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Here is a recap of poker news headlines as we head into the Friday afternoon hours January 20, 2012. Among the headlines, the mainstream press is now taking notice of a lawsuit filed against UB.com while Zynga confirmed it is in conversations with other parties to offer “real money” online poker.
Zynga Open to “Real Money” Online Poker – For the first time, Zynga has openly expressed its interest in offering “real money” online poker to its more than 30 million monthly active users.
If online gambling is legalized in certain states, Zynga could allow players in those states to bet and cash out real money.
On that topic, Zynga officially says the following:
““We build games and experiences that our players want and love. Zynga Poker is the world’s largest online poker game with more than 7 million people playing every day and over 30 million each month. We know from listening to our players that there’s an interest in the real money gambling market. We’re in active conversations with potential partners to better understand and explore this new opportunity.”
Online gambling represents a multi-billion dollar industry and this latest talk has helped boost Zynga’s shares. [Games Beat]
MSNBC Takes Note of UB.com Lawsuit – A group of poker players have taken action against UB.com (formerly UltimateBet.com) claiming they were victims of a cheating scandal caused by flawed security. Gambling911.com was among the first websites to report on this earlier in the week but the mainstream press is only now taking notice with MSNBC taking the lead.
The suit filed last Friday in U.S. District Court in California, alleges that the defendants — 6356095 Canada Inc., formerly known as Excapsa Software Inc., and up to 10 Jane or John Does — violated the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, committed fraud and exhibited negligence by enabling the theft of at least $20 million from high-stakes poker players who gambled on the Ultimate Bet website. [MSNBC.com]
Australia’s PM Dumps Pokies Timeline – Proposed pokies reform is a story that has really been capturing the news headlines in Australia these days and Gambling911.com will be presenting its readers with the latest reports. On Friday, Julia Gillard announced she has abandoned her agreement with independent MP Andrew Wilkie to legislate mandatory precommitment technology for poker machines by his deadline of May 8. [The Australian]
Tom Middleton Wins Aussie Millions Six-Max Event - British pro Tom Middleton has taken down the $1,000 No Limit Hold'em Six-Max event at the Aussie Millions, bagging himself a bankroll-boosting $84,200 in the process, the second largest cash of his live career so far. [PokerNews.com]
- Ace King, Gambling911.com
