Nebraska State Senator Pleads Guilty in Gambling Probe
Nebraska State Senator Brenda Council has plead guilty to two misdemeanor charges of violating campaign finance laws in connection to gambling.
Council admitted to making 36 withdrawals totaling $63,000 from her campaign account for the purpose of gambling. $36,000 of those funds were ultimately returned.
Maine Oxford Casino Expansion Under Consideration
AUGUSTA, Maine (Associated Press) — Final approval of an expanded gambling area at Maine’s newest casino is being considered by the state Gambling Control Board.
At its regular meeting Tuesday, the board will consider approving an expansion to the Oxford Casino, which opened in June in the western Maine town of Oxford.
The casino now has 529 slot machines and 12 table games including blackjack, craps and roulette.
It’s hoping to add 10 more table games and hundreds more slot machines in October.
Another Philly Mobster Sentenced for Illegal Gambling, Loan Sharking
South Philadelphia mobster, Martin Angelina, 50, has been sentenced to nearly five year in a federal prison for racketeering related to loan sharking and illegal gambling.
Angelina had already plead guilty last month to a racketeering conspiracy and admitted to using extortion to collect on loans.
Snow Job: ‘New’ Owners of Defunct Online Poker Room Purple Lounge Speak Out for First Time
The “new” management of Media Corporation, parent company of the now defunct online poker site Purple Lounge, have spoken out for the first time about the long established Web card room’s closure.
In an interview with InfoPowa, Management admitted that the handling of Purple Lounge’s closure has not been particular smooth.
Perth Australia Barrister Mistress Tells of ‘Gambling Problem’ on Horses at Murder Trial
A once prominent Perth barrister, Lloyd Rayney, is on trial for the murder of his wife. In recent days, his daughters testified that their father was “not fit enough” to drag their mother’s body across the front yard into her car.
Asian Gambling Boom Targets Filthy Rich
(Associated Press) - In the Philippines, a $4 billion casino will soon rise from reclaimed land on Manila Bay. In South Korea, foreign investors are expected to break ground next year on a clutch of casino resorts offshore. And on the eastern edge of Russia, authorities plan a resort zone aimed at drawing Chinese high-rollers.
New Jersey Ok’s Plan for Mohegan Sun to Run Resorts Casino in Atlantic City
Absent from the Atlantic City casino market for more than 30 years, Native American tribes have recently turned a close eye on the seaside gambling resort, with two tribes taking very different paths.
On Friday, New Jersey regulators gave approval to the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority to run the day-to-day affairs of Resorts Casino Hotel and to buy 10 percent of the company. The decision came just two days after the Seminole Indians scrapped a plan to build a new "boutique" casino, citing the poor economy and cutthroat competition from gambling halls in neighboring states.
Philly Mobster Gaeton Lucibello Sentenced to 51 Months in Prison
Gaeton Lucibello, 59, of Philadelphia, was sentenced today to 51 months in prison for his participation in a racketeering conspiracy involving extortion and illegal gambling, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Zane David Memeger of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and George C. Venizelos, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division.
New Jersey State Senator Opposes Federal Online Gambling Legislation
New Jersey State Senator Raymond Lesniak, who has been pushing to legalize online gambling in the Garden State, has come out against a federal measure currently under consideration.
Nevada Video Game Company 3G Studios Becomes First to Enter Online Gambling Market
Video game developer 3G Studios filed with the Nevada Gaming Control Board for multiple Online Service Provider’s licenses, making them the first video game company to move into the U.S. online gambling market. With this move, 3G Studios will be the first video game company to be approved for real-money gambling in the U.S.
Nebraska State Senator Charged for Using Funds for Gambling
A Nebraska State Senator has been charged with using $63,000 in campaign funds to fuel her gambling addition.
Omaha’s Brenda Council was charged on Thursday with two misdemeanor counts of abusing public records.
Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning's Offices investigated subpoenaing bank and casino records.
The funds in question were spent at various state casinos during the period 2010-2012.
Council is running for a second term and has shown no indications of dropping out at this time.
- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com
Poker Pro Nancy Todd Gets Second Shot at Taking Control of Casinos in Arkansas
LITTLE ROCK — (Associated Press) - An attorney for a woman seeking exclusive rights to operate casinos in Arkansas says the state has turned the initiative process into an “obstacle course” by rejecting her proposed ballot measure.
Columbus Hollywood Casino Operator’s License Approval Anticipated
COLUMBUS, Ohio – (Associated Press) - The Ohio Casino Commission is expected to approve the operator's license for the new casino opening next month in Columbus.
Penn National Ponies Up Another $4 Million to Try and Stop Baltimore Casino
Penn National has added another $4 million to the $5.5 million already donated to try and prevent the construction of a Baltimore casino. Voters will have the opportunity to make the final decision come Election Day and Penn is determined to try and discourage residents from backing such a plan.
Iceland to Block Gambling, Porn Websites
Iceland’s two biggest ISPs are considering blocking online gambling and porn websites, according to Mashable.com.
Vodafone and Síminn, two of the country’s larget ISPs, are eyeing sites that feature x-rated material, gambling or other questionable content, it was reported on Wednesday.
60 Gambling Machines From 40 Businesses Seized Throughout Phoenix
PHOENIX – (Associated Press) - Nearly 60 gambling machines were seized at more than 40 businesses across the valley and agents believe a criminal organization from California is behind the illegal machines.
State and federal investigators served search warrants at smoke shops, gas stations and markets over the weekend. The businesses had games similar to slot machines that allowed players to earn credits and cash them in for money -- but that's against the law.
The machines were taken from businesses everywhere from Surprise to Mesa to Phoenix.
DOJ Demands $42 Million From Full Tilt Poker Ring Leader Howard Lederer
The Department of Justice filed an amended civil complaint against four Full Tilt Poker executives including Howard Lederer, seeking more than $100 million total. Lederer is being told to fork over approximately $42 million.
The US Government is seeking the following:
The government is seeking the following judgments:
Raymond Bitar – $40.8 million
Howard Lederer – $42.5 million
Christopher Ferguson – $42 million
Rafael Furst – $11.7 million
Camasino Poker Club: Online Gambling Site to Open Land-Based Casino Outside Montreal
Camasino has made a deal with the owner of a poker club located in Kahnawake to change its name from Snakes Poker Club to “Camasino Poker Club”. Camasino will hold major Canadian events at the location along with entertainment and other services giving the clients a Vegas feel!
Coconut Creek May Become Casino Destination with Mammoth Entertainment Center Planned
The Seminole Tribe of South Florida are looking to develop a mammoth hotel, casino and entertainment complex in Coconut Creek.
The establishment would feature 20 stories, 1000 rooms and an expanded 2500-seat movie theatre and casino.
Still, the idea could be just a pipe dream as no firm date has been set as to when such a project might begin development.
Skybook.com Owner Sentenced to 2.5 Years in Prison
A St. Charles, Louisiana man, Anthony Buttitta, 43, has been sentenced to 2.5 years behind bars for tax evasion. He and his father, Dominic Buttitta, 69, of South Barrington, plead to two felony counts filed against them in U.S. District Court and were sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Milton Shadur.
MGM Tops Penn Gaming Donation in Fight for Gambling Expansion in Maryland
Penn Gaming has pledged $5.5 million in an effort to defeat a gambling expansion plan in the state of Maryland.
That news comes as MGM Resorts International, which has plans to build an $800 million casino at the National Harbor in Prince George County, had spent close to $2.5 million in support of these efforts.
Casino Mogul Steve Wynn Awarded $20 Million in Slander Suit Against Joe Francis
A jury has awarded casino magnate Steve Wynn $20 million in his slander suit against porn purveyor Joe Francis.
An L.A. Count Superior Court jury determined that the “Girls Gone Wild” video franchise owner, Francis, had knowingly made false statements against Wynn. Francis had told reporters that Wynn threatened to kill him with a shovel over the head and bury him in the desert. The jury found that Francis acted maliciously in making such statements.
Poker Room at Gulfstream Casino Now Open Following Fish Tank Fiasco
The poker room at Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino in South Florida has finally reopened after a ruptured 13,000 gallon fish tank caused extensive damage to the facilities last Sunday.
New carpeting, walls, artwork and furniture have been installed since the flooding occurred, according to Mike Couch, Gulfstream's Director of Gaming.
"It's unfortunate we had to close five days, but we're very grateful to our guests for their patience and understanding," Couch said in a Saturday release.
Sheldon Adelson, Las Vegas Sands Select Madrid for ‘EuroVegas’ Casino
By HAROLD HECKLE Associated Press
(Associated Press) - The decision by Las Vegas Sands to choose Madrid for a big "EuroVegas" casino project was welcomed by city officials Saturday, but potential obstacles include the company's decision to fund only 35 percent of the resort and to demand changes in local laws.
Ana Isabel Marino, Madrid's counselor for planning and environment, said the regional government received the news "with contained satisfaction, given that this is the first step."
New Jersey Says Professional Leagues do Not Have Standing in Sports Betting Suit
TRENTON, N.J. — (Associated Press) - A court filing claims sports gambling is so widespread already that New Jersey’s plans to implement it won’t cause any harm to college and pro sports leagues.
The argument is contained in a court filing that seeks to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the four major pro leagues and the NCAA.
Steve Wynn Seeking $12 Million in Slander Case Against Porn Purveyor Joe Francis
LOS ANGELES (Associated Press) — Steve Wynn's attorney says jurors should consider awarding the casino mogul $12 million in his slander trial against "Girls Gone Wild" founder Joe Francis.
Attorney Barry Langberg suggested the multimillion verdict during closing arguments Friday in Wynn's case against Francis. Francis claims the casino creator threatened to kill him over a gambling debt.
Somach to Appear on Wallin Radio Show to Discuss Betting College and Pro Football
Gambling911.com reporter Tom Somach will be a guest on Saturday, September 8, 2012, on "Morning Brew," one of the most popular radio shows in the Los Angeles market.
The show airs live each Saturday morning on KCAA radio, 1050 on the AM dial, from 8-9 a.m. Pacific Time, and is hosted by Los Angeles sportscaster and Gambling911.com sports handicapper Fred Wallin.
Somach will appear on the show Saturday from 8:30-9 a.m. Pacific Time and will discuss betting college and NFL football, as well as other gambling topics in the news.
Bally Technologies Licenses NASCAR Slot Machine
Players, start your engines! Bally Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BYI) has licensed NASCAR, one of the most sought-after brands in the gaming industry.
NASCAR is the first world-class licensed brand that Bally has carried across its games and systems businesses, in the form of the slot machine game and Elite Bonusing Suite’s Virtual Racing NASCAR. Both the slot and the systems-driven promotional tool take everything racing fans love about the sport and put it into a one-of-a-kind gaming experience.
Quincy Jones Denies Steve Wynn Threatened Porn Purveyor Joe Francis Life in Slander Trial
Music producer Quincy Jones denied ever telling “Girls Gone Wild” porn purveyor Joe Francis that casino mogul Steve Wynn wanted to "bury him in the desert.”
When asked if Wynn had said this to Jones, the Grammy Award winning music icon emphatically said "No. Absolutely not” more than a dozen times during court testimony on Thursday.
Steve Wynn is suing Francis for slander. The two have been embroiled in a bitter war of words for some years now.
Gambler Who Bet on College Football 34.5 Point Underdog Wins $120k
A sports bettor managed to take full advantage of one of College Football’s biggest upsets in 32 years this past weekend as Texas State went on to beat Houston 30-13 as a +34.5 underdog.
