Gambling News
UBS Rogue Trader Labeled as ‘Naked Gambler’
(Reuters) - Former UBS trader Kweku Adoboli put the Swiss bank's survival at risk through naked gambling that risked up to $12 billion, cooking the books and lying to his bosses until his "pyramid of fraud" collapsed, a British court heard on Friday.
Adoboli, 32, is on trial by jury in London accused of fraud and false accounting that in the end cost UBS $2.3 billion. He has pleaded not guilty.
Phil Hellmuth Auctions Off Prize - Himself
Poker pro Phil "Poker Brat" Hellmuth Jr. recently held an auction to auction off a very valuable prize.
The prize was--Phil Hellmuth!
Yes, in what could be a new low in egomaniacal behavior by a poker player, even a self-styled publicity-seeking "brat," Hellmuth has auctioned off himself!
And what value does the "Poker Brat" assess to a night of his company?
How does $25,000 strike you?
All can be forgiven in this case, however, because Hellmuth did it for charity.
So what was the prize exactly?
Poker Pro David Benyamine Now on Board with International Stadiums Poker Tour
The Groupe Bernard Tapie funded International Stadiums Poker Tour has brought on yet another powerful spokesperson in the form of David Benyamine.
The event, slated to begin next May, is forecast to bring in some 30,000 players from around the globe who will play from the stands online. The field will then dwindle down to a specified number who will play live. To date, only 3337 players have registered, a mere fraction of the 30,000 goal.
Full Tilt Poker Set to Re-Launch November 6
Full Tilt Poker has begun verifying the authenticity of customer accounts as it prepares for a re-launch on November 6.
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.
Poker Maximus II – Day 7 Recap
Day 7 of the Poker Maximus II event had three more great events take place and the first HORSE tournament was played. Three more talented poker players came away with titles and here’s how it happened: Learn More About Poker Maximus Here
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.
Prairie Meadow New Home to Heartland Poker Tour
Heartland Poker Tour (HPT), a major nationally-syndicated television show available on in over 100 million homes, will film two episodes of season eight at Prairie Meadows. The tournament will take place from October 12 through October 21, and will attract poker players from across the region and beyond.
The tournament has drawn 2004 World Series of Poker Main Event Champion Greg Raymer (“Fossilman”), and Lon McEachern, the renowned play-by-play official commentator for ESPN’s World Series of Poker.
British Poker Pro Sam Trickett Keeps Winning Big
The wins keep on coming for British poker pro Sam Trickett.
This time Trickett cashed out at the high stakes tables online at the PokerStars.com $200/$400 PLO tables, where he added another $259,000 to his massive 2012 winnings.
On the live circuit, Trickett is approximately $100,000 under Phil Ivey to take over the number two spot of all time biggest poker earners.
Atlantic City Sees Rare ‘Up’ Month for Revenues in August
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Associated Press) — Free from having to deal with hurricanes this year, Atlantic City's casinos saw their revenues increase by 12.6 percent in August — a rare "up" month for a resort still reeling from competition all around it.
The city's casinos took in nearly $314 million from gamblers in August, marking just the second monthly increase in four years.
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.
Revolution Gaming Network, Lock Poker Down Time Scheduled
There will be scheduled downtime for maintenance on the Revolution Gaming Network that includes Lock Poker and Cake Poker.
This process should take place between the hours of 6 am EDT and 7 am EDT Thursday September 13, 2012. Occasionally, these procedures go beyond the scheduled time period so Gambling911.com readers who play on either website should be aware of this and what effect.
Hard Rock Scraps Atlantic City Plans
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Associated Press) — A group has scrapped a plan to build a smaller "boutique" casino that would have been run by the Seminole Indians through their Hard Rock franchise on the Atlantic City Boardwalk.
AC Gateway LLC tells The Associated Press it is not proceeding with a casino-hotel that could have included a musical history museum with items from when the Beatles and Rolling Stones separately played Atlantic City.
Online Poker The Single Most Important Issue Since Yucca Mountain Says Reid
In a sharply worded letter to Republican Senator Dean Heller on Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid asserted that his colleague was avoiding the issue of legalizing online poker in their home state of Nevada, calling it “the most important issue facing Nevada since Yucca Mountain."
Reid was making reference to a planned deep geological repository storage facility that would have been located in the Yucca Mountain of south-central Nevada. That project would eventually be scrapped in 2010.
Poker Maximus II – Day 6 Recap
Three more great No Limit Hold’em events took place on Day 6 of the Poker Maximus II series as over $115,000 in guaranteed prize money was up for grabs. Learn More About Poker Maximus II Here
Poker Hall of Fame 10 Finalists Announced
10 finalists have been announced for this year’s Poker Hall of Fame.
They are:
Scotty Nguyen – One of the more lovable characters in the game of poker, Scotty won the t1998 World Series of Poker Main Event. His record includes $11.6 million in career earnings, 19 World Series of Poker and 8 WPT final table appearances along with a total of five WSOP bracelets won.
Thor Hansen – Norwegian poker pro who has cashed in more than 175 live tournaments since starting in the late 1980’s.
Greece to Privatize Prized Gambling Monopoly as Means to Appease Lenders
(Reuters) – Greece outlined a plan to sell one of its most profitable state-controlled companies, gambling monopoly OPAP, reviving a stalled privatisation drive to appease international lenders.
Inspectors from the troika of European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund lenders are in Athens on a crucial visit that will determine whether the country gets further aid under its latest bailout programme.
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.
What The US Government Alleges Howard Lederer Did With The Full Tilt Poker Player Funds
Distributions to Full Tilt Owners, Including the FTP Insiders 124: Rather than protect player funds as promised, Full Tilt Poker distributed hundreds of millions of dollars to its owners. Beginning in April 2007 and continuing through April 2011, Tiltware LLC’s Board of Directors, to wit, the FTP Insider Defendants, authorized the distribution of approximately $443,860,530 to the owners of Tiltware LLC, including themselves, further promoting and facilitating the ongoing illegal operation of Full Tilt Poker during this time period.
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.
IGT, Entraction Scales Back on Internet Poker: Skins Left Homeless
Citing diminished returns, International Gaming Technologies (IGT), has opted to scale back on its Web poker business. Those online card rooms operating on the network were informed of this decision earlier in the week.
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.
Harry Reid Doubles Down on Calling Out Republican Dean Heller Re: Online Poker Bill
Harry Reid on Tuesday blasted Nevada Republican Senator Dean Heller for failing to help pass through online poker legislation that would help create hundreds of new jobs and millions of dollars in added revenue in the Silver State.
While Nevada has already passed a measure legalizing Internet poker within that state’s borders, operators will be unable to capitalize on “real money” players from outside the state until federal legislation is passed.
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
Poker Maximus II – Day 5 Recap
The Poker Maximus II Tournament series is just about halfway over now as Monday’s action saw Events 14 through 16 crown winners. With three tournaments a day for the rest of the week and four on Sunday (the final day) there are still plenty of opportunities for you to get out there and take home your own big payday. Learn More About Poker Maximus Here
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!
Nevada Online Poker Applicant to Sell Lottery Tickets to Zynga
Scientific Games has announced a partnership with the world’s largest “free play” online poker venture, Zynga, whereby it will sell lottery tickets to the popular social gaming firm’s 320 million monthly customers, including poker players.
Steven M. Saferin, President of the company’s properties group and chief creative officer, stated during the World Lottery Summit in Montreal last week that “Zynga players could win instant tickets for cash or virtual goods.”
Obama 60 Percent Chance of Being Re-Elected Says Betting Exchange
The online wagering exchange intrade.com has US President Barack Obama being re-elected with 60 percent backing.
Obama received a 6 percent bounce in polls following last week’s Democratic Convention.
