• Bruno Mars Addresses Rumors He was Forced to Play Shows Over Vegas Gambling Debts
• Eric Swalwell Drops Out of California Governor's Race.
• Criminal Charges Dropped Against Doug Polk Co-Owned Lodge Card Club
• Crude Oil Price Betting Markets in Upheaval.
• Strait of Hormuz Blockade Has Gamblers on Roller Coaster Ride.

Scroll Down 

Poker

Marius Kudzmanas Wins WSOP Europe Main Event

Monday April 13,, 2026 (2:18 pm EDT) 

The World Series of Poker congratulates Marius Kudzmanas for claiming the most coveted title in European poker: that of World Series of Poker Europe Main Event Champion.

Kudzmanas’s path to the championship was marked by his considered, aggressive play, particularly when holding a big chip stack. For his incredible run, he took home the monumental €2,000,000 top prize and the prestigious, custom-crafted WSOP Europe Main Event Champion’s gold bracelet.

While this victory was the biggest of his career by far, it is not the first WSOP gold bracelet win for Kudzmanas; his impressive poker resume already includes two online bracelet wins. As the new WSOP Europe Main Event champion, he has now shown the same level of mastery over the live poker arena as he did on the digital felt.

"We are absolutely thrilled with the phenomenal success of this year’s WSOP Europe, which has set new parameters for poker on the continent," said Ty Stewart, Chief Executive Officer of WSOP. "The enthusiasm and incredible turnout, particularly for the record-breaking €5,300 Main Event, have been unprecedented. Congratulations to Marius Kudzmanas for etching his name into the history books as our newest champion."

“This edition of WSOP Europe was the best yet, and we’d like to sincerely thank all of the players, dealers, staff, partners, and media that came together to make the festival so special. A core WSOP goal is to continually refine and improve our events - with that in mind, we can’t wait for the action to kick off next month in Las Vegas!” added Gregory Chochon, Chief Operating Officer of WSOP.

Entertainment/ Gambling News

Bruno Mars Forced to Play Shows Over Vegas Gambling Debt?

Monday April 13,, 2026 (1:38 pm EDT) 

Fake news?

The "Uptown Funk" singer Bruno Mars sort of addressed rumors he had been forced to perform shows in Vegas over a mounting unpaid gambling debt. 

Last year, Bruno Mars wrapped up a residency at the Park MGM in Las Vegas that lasted an unusually long nine years. 

In 2024, NewsNation published an article that asserted Mars had linked up with Park MGM as part of a deal to settle a gambling debt that had gotten as high as $50 million.

On Friday, Mars kicked off The Romantic Tour with a two-night gig at Allegiant Stadium.

On stage, Mars cleared things up with some banter in between his sets.

“I’m debt-free. I paid the casino off a long time ago.”

Not exactly a denial, but Mars penchant for gambling is not in question.  

In past interviews, he’s talked about playing poker and casino games, especially earlier in life.

Unlike certain celebrities, he hasn't bragged about any large winnings..... or losses.

Poker Crime

Criminal Charges Dropped Against Lodge Card Club in Round Rock, Texas 

Monday April 13,, 2026 (12 am EDT) 

Prosecutors announced they have dropped the money laundering charges pertaining to The Lodge Card Club in Round Rock, Texas, just outside of Austin. 

Despite the money laundering charges being dropped, the club's assets remain frozen.   This includes approximately $2 million. 

Criminal charges have been dropped as none were filed by the 30-day deadline required.  

It is being reported that the probe will now focus on illegal gambling (Texas Penal Code 47.04: "keeping a gambling place" as Class A misdemeanor).  That could be good news for The Lodge as other poker establishments have been victorious versus the state with prior probes of this nature. 

Thus the saga continues. 

Hot Trending

Our Hot as Hell Stories and Trending Search Queries 

Sunday April 12,, 2026 (11:15 pm EDT) 

1. (Casino) Pechanga Resort Casino Pays San Bernardino County California Man $1,010,344 Jackpot Win - With 22,500 impressions, this was the hottest story on Gambling911.com Sunday even with plenty of breaking news involving Hungary's prime minister election and the betting markets tied to the Iran conflict, not to mention all The Masters betting action.
    
2. (Golf - Masters) - Payout Odds to Win the 2026 Masters: Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Xander Schauffele - (11357 impressions) 
    
3. (Golf - Masters) - What Are the Payout Odds if Russell Henley Wins the 2026 Masters?  - (6362 impressions) 
    
4. (Golf Masters) - What Are the Payout Odds if Sam Burns Wins the 2026 Masters? - (3553 impressions) 
    
5. (Iran Conflict) - Price of Crude Oil April 2026 Betting Markets Remain Unchanged as Cease Fire Talks End Without an Agreement   - (2280 impressions) - Crude oil related queries were among some of the most sought after here at Gambling911.com throughout the weekend. 
    
6. (Politics) - Péter Magyar Next Prime Minister of Hungary Odds as Betting Markets Give Him 85 Percent Chance - (1276 impressions) - Magyar won in a landslide as Viktor Orban conceded the race. 

Scroll Left for Regions on Mobile

Most Searched Queries Last 48 Hours

1. winna scam
2. winna review
3. winna
4. nba mvp odds
5. offset
6. oil price
7. winna casino
8. peter magyar
9. crude oil prices
10. sam burns
11. gambling911
12. shane lowry
13. crude oil price
14. mvp nba 2026
15. giannis next team odds
16. kurt kitayama
17. péter magyar
18. crude oil
19. $100 free chip no deposit
20. jim gregory award odds
21. gambling 911
22. brent crude oil price
23. free $100 casino chip no deposit
24. nba mvp
25. royals game
26. russell henley
27. cameron young
28. sean strickland
29. masters odds to win
30. darnell smith mazi

Iran Conflict

US Military Says it Will Block Iranian Traffic in Hormuz

Sunday April 12, 2026 (11 pm EDT) 

The US military says it will block all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports, starting at 10am ET (14:00 GMT) Monday.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says any military vessel that approaches the Strait of Hormuz will be considered in violation of the ceasefire and “will be dealt with severely”.

With talks between both sides providing some degree of hope for a resolution, the chances that the Strait of Hormuz would re-open by month's end shot up to 37% at prediction markets.  Those chances were now at 14% heading into Monday. 

Politics (California) 

Tom Steyer Favored to be California's Next Governor With Eric Swalwell Dropping Out

Sunday April 12, 2026 (10:37 pm EDT) 

It's official.  Eric Swalwell has dropped out of the California gubernatorial race after sexual assault allegations were lodged against him last week.  

Swalwell's fall from grace was perhaps most evident in the odds as he went from being a -300 favorite just last Monday to closing at 25/1 odds, almost unheard of. 

Tom Steyer now assumes the favorite spot priced at -175. 

Tom Steyer -175

Katie Porter 4/1

Matt Mahan 4/1

Steve Hilton 10/1

Chad Bianco 40/1

Elaine Culotti 50/1

More News Here

• Chris Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher