Mass Gambling Commission Hires Executive Once Accused of Sexual Assault of Young Boy
The state of Massachusetts is moving right along in its quest to expand legalized gambling, including on the Web. But a recent hire by the state Gambling Commission has certainly raised some eyebrows.
Online Gambling Zealot Spencer Cleared in ‘Insider Trading’ Probe
Alabama GOP Representative Spencer Bachus was cleared of wrongdoing in a Congressional “insider trading” probe.
The investigation followed a “60 Minutes” segment where Bachus was said to have been engaging in insider trading and improperly profiting from the 2008 market meltdown.
The Office of Congressional Ethics unanimously dismissed all of the potential charges.
Playtech Drops Plans for Acquisitions
(Reuters) - Gaming software group Playtech said first quarter revenues doubled, helped by strong growth at its casino business, and that plans to shift its listing to London's main market were progressing well.
However, the group added that it was dropping plans to buy some social gaming assets owned by founder and Israeli billionaire Teddy Sagi, and would instead enter software license agreements.
Its plans for a deal with its top shareholder - Sagi still owns 48 percent of the company - were announced in April.
iPoker Revenues Down in 1st Quarter Despite Gaining Number 2 Spot
While the iPoker Network has overtaken PartyPoker as the second most trafficked online poker room in the world over the past month, its 1st quarter revenues fell slightly. iPoker is owned by Israeli-based Playtech.
The poker business made €5.3 million compared to to €5.7 during the same period last year.
IGT Poker Suffering the Blues in Wake of Purple Lounge Sudden Shutdown
The abrupt shutdown of the Purple Lounge online casino and poker room has left the IGT Poker Network in a quagmire.
IGT Poker (formerly Entraction Network) lost 8 percent of its traffic for the week, according to the traffic monitoring website of PokerScout.com.
Caesars Sees Deep 1st Quarter Losses
LAS VEGAS (AP) - Casino operator Caesars Entertainment Corp. said Tuesday that its first-quarter net loss widened as the company faced costs from a previously halted property development in Mississippi.
The net loss for the quarter ended March 31 widened to $280.6 million, or $2.24 per share, from a loss of $147.5 million, or $1.18 per share.
Income from operations fell 65 percent $138 million, mainly due to the $172 million charge related to the halted Biloxi, Miss., project That was partly offset by a gain of $45.8 million from paying down debt early.
MSN Money: Online Gambling Could Take Zynga to the Next Level
This week it was revealed that Zynga’s monthly active user base had expanded to 292 million, up 24 percent from this time last year, while revenues climbed 32 percent year over year to $321 million. 
But the real future of Zynga could be tied into the legality of online gambling.
Antigua, USA Play ‘Blame Game’ in Online Gambling Dispute
In a letter presented to the World Trade Organization Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) last week, Antigua accused the US Government of failing to “observe its international obligations in good faith and with due consideration for the rights of Antigua & Barbuda” as it relates to the island nation’s online gambling industry.
Horse Racing Gambling Bill Passes in Minnesota House: More Poker Tables, Higher Limits
Minnesota lawmakers on Monday passed a bill in the House that would allow for more poker tables at horse racing tracks along with higher limits while giving tribal casinos access to racing simulcasts.
The bill, which surfaced over the weekend, passed with a vote of 97-34.
The bill's passage marks a rare moment of unity among the American Indian tribes and race track owners, who have long split over state gambling policy, according to the Associated Press.
Public ‘Misled’ Over New York Racing Association Overcharges
The Racing and Wagering Board on Monday released a report that paints New York Racing Association President Charles Hayward as “willfully allowing the take-out violation to continue after it was brought to the NYRA’s attention”.
Purple Lounge Online Poker, Casino Abrupt Weekend Closure Follows Salacious Florida Arrest
No word yet on the reasons behind the abrupt closure of UK-based Purple Lounge, an online poker room and casino operated by Media Corporation (not to be confused with the Rupert Murdock publishing empire). Customers were not provided with any prior warning as to the shutdown. Players had experienced slow payouts in recent months despite Purple Lounge’s operation within a mostly Web poker-friendly environment. Purple Lounge had not accepted business from US players.
Two Alleged Mobsters Captured in Newark: Operated Illegal Gambling Business
Two alleged members of a Philadelphia organized crime syndicate have been arrested in Newark, New Jersey.
Joseph Licata, 70, of Florham Park, and Louis Fazzini, 45, of Caldwell, were apprehended on Thursday and charged with racketeering.
Federal Bills Introduced to Overturn Sports Betting Ban
Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ 2nd) and Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ 6th) have asked members of the US House of Representatives to support two bills introduced to roll back the Federal ban on expanded state-licensed sports betting.
Roberto Luongo May Have to Endorse British Columbia Lottery Corp. From Tampa Bay
The British Columbia Lottery Corp. is staying mum about the prospects of its spokesperson, the Vancouver Canucks Robero Luongo, being traded to another team. Rumors are Luongo could end up in either Toronto or Tampa Bay.
Galaxy Plans $2.1B Macau Casino Expansion
HONG KONG (Associated Press) — Galaxy Entertainment Group plans to double the size of its flagship Macau casino in a $2.1 billion expansion as it seeks to win over more customers in the world’s biggest gambling market.
The Hong Kong company said it has already started construction of the second phase of its Galaxy Macau casino complex, which opened last year in the Cotai district.
Jenny Woo’s C-Section Shocker
The birth of Lily Christiana Woo on April 15 may not have been a miracle after all, at least not as it pertains to the coincidental timing. It all depends on how you cut it (no pun intended).
Gambling911.com Senior International Correspondent Jenny Woo revealed on Wednesday that she had deliberately scheduled to have a c-section birth on April 15, 2012 to commemorate the one-year anniversary of “Black Friday”.
50 Cent Gambling Game to Debut Soon on Facebook
Rapper 50 Cent, noted for his penchant for placing big wagers on the Super Bowl, is set to launch his own gambling game on Facebook.
The Blackjack game is in conjunction with Game Show Network Digital and, essentially, 50 Cent will have his own virtual casino, minus the money.
Sports Betting Gains Ground in California
A measure to legalize sports betting in the state of California moved forward in the legislature but could be all for naught.
A bill was approved unanimously by the state Senate Governmental Organization Committee on its way toward the Senate floor, but sports betting won’t happen in the state until it is approved at the federal level and this is highly unlikely to occur any time soon.
Online Gambling Payment Processor to be Sentenced May 29th
Don Hellinger, who processed payments for a number of online gambling companies during the years 2005 and 2006 is scheduled for sentencing on May 29th on unrelated charges. It is not immediately known how long a sentence Hellinger will receive.
Hellinger was charged with the illegal distribution of over $40 million in Internet gambling winnings during the years 2005 and 2006 through a money transfer company, Payment Processing, Inc. His connection to online gambling only came about after a grand jury investigation into other alleged illicit activity.
888 Revenue Up 25 Percent in 1st Quarter 2012
(Reuters) - British online gaming company 888 Holdings said first-quarter revenue rose 25 percent as more people opted to use their services and gamble online amid an economic slowdown.
The company had 11.3 million casino, poker and sport real money registered customer accounts as on March 31, an increase of 23 percent from a year earlier.
888's consumer segment revenue rose 29 percent to $83 million (51 million pounds) in the first quarter, boosted by its casino and poker brands, the company said in a statement.
Sports Betting Online: El Clasico, Red Wings Facing Elimination, Kendall Wright Browns Odds
Here are the latest sports betting online updates for the afternoon hours of Friday, April 20, 2012 that include the current El Clasico odds, Kendall Wright NFL Draft props and more….
At Sportsbook.com: (see site for FREE CASH bonus when joining)
Foxwoods CEO: Competition May Spur Online Gambling
(Associated Press) - - The chief executive of Foxwoods Resort Casino says rising competition is forcing the Indian-run casino in eastern Connecticut to consider online gambling and other changes.
Scott Butera, in an online discussion Thursday with The Day of New London, said supply in the casino business is clearly outpacing demand. Gambling has been legalized in Massachusetts, though casinos are not expected to open for a few years. Casinos in New York also are taking a greater share of the market.
Betsson Acquires Nordicbet
Betsson AB (publ) today announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire substantial parts of the business of Nordic Gaming Group plc, which is the owner of the NordicBet, TrioBet and Tobet gaming operations. Once the transaction is approved by competent regulatory bodies, the acquisition will be finalized in the end of second quarter 2012.
Betsson is one of the largest Scandinavian online gambling firms offering a wide range of first-class online gambling products and games in a safe and user-friendly gaming environment.
EU Commission Online Gambling Manifesto Too Little, Too Late
While the European Gaming and Betting Association has published a manifesto for a sustainable EU policy for online gambling, countries like Belgium and the Netherlands continue to engage in their own policy of quashing foreign competition, including that from neighboring European Union countries.
Internet Gambling, Horse Racing Regulated Simulcasting on Agenda in Massachusetts
By STEVE LeBLANC, The Associated Press
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is pressing lawmakers and Gov. Deval Patrick to push back a key deadline for the panel to take over the regulation of horse racing and simulcasting, saying the expanded duties will make it harder to get new casinos up and running.
Commission chairman Steven Crosby said Tuesday that the panel will meet the May 20 takeover deadline if needed, but said delaying the change makes more sense for the state.
Sid Rosenberg Fired Following DUI Arrest
Radio personality Sid Rosenberg has been fired following an arrest for DUI in Hollywood, Florida earlier in the month.
WQAM program director Lee Feldman confirmed to a local television station that the controversial host had been terminated.
Income Access Network Launches Kaffiliation and Sklots.com
Income Access network, one of the top online affiliate programs in the world and one that caters to the online gambling sector, has launched its newest affiliate platform - Kaffiliation!
LowVig.com announces the acquisition of online sportsbook Bet Vegas Vic
Reduced-juice sportsbook welcomes their newest members with unrivaled sports betting value and generous rebates
On Monday morning reduced juice sportsbook LowVig.com finalized the acquisition of competitor BetVegasVic.com.
All of North Dakota’s Property Tax Could Have Been Paid for by Online Gambling
North Dakota Representative Jim Kasper was the first politician to conceive of the idea to legalize and operate online gambling sites from a US state back in 2005.
His state missed out on a golden opportunity.
New Jersey Internet Gambling Should be Set for Fall
A vote to legalize online gambling in New Jersey will take place in the state’s senate on May 31. The delay will push back the start of legalized Internet gambling in the Garden State somewhat, but the bill’s sponsor, Raymond Lesniak, still anticipates a fall starting date.
