Gambling
Federal Internet Poker Bill Could be Challenged in Court if Passed
Opposition to a possible bill to legalize Internet poker at the federal level is growing with the possibility that any law could be challenged in court and potentially be ruled unconstitutional.
A “penalty box” mentioned as part of the draft legislation being pushed by two Nevada Senators would prohibit overseas operators from obtaining licenses over a period of five years.
Greece Gambling Monopoly Hurt by Recession
ATHENS (Reuters) – Greece’s OPAP, one of Europe's biggest betting firms, reported a 16 percent fall in third-quarter profit on Tuesday, weighed down by the recession in its Greek home market.
Cash-strapped Greece’s plans next year to sell almost its entire 34 percent stake in OPAP, its most profitable company, as part of its international bailout agreement. But higher taxes and doubts about OPAP's most precious asset, its gambling monopoly, may undermine the company's value.
83-Year Old Ex-Hitman Testifies at Philadelphia Mob Boss Trial
PHILADELPHIA (Associated Press) — An aging mob hit man told jurors Monday that he once plotted to kill a Philadelphia mob boss now on trial and two underlings — even though he liked them.
J.R.R. Tolkien Estate Files $80 Million Lawsuit Over ‘Rings’ Slots Game
The estate of author J.R.R. Tolkien have filed an $80 million lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles claiming Warner Bros. and its New Line subsidiary and “Rings” rightsholder Saul Zaentz Co. have infringed the copyright in the books and breached a contract by overstepping their rights to merchandising the property of “The Lord of the Rings”.
Alabama Developer Ronnie Gilley Begins Jail Time After Vote Buying Trial
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Associated Press) — Country Crossing casino developer Ronnie Gilley has reported to the federal penitentiary in Atlanta to begin serving a sentence of six years and eight months for offering bribes to legislators to support pro-gambling legislation.
He was originally scheduled to report Aug. 27. He has received delays to allow him to pay for unspecified surgery and recovery rather than having the federal Bureau of Prisons pay for it.
Federal prisons spokeswoman Traci Billingsley said Gilley reported to the Atlanta prison Monday afternoon as scheduled.
3G Studios Invests $20 million in Online Gambling (Video)
James Kosta, CEO of Reno, Nevada based 3G Studio, revealed on Fox Business this past week that his company has invested $20 million in online gambling as it prepares for legalization either on the federal or state front.
In an interview with Gambling911.com back in September, Kosta said that 3G Studio was already forming partnerships with operators to offer its vast suite of casino-oriented games, including a poker product.
Online Gambling Companies Apply Pressure on European Commission
A number of online gambling companies are pushing the European Commission pressure member nations like Belgium and Greece into abiding by EU policy.
Baylor Bears Upset of Number One Kansas State Huge for Books: Ducks Loss Too
With the Kansas State Wildcats the single most wagered on team in Week 12 of the regular College Football season, the bookmakers made out like bandits.
Kansas State was a -12 favorite visiting Baylor and got crushed 24-52 by a Bears team that had a losing record coming into Saturday.
Facebook Exec Niranjan Nagar to Speak at Social Gambling Conference
Niranjan Nagar, the Head of Games & Apps for Global Vertical Marketing at Facebook, is slated as the keynote speaker at next months’ Social Gaming & Gambling Summit in Los Angeles (taking place December 13-14).
Nagar is responsible for managing Facebook's marketing strategy for the vertical and for architecting programs to build the category globally. He was most recently the COO at Outspark, a publisher and operator of free to play RPGs.
Booby-Trapped Denver Home Once Belonged to Mobsters
Renovations on an 1891 Victorian home in Denver turned up something shocking this week. The home, once owned by the Smaldone Crime Family, was apparently booby-trapped.
Matt Feeney bought the old home on Osage Street and knew it needed some TLC. So upon knocking down walls, he made the shocking discovery.
GOP Senate Candidates Received Over $200k in Laundered Gambling Money
Reports have surfaced that gambling money linked to a 2010 GOP takeover of the Alabama Senate allegedly was laundered.
From the Alabama Political Reporter:
Three More Companies Obtain Nevada Online Gambling Licenses
LAS VEGAS — (Associated Press) - Three more casino operators have been issued a Nevada online poker license.
The state Gaming Control Board on Thursday approved interactive gambling licenses for MGM Online LLC and boutique firms Z4Poker LLC of Las Vegas and Cams LLC of Los Angeles.
Tribes Want In On Internet Gambling: ‘Preparing to be Active Participants’
Connecticut tribes reacted to news that Rep. Stephen Dargan, co-chairman of the legislative public safety committee, wants to re-evaluate the state’s role in legalized Internet gambling.
Mob Boss Wanted Philadelphia Radio Personality Jerry Blavat Whacked
Testimony continued this week in the trial of reputed Philadelphia mob boss Joseph “Uncle Joe” Ligambi with the revelation that he had allegedly vowed to kill radio celebrity Jerry Blavat after reading a 2009 article appearing in the Philadelphia Magazine.
Gambling911.com to Attend Social Gaming & Gambling Summit in Los Angeles
One of the biggest events in social gaming is taking place December 13-14 in Los Angeles, the Social Gaming & Gambling Summit, and Gambling911.com, the worldwide leader in Gambling news, has announced it will be in attendance.
The two day event will feature some of the biggest names in social gaming including Facebook, Rocket Play, Bunker Mode, Abode, Bees and Pollen, Blitzoo and so many more.
Social Gaming & Gambling Summit to Take Place in Los Angeles Next Month
The two-day conference will explore the convergence of social gaming and gambling, as well as its impact on the industry.
Chicago Suburb Targeted for New Casino Development
COUNTRY CLUB HILLS, Ill. (Associated Press) — A North Las Vegas, Nev.-based company wants to build a $250 million casino in the Chicago suburb of Country Club Hills.
The SouthtownStar reports the casino operator is making the announcement despite Gov. Pat Quinn’s veto of a gambling expansion bill. It’s unclear whether the Illinois Legislature will be able to override Quinn’s veto or pass a new bill.
76-Year-Old Reputed Mobster Robert Gentile to Plead Guilty
HARTFORD, Conn. (Associated Press) — A 76-year-old reputed Connecticut mobster said to have information about the largest art heist in history was expected to plead guilty Wednesday in a weapons and prescription drugs case.
Robert Gentile, of Manchester, has a change-of-plea hearing scheduled in Hartford federal court. He has pleaded not guilty to allegations he illegally possessed firearms and explosives and sold illegally obtained prescription drugs.
Connecticut to Re-Examine Online Gambling
Connecticut, which had dabbled with the idea of licensing online gambling websites earlier in the year, is looking to revisit that option.
Rep. Stephen Dargan, co-chairman of the legislative public safety committee, said on Tuesday his state should jump on the bandwagon come January.
EU Must Act Over ‘Protectionist’ Rule Following Detention of Bwin.Party Founder
The Financial Time’s Jonathan Guthrie blasted the European Union for its failure to act appropriately in light of member nations chokehold over online gambling firms.
Camasino.Com Launches Real Money Online Casino to Coincide With Webcam Poker Room
Isle of Man licensed Camasino.com has announced the launch of its real money online casino lobby.
Camasino, which runs Canada’s biggest land-based poker room, Snakes Poker Club (now rebranded as Camasino.com Poker Room), is offering a $300 bonus to those who open an account.
28 games are being offered that include Blackjack, Craps, Progressive Slots, Multi-Hand Video Poker, Roulette, Chinese New Year and Magical Forest, just to name a few.
Bwin.Party Head Norbert Teufelberger Released After Belgian Detention
Norbert Teufelberger, the co-founder of Bwin.Party, was released following two hours of questioning by Belgian authorities late Tuesday.
Teufelberger had just finished giving the keynote address at the Responsible Gaming Day conference when authorities came and requested he come with them for questioning after the event at 2 pm local time. Teufelberger did go voluntarily, a company representative confirmed.
Bwin.Party Co-Founder Norbert Teufelberger Detained in Belgium
Norbert Teufelberger, co-founder of the world’s largest online betting firm Bwin.Party, was detained while visiting Brussels, Belgium on Tuesday.
Teufelberger was in attendance at the Responsible Gaming Day conference in that European nation, home to the European Union, when authorities came and requested he come with them for questioning after the event at 2 pm local time. Teufelberger did go voluntarily, a company representative confirmed.
‘Girls Gone Wild’ Creator Joe Francis Will Only Have to Pay Steve Wynn $21 Million
Good news for ‘Girls Gone Wild’ creator Joe Francis….well sort of.
Turns out he won’t have to pay casino mogul Steve Wynn $40 million after all.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Joanne O'Donnell issued the ruling Friday, reducing the jury award in a defamation suit by $21 million.
Three-Month Delay Granted in Murder Trial of Massachusetts Mobster Whitey Bulger
BOSTON – (Associated Press) - A federal judge on Friday agreed to delay the murder trial of former mobster James "Whitey" Bulger by three months, rejecting a defense request for eight months.
U.S. District Judge Richard Stearns said he would put off Bulger's trial from March until June. He said jury selection will begin on June 6.
Casino Gambling in Texas Possible as Bill Will Come Up in 2013 Session
Texas lawmakers began filing bills Monday before the 2013 legislative session... one of which includes a vote to have casinos in the Lone Star State.
Lawmakers will convene Jan. 8 for a 140-day session that would only go longer if the governor called a special session. Sessions that take place in even-numbered years go longer.
Former Zynga VP Ya-Bing Chu Joins Betable
A former Vice President of publicly traded social gaming company Zynga has been hired by startup Betable, it was announced on Monday.
Ya-Bing Chu will be placed in charge of building Betable’s real money platform, which will be available in most countries except for the USA, at least for the time being. He will also focus on mobile growth for the company.
“This is an opportunity to pioneer this business, and this was too good to pass up,” said Chu.
Three Men Accused in Ottawa Organized Crime Gambling Bust Out on Bail
Three individuals charged in connection with running an illegal online gambling website with alleged ties to organized crime in Ottawa, Canada have been released on bail over the weekend.
Benedetto Manasseri, Stephen Parrish and Gary Saikaley were all held in custody after their arrests earlier this week.
‘Fiscal Cliff’ Bill Could Offer Nice Vehicle for Internet Poker Measure
A lot has been made of a potential cybersecurity bill acting as a vehicle in which to attach proposed Internet poker legislation drafted by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Republican Senator Jon Kyl. A better option might be so-called “fiscal cliff’ legislation, and with good reason.
For one, cybersecurity proved a polarizing issue the last time both the House and Senate attempted to pass their respective bills. There was huge opposition from outside groups worried over the potential negative impact on freedom of speech.
21 People Arrested in Connection to Online Sportsbook, Marijuana, Extortion Ring
The RCMP rounded up 12 people throughout the Ottawa, Canada area charging them with running an illegal sports betting website.
