Ladbrokes Vows to Fix Online Woes as Poker Revenue Dips, Shares Drop
(Reuters) - Ladbrokes, Britain's second-biggest bookmaker, pledged on Thursday to fix its ailing digital operations where profits halved in the first six months of 2012 in contrast to a strong online performance by its rivals.
Its British high street business and an improved performance in European retail and telephone operations helped to fuel an 11 percent rise in group operating profit to 106.9 million pounds ($166.6 million) in the first half, just ahead of forecasts.
Shares in Ladbrokes added 1.8 pence to 156.5 pence by 0810 GMT.
Shamballa Jewels Renews Partnership with European Poker Tour for Season 9
EPT President Edgar Stuchly today announced that the European Poker Tour will partner with Shamballa Jewels for a third consecutive year and confirmed the luxury jewellery brand as the Official Bracelet Sponsor of the European Poker Tour Season 9 High Roller and Super High Roller events.
This announcement marks the second major EPT Season 9 sponsorship deal after Slyde by HD3 watches was confirmed as the Official Watch Sponsor of the European Poker Tour Season 9 Main Events.
Online Poker VIP Points Race for $100,000
Carbon Poker, one of the largest online poker rooms, is giving away over $100,000 during the month of August with its VIP points race.
CNBC: Sheldon Adelson Casino Probed in ‘Prostitution Probe’
Casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson’s Sands Casino in Macau is reportedly under investigation by the local Chinese Government according to a CNBC report.
The company reportedly transferred documents linked to a wrongful dismissal case to the United States from Macau.
Big Surprise! WSOP Main Event Chip Leader Favorite to Win
Online sportsbooks have started posting odds on which of the nine 2012 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event final table members will win the tournament--and the odds are as predictable as the winner of an eating contest between Annette Obrestad and Kate Moss.
Zynga Execs Accused of Insider Trading: Slapped With Lawsuit
Social gaming company Zynga, its executives and bankers were hit with a class action lawsuit Tuesday alleging insider trading.
From MSNBC.com:
Macau Gambling Revenue Slowest Since 2009: Tropical Storm Blamed
(Reuters) - Gambling revenue in Macau, the world's largest gambling market, inched up 1.5 percent in July from a year earlier, the slowest growth since the financial crisis in 2009 as a tropical storm reduced visitor numbers, compounding subdued demand from Chinese gamblers.
July's revenue was 24.58 billion patacas ($3.08 billion dollars), though still ahead of analyst expectations and up from 23.3 billion patacas in June, government data showed on Wednesday. Analysts had forecast July growth to be flat or down 1 percent year-on-year.
Leaked Email: PokerStars Chairman Seeks World Domination
Following news that the world’s largest “real money” online poker venture, PokerStars, will be acquiring its one time second biggest rival, revelations have surfaced regarding Stars intent and its pursuit of world domination, at least within the Internet poker universe.
From eGaming Review Magazine:
Americas Cardroom Giving Away Dream Car
Serious poker grinders who put in tons of action at Americas Cardroom could find themselves putting serious pedal to the metal in a $50,000 car of their dreams (car pictured is not the one you are going to win). The giveaway is part of Americas Cardroom's enhanced Elite Benefits program, which now includes a sixth military rank—5-Star General.
Full Tilt Poker Exec Nelson Burtnick Out on Bail: Absolute Poker Players Hopeful
At almost the exact time Full Tilt Poker executive Nelson Burtnick landed at Newark Liberty Airport on United Airline flight 23 from Dublin to 10:58 am (July 31, 2012), the US Justice Department confirmed Friday’s report on Gambling911.com that a settlement agreement had been reached between Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars whereby all players would be paid back monies owed.
Baltimore Casino License Approved
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- A Maryland panel has approved a slot machine license for Caesars Entertainment to build a casino in Baltimore and a scaled-back proposal for a casino in western Maryland.
The slot machine commission unanimously approved the two separate requests on Tuesday in Annapolis.
Mohegan Sun Posts Profits Plunge More Than Two Thirds
By STEPHEN SINGER
(Associated Press) - The parent company of the Mohegan Sun casinos in Connecticut and Pennsylvania reported Tuesday that third-quarter profit plunged more than two-thirds as new casinos in the Northeast lured away gamblers and remaining customers reduced spending.
The Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority said that net income for the April-June period was $9.4 million, down nearly 68 percent from the same period last year. Revenue of $344.4 million was down 4.7 percent.
Poker Pros Overjoyed by News of Full Tilt Poker PokerStars Settlement Agreement
One of the best days of the year for poker players, and this might very well be an understatement, as the US Government confirmed news reported Friday night that Full Tilt Poker customers will finally be paid what has been owed to them for more than a year now.
PokerStars Will be Allowed to Operate in US Once Again
As part of a settlement agreement reached with the US Government on Tuesday, PokerStars has agreed to pay all players owed by Full Tilt Poker living outside the US. The United States Government will arrange for players within the US to be paid what they are owed. PokerStars will take over the assets of Full Tilt Poker.
PokerStars Official Release re: Acquisition of Full Tilt Poker, Players to be Paid
ONCHAN, ISLE OF MAN – July 31, 2012 – PokerStars today announced that the Company has reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Southern District of New York. As part of the settlement agreement, PokerStars has also acquired the assets of Full Tilt Poker, and has committed to the full reimbursement of Full Tilt Poker customers outside the United States.
Official Release: Full Tilt Poker Concludes Transaction with PokerStars
Dublin, Ireland – July 31, 2012 - Full Tilt Poker is very pleased to announce the conclusion of a three-way transaction with PokerStars and the United States Department of Justice that will result in all of its players having the opportunity to be paid. The agreement ends the company’s civil forfeiture proceedings with the U.S. Department of Justice.
Specific Details of Full Tilt Poker, PokerStars Deal with US Government Now Public
As confirmed by Gambling911.com on Friday, PokerStars has been granted permission by the US Government to acquire the assets of Full Tilt Poker and ensure all players be paid. Attorney for Full Tilt Poker Jeff Ifrah has confirmed to Gambling911.com the report appearing on DiamondFlush.com.
Class Action Case Against Full Tilt Poker: Lead plaintiff Judy Fahrner
Information related to a class action suit against Full Tilt Poker (lead plaintiff Judy Fahrner) was presented by the Courthouse News Service. This complaint was filed out of St. Claire County Court, Illinois.
The complaint alleges that Full Tilt Poker companies took more than $443.8 million from players' accounts from April 2007 to April 2011
Breaking News: US Government to Take Control of Absolute Poker Assets
The US Government on Tuesday July 31, 2012 requested that the Court grant custody of all Absolute Poker assets. Presumably players would be paid at least a partial amount of monies owed provided they filed an action with the US Justice Department.
US Attorney in the Southern District of New York Preet Bharara filed the motion.
Case 1:11-cv-02564-LBS on PACER:
Full Tilt Poker Defendant Nelson Burtnick on Plane Heading to NYC: Expected to be Arrested
A second defendant associated with the so-called “Black Friday” indictment against shuttered online poker firm Full Tilt Poker, Nelson Burtnick, is on a plane heading to New York City, Gambling911.com has confirmed Tuesday morning. Burtnick is expected to be arrested upon his arrival.
Burtnick is on United Airline flight 23 from Dublin to Newark! Landing at 10:58 (July 31, 2012).
Greg ‘Fossilman’ Raymer Wins 200th Episode of Heartland Poker Tour
Heartland Poker Tour producers promised players and fans an exciting tournament for the 200th episode of the nationally-televised poker show, and Route 66 Casino Hotel in Albuquerque did not disappoint. Greg “Fossilman” Raymer, 2004 World Series of Poker Main Event Champion, stole the show, advancing to the Final Table as the chip leader and leaving as the champion with $71, 875.
Poker Pro Ryan Young Killed in Car Accident
Torrance, California poker pro Ryan Young (seen here in this photo appearing on PokerNews.com) has passed away following an automobile accident. Additional details were not immediately known at press time.
Shuffle Master Receives License by Nevada to Offer Real Money Online Poker in State
Shuffle Master has received a license by the Nevada Gaming Commission for interactive gaming.
This license will allow Shuffle Master to be a business-to-business partner with land-based casino operators in order to provide online poker games in addition to play-for-fun versions of its world-renowned proprietary table games, such as Three Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold'em, and Fortune Pai Gow Poker.
Lock Poker Increases its Online Poker GTDs to 110k and 80k
Great news for online poker players as Lock Poker has just increased their Sunday GTD's from 100k to 110k and Their 65k super stack to 80k.
Lock Poker recently boosted its customer service staff in order to accommodate the massive surge in customers as a result of starting its own network, The Revolution Gaming Network.
The site is also adding new payment methods both for deposits and withdrawals.
Ireland Olympic Athlete Under Investigation for Betting on Rival to Win
Graham Dunbar
The Associated Press
LONDON—The Ireland Olympic team is investigating allegations that one of its athletes cashed in bets on an opponent to win at a pre-London Games event.
The Olympic Council of Ireland confirmed reports Saturday that an athlete made a $4,800 profit on the wagers, and withdrew $4,435 in cash from an account with a gambling operator.
“At the moment, it is between the Olympic Council of Ireland legal department and athlete’s counsel,” team spokesman Jack McGouran told The Associated Press by telephone.
Massachusetts Governor to Sign Casino Tribal Pact
BOSTON (AP) Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick is set to give final approval to a tribal casino compact with the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe.
Patrick on Monday is set to sign the compact, which promises the state 21.5 percent of gambling revenue if the tribe succeeds in developing a resort casino in Taunton.
Ladbrokes Cuts Head of Products Trading Richard Ames as Company Struggles
The United Kingdom’s second largest bookmaker, Ladbrokes, has released Richard Ames, Head of Products Trading, in what appears to be a major transitional period for the company. Ladbrokes said he will remain on the board for now but that he "has ceased to perform his executive duties with immediate effect."
Chili Poker CEO Big News Coming This Week: Zynga Puts Blame on Facebook for Losses
Looks like Chili Poker's CEO is about to make an exciting announcement this week. It's not about Chili Poker, per sey, Alexandre Dreyfus tells Gambling911.com, but rather a new venture he is involved with. Dreyfus sold the Chili Poker database to Poker770 back in March and the technology to Bally Technology in April.
Alexandre Dreyfus @alex_dreyfus
ready for a new venture related to #Poker - more news soon.
Frustrated US Online-Poker Players Bet on Costa Rica
By TIM JOHNSON
McClatchy Newspapers
JACO BEACH, Costa Rica -- From his oceanfront balcony, Tyler Forrester glanced out at the Pacific surf on the beach. Palm trees rustled in the breeze.
"Tough life I'm living," Forrester said, cackling at his own humor.
Irish Sailor Peter O'Leary Subject of Gambling Probe
(Reuters) - Peter O'Leary, his face largely obsured by a black-hooded top and dark glasses was whisked past waiting reporters in the mixed zone at the Olympic sailing venue at Portland, close to the English seaside town of Weymouth.
The sailor, still wearing his wetsuit, made no comment when asked about the betting probe, after making a strong start in racing in the heavyweight Star class.
However, James O'Callaghan the Irish sailing team's performance director told reporters shortly afterwards: "The issue is sub-judice so we have no comment to make."
