Gambling News

Stanley Choi Wins Macau High Stakes Challenge and $6.5 Million

Stanley Choi has won the Macau High Stakes Challenge along with $6.5 million in cash.

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This was Asia’s biggest tournament ever and indeed the biggest cash tournament outside of the World Series of Poker, ranking number 10 of all live tournaments to date.  The buy-in was $1 million and featured 73 high rollers.

Submitted by Patrick Flanigan on, Sep/01/2012

The Beast Goes Live Today!

Get prepared folks as Americas Cardroom is set to unleash The Beast.

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You’ve been reading all about him on the pages of Gambling911.com and now you finally get to meet The Beast face-to-face.

Submitted by Nagesh Rath on, Sep/01/2012

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.

Submitted by Patrick Flanigan on, Aug/31/2012

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.

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Waters filed suit Wednesday in U.S. District Court for Nevada. He is seeking a temporary restraining order to have websites shut down.

Submitted by Guest on, Aug/31/2012

Zynga Hires Former 888 Poker Exec in Sign They Are Moving Towards ‘Real Money’ Play

Zynga, the world’s largest free-to-play online poker social gaming company, has reportedly hired Maytal Ginzburg Olsha, the former Senior Vice President of Corporate and Regulated Markets at 888 Holdings, the parent company of 888 Poker. 

Zynga fouder and CEO Mark Pincus told analysts back in July that the company intended to have “real money” play ready for early 2013. 

Zynga has seen its stock price plummet in recent months as a number of high ranking executives have chosen to leave the firm.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Aug/31/2012

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.

Submitted by Tyrone Black on, Aug/31/2012

DOJ to Full Tilt Poker Head Howard Lederer: ‘Cry Me a River (Card)’

The Department of Justice has rejected a request by Howard Lederer’s attorneys to reconsider their client’s case on the grounds that poker was recently ruled a “game of skill” by a respected New York Supreme Court judge.

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Submitted by Alejandro Botticelli on, Aug/31/2012

Last Man Standing Online Poker Endurance Test Begins September 1, 2012

It is the last day of August and no matter their bankroll size or regular game, players all across the Carbon Poker platform are geared up for the Last Man Standing promotion beginning tomorrow, September 2, 2012.

Submitted by Matt Skinner on, Aug/31/2012

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.

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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.

Submitted by Guest on, Aug/31/2012

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.

Submitted by Tyrone Black on, Aug/30/2012

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. 

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Aug/30/2012

Four Poker Tells You Can Believe In From Expert Player Mike Caro

The legendary poker pro Mike Caro has published four poker tells he considers critical and almost 100 percent on the money, so to speak. 

What are they?

First, those who buy-in with low amounts and are attempting to hide their money will almost always play conservatively.  Those who flash their funds will play recklessly. 

Second, players who look at their cards and then gaze away from the action are usually intending to bet or raise.

Submitted by Ace King on, Aug/30/2012

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.

Submitted by Guest on, Aug/30/2012

888 Online Poker is Great, Playtech Good Things Might Come to Those Who Wait

It’s a tale of two cities when discussing recent performances of top five leading online poker ventures, 888 and Playtech.

While 888 Poker, the world’s number four online poker company in terms of overall traffic, claimed this week that poker was the primary reason for its 70 percent increase in revenue for the first half of 2012, Playtech, operator of the world’s second biggest Internet poker network, iPoker, reported less-than-stellar results on the poker side of its business.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Aug/30/2012

Not All Republicans on Same Page When It Comes to Legalizing Online Poker

It emerged this week that the Republican platform features wording that would look to quash the multi-billion dollar online gambling sector, and presumably Internet poker. 

Millions of Americans suffer from problem or pathological gambling that can destroy families. We support the prohibition of gambling over the Internet and call for reversal of the Justice Department’s decision distorting the formerly accepted meaning of the Wire Act that could open the door to Internet betting.

Submitted by Ace King on, Aug/30/2012

Josh Hale Wins 2012 WPT Legends of Poker

Josh Hale was declared the winner of the 2012 World Poker Tour Legends of Poker held at the Bicycle Casino outside of Los Angeles.  The win yielded $500,000. 

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Hale, a relative unknown, defeated a field of 622 players over a five day period at the $3500 buy-in event.   He also managed to beat out million dollar plus live tournament career winners Max Steinberg and Jeff Madsen, among others.

Submitted by Ace King on, Aug/30/2012

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.

Submitted by Guest on, Aug/30/2012

2012 Punta Cana Poker Classic Online Qualifiers Now Available at Carbon Poker

The winter may not be here yet in the middle of October but who wouldn’t want to go to the Dominican Republic for a week-plus then and play a little poker anyways?

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Submitted by Matt Skinner on, Aug/30/2012

Full Tilt Poker’s Howard Lederer Uses ‘Skill vs. Chance’ Decision in Latest Defense

[Defense Request for Status Conference in USA v. PokerStars (Lederer, Ferguson, Furst) SDNY civil forfeiture proceedings:]

Submitted by Guest on, Aug/29/2012

It’s Alive! Four Lucky Online Poker Players Will Go Up Live Against The Beast

In an online poker event unlike anything the game has seen, a quartet of greats will have their webcams flipped on as they compete against one another at the jackpot tables in an Americas Cardroom challenge known as "The Beast Live".

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Submitted by Guest on, Aug/29/2012

British Poker Pro Sam Trickett Becomes International Stadiums Poker Tour Ambassador

The International Stadiums Poker Tour has named British poker pro Sam Trickett as its newest ambassador.

The ISPT, conceived by Bernard and Laurent Tapie along with Prosper Masquelier, looks to assemble some 30,000 players at Wembley Stadium next May, all of whom will be competing in the world’s largest poker tournament.  The ISPT will kick off on laptops then switch over to a live format once 90 percent of the field is eliminated.   There will be a guaranteed prize pool of a guaranteed prize pool of €20,000,000.

Submitted by Patrick Flanigan on, Aug/29/2012

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:

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Aug/29/2012

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.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Aug/29/2012

WPT Legends of Poker 2012 Final Table Determined

The WPT Legends of Poker 2012 Final Table is ready to go with Josh Hale the chip leader. 

Max Steinberg, with 1,020,000 chips, has won $1.1 million in live tournaments to date with his biggest coming at this year’s World Series of Poker Event #33 where he walked away with over $440,000 and his first bracelet. 

Jeff Madsen was sitting with 1,030,000 chips.  He has won over $3.4 million lifetime and has two bracelets.

Ali Eslami had 2,900,000 chips.  He has won $1.1 million in live tournaments to date.

Submitted by Patrick Flanigan on, Aug/29/2012

Japanese Pachinko Tycoon Kazuo Okada Sues Wynn Resorts

TOKYO (Associated Press) Japanese pachinko tycoon Kazuo Okada has filed a lawsuit in Tokyo District Court seeking $140 million in damages from casino operator Wynn Resorts.

Universal Entertainment said in a statement Wednesday that it is seeking damages for harm caused to its share price and business due to Wynn's decision to remove Okada as a board member and reclaim the $2.77 billion of shares in the company owned by Okada's company, Universal Entertainment Corp.

Submitted by Guest on, Aug/29/2012

888 Poker in Talks With Facebook Regarding ‘Real Money’ Online Poker

888 Poker has begun talking with Facebook, the social media giant, to bring “real money” online poker to jurisdictions where such activity is permitted, a la Great Britain, according to a report on eGaming Review.

The news comes amidst reports that 888 Holdings second quarter costs have put a strain on margins, though the company is realizing a pretax profit of $18.36 million for the half year ended June 30, compared with loss of $22.10 million a year earlier. Revenue advanced 21% to $186.4 million.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Aug/29/2012

Poker Maximus is Back! Carbon Brings Back Popular Online Poker Tournament

Last March, poker players at Carbon Poker thoroughly enjoyed the month long Poker Maximus tournament series and they have been asking for round two. Well, Carbon has obliged as Poker Maximus II starts on September 6th, 2012.

Submitted by Matt Skinner on, Aug/29/2012

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.

Submitted by Guest on, Aug/29/2012

Poker Pro Ryan Young Remembered on ESPN

ESPN featured an “in memory of” segment on poker pro Ryan Young late Tuesday evening (August 28, 2012) between the hours of 8 pm EDT and 9.  The segment is likely to be repeated.  It aired during the Republican Convention coverage. 

The 2007 WSOP bracelet winner was killed in a car accident in Torrance, California late last month.  Few details were known about the crash at that time.

Gambling911.com was one of the first to report on the tragedy after a few other poker pros tweeted about what had transpired.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Aug/29/2012

Warren Buffet Hosts Private Poker Tournament: Corzine Son Makes Final Two Cut

Forbes writer Randall Lane offered up an exclusive look at what it’s like to take part in Warren Buffet’s private poker tournament, the Berkshire Hathaway’s NetJets Poker Invitational.  Even the name is intimidating. 

The comp features a prize pool of US$500,000, however, Lane claims that invitees are more interested in the bragging rights that come with taking part in such a tournament. 

The minimum cost to enter is US$200,000 and there are just 240 seats open to participants.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Aug/28/2012

Breaking News

New York City Casinos Might Not Come Until 2026

State Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow, head of the state’s racing and gaming commission believes politics is getting in the way of issuing three downstate casino licenses, including the New York City area