44Wager.com Bookmaker Sentenced to 4 Months in Prison

A Norwalk, Connecticut man was sentenced Wednesday to four months behind bars for his role in running a Costa Rica-based online sportsbook, 44Wager.com. 

The site has since been shuttered.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on,

South Carolina Bookie Brett Parker Murder Case to Be Featured on ‘Dateline’

This Friday (July 26, 2013), ‘Dateline’ on NBC will feature a segment on South Carolina bookie Brett Parker entitled “Mystery at Ascot Estates”.

The show, which will air at 9 pm EST, features interviews with friends and associates of Parker’s wife, Tammy Jo Parker.  Brett is currently serving a life sentence for shooting to death Tammy Jo and a sports betting clerk, Bryan Capnerhurst.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department’s lead investigator is also interviewed by “Dateline”.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on,

Ultimate Gaming Gets Final Approval From Nevada to Operate Real Money Poker Site

LAS VEGAS, NV - Today, July 25, 2013, Ultimate Gaming, a majority-owned subsidiary of Station Casinos LLC, received final approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission for its real money online poker product Ultimate Poker, the only legal poker website in the United States.

Submitted by Press Release on,

Zynga Shares Plummet as Company Won’t Enter US Online Gambling Space

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Zynga Inc will largely abandon its long-running efforts to build a real-money gaming business in the United States, a prospect investors once believed to be the struggling company's sole lifeline.

Submitted by Reuters on,

Ohio Man Claims Casino Caused Robbery of $35K by Paying Him in Cash

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Associated Press) — A man who was robbed at home of more than $35,000 in gambling winnings sued the Ohio casino where he won the money, arguing a cashier should have issued him a check instead of cash.

Police said 29-year-old David Hayes was robbed at gunpoint of the stack of $100 bills when two armed men woke him at home hours after he left the Hollywood Casino Columbus with his winnings Oct. 21.

Hayes filed suit against the casino's operator, contending that he asked for a check when he cashed out his blackjack winnings but was given cash instead.

Submitted by Associated Press on,

Another Man Pleads Guilty in Sports Betting Probe Tied to Legends Sports

A fourth man from the Albany, New York area has plead guilty for his role in a sports betting probe tied to now shuttered Legends Sports out of Panama City, Panama.

Craig Hayner pleaded guilty Tuesday in Albany County Court to promoting gambling, which is a felony. 

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on,

Sports Handicapper Anthony Boscarino of Mike’s Lock Club Sentenced

TUCSON, AZ — Anthony Mark Boscarino, 47, of Tucson, Arizona, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Cindy K. Jorgenson to 135 months. Boscarino pleaded guilty January 23 and February 27, 2013, to 43 crimes including fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion.

Submitted by Press Release on,

Venetian Boycott Not Working, Adelson Sees Triple Profits as Body Count Rises

Attempts to get poker players to boycott the Venetian Hotel and Casino’s Las Vegas poker room this week have apparently fallen on deaf ears.

betdsi-2500A.jpg

The room has been bristling with action each and every day.

Submitted by Ace King on,

Facebook is Bringing Social Gambling to Italy, Spain

Facebook is expanding its real money online social gambling platform to Italy and Spain.

After initial trials in the United Kingdom utilizing the bwin.party network, Facebook will expand the offering to three countries, both of which have been accommodating to real money Web gambling.

Sean Ryan, head of partnerships of the social network, confirmed the news during the World Gaming Executive Summit in Barcelona.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on,

Gilley Asks for Reduced Sentencing in Votes for Sale Gambling Case

DOTHAN, Ala. (Associated Press) — Former Country Crossing developer Ronnie Gilley is asking a federal judge to reduce his federal prison sentence.

The Dothan Eagle reports that Gilley is making the request because he claims that his attorney provided ineffective representation.

It has been nearly a year after Gilley was sentenced to 80 months in federal prison for multiple counts of bribery and money laundering in connection with a wide-ranging investigation into bribery tied to proposed gambling legislation.

Submitted by Associated Press on,

Gambling Activates Dopamine Into Nucleus Accumbens of Brain

What causes some people to become compulsive gamblers?

Dr. Stephen Strakowski, Director of Psychiatry at UC Health, may have the answer.

He tells Cincinnati’s WCPO, “There's a part of the brain, deep inside the brain, the nucleus accumbens, responsible for reward processing."

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on,

Men Arrested for Knifepoint Holdup at Maryland Live! Casino

HANOVER, Maryland — (Associated Press) - Anne Arundel County police have arrested a man who confronted women at knifepoint at the Maryland Live! Casino.

Police say about 7:45 a.m. Sunday, a man with a knife approached a woman as she was about to enter an elevator and demanded her purse.

The woman refused to give up her purse, and the man fled.

Officers say while investigating that incident, they learned of another crime, in which a woman was in her car in the casino's garage and was robbed by a man with a knife.

Submitted by Associated Press on,

Mississippi Casino Revenue Declines 7 Percent

JACKSON, Miss. — (Associated Press) - Mississippi casino revenue resumed its year-over-year slide in June after showing positive results in May.Statewide casino revenue fell nearly 7 percent from June 2012 to $174.5 million, according to Mississippi Department of revenue figures.

The state's gambling halls eked out a 1 percent gain in 2012, because revenue rebounded after most Mississippi River casinos were affected by the 2011 floods. But year-over-year casino revenue has fallen in 11 of the last 12 months. May was the exception, when revenue rose 3 percent.

Submitted by Associated Press on,

More Atlantic City Comps: Million Dollar Giveaways, Cash Buried on Beach

ATLANTIC CITY (AP) — Million-dollar giveaways. Cash buried in the beach. Trips to tropical paradise. Shopping sprees. Guarantees that no one loses at the slot machines.

This summer, the casinos are being quite generous with their promotional offers — commonly known as comps” — to draw customers to Atlantic City.

Submitted by Associated Press on,

Two Hells Angel Members Go On Trial Two Years After Nevada Casino Shootout

RENO, Nev. (Associated Press) Nearly two years after a gun battle between motorcycle gangs turned a Nevada casino floor into a shooting gallery, two rival gang members go on trial on murder charges in Reno Monday in the death of a high-ranking Hells Angels officer.

Submitted by Associated Press on,

Louisiana Man Wins $2.1 Million Jackpot at Hard Rock Casino Biloxi

BILOXI, Mississippi — A Baton Rouge, Louisiana, man became a millionaire Friday after hitting a $2.1 million jackpot at the Hard Rock Casino in Biloxi.

The man, identified in a casino news release as Aaron K., works as a cook on a riverboat. He says he had been playing the Wheel of Fortune slot machine for less than five minutes when he hit the progressive jackpot.

Submitted by Associated Press on,

Wife of Slain Online Gambling Mogul Adam Anhang Captured, to be Extradited

A woman accused of having her husband stabbed to death at a busy San Juan, Puerto Rico intersection in 2005 is expected to be extradited back to the US.

Submitted by C Costigan on,

Sisters Leave Kids in Running Car to Play at Casino, Woman Tries to Mow Down Ex

Oh those Florida casino gamblers.  Talk about gamblers behaving badly. 

First, two sisters were charged with leaving their four kids in a running car while they went inside to gamble at a Hallandale Beach, Florida casino last week.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on,

Potential Witness in Whitey Bulger Murder Trial Found Dead

BOSTON --  (Associated Press) - A man who had hoped to testify in the racketeering trial of reputed mobster James "Whitey" Bulger and vocally criticized him has been found dead, authorities said Thursday.

betdsi-2500A.jpg

Submitted by Associated Press on,

Bitcoin Online Gambling Website SatoshiDice Sells fo $11.47 Million

Dublin-based Bitcoin online gambling website SatoshiDice has sold for126,315 BTC, which at the time of the sale translated into $11.47 million. 

SantoshiDice claimes to be “the most popular Bitcoin betting game in the universe”.  It was launched just over one year ago by Erik Voorhees, who confirmed the sale Tuesday morning.
“I believe this to be a solid, desirable, and fair outcome for those who have put their trust in S.DICE.”

This is the first major Bitcoin acquisition to date.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on,

Churchill Downs Completes Purchase of Oxford Casino in Maine

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — (Associated Press) - Churchill Downs Inc. says it has completed the purchase of the Oxford Casino in western Maine in a deal valued at about $160 million.

The Louisville-based company said Wednesday its acquisition of  the casino in Oxford won approval from the Maine Gambling Control Board.

Oxford Casino opened in 2012. The property includes a 25,000-square-foot gaming floor with about 800 slot machines and 22 table games. It also includes a restaurant.

Submitted by Associated Press on,

Philly Mobster Anthony ‘Ant’ Staino Sentenced to Eight Years

(Associated Press) - A self-described “CFO” of the Philadelphia mob has been sentenced to more than eight years in prison in a racketeering case.

Fifty-seven-year-old Anthony “Ant” Staino was sentenced Wednesday in federal court in Philadelphia to 97 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

Submitted by Associated Press on,

Terrorists Using Online Gambling to Launder Funds Claims FOP President

A Senate Subcommittee hearing early Tuesday to discuss the legalization of real money online gambling also addressed fears over terrorism.

“There are indications that terrorists in Afghanistan have been using online gaming to launder their funds,” said Chuck Canterbury, national director of the Fraternal Order of Police. “There is no legal or regulatory framework for law enforcement to shut down this activity.”

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on,

Senate Hearing on Regulated Online Gambling (Live Video)

You can watch live streaming of the Senate Subcommittee hearing on regulated online gambling here.  Starts July 17, 2013 10:15 am EDT.

Submitted by Press Release on,

Witness Testifies in Whitey Bulger Trial: ‘Either Pay Him or Get Killed’

BOSTON (Associated Press) — A businessman testifying in the racketeering trial of reputed gangster James “Whitey” Bulger on Tuesday described terrifying moments in 1982 when, he said, Bulger shoved a machine gun between his legs and threatened to kill him if he didn't pay him $400,000.

betdsi-2500A.jpg

Submitted by Associated Press on,

Bally Technologies Buys SHFL Entertainment

LAS VEGAS (Associated Press) — Bally Technologies said Tuesday that it has agreed to buy fellow gambling equipment maker SHFL Entertainment for about $1.3 billion in cash.

SHFL shares shot up up 21.6% in trading on Tuesday, and Bally's shares were up 6.3%.

Bally says the addition of SHFL will complement its existing product portfolio, while also providing new access to land-based and online table games markets around the world.

Submitted by Associated Press on,

Philly Mob Boss is Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison

A Philadelphia mob boss has been sentenced to 137 months behind bars.

Submitted by Press Release on,

Total Gambling Revenue Flat for Pennsylvania

PHILADELPHIA (Associated Press) — Total gambling revenue at the state's 11 casinos was flat for the fiscal year that just ended, but gross revenue from table games grew 7.4 percent on the strength of continued strong growth at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem and the first full year of play at Valley Forge Casino Resort, according to annual figures released by state regulators Tuesday.

Submitted by Associated Press on,

Wayne Root: NFL Should Worry About Murder and Thugs, Not Sports Betting

2008 Libertarian Vice Presidential candidate and sports handicapper, Wayne Allyn Root, talks the NFL’s REAL PROBLEMS…and they aren’t SPORTS BETTING.  Be sure to check out Wayne's site www.rootforamerica.com

Submitted by Wayne Allyn Root on,

Genovese Crime Family has Ties to Costa Rica-Based BetEagle.com Say Prosecutors

A complaint unsealed in a Newark, New Jersey federal court early Monday morning (July 15, 2013) alleges that long established BetEagle.com out of Costa Rica has ties to organized crime figures residing within the USA.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on,