Gambling News
Bitcoin Now Accepted at World’s Largest Online Poker Network iPoker
Some of the biggest Bitcoin news yet as iPoker Network online poker skin WinPoker has announced it will begin accepting the virtual currency.
This is the first time a poker room on a major network has begun to accept Bitcoin for deposits and withdrawals. iPoker is the world’s largest online poker network. Bitcoin’s price has enjoyed a staggering rise over the past two months from $14 to $40.
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.
Full Tilt Poker Defendant Ray Bitar ‘Medical Condition’ Suspends Plea Deal Talks
“Black Friday” defendant Ray Bitar, who was named as one of the key executives at Full Tilt Poker, is suffering from a medical condition of unknown origin. The matter has resulted in the suspension plea deal talks.
The story was first reported by FlushDraw.com.
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.
Blake Bohn Wins $3,200 Chicago Poker Classic Main Event
2013 Main Event sees 392 entrants create a $1,200,720 prize pool.
Hammond, Ind. — Blake Bohn from Savage, Minn. won the 2013 Chicago Poker Classic Main Event Monday night in Hammond, Ind. pocketing $288,171. The win, which came in one of the country’s few $3,200 main events, marks the largest score of Bohn’s career.
“It feels great. I work really hard at it,” Bohn said. “It’s really exciting to run deep. That’s why we put in so many hours, to have a victory like this.”
PokerStars was Offered Purchase of World Series of Poker, Rio Hotel
Reports surfaced Wednesday that Caesar’s had offered to sell their coveted World Series of Poker (WSOP) and Rio Hotel properties to PokerStars last month but the later refused.
This news comes on the heels of the American Gaming Association, based out of Nevada, submitting a letter to New Jersey officials urging them not to allow a proposed sale of Atlantic City’s Atlantic Club Hotel and Casino to PokerStars.
Heavy Betting Action on Christoph Von Schonborn as Next Pope Says Sportsbook
While Angelo Scola has been made the new 2/1 favorite to be named next Pope at Sportsbook.com, the popular online gambling company has also reported that Christoph Von Schonborn is suddenly receiving substantial betting action.
Zynga’s Mark Pincus Loses Billionaire Status
While casino magnate Sheldon Adelson ranked number 15 on Forbes newest Billionaire list, Zynga’s Mark Pincus has dropped off of it.
Poor Mark Pincus’ wealth has dropped into the hundreds of millions.
He’s appeared on the list over the past two years Zynga has been publicly trading.
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).
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.
Breaking News: The Ader Group Wins IGT Board Seat
The Ader Group today announced that International Game Technology (NYSE: IGT) concluded that Daniel B. Silvers has been elected to the IGT Board of Directors at the Company’s Annual Meeting, based on preliminary vote tabulations.
Jason N. Ader issued the following statement on today’s results:
Poker Pro Daniel Negreanu on My Choice Center: ‘I am Not in a Cult’
Poker pro Daniel Negreanu attempted to diffuse Internet reports that he had become embroiled in a high priced cult that some have suggested encourages members to engage in intimate contact with one another while ignoring other commitments.
PokerStars Deals 95-Billionth Hand and Gives Away $900k
PokerStars yesterday dealt its 95-billionth hand at a $0.08/$0.16 NL Hold’em full ring table. The action was paused to let everyone know that they were involved in hand 95 billion and when PokerStars’ Head of Poker Communications Lee Jones gave the signal, the cards were dealt.
After a board of 3-Q-2-6-5 was revealed, ‘Domy07’ showed down Q-J to collect the side pots with top pair, but ‘RichB17’ from the UK rivered a straight with J-4 to win the main pot and see his prize money doubled.
IGT Dividend Issued on Eve of Contested Shareholders Meeting
Slots manufacturer International Game Technology (IGT) has issued an 8 cents per share dividend on the eve of a hotly contested shareholders meeting.
The IGT board of directors declared the dividend, which is a 33 percent increase over this same quarter last year.
"This is a demonstration of our continued commitment to return capital to shareholders, efficiently and prudently, driven by the strong financial performance of the company," Hart said.
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.
AGA Opposes Sale of Atlantic Club Casino to PokerStars
The American Gaming Association (AGA) is opposing the sale of the Atlantic Club Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City to PokerStars.
The AGA sent a letter to the New Jersey Casino Control Commission urging them to reconsider allowing PokerStars to acquire the property.
Heads Up Tables Online Poker for All Stake Levels Now at Americas Cardroom
Competition at one of the most popular US-facing online poker rooms is about to get way more personal. Americas Cardroom announced early this month the addition of heads-up tables to its already competitive lineup of ring games. The 2-seat max tables are now available in all stake levels.
Hollywood Casino Perryville Maryland to Feature Poker, Blackjack, More
Following a contentious battle in the state of Maryland, the first table games will be rolled out at the Hollywood Casino Perryville on Wednesday. These include variations of poker, blackjack, craps and roulette.
A gambling expansion measure was approved by voters this past November. More money was spent on the gambling expansion effort – by both supporters and opponents – than was spent on prior campaigns for state Governor.
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.
PokerStars Sunday Million 7th Anniversary Tournaments Sees Share of $2.5 Mil
ONCHAN, ISLE OF MAN – PokerStars player ‘benislovas’, from Lithuania, won the Sunday Million 7th Anniversary tournament on Monday, earning $848,589.33 after a three-way deal was done at the final table. The second- and third-placed players were ‘sexygee’ from the UK (a former SCOOP winner) and ‘Kasra84’ from Germany, who won $836,321.83 and $813,370.28 respectively.
Online Poker Segregation Takes Center Stage With Revolution, PartyPoker Moves
Segregating online poker players based on skill goes a step too far, so claims Aaron Todd of CasinoCity.com.
While a number of players might concur, operators have told Gambling911.com this is all a “fight for survival” with “reckless management practices” the primary reason why Full Tilt Poker failed in its first life before PokerStars ultimately revived the company.
Republican Mega Donor Sheldon Adelson Caught Up in ‘Bribe’ Scandal
Auditors at Las Vegas Sands Corp. admitted Friday "there were likely violations" of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act barring Americans from bribing foreign officials to secure an advantage.
This disclosure was made in a late afternoon filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission Friday that ultimately leaked out to the media Sunday.
Heading up Las Vegas Sands Corp. is none other than powerful casino magnate and mega Republican donor Sheldon Adelson.
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.
New Jersey legislators, led by Democratic State Senator Raymond Lesniak, are expected to have draft legislation completed at that time.
Bookmakers Shy Away From Offering Odds on Jodi Arias Murder Trial Outcome
Online bookmakers over the years have stayed clear of offering odds on murder trials and the current Jodi Arias murder trial is no exception it seems.
“None of the books are offering odds,” noted Gambling911.com head Payton O’Brien.
The trial, which is being covered heavily by HLN, has helped boost ratings for that cable network.
Iowa Internet Poker Bill Heads to State Senate
A bill to legalize Internet poker in Iowa will be voted on in that state’s Senate this week.
A similar bill in 2011 passed the Senate but failed to get enough votes in the Republican-controlled House.
Senate Study Bill 1068 would allow all of Iowa’s 21 state-licensed casinos to license online poker sites.
Over the past two weeks, both Nevada and New Jersey have passed legislation allowing Web poker.
- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com
Countdown to the Vote: IGT Power Struggle Comes to Head Tuesday
A much talked about proxy battle at the world’s largest slots manufacturer will come to a head on Tuesday.
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.
Nigeria Cardinal Francis Arinze Odds to be Named Next Pope Improve
Nigeria could provide the next Pope with Cardinal Francis Arinze’s odds improving after moving towards between 7/1 and 9/1 at some books. Now Arinze is back to 5/1 odds at BetOnline. The Nigerian Cardinal initially opened at 9/2 odds.
Yankees A-Rod Reportedly Profits From ‘Non-Profit’ High Stakes Poker Game
The Boston Globe this weekend reported that a charity founded by New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez funneled just under 99 percent of funds raised via a 2006 high stakes poker tournament into the coffers of Rodriguez.
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.
