB). 

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Mar/05/2013

RCMP to Release More Info on Platinum Sportsbook in Wake of Super Bowl Raid

The RCMP were expected to release information pertaining to Platinum Sportsbook following a much publicized raid during a Super Bowl party last month. 

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Mar/05/2013

Attorney General Seeks Removal of Judge in VictoryLand Case

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Associated Press) — Alabama's attorney general is asking a Macon County judge to step aside from a case involving the seizure of 1,615 gambling machines and more than $223,000 in cash from VictoryLand casino in Shorter.

Attorney General Luther Strange filed court papers telling Circuit Judge Tom Young Jr. he should recuse himself because he's prejudiced against the state's evidence.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Mar/04/2013

Illinois Governor Vetoes Gambling Expansion Legislation

CHICAGO —(Associated Press) -  Gov. Pat Quinn has vetoed a piece of old gambling legislation that would have added five new casinos and more slot machines.

This was lawmakers' 2011 attempt, but it didn't go to Quinn's desk until the end of session in January. Quinn had opposed the bill, saying it didn't contain enough ethical protections. He vetoed it today.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Mar/04/2013

New Jersey Internet Gambling Draft Legislation Due Out This Week

Come Thursday we should have a better idea as to how legalized Internet gambling will look in the Garden State.

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New Jersey legislators, led by Democratic State Senator Raymond Lesniak, are expected to have draft legislation completed at that time.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Mar/04/2013

Las Vegas Strip Shooter Apprehended

A man accused of fatally shooting rapper Kenneth Wayne Cherry Jr., 27, outside the Aria Hotel on the Vegas Strip last month was arrested this past Thursday.

“We can confirm that the LAPD-FBI task force arrested a fugitive from Las Vegas wanted by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department," Los Angeles police spokesman Lieutenant Andy Neiman said.

26-year-old Ammar Harris is accused of shooting Cherry as he sat in the driver’s seat of his Maserati.  That car then careened into a taxi cab, killing the driver and a passenger.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Mar/03/2013

Sands Says It May Have Violated Law Prohibiting Bribes

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – (Associated Press) - Las Vegas Sands Corp. says in a regulatory filing that it probably violated a federal law that prohibits bribing foreign officials.

The casino company said in a filing Friday that the Securities and Exchange Commission asked two years ago for records relating to compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Las Vegas Sands, which is controlled by billionaire Sheldon Adelson, said that after it got the SEC subpoena on Feb. 9, 2011, the audit committee of the board of directors opened an investigation.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Mar/03/2013

Moody's: Legalized Online Gambling in New Jersey a Boost to Casinos

(Reuters) - Moody’s Investors Service on Thursday said legalization of Internet gaming in New Jersey is credit positive for the Atlantic City casino industry.

Moody’s said licenses to offer Internet gaming will be limited to Atlantic City's existing casino operators and their partners, and it will attract more players to the city.

Submitted by Reuters on, Mar/02/2013

Source Close to IGT Proxy Fight Gives Skinny on Tuesday’s Critical Vote

Gambing911.com Senior International Correspondent Jenny Woo had an opportunity Friday to speak to someone intimately close to the IGT power struggle that will culminate on Tuesday into a final vote that determines a potential new makeup of the world’s leading slot manufacturer’s board.

Submitted by Jenny Woo on, Mar/02/2013

NJ to Appeal Judge Ruling Against Sports Betting in Garden State

(Reuters) - New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and state lawmakers vowed on Friday to continue fighting to legalize sports betting after a federal judge struck down a law that would have allowed it.

The New Jersey law, which Christie signed last year, had authorized sports betting at the state's racetracks and at Atlantic City casinos.

Submitted by Reuters on, Mar/01/2013

US States Race to Capture Online Gambling Bonanza

(Reuters) - New Jersey Governor Chris Christie this week finally approved online gaming in the Garden State. Now comes the hard part: banding together with other states to attract more gamblers, drive up jackpots and lure players away from offshore websites.

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Submitted by Reuters on, Feb/28/2013

Bitcoin ‘Best Performing Currency Year-to-Date’

Bitcoin, used by a small number of online casino operators, is being touted as the “best performing currency year-to-day” according to Tyler Durden of ZeroHedge.com. 

Durden writes:

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Feb/28/2013

Girls Gone Wild Goes Bankrupt in Wake of Wynn-Francis Lawsuit

The company that produces racy videos of half naked women dancing and drinking has filed for bankruptcy.  “Girls Gone Wild” filed for bankruptcy protection citing $16 million in debts, according to court papers obtained by Reuters on Thursday.

The franchise’s founder, Joe Francis, owes a $10.3 million debt to Las Vegas gambling magnate Steve Wynn according to papers filed in U.S. federal court in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Feb/28/2013

Seedy Side of Internet Cafes: Degenerate Gamblers, Hookers, Mickey Mouse

Law enforcement in North Jakarta have detained Mickey Mouse…well, sort of…

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That’s the nic they gave to gambling boss Hady Soemantri a.k.a Bong Can a.k.a Acan.

The raid comes at a time when Indonesia is in the midst of cracking down on illegal Internet café’s used for gambling purposes.  The businesses are often run from 8 am to 1 am.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Feb/27/2013

Online Gambling Web Chat Files: ‘A Phone Call From God Won’t Save You’

Social gaming, this is not.  Angry customers have taken to the posting forums to cut and paste online chats with reps from various online gambling sites.  Some of the best cut and pasted chats are courtesy of 5Dimes.com customer as the owner of that long-established company loves to “engage” with his clientele on occasion. 

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Feb/27/2013

Woman Sought in Las Vegas Strip Shooting That Left Three Dead

LAS VEGAS (Associated Press) — A 22-year-old Miami woman with a history of prostitution arrests was identified Tuesday as a person of interest in a Las Vegas Strip shooting that triggered a spectacular fiery crash and left three people dead.

Police said Tineesha Lashun Howard was in a black SUV with Ammar Harris last week when he fired shots into a Maserati sports car at a self-promoted rapper who investigators say argued with Harris minutes earlier in the valet area of a glassy Strip resort.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Feb/27/2013

Judge to Rule in New Jersey Sports Betting Matter Shortly

All eyes have been on New Jersey this week as Governor Chris Christie signed a measure into law that would allow online gambling within the Garden State.

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Perhaps this will serve as a positive harbinger as a judge is set to rule on whether New Jersey is permitted to introduce legalized sports betting.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Feb/27/2013

Chris Christie on Legalizing Web Poker: ‘A Critical Decision’

Speaking to John Brennan of NorthJersey.com Tuesday, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie had this to say regarding his decision to legalize Web gamblnig in the Garden State: “This was a critical decision, and one that I did not make lightly."

Christie, who had sat on previous bills up to the final hours, signed this third reincarnation within minutes of it hitting his desk.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Feb/26/2013

Breaking News: Christie Signs Internet Gambling Bill Into Law

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has signed a bill authorizing Internet gambling in the state following swift passage by lawmakers Tuesday.

The State Assembly and Senate both overwhelming passed the bill, AB 2578, this afternoon and Governor Christie immediately signed it into law.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Feb/26/2013

Dead Rapper in Vegas Strip Shooting Worked as a Pimp: Suspect Still on Loose

A rapper killed in a brazen Las Vegas Strip shooting last week reportedly worked as a pimp.   Kenny Cherry Jr. (AKA “Kenny Clutch”) was shot while behind the wheel of his Maserati.  He then slammed his car into a parked taxi killing both the driver and a passenger.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Feb/25/2013

Chris Christie Could Sign New Jersey Online Gambling Bill Tuesday

All eyes will be on New Jersey Tuesday as that state’s Governor Chris Christie may sign a bill legalizing online gambling.  The Governor has already said he intends to sign the bill within 48 hours of it arriving on his desk.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Feb/25/2013

New Jersey Mobster Louis ‘Big Lou’ Fazzini Gets Nearly 5 Years Jail Time

New Jersey mobster Louis “Big Lou” Fazzini has been sentenced to 55 months behind bars after pleading guilty this past October to racketeering and conspiracy connected to a Mob-controlled gambling operation.

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Fazzini had previously served four years prison time after being convicted of similar charges in 1999.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Feb/25/2013

Search Widens for Suspect in Vegas Strip Shooting

LAS VEGAS (Associated Press) — The search has widened to the southeastern U.S. for a 26-year-old man who police call the prime suspect in a shooting and fiery crash that killed three last week on the Las Vegas Strip.

Las Vegas police Capt. Chris Jones said Monday that investigators were tracing places where Ammar Harris lived and worked in the past.

Public records show Harris lived in South Carolina and Georgia; was convicted in Atlanta in 2005 of marijuana possession; and was arrested in Miami in December on a reckless driving charge.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Feb/25/2013

Ang Lee Best Director Win Biggest Upset in Oscar History

With Ang Lee winning the Best Director award at this year’s Oscars for “Life of Pi”, we witnessed the biggest upset since online bookmakers began taking bets on the Oscars during the late 1990’s.

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Stephen Spielberg was a pretty big favorite to win as Best Director.

Submitted by Jordan Bach on, Feb/25/2013

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