Rachel Maddow: A Sheldon Adelson Justice Department Would Make ‘Macau’ Probe Go Away (Video)

Sands boss, billionaire and one of the top contributors to the Republican party, Sheldon Adelson, is fast becoming one of the most loathed men within the poker community.  Many players have called for an all-out boycott of his properties.  These include the Sands, Venetian and the Palazzo in Las Vegas.  Sands also operates properties in other parts of the US including Bethlehem, Pennsylvania as well as in China's Macau. 

Submitted by C Costigan on,

Las Vegas Visitation Up, Gambling Down

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Las Vegas saw slightly more visitors this May compared with the same month last year, although gambling was down more than 10 percent in Clark County.

Cake-Square-010712.jpg

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority says about 3.5 million visitors came to Las Vegas in May. That's 2.4 percent up from the same month last year, when 3.4 million people visited Sin City.

Submitted by on,

Las Vegas Probe Following Reports of Underage Gambling by Whitney Houston Daughter

Nevada authorities were looking into reports that the daughter of the late recording artist, Whitney Houston, gambled while at a Las Vegas casino.  Bobbi Kristina Brown is 19-years-old and underage, according to Nevada state law. 

TMZ.com posted the video that appears to show Brown sitting at a slot machine at the MGM Grand Hotel.  (See Video Here)

Submitted by Jordan Bach on,

Las Vegas Odds – 2012 Kentucky Derby: Online Books More Convenient, Better Lines

Las Vegas odds on the 2012 Kentucky Derby varied from sportsbook to sportsbook, but the odds are one could find better odds at one of several online racebooks, some of which have been around for well over 10 years and offer rebates (losses back) like Sportsbook.

Submitted by Carrie Stroup on,

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.

Submitted by on,

Nevada Gambling Revenues Up 5.7 Percent in February: Online Poker Traffic Sees Gain

Good news for both the Las Vegas gambling and online poker sectors as both reported gains. 

Cake-Square-010712.jpg

Gaming Control Board officials announced on Tuesday that Nevada gambling revenues were up 5.7 percent with Las Vegas Strip casinos seeing a 3.3 percent surge. 

Overall revenue generated included $932 million in the state and $531 million from the Vegas Strip casinos. 

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on,

Palms Casino Prepares to Open New Sportsbook

The fabulous Palms Casino is preparing to open a brand new state-of-the-art sportsbook.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on,

Sheldon Adelson Done With Newt Gingrich: ‘He’s at the End of His Line’ (Video)

In an interview featured on the Jewish Journal Thursday, casino magnate Sheldon Adelson essentially said that Newt Gingrich’s campaign to become the GOP US Presidential nominee is over.

Americas-Cardroom-Square-022412.jpg

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on,

JetBlue Pilot Talked About ‘Sins in Las Vegas’ Before Diversion (Video)

JetBlue Airways captain Clayton Osbon’s erratic behavior Tuesday that forced Flight 191 en route to Las Vegas to make an emergency stopover in Amarillo, Texas included rants about the “Sins in Las Vegas”. 

"We're not going to Vegas," Osbon said.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on,

Herman Cain Wins at Wynn Using ‘9-9-9’ Plan at the Poker Tables

One time GOP candidate for President of the United States and former head of the Godfathers Pizza restaurant chain, Herman Cain, has taken his famed “9-9-9” plan to Vegas.

Submitted by Ace King on,

Tom Jones, Englebert Humperdinck Millions Went to Pay Off Mob Bosses

Legendary performers Tom Jones and Englebert Humperdinck lost millions as a result of their manager, music mogul Gordon Mills, siphoning off the cash to pay gambling debts to the Mob, according to reports that surfaced this week. 

Mills, who passed away from cancer in 1986, is reported to have owed $320 million in gambling debts.

The monies disappeared from Las Vegas shows that were on a retainer of $8,000 (£5,000) per week.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on,

Lucky Marine Turns a Penny Slot Into $2.8 Million Win

Cpl. Alexander Degenhardt learned he was accepted as a bone marrow donor to an anonymous patient just days before hitting a $2.8 million progressive slot machine back on February 19 at the Bellagio.  

The US Marine told the Las Vegas Sun:  ““They asked me if I was sure I wanted to go through with it, because it’s kind of painful, but what’s a little pain if it will save someone’s life?”

He admits the good karma may have paid off.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on,

MGM CEO: “Very Confident” Online Gambling Laws Would Pass on the Federal Level

Appearing on CNBC Wednesday evening, MGM CEO Jim Murren said he was “very confident” online gambling laws would pass on the federal level soon.

Murren added that, if such legislation fails to pass on the federal level, we will likely see the industry develop on a state-by-state basis. 

MGM has teamed up with the largest real money online gambling company, bwin.party.  Murren admitted that bwin.party might have to enter the US market at the state level first.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on,

Nevada Casino Tax Hike Would Result in 7500 Lost Jobs

(AP)  CARSON CITY, Nev. — An initiative to raise the top tax rate on Nevada's highest earning casinos is not economically sustainable by the industry and would lead to thousands of direct and indirect job losses, according to one gambling analyst who called the proposal a "wolf in sheep's clothing."

"We estimate the gaming tax increase would result in 7,500 or more lost jobs in Nevada, a notable step backward," Bill Lerner of Union Gaming Group said in a client's note.

Nevada leads the nation in unemployment, bankruptcies and foreclosures.

Submitted by on,

Patriots Owner Robert Kraft Makes Out Big With Caesars IPO...And Wynn?

Among those who benefitted from Wednesday’s debut of Caesars Entertainment on the Nasdaq trading platform was none other than New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. 

While Kraft may have suffered a pretty huge loss Sunday, his luck changed with the Caesars IPO and his $1.3 million stake.  Shares rose dramatically Wednesday afternoon. 

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on,

Caesars Begins Trading Wednesday: Goes Public and Floated with 1.4 Million Shares

Casino giant Caesars Entertainment Corp. went public on Wednesday (February 8, 2012), with its stock price surging 71 percent after completing an initial public offering.

The IPO was significantly reduced from its 2010 attempt. 

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on,

Wikileaks Exposes Sheldon Adelson: Cable Discusses ‘Missteps’ in China

Casino tycoon Sheldon Adelson’s Las Vegas Sands Corp. is under federal investigation into whether it has complied with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and a recently uncovered Wikileaks cable suggests Adelson may be in some hot water in China as well.

Adelson is alleged to have “bribed” foreign officials in exchange for lucrative business deals.  His casino empire enjoys a massive presence in the Asian gambling Mecca of Macua. 

From Salon.com:

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on,

Macau Gambling Revenue Rises 35 Percent in January 2012: Casinos in General Have Great Month

Casino companies gained after revenue in Macau, the world's largest gambling hub, rose 35 percent in January (2012). MGM Resorts International climbed 0.7 percent to $13.14. Las Vegas Sands Corp. increased 0.8 percent to $49.50.

Cake-Square-010712.jpg

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on,

Power Struggle at Wynn: Another Ugly Divorce Battle

Have you all been following the power struggle at Wynn Resorts Inc?

It seems their largest shareholder, Japanese pachinko mogul Kazuo Okada, recently nominated up to four people to the board of the U.S. casino company.  He is currently suing founder Steve Wynn and accuses the Vegas casino titan of blocking access to records related to his investment in the company as well as objecting to an “inappropriate” $135 million company donation to the University of Macau. 

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on,

Las Vegas Hotel Rates January 2012: South Point $51 Per Night

It’s a little nippy in Las Vegas this time of year, but the Las Vegas hotel rates for January 2012 are super hot.  Case in point, the four-star South Point Hotel has slashed its average night rate from $64 to $51 during the first two weeks of the month. 

Most of the four-star Strip hotels were running $59 and up.  The Hard Rock was at $60 per night while the MGM was $109 per night.

Submitted by Payton on,

Pawn Stars Spinoff ‘Cajun Pawn Stars’ to Debut Next Month

The History Channel announced Thursday that a spin-off of its hugely successful show "Pawn Stars" will premiere next month on cable TV in the USA.

The new show, called "Cajun Pawn Stars," will focus on the day-to-day happenings at the Silver Dollar Pawn & Jewelry Center pawn shop in Alexandria, Louisiana, USA, northwest of New Orleans.

The shop, which opened in 1984, is owned by Jimmie "Big Daddy" DeRamus and run by him and his family.

Submitted by Thomas Somach on,

Poker Players Call for Boycott The Venetian Hotel, Casino and Other Sheldon Adelson Properties

Following word last week that Las Vegas Sands Corp. Chairman Sheldon Adelson announced he is opposed to current legislation that would allow for regulated online poker in the United States, some in the poker playing community have called for an all-out boycott of Adelson’s casino properties, including the famed Venetian on the Las Vegas Strip.

"Since Sheldon Adelson is lobbying against Internet poker, I will no longer play at The Venetian poker room," a player wrote on the TwoPlusTwo.com message board. "I suggest if you care about the issue, that you also boycott the room."

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on,

Is Adelson Now Opposing Online Poker?

It appears as if Las Vegas Sands Chairman Sheldon Adelson has decided to do an about face when it comes to online poker legalization in the US.

Jon Ralston of the Las Vegas Sun reported late Tuesday night that Adelson suddenly has become “morally opposed” to online poker after being at the forefront of the push to get the industry legalized in the US over the past few years. 

Ralston writes

Submitted by C Costigan on,

Hells Angels Biker in Court Over Las Vegas Casino Shootout

By SCOTT SONNER

Associated Press

RENO, Nev. (AP) - A California member of the Hells Angels pleaded not guilty Thursday to second-degree murder for his role in the death of his chapter president in a September shootout in a Nevada casino.

Cesar Villagrana of Gilroy also pleaded not guilty to shooting and wounding two members of the rival Vagos motorcycle gang in the melee.

Submitted by on,

Best Hotel Rates New Year’s 2012 in Las Vegas

Sure they may be an advertiser here at Gambling911.com, but South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa just happens to be offering the very best rates in Las Vegas for New Year’s 2012.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on,

Joe Barton on Legalized Internet Poker in the US: “I Think We Have the Votes”

Texas Republican Congressman Joe Barton believes his bill to legalize and fully regulate (not to mention tax) Internet poker in the United States will likely come to fruition by next summer, which, if you are able to keep up with the time, is just about 6 months away.

From Poker News Report: 

Submitted by C Costigan on,

Las Vegas Airport: New Gateway to Asia

Las Vegas tourism officials are betting that a new air terminal will offer a new route for air passengers to connect between the US and Asia.

A new terminal will make its debut in June and connect international passengers through six gates.  Customs will be able to process 2,200 passengers per hour,

"We see Las Vegas not just as an origin and destination point, but also as another hub for us," John Jackson III, vice president of passenger marketing and sales for Korean Air's Americas region, says to AP.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on,

Prince Harry Does Las Vegas: $200 Lost During BJ

Prince Harry and friends spent this past weekend in Las Vegas gambling like rock stars….down and out rock stars maybe.  A high roller he is NOT. 

No Harry didn’t win a million dollars or lose a million dollars.  Instead, he and his buddies total lost $500 ($200 of which was Harry’s).  They were reportedly playing at the blackjack tables. 

A source told People Magazine Harry “couldn’t believe you got free drinks from gambling at the blackjack tables.”

Submitted by Jordan Bach on,

Cheap Air Fares to Las Vegas From… New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC – December 2011

Gambling911.com has your cheap air fares to Las Vegas from the New York City metropolitan area along with Philadelphia, Washington DC, Boston and Hartford.  These fares are for the month of December 2011.  Fares are based on Wednesday thru Tuesday travel (round trip).  When in Las Vegas, $42 per night weekday rates and $72 per night weekend rates at the fabulous South Point Hotel Casino and Spa here.

New York City/Newark to Las Vegas –

Submitted by Payton on,

Cheap Air Flights Canada to Las Vegas – December 2011 (Christmas and New Year’s Included)

Gambling911.com has your cheap air flights for Canada to Las Vegas and back for December 2011.  These fares are based on Wednesday thru Tuesday travel and subject to change especially as dates near.  These cheap air flights round trip between various cities in Canada and Las Vegas were effective as of November 15, 2011. 

When in Vegas be sure to stay at the South Point Hotel and Casino with $42 weekly rates and $72 weekend rates

Submitted by Payton on,