Gambling News

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.

Submitted by Ace King on, Mar/04/2013

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. 

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Mar/04/2013

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.

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New Jersey legislators, led by Democratic State Senator Raymond Lesniak, are expected to have draft legislation completed at that time.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Mar/04/2013

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.

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“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. 

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Mar/03/2013

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

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Mar/03/2013

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.

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Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Mar/03/2013

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.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Mar/03/2013

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.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Mar/03/2013

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.

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Submitted by Ace King on, Mar/02/2013

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.

Submitted by Reuters on, Mar/02/2013

Casino Poker Rooms Closing as Online Crazy Subsides

LAS VEGAS (Associated Press) — The Tropicana hoped to step back into the big leagues when it opened its poker room in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, touting it as the coolest in town.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Mar/02/2013

Chicago Poker Classic 2013 Points Standings Released

The Chicago Poker Classic 2013 point standings has Pete Falco a runaway favorite at 59.25 with James Teter coming in closes at 39.5 points. 

This event, taking place at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana, has drawn significant interest and decent traffic to the Gambling911.com website.  Information pertaining to this popular event has been sparse across the Net.

Submitted by Ace King on, Mar/02/2013

Tom Dwan Confirmed as Part of Negreanu vs. Hansen Challenge

Poker pro Daniel Negreanu confirmed late this week that online poker phenom Tom “Durr” Dwan will be taking part in the Negreanu vs. Hansen Challenge or, if you like, the PokerStars vs. Full Tilt Poker Challenge. 

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Negreanu tweeted: 

Submitted by Ace King on, Mar/02/2013

Source Close to IGT Proxy Fight Gives Skinny on Tuesday’s Critical Vote

Gambing911.com Senior International Correspondent Jenny Woo had an opportunity Friday to speak to someone intimately close to the IGT power struggle that will culminate on Tuesday into a final vote that determines a potential new makeup of the world’s leading slot manufacturer’s board.

Submitted by Jenny Woo on, Mar/02/2013

NJ to Appeal Judge Ruling Against Sports Betting in Garden State

(Reuters) - New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and state lawmakers vowed on Friday to continue fighting to legalize sports betting after a federal judge struck down a law that would have allowed it.

The New Jersey law, which Christie signed last year, had authorized sports betting at the state's racetracks and at Atlantic City casinos.

Submitted by Reuters on, Mar/01/2013

Sit 'n Go Race for $5K Begins at Americas Cardroom

Online poker players in the US might want to fire up their Americas Cardroom app—fast. The US-facing online poker site today announced the $5k SnG Race, a multi-leaderboard competition built exclusively for Sit 'n Go players that runs all March long.

Submitted by Press Release on, Mar/01/2013

Revolution Poker Launches Fair Play Technology, Lock Lifts Player Segregation

Gambling911.com can report that the largest US-facing online poker network (also accepting players from around the world), Revolution Poker Network, has just launched Fair Play technology

What is Fair Play Technology?

The new feature groups players into three categories (recreational, normal and advanced) whereby each category of players represents roughly 33 percent of the active Network player liquidity. 

Submitted by C Costigan on, Mar/01/2013

William Hill Buys Out Online Partner Playtech

(Reuters) - William Hill is to pay 424 million pounds ($643 million) for full control of its online business, marking an acceleration of the expansion of Britain's largest bookmaker.

The deal to buy out the 29 percent stake in William Hill Online held by software company Playtech was the company's second major deal in the past three months.

It has already agreed to pay 460 million pounds for the Australian and Spanish operations of online gambling company Sportingbet, deal set to complete on March 19.

Submitted by Reuters on, Mar/01/2013

Hansen vs. Negreanu Taunt Turns Into $300k PokerStars Full Tilt Poker Challenge

Dublin, Ireland – What started as a light-hearted twitter rant between long-term rivals Gus Hansen and Daniel Negreanu has escalated into a full-blown $300,000 heads-up battle between Full Tilt Poker‘s “The Professionals” and members of PokerStars elite “Team Pros” - to be played out live during EPT London next weekend.

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Submitted by Press Release on, Mar/01/2013

US States Race to Capture Online Gambling Bonanza

(Reuters) - New Jersey Governor Chris Christie this week finally approved online gaming in the Garden State. Now comes the hard part: banding together with other states to attract more gamblers, drive up jackpots and lure players away from offshore websites.

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Submitted by Reuters on, Feb/28/2013

Bitcoin ‘Best Performing Currency Year-to-Date’

Bitcoin, used by a small number of online casino operators, is being touted as the “best performing currency year-to-day” according to Tyler Durden of ZeroHedge.com. 

Durden writes:

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Feb/28/2013

Girls Gone Wild Goes Bankrupt in Wake of Wynn-Francis Lawsuit

The company that produces racy videos of half naked women dancing and drinking has filed for bankruptcy.  “Girls Gone Wild” filed for bankruptcy protection citing $16 million in debts, according to court papers obtained by Reuters on Thursday.

The franchise’s founder, Joe Francis, owes a $10.3 million debt to Las Vegas gambling magnate Steve Wynn according to papers filed in U.S. federal court in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Feb/28/2013

Jim Erwood leaves Poker Royalty to join the Lock Family

Jim Erwood has joined the Lock Poker family after leaving Poker Royalty.

Submitted by Press Release on, Feb/28/2013

Online Poker Satellites to the 2013 LSOP Available at Americas Cardroom

Lima, Peru - Americas Cardroom released today the online satellite schedule for the 2nd annual $500k Guaranteed Latin Series of Poker (LSOP) no Limit holdem tournament. The LSOP Lima is celebrating its second annual tournament with another $1,500+$150 No Limit Texas Holdem event scheduled May 20th to 25th at the Atlantic City Casino in Lima.

Submitted by Press Release on, Feb/28/2013

Last Woman Standing: CSI Episode Focuses on Poker Player Murders

When several prominent poker players lose their lives, the CSI team is called to investigate before more victims surface.

The “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” episode aired Wednesday night but you can still watch online here.

Submitted by Jordan Bach on, Feb/28/2013

Next Pope Betting: Cardinals Turkson, Scola in Dead Heat, Bono at 1000-1

Ghana’s Cardinal Peter Turkson and Italy’s Cardinal Angelo Scola were both listed as 3/1 favorites to become the next Pope as the selection nears.  (Pope betting odds available at BetDSI.com here)
 

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Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Feb/28/2013

Analyst Paints Rosey Outlook for Zynga

Joseph Stauff of Susquehanna Financial Group believes the “sky is the limit for Zynga” in the wake of a third state this week legalizing “real money” online gambling.

That state is New Jersey.  Governor Chris Christie signed a measure legalizing Web gambling for those logging on within the state.  Because New Jersey is within an easy reach of two major metropolitan centers, the industry could potentially tap into a market that nearly doubles the Garden State’s population of 9 million. 

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Feb/28/2013

PokerStars to Launch Zoom Tournaments During Micromillions 4 Festival

Fourth installment of low stakes series guarantees $5 million across 100 event

Submitted by Press Release on, Feb/28/2013

Seedy Side of Internet Cafes: Degenerate Gamblers, Hookers, Mickey Mouse

Law enforcement in North Jakarta have detained Mickey Mouse…well, sort of…

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That’s the nic they gave to gambling boss Hady Soemantri a.k.a Bong Can a.k.a Acan.

The raid comes at a time when Indonesia is in the midst of cracking down on illegal Internet café’s used for gambling purposes.  The businesses are often run from 8 am to 1 am.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Feb/27/2013

Online Gambling Web Chat Files: ‘A Phone Call From God Won’t Save You’

Social gaming, this is not.  Angry customers have taken to the posting forums to cut and paste online chats with reps from various online gambling sites.  Some of the best cut and pasted chats are courtesy of 5Dimes.com customer as the owner of that long-established company loves to “engage” with his clientele on occasion. 

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Feb/27/2013

Breaking News

Sweepstakes Casinos: A New Direction For Gambling

Sweepstakes Casinos: A New Direction For Gambling

The world of casino games is constantly evolving and we are seeing new trends emerge that might change the future of online gambling. The most recent viral trend that is taking the online casino industry by storm is called sweepstakes casinos. So, what are they and how they can change the entire industry?