Gambling
Casino Gambling in Texas Possible as Bill Will Come Up in 2013 Session
Texas lawmakers began filing bills Monday before the 2013 legislative session... one of which includes a vote to have casinos in the Lone Star State.
Lawmakers will convene Jan. 8 for a 140-day session that would only go longer if the governor called a special session. Sessions that take place in even-numbered years go longer.
Former Zynga VP Ya-Bing Chu Joins Betable
A former Vice President of publicly traded social gaming company Zynga has been hired by startup Betable, it was announced on Monday.
Ya-Bing Chu will be placed in charge of building Betable’s real money platform, which will be available in most countries except for the USA, at least for the time being. He will also focus on mobile growth for the company.
“This is an opportunity to pioneer this business, and this was too good to pass up,” said Chu.
Three Men Accused in Ottawa Organized Crime Gambling Bust Out on Bail
Three individuals charged in connection with running an illegal online gambling website with alleged ties to organized crime in Ottawa, Canada have been released on bail over the weekend.
Benedetto Manasseri, Stephen Parrish and Gary Saikaley were all held in custody after their arrests earlier this week.
‘Fiscal Cliff’ Bill Could Offer Nice Vehicle for Internet Poker Measure
A lot has been made of a potential cybersecurity bill acting as a vehicle in which to attach proposed Internet poker legislation drafted by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Republican Senator Jon Kyl. A better option might be so-called “fiscal cliff’ legislation, and with good reason.
For one, cybersecurity proved a polarizing issue the last time both the House and Senate attempted to pass their respective bills. There was huge opposition from outside groups worried over the potential negative impact on freedom of speech.
21 People Arrested in Connection to Online Sportsbook, Marijuana, Extortion Ring
The RCMP rounded up 12 people throughout the Ottawa, Canada area charging them with running an illegal sports betting website.
Social Gambling News: Conference Speaker List Expands With Dean Takahashi, More
Today, the organisers of the Social Gambling Conference have announced that Venture Beat's Social Gaming lead commentator Dean Takahashi, Hussein Chahine, Founder & CEO of Yazino, Brian Morgan, Executive Director Online Gaming at WMS, Vaughan Lewis, Analyst at Morgan Stanley and Joost van Dreunen, Co-Founder & CEO of SuperData will be joining the elite line up of speakers at November's conference.
Canada Sports Betting Bill C-290 May Die in Senate
Bill Would Make Betting on Outcome of Single Sporting Event Legal
Former Cantor Gaming Executive Mike Colbert to Plead Not Guilty
Mike Colbert, the former executive from Cantor Gaming who ran sportsbooks like those at the M Resort, was expected to plead not guilty later this month for his involvement with an illegal sports betting ring that netted some $50 million. Colbert was charged with eight counts of conspiracy, money laundering and enterprise corruption.
Horseshoe Casino is Coming to Baltimore
With a referendum passed on Election Day for expanded gambling in Maryland, Caesars has announced plans to build a high-end casino in Baltimore with its Horseshoe brand.
Caesar’s bills the Horseshoe as home of the best odds, highest limits and biggest jackpots. The Horseshoe brand is offered in six markets, including Cleveland.
John Payne, president, of Enterprise Shared Services with Caesars and Chad Barnhill, general manager of Caesar's Baltimore Casino, said the new Horseshoe Casino will deliver patrons a legendary experience in terms of service and dining.
Montreal Mobster Shot Dead in His Driveway
72-year-old Mobster Giuseppe “Joe” Di Maulo was shot to death in his own driveway earlier this week in what may signal the end to a bloody crime family war, or could result in further bloodshed.
Maryland Poised to Become Major Casino State on East Coast
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Associated Press) — Once reluctant to embrace large-scale gambling, Maryland is now on track to potentially become a major casino state on the East Coast, after voters decided to allow Las Vegas-style table games at six casinos, including one next to the nation's capital.
Nevada Gambling Revenue Up 3 Percent
CARSON CITY (Associated Press) — State officials say Nevada gambling revenues were up more than 3 percent in September compared with the same month a year ago. The Nevada Gaming Control Board reports a gambling win of $893 million for September.
Officials also say casino revenues for July through September are up almost 6 percent compared with the same quarter in 2011.
UK Leads European Online Gambling Reports Belle Rock Entertainment
The European online gambling market is growing, and the UK is leading the way, reports Belle Rock Entertainment. However, H2 Gambling Capital figures forecast rapid growth in Italy, France and Spain that could leave the UK lagging behind.
Lewdness Claim at Vegas Bar Draws Ire of Nevada Gaming Control Board
LAS VEGAS (Associated Press) - Nevada gambling regulators are seeking discipline against a Las Vegas bar where state and local agents reported seeing customers performing sex acts in view of other customers.
The state Gaming Control Board on Thursday submitted to the Nevada Gaming Commission a nine-count complaint against Las Vegas Eagle owner Judy R. Nelson.
The commission could hold a hearing or both sides could negotiate a settlement.
Carbon Sports Makes Push Into Lucrative Sports Betting Market
One of the industry’s most prominent online poker rooms, Carbon Poker, has dove head first into the sports betting market. The new brand is CarbonSports.ag and a lot of people are beginning to take notice.
Maryland Approves Gambling Expansion
CBS WJZ reported Wednesday morning that gambling expansion as part of a voter referendum has passed in the state of Maryland.
Question 7 passed with 52 percent approval.
When all was said and done, $87 million had been spent on the gambling expansion initiative. This is more money than was spent on the last Governor race.
“It’s gonna be more jobs, construction jobs, long-term jobs in the hospitality industry, but it’s also gonna mean more dollars for Maryland schools,” said Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown.
China’s New Leaders May be Uneasy About Macau Growth
(Associated Press) - Hordes of Chinese high rollers flooding into Macau have turned the city into an Asian casino boomtown, but they're also posing a challenge for China's next generation of leaders.
It Was The Worst Sunday Ever for the Sportsbooks
Nearly every favorite won! Nine out of thirteen. The Vegas sportsbooks were calling it a “slaughter”.
And you can blame all those parlays.
Black Sunday for Sportsbook Affiliates: Books Biggest Single Day Loss in 8 Years
Yesterday's game of the Falcons vs Cowboys having a late cover caused affiliates to loose millions. The late cover resulted in several sportsbooks in Vegas and online seeing the biggest single day loss they have seen for over 8 years. On the other hand this was a day of celebration for thousands of NFL bettors. Sadly the joy is not shared by the bookies who took the big hit.
Gambling Ref Tim Donaghy to Attend First NBA Game Since Prison Term
Disgraced former NBA referee Tim Donaghy was set to attend his first NBA game since serving a prison stint for gambling on games he officiated.
Donaghy, it turns out, is now a sports handicapper.
Bunker Mode Joins Growing Social Sports Betting Field With ‘High Limit Sports’
Bunker Mode, which is looking to become a leader in worldwide mobile sports gaming, has just introduced a new social sports betting app, High Limit Sports.
Social Gambling Conference in London to Feature Panel of Legal Experts
Legal experts in the social gambling space will add their opinions to the Social Gambling Conference on November 16th at Dexter House, London.
MGM Makes Final Pitch for Gambling Expansion in Maryland Ahead of Election
(Associated Press) - The CEO of MGM Resorts International said Friday that if Maryland voters agree Tuesday to expand legalized gambling, his company would build a luxurious and architecturally unimposing casino and hotel near the nation's capital, not a blocky neon-lit behemoth.
"There would be zero neon, and no marquee sign," said Jim Murren, MGM Resort International's chief executive officer, outlining his plans for a building that he says would respect the environment next to the Potomac River in Prince George's County.
Gambling Expansion in Maryland Now Faces Lawsuit Ahead of Election
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — (Associated Press) - Opponents of expanding gambling in Maryland have filed a lawsuit saying a majority of registered voters in the state would need to approve the proposal, not just a majority of people who vote on the ballot question.
Thomas Dernoga, an attorney representing eight plaintiffs who oppose a casino in Prince George’s County, filed the lawsuit in Annapolis on Friday.
Dernoga says the plaintiffs want the courts to review the threshold required for approval of the ballot question.
Atlantic City Casinos Begin Re-Opening, Starting With the Borgata
TRENTON, N.J. (Associated Press) – Gov. Chris Christie announced Friday that Atlantic City’s 12 casinos can reopen after a nearly five-day shutdown for Superstorm Sandy, but it’s unclear when they will be ready to do so.
Christie announced the order to allow reopening at 10 a.m. Friday and said it was effective immediately. He also allowed roads to the seaside resort, which was subject to a mandatory evacuation, to reopen.
Massachusetts Treasurer Blasts Reid-Kyl Online Poker Bill: ‘Unfair Advantage’
(Reuters) - Massachusetts' state treasurer on Wednesday blasted an online-gambling bill backed by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, saying the proposed federal law threatened the Massachusetts lottery that last year yielded nearly $1 billion in profits.
Christie: Atlantic City Casinos to Stay Closed for Now
MOONACHIE, N.J. (Associated Press) Atlantic City's casinos have power, but they won't be opening up again until a few other hurdles are cleared.
Atlantic City Casinos Expected to Re-Open Soon With Christie Lifting Evacuation Order
With New Jersey Governor Chris Christie lifting evacuation orders in Atlantic City, casinos were expected to re-open in the coming days. All operators report nominal damage, mostly to their roofs.
On Thursday it was also revealed that The Borgata Casino’s $393.5 million of 9.875 percent notes due August 2018 have fallen 2.25 cents on the dollar since the largest tropical storm in the Atlantic slammed the East Coast on Oct. 29.
Kentucky Governor to Push for Casino Gambling in Commonwealth Again Next Session
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Associated Press) — Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear said Wednesday he appointed his chief Republican rival in the Legislature to a judicial post because he was the best qualified applicant for the job, not because getting him out of the way would improve the chances of legalizing casino gambling in the state.
Beshear, in his first public comments since appointing Senate President Davis Williams circuit judge in southern Kentucky, said he had a responsibility to pick the best person for the job.
Massive Gambling Ring Targets Youth Football: ESPN Cracks Case
Nine men have been arrested in South Florida for their connection into a massive gambling operation that targeted youth football games in the region.
The 18-month investigation actually got underway thanks to ESPN.
