Gambling
Costa Rica Earthquake Causes Significant Damage: Online Gambling Businesses Fine
The hub for several dozen online gambling businesses, San Jose, Costa Rica, was spared any significant damage from Wednesday’s 7.6 magnitude earthquake just 100 miles to the west.
Malta-Based Online Gambling Company Head Jailed 14 Months
Dimitrios Drosos, 45, director of betting company Gold Victory Ltd, has been jailed for 14 months after being convicted of defrauding several people of a total of €500,000.
The court found that the Malta-based company had not paid winnings to several players and the accused had pocketed the money.
€70,000 paid by the accused as bail money were forfeited after it was established that Drosos,a Greek national resident in Kappara, had jumped bail and escaped from Malta.
He was re-arrested on the strength of a European arrest warrant.
7.9 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Online Gambling Hub of San Jose, Costa Rica
A 7.9 magnitude earthquake has hit the online gambling hub of San Jose, Costa Rica, one of the worst quakes in some time. The earthquake hit at 14:42 UTC, just before 9 am local and 11 am EDT.
The quake was not directly located in the San Jose region where most online gambling companies are set up. Employees were rattled by the event as one of the biggest weekend’s in online sports betting is about to kick off.
Nearby Cities
Burst Fish Tank Destroys Gulfstream Park Casino: Called ‘Catastrophic Failure’
The damage caused by a burst fish tank at South Florida’s famed Gulfstream Park Casino appears to be akin to that of a massive flood sweeping through two floors of this sprawling establishment. Hurricane Isaac didn’t even cause this type of damage to the Louisiana and Mississippi riverboat casinos. Who would have thought a ruptured 13,000 aquarium could cause such destruction?
GOP Platform on Internet Gambling May Have Been Influenced by Sheldon Adelson
Some in the gambling sector have begun to speculate that GOP political donor extraordinaire, casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, may have had a degree of influence as it relates to the newly released Republican platform from last week – You know the one, it espouses family values and how legalizing Internet gambling will lead to the destruction of such values.
Forbes: Is Zynga’s New 888 Hire a Means to ‘Exploit’ Gambling or Consumers
Inquiring minds want to know, or at least Forbes.com Financial columnist Louis Bedigian: Will Zynga's New Hire Exploit Gambling or Consumers?
The question is being asked after it was revealed that the world’s leading social media company and biggest operator of a “free-to-play” online poker room, Zynga, just hired 888.com’s former VP of Regulated Markets, Maytal Ginzburg. 888.com operates the world’s 4th largest “real money” online poker room and is widely seen as having one of the largest global Web casino businesses.
Mobster James ‘Whitey’ Bulger Attorneys to Update Judge Ahead of Trial
BOSTON (Associated Press) — Federal prosecutors and lawyers for mobster James ‘‘Whitey’’ Bulger are due in court this week to update a judge on the exchange of evidence in the case.
Bulger is the former leader of the notorious Winter Hill Gang and was also an FBI informant against the Mafia. He’s accused of participating in 19 murders.
Circumstances Surrounding Tank Explosion at Gulfstream Park Casino Remain Fishy
The Sunday morning explosion of a 13,000-gallon saltwater aquarium at the popular South Florida Gulfstream Park casino remained a mystery Tuesday.
David Gzesh Confirms Sale of Seized Online Gambling Domains
Michael H. Berkens of TheDomains.com has confirmed that attorney David Gzesh purchased and put up for sale online gambling domain names previously seized by US authorities.
Massive Israeli Gambling Ring Busted: Arabian Race Horses Confiscated
Law enforcement in Northern Israel announced a major gambling bust on Monday. Dozens of top dollar Arabian race horses were also taken into custody during a raid on the operation.
Authorities believe the business could have been engaging in money laundering activities.
Burst Fish Tank Shuts Down Gulfstream Racing and Casino Park Gambling for Days
A burst fish tank has resulted in the shutdown of all gambling operations at Gulfstream Racing and Casino Park in South Florida.
The situation occurred on the facility’s second floor where the 13,000 gallon saltwater tropical glass tank broke early Sunday morning. Both floors of casino gambling had to be shut down.
Macau Says August Gambling Revenue Second Highest on Record
HONG KONG, (Reuters) - Gambling revenue in Macau grew 5.5 percent year-on-year in August, government data showed on Monday, signalling a muted pick up in growth buoyed by demand from mainland gamblers.
Mayweather Mystery Bet: He May Have Won With Alabama
Reports surfaced this past week that boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. had placed a $3 million bet on the Michigan Wolverines to cover the spread against Alabama Saturday night.
Well, the Crimson Tide destroyed Michigan and presumably Mayweather lost his bet.
But not so fast.
9 Seized Online Gambling Domains Put Up For Sale Including DoylesRoom.com
Nine online gambling domain names seized as part of a sting operation by the US Attorney’s Office in Maryland have been put up for sale or license. These include DoylesRoom.com and Bookmaker.com.
Nevada Governor Not in Agreement With GOP Platform on Internet Gambling (Video)
Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval is in sharp disagreement with his party when it comes to online gambling and their platform adopted over the past week that includes a few lines promising to continue prohibition.
News 3 in Las Vegas sent reporter Sergio to talk to the governor, who has been pushing for legalization of online gambling in the state.
Las Vegas Professional Sports Bettor Billy Walters Files Lawsuit
LAS VEGAS (Associated Press) -- A lawsuit filed by Las Vegas sports betting giant Bill Walters claims people are being tricked into thinking they're buying betting advice from him.
Waters filed suit Wednesday in U.S. District Court for Nevada. He is seeking a temporary restraining order to have websites shut down.
Floyd Mayweather Called Out by Reno Gold for $3 Million Michigan Bet
As Gambling911.com and other media outlets reported on Thursday, boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr. is rumored to have placed a $3 million bet on his beloved Michigan Wolverines in their game against the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday. Michigan only needs to cover the 14 point spread currently available at online books the likes of BetOnline.
Some Mississippi Gulf Coast Casinos Reopen After Hurricane Isaac
BILOXI — (Associated Press) - Some of the 12 casinos on the Mississippi Gulf Coast started reopening Thursday, just over a day after the most severe weather from Hurricane Isaac pushed through the area.
The two casinos in Hancock County closed Monday, and the 10 in Harrison County were ordered to close Tuesday as Isaac was still in the Gulf of Mexico.
Floyd Mayweather Reportedly Places $3 Million Bet on Michigan to Beat Alabama
Reports Surfaced Thursday that boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. has placed a $3 million bet on the Michigan Wolverines to beat the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday.
That’s a bold move considering most gamblers seem to be backing the Crimson Tide, although Bookmaker.eu customers are on Alabama at just a 55 percent clip. The line on this game is Michigan +14.
Mayweather is a Grand Rapids native, which could have played a factor in this impressive wager.
FBI Files on Joe Paterno Reveals Fear of Organized Crime and Gambling Threats
FBI files on Penn State’s long time former football coach, the late Joe Paterno, make no mention of former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky, who was sentenced in a child abuse case this summer. They do, however, point to the theory that organized criminal factions with gambling interests may have been threatening the head coach and his staff during the late 1970’s and early 80’s via a series of letters.
New Maine Casino Nets a Whopping $10 Million in First Two Months
By CLARKE CANFIELD
PORTLAND, Maine (Associated Press) — Maine’s newest casino had revenues of nearly $10 million in its first two months of operation, while revenues at the state’s other casino in Bangor have fallen since the new casino opened.
Oxford Casino opened June 5 in the western Maine town of Oxford and had net revenues — the amount lost by gamblers — of $9.8 million in June and July combined. It paid nearly $4.1 million in taxes, according to the Maine Gambling Control Board.
Saskatchewan Looks to Host Online Gambling Through GEOBet
The GEObet Gambling Network is pleased to announce that it is currently exploring opportunities with Saskatchewan First Nations to develop an online gaming solution that will extend the reach of the Saskatchewan First Nation Gaming network operated in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan.
GEObet has made several presentations, including to the recent Special Indian Gaming Assembly in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. All parties are confident that agreements will meet and exceed Saskatchewan First Nations’ expectations of igaming.
Jim Rome ‘Imposter’ Acting as Spokesperson for Fantasy Football Website FanDuel
DeadSpin.com is reporting that the popular Fantasy Football website FanDuel has begun to use a Jim Rome “imposter” as a spokesperson for the company.
The DeadSpin.com site points to an ad that actually has been running during Jim Rome’s sports talk program.
From DeadSpin:
British Olympian Gymnast Sam Oldham’s Granny Finally has Cashed Her BetFred Checks
After a long and unnecessary ordeal, the grandmother of Great Britain Olympian bronze medal gymnast Sam Oldham finally has cash in hand for the entire €1000 owed to her by bookmaker BetFred.
You might recall that BetFred initially refused to pay Linda Aldred, 66, her £1000 winnings on a £5 bet that her grandson Sam would win an Olympic medal. BetFred claimed the bet was on an individual medal and that the team, not Sam specifically, won the bronze. Great Britain won its first Olympic medal in 100 years.
Illinois Governor Quinn Points to ‘Mob’ as Reason for Gambling Expansion Veto
CHICAGO — (Associated Press) - Citing Chicago’s reputation of mobsters and corruption, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn vetoed a plan Tuesday to bring casinos to the city and four other areas, leaving irked lawmakers with the task of overruling him.
New Jersey Sports Betting Now Targeted for December: George W. Bush attorney on Board
A move to legalize sports betting in New Jersey for the fall will likely be delayed until December the earliest, mainly a result of the anticipated lengthy licensing process.
Joe Brennan, Jr. of the Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Association tells Gambling911.com that the state will move right along with the legalization process despite a lawsuit filed against the four professional sports teams and the NCAA to try and prevent this from happening.
BetFred Pays Olympian Sam Oldham Grandma With ‘Bad’ Check
BetFred finally paid British Olympian gymnast Sam Oldham’s grandma. Too bad the check was no good!
Perhaps it was just an honest mistake but Linda Aldred tells Gambling911.com BetFred sent her and Sis two separate checks, neither of which were signed.
“BetFred say they send out plenty of cheques (so) it is no unusual for an odd one to go unsigned,” Ms. Aldred said. “Strange that two in the same dispute happen not to have been signed.”
Attorney Who Represented George W. Bush to Fight for Sports Betting in New Jersey
Theodore Olson, an attorney best known for representing former US President George W. Bush in the contested 2000 presidential election, has signed on to assist New Jersey Governor Chris Christie in that state’s fight to legalize sports betting.
All four professional sports leagues and the NCAA filed a lawsuit against the state earlier this month in an attempt to prevent New Jersey from moving forward with its efforts.
Olson, who also assisted in overturning California’s ban on same-sex marriage, filed papers in a federal court on Monday to join the Christie legal team.
No Casino in Chicago as Illinois Governor Rejects Gambling Expansion Plan
By SOPHIA TAREEN
CHICAGO (Associated Press) - Gov. Pat Quinn has rejected a plan to expand gambling in Illinois, including a land-based casino in Chicago.
The Democrat announced his veto Tuesday, saying the proposed bill lacked sufficient regulatory oversight.
The bill proposed five new casinos, including the Chicago facility and four more on riverboats.
Illinois Governor Must Decide Today on Gambling Expansion, Chicago Casino
CHICAGO • (Associated Press) - Gov. Pat Quinn will announce Tuesday the fate of a proposal to expand gambling in Illinois, including a new land-based casino in Chicago, weighing ethical and social concerns against the possibility of bringing a jackpot of jobs and revenue to the state.
With two of his predecessors in prison, the Chicago Democrat has made it clear he must preserve his political integrity in the plan, which also proposes establishing four new riverboat casinos and allowing slot machines at racetracks.
