Politics

Snow Job: Latest Edward Snowden Odds as Bolivia, Nicaragua, Venezuela Step Up

Bolivia, Nicaragua and Venezuela are the latest countries to offer NSA leaker Edward Snowden asylum.

Snowden is accused of leaking details of top-secret U.S. and British government mass surveillance programs to the press.  He is believed to be holed up in a Russian airport currently.

Russia remained the 10/11 favorite at Paddy Power as Snowden’s eventual “permanent” home though this looks less and less likely by the day.

Submitted by Alejandro Botticelli on, Jul/06/2013

Paddy Power Now Offering NSA Leaker Edward Snowden Betting Odds

The Irish online bookmaker Paddy Power has odds on where NSA leaker Edward Snowden will ultimately flee too.

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Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Jun/29/2013

Joe Barton to Introduce Online Poker Bill: Anticipates Passage (Video)

Texas Republican Congressman Joe Barton is set to reveal his latest bill that would legalize online poker at the federal level. 

“It’s not a question of if my bill passes….It’s a question of when,” he says in a video interview with Gambling Compliance.

Barton, a poker player himself, explains that he does not yet have an agreement with Chairman Upton to hold a hearing as it applies to his bill.

Submitted by Ace King on, Jun/26/2013

Proposed Ban on Casino Lobbyists Defeated in New York State

Albany, N.Y. (Associated Press) - As New York moves to expand gambling, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders have quietly deleted a proposed ban on accepting campaign contributions from casino operators vying for one of New York's four proposed casinos.

Cuomo had proposed the measure months ago, saying he wanted nothing to do with a mix of politics and gambling that has resulted in some of Albany's biggest corruption scandals.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Jun/24/2013

New England Patriots Odds 2013 – 2014 and the Putin Super Bowl Ring Controversy

The New England Patriots odds of winning the 2014 Super Bowl were set at 7/1 but what we really want to know is:  What are the odds of Russian President Vladimir Putin returning Pats owner Robert Kraft’s cherished Super Bowl ring.

Submitted by Don Shapiro on, Jun/18/2013

llinois Gambling Expansion, Online Poker Bill Dead Due to ‘Lost House Staffer’

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn may very well have approved a bill expanding gambling in his state and quite possibly allowing Web wagering as well, if not for a “lost House staffer”.

Quinn said he had reached agreement on “language I could live with” with state Rep. Robert Rita (D-Blue Island), the chief House sponsor but…

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Jun/14/2013

The Obama on Twitter Betting Prop

Sportsbook.com released odds on the OVER/UNDER number of followers US President Barack Obama will have by July 4, 2013 at Noon Eastern Standard Time.

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The OVER/UNDER was 33,661,000.

Submitted by Carrie Stroup on, Jun/13/2013

Internet Gambling Bill: Don’t be Fooled by Reid’s Bearish Attitude

Former boxer turned Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) came out swinging Friday against online gambling legislation introduced by Congressman Peter King (R-New York).

“(It) basically authorizes everything – 21, poker, everything,” Reid said of King’s bill.

“I felt for several months now that I don’t see any movement on this,” Reid said. “I don’t see anything happening.”

But Reid can ill-afford to anger the casino sector in his home state, the majority of which want legalization at the federal level.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Jun/08/2013

Anthony Weiner Odds of Becoming Next New York City Mayor at 11-4

Anthony Weiner’s odds of being elected the next New York City Mayor are actually pretty good all things considered.  Opponent Christine Quinn is listed at 7-4 odds. 

PaddyPower.com, an Irish online bookmaker, has given Weiner odds of 11-4.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Jun/02/2013

Federal Online Poker Legislation: The Need for More GOP Involvement

Republican Congressmen Peter King (New York) and Joe Barton (Texas) are set to introduce bills legalizing online poker.  King’s bill is set to be introduced next week (first week of June 2013) while Barton will introduce a companion bill some time during the summer. 

Submitted by C Costigan on, Jun/01/2013

Piers Morgan to Wayne Root: ‘You Join NRA After 20 Children Are Blown to Pieces’ (Video)

Gambling911.com Special Contributor and 2008 Libertarian Vice Presidential candidate Wayne Root appeared on “Piers Morgan” Wednesday night to discuss gun control, the recent IRS scnadal and President Obama, among other things.

Root, as Morgan notes, signed up with the NRA immediately after the shootings at a primary school in Sandy Hook, Connecticut that left 27 dead, most of whom were small children.

Submitted by Payton on, May/30/2013

Massachusetts Officials Promise Full Review of MGM Resorts Plan

SPRINGFIELD — (Associated Press) - The chairman of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is promising full scrutiny of MGM Resorts' plan for an $800 million casino in Springfield.

Chairman Stephen P. Crosby told the Republicans that the gaming commission is looking at every area where MGM Resorts does business. Background investigations should be complete by the end of August or early September.

Submitted by Associated Press on, May/27/2013

Federal Internet Poker and Casino Bill Intro Pushed Back a Few Weeks

The introduction of a bill to legalize Internet poker and online casinos in the USA will not take place before the end of May but instead is anticipated within the next two to three weeks (June 2013).

“The Internet casino and poker bill will not be ready for introduction before congress adjourns for Memorial Day recess,” John Pappas of the Poker Players Alliance announced this week.  

Submitted by Nagesh Rath on, May/25/2013

Obama’s Choice of Ambassador to France has Ties to High Stakes Poker Bust, Mob

A recent New York City bust tied to illegal sports betting and high stakes poker games led to the indictment of a prominent art dealer, a so-called “Princess of Poker” and an individual said to be a major figure in Russian organized crime.  

Submitted by Ace King on, Apr/29/2013

Nevada Wants to Allow Betting on the US Presidential Race

A bill was introduced Monday that would allow betting on future US Presidential races in the state of Nevada.

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Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Mar/25/2013

$1 Million Taken in Pope Bets at Paddy Power

Ireland-based Paddy Power revealed on Wednesday that more than $1 million was bet on the next Pope and there is little doubt Paddy witnessed a miracle as very little of that money went towards Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, the new Pope.

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Bergoglio was listed at 33/1 odds at one point.

The Argentinean Cardinal was not considered among the frontrunners.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Mar/13/2013

New Pope Elected: Second Day Selection Payout Odds Were 2-1

White smoke followed by bells indicated only one thing in Vatican City Wednesday evening:  A new Pope has been chosen. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina has been named in a shocker as he was not among the frontrunners.  He was listed at 20/1 odds.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Mar/13/2013

Florida Lieutenant Governor Resigns Amidst Internet Cafe Gambling Probe

(Reuters) - Florida Lieutenant Governor Jennifer Carroll abruptly resigned because an Internet cafe company she once consulted for has been linked to illegal gambling, state officials said on Wednesday.

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Carroll sent a brief note to Governor Rick Scott on Tuesday tendering her resignation and saying, "It has been an honor to have served the State of Florida in this capacity."

Submitted by Reuters on, Mar/13/2013

Odilo Scherer Odds Shorten to Become Next Pope

Brazil Cardinal Odilo Scherer was now among the front runners to be named next Pope with odds of 4/1.  Angelo Scola or Italy remained the favorite at 5/2 at PaddyPower.com

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Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Mar/12/2013

Angelo Scola Favorite to be Named Next Pope

We’ll know when the smoke signal rises but for now Angelo Scola of Italy was the stand alone favorite to be named next Pope at Paddy Power.

Scola was coming in at 2/1 odds.

For some time, Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana had been favored along with Scola but his odds have gotten longer at 4/1.

Tarcisio Bertone was at 5/1 while Cardinal Odilo Scherer of Brazil was new to the front runners at 7/1 odds. 

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Mar/10/2013

Heavy Betting Action on Christoph Von Schonborn as Next Pope Says Sportsbook

While Angelo Scola has been made the new 2/1 favorite to be named next Pope at Sportsbook.com, the popular online gambling company has also reported that Christoph Von Schonborn is suddenly receiving substantial betting action.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Mar/06/2013

Illinois Governor Vetoes Gambling Expansion Legislation

CHICAGO —(Associated Press) -  Gov. Pat Quinn has vetoed a piece of old gambling legislation that would have added five new casinos and more slot machines.

This was lawmakers' 2011 attempt, but it didn't go to Quinn's desk until the end of session in January. Quinn had opposed the bill, saying it didn't contain enough ethical protections. He vetoed it today.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Mar/04/2013

Nigeria Cardinal Francis Arinze Odds to be Named Next Pope Improve

Nigeria could provide the next Pope with Cardinal Francis Arinze’s odds improving after moving towards between 7/1 and 9/1 at some books.  Now Arinze is back to 5/1 odds at BetOnline.  The Nigerian Cardinal initially opened at 9/2 odds.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Mar/03/2013

Next Pope Betting: Cardinals Turkson, Scola in Dead Heat, Bono at 1000-1

Ghana’s Cardinal Peter Turkson and Italy’s Cardinal Angelo Scola were both listed as 3/1 favorites to become the next Pope as the selection nears.  (Pope betting odds available at BetDSI.com here)
 

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Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Feb/28/2013

Peter Turkson, Marc Ouellet, Angelo Scola Co-Favorites to be Named Next Pope

Peter Turkson, the Cardinal of Ghana, Marc Ouellet of Canada and Angelo Scola of Italy are each favoured to be named the next Pope to succeed retiring Pope Benedict next month.

BetOnline

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Feb/20/2013

Federal Bill on Internet Poker Coming Within Few Weeks (Video)

Speaking on the Ralston Reports Tuesday night, outgoing American Gaming Association head Frank Fahrenkopf said that a bill to legalize online poker at the federal level is likely to be introduced in the House within the next few weeks (of February 19, 2013).

Submitted by C Costigan on, Feb/20/2013

Pope Betting Odds Released by Bookmaker: Country of Origin, Age

Bookmaker has gotten in on the next Pope betting odds, offering prices on his country of origin and age.  Gambling911.com can also, for the first time, get a glimpse of where the action is leaning.

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Submitted by Jordan Bach on, Feb/17/2013

Pope Madness 2013: Introducing the Pope Bracket

With Pope Benedict retiring, bets are being taken on who will be the next Pope.  And then there are Pope brackets.

An Iowa company has put together a bracket to keep track of all the possibilities. They have included the top 16 choices (based on Vegas odds).

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Feb/14/2013

Ex-San Diego Mayor $1 Billion in Gambling Losses

Former San Diego Mayor Maureen O’Connor took $2 million from a nonprofit foundation to feed a gambling addiction in which she lost more than $1 billion over an eight-year period, federal prosecutors said Thursday.

Submitted by Payton on, Feb/14/2013

Quebec Says ‘No’ to Pope Betting

The Canadian province of Quebec has laid down the law.  Loto-Quebec will not be permitted to take bets on who will become the next Pope.

BetOnline

And the next Pope could very well be Canadian. 

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Feb/13/2013

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