Gambling News
Crackdown on Michigan Charity Poker ‘Millionaire Parties’ Causes Backlash
LANSING, Michigan — (Associated Press) - Poker's rise in popularity has helped Michigan's charities and civic groups stay afloat at a time of dwindling donations from elsewhere.
And efforts to rein in a charitable gambling industry that has grown more than 20-fold in a decade are sparking backlash.
At stake is the future of "millionaire parties." The casino-style events allow nonprofits licensed to hold gambling events to split cash proceeds with unlicensed poker rooms that provide the space, dealers and supplies.
Legends Sports Money Transfer Point Person Pleads Guilty
A female employee of the now shuttered online sportsbook Legends Sports has plead guilty in a New York federal court to laundering $8 million.
Equity Poker Network Gears Up For Real-Money Gaming Launch
San Jose, Costa Rica - Following a successful beta-test phase of flagship online poker room, FullFlushPoker.com, the Equity Poker Network (“EPN”) has confirmed a November 8th launch of their real-money gaming options. EPN’s shift from free-play to full real-money gaming finally gives Operators a viable, profitable alternative, and provides players across the Network with a safe, secure and entertaining poker experience with prize money on the table.
Nevada Casino Winnings Up 7.4 Percent in September
CARSON CITY (AP) — Nevada casinos won $958.8 million from gamblers in September, representing a 7.4 percent increase over the same month last year due largely to big betting on baccarat and luck that favored the house, state regulators said Thursday.
MGM Resorts 3rd Quarter Loss Narrows
LOS ANGELES - (Reuters) - MGM Resorts International posted a narrower third-quarter loss on Thursday and was optimistic about a planned new casino in Massachusetts, although lower-than-expected margins at its Chinese and Las Vegas operations disappointed some analysts.
MGM's net loss slimmed to $31.9 million, or 7 cents a share, from $181.2 million, or 37 cents, a year earlier. Excluding items, analysts, on average, looked for a loss of 3 cents a share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.
Revenues rose 9.2 percent to $2.46 billion.
Borgata Sees 7 Percent Increase in 3rd Quarter Revenues
ATLANTIC CITY — (Associated Press) - Revenue at Atlantic City’s top casino increased by nearly 7 percent in the third quarter of this year.
The Borgata reported net revenue of more than $200 million, an increase of 6.9 percent.
Its earnings were up nearly 40 percent to $46.6 million due to better luck at table games.
The casino also increased its share of the Atlantic City casino market by three percentage points, to 21.4 percent.
Divorcing PartyGaming Founders Sell Stake in Gambling Firm Ahead of NJ Bid
Two of online gambling’s richest people are divorcing and will also be giving up their respective shares in bwin.party, the world’s largest digital gambling firm.
Caesars Entertainment Post Worse-Than-Expected 3rd Quarter Losses
LAS VEGAS (Associated Press) — Caesars Entertainment Corp. said Tuesday that its third-quarter loss expanded by more than 50 percent due to weakness in the U.S. gambling market and stiffer competition.
Casino revenue fell 7 percent because of fewer visitors to its properties in Atlantic City and other U.S. markets outside of Nevada. Caesars also lost revenue from selling part of its stake in a casino in Uruguay.
The company lost $761.4 million, or $6.03 per share, for the quarter that ended Sept. 30. A year earlier its loss was $505.5 million, or $4.03 per share.
Rats Could Provide Breakthrough for Curing Gambling Addiction
Gambling addiction could soon be cured thanks to our furry little friend, the rat.
IAA Issues Statement Regarding Lock Leaving Revolution Network
IAA has issued its own statement regarding Lock Poker leaving the Revolution network to start its own independent online poker site effective yesterday (Tuesday). Gambling911.com maintains a stellar relationship with both Cake Poker (partnered with IAA) and Lock Poker and hope both companies can move forward in their respective directions and prosper.
Both companies went to war this week.
IAA responded to Lock’s accusations against them featured on the Gambling911 website Tuesday:
Advocates Worry Over Veteran Gambling Addiction
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (Associated Press) — Advocates for gamblers struggling with their addictions are turning their attention to military veterans.
Counselors and other specialists told a Connecticut conference on Wednesday that helping veterans is difficult because few acknowledge they have a problem and seek help.
Second Hearing Planned for Florida Gambling
LAKELAND, FL (Associated Press) — Will the Sunshine State take a gamble on gaming?
Florida state senators are holding the second of four public hearings about the future of gambling in the Sunshine State.
More than 50 people have signed up to testify Wednesday during a meeting that will be held at the George Jenkins High School auditorium in Lakeland.
The Senate Gaming Committee will also hold hearings next month in Jacksonville and Pensacola.
FullFlushPoker.com Confirms November 8 Launch of Real Money Poker, Gaming
San Jose, Costa Rica – FullFlushPoker.com (“FFP”) is primed and ready to go live with full real-money gaming options on Friday, November 8th, when the new online poker room’s Cashier will be available for player deposits, and the FFP tables will finally open for much-anticipated ring games, buy-in tournaments, and sit n gos. (learn more about FlushFlushPoker.com here)
Delaware Ready to Go With Halloween Launch of Online Gambling
DOVER, Del. (Associated Press) — Delaware lottery officials are beginning real-stakes Internet gambling in Delaware with an element of secrecy.
State lottery director Vernon Kirk said Tuesday that officials will conduct a “soft launch” of online gambling on Thursday with a select group of preferred players.
He refused to say who those players are, how they were selected, or how many there are, saying state officials have decided to keep that information confidential
More Gambling High Rollers Paying Up as Economy Improves
(Associated Press) - How do you know the economy is coming back? High rollers are paying their gambling debts.
All four major U.S. casino corporations bumped up their allowances for bad debt during the recession, with one company estimating that fewer than half of outstanding debts would be repaid. Now, companies have lowered their estimates to pre-recession rates.
Lock Poker Customers Exposed to Automatic Download of Different Client
Following the termination by "Lock" of its contract with the Revolution Network earlier today it has come to Lock’s attention that players who attempt to log onto the Lock software are being redirected by the network to a page that contains false and misleading information and, rather than being presented with the new Lock 2.0 software, customers are subjected to an automatic download of competing poker software.
PokerStars Micromillions 6 Set for November With 100 Events and $5 Million
ONCHAN, Isle of Man – PokerStars today announced that the world’s most popular online poker series, MicroMillions, will return from November 14-24. The sixth series will have 100 events and $5 million in guaranteed prizes.
Cantor Gaming Claims Former Director Acted Alone: US Gov Investigation Ongoing
The New York Times on Tuesday unveiled a lengthy investigative piece into Cantor Gaming and the ongoing investigation into potential improprieties surrounding the firm.
Heartland Poker Tour Names Most Valuable Player: David Grandstaff
Heartland Poker Tour named its first-ever Most Valuable Player early Tuesday in the heart of the Heartland at Prairie Meadows Racetrack Casino Hotel in Altoona, Iowa. Local player David Grandstaff had it locked up with two wins in the series and a sixth-place finish. As the Main Event came to a close, only one player had enough points to potentially oust him. Chris Louviere would have to finish in first place to surpass Grandstaff and that seemed unlikely. As HPT viewers have come to expect, anything can happen.
Breaking News: Lock Poker Launches New Poker Platform, New Beginning
Lock is very excited to announce the launch of their own poker software platform. The new software features include HU Rematch, re-entry tournaments, timed tournaments, weighted contributed rake and a native Mac client.
Lock will continue to offer 36% rakeback through their rakeback partners as well as the current VIP program. All points, tournaments tickets and bonuses will be migrated to the customer’s new Lock account seamlessly. You can visit lockpoker.eu to download the new software.
Poker Player, Two-Time WSOP Bracelet Winner Frank Kassela to Run For Congress
Poker pro Frank Kassela has filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on Oct. 24 to run as a Democrat in the 3rd Congressional District that consists of Henderson and rural areas of southern Clark County, according to the Las Vegas Review Journal. Kassela was once a Republican, changing his party affiliation on October 22, primarily citing his frustration with the GOP’s handling of a government shutdown.
Neuberger Berman Investor Denied Details of Probe re 888 Holdings
A three-judge panel found that Benjamin Gamoran, a Neuberger Berman investor, is not entitled to see the full details of a probe the asset manager's board of directors performed into the late 2005 acquisitions of 888 Holdings PLC and Neteller PLC, according to Law360.com.
Police Officers Prevented From Accessing Porn, Gambling Sites 2500 Times
Police officers from Devon and Cornwall were prevented from accessing pornographic and gambling websites more than 2500 times over a three month period, an investigation revealed.
Police were found to be attempting to access porn sites 700 times and gambling sites 2000 times between the months of June and August but were blocked from doing so.
The police force claims that pop up ads on legitimate websites were to blame.
Mickey Mouse, Disney Caught Up in Florida Casino Scandal
Mickey Mouse and the rest of the Disney gang were red-faced this weekend after the New York Times outed the family theme park company for its apparent role in Florida gambling.
The Times reported that a portion of the profits derived from licensing Spider-Man and Iron Man slot games went right back in the pockets of Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The Walt Disney Company acquired the Marvel brand comics and associated branded characters for $4 billion in 2009.
And here is where the situation gets especially convoluted.
Steve Wynn Intensifies Disenchantment Over Massachusetts Gambling Policy
BOSTON (Associated Press) — Steve Wynn, the Las Vegas casino operator hoping to build a $1.2 billion gambling resort near the banks of the Mystic River in Everett, is criticizing the tough state regulations facing firms like his bidding for the right to build gambling facilities in Massachusetts.
He said any other business offering to create hundreds of jobs and spend billions of dollars would get a much warmer reception from state officials.
Adrian Mateos of Spain Wins 2013 World Series of Poker Europe Main Event
Adrian Mateos of Spain defeated a tough field of 375 and a tough final table to claim the title of WSOP Europe Main Event Champion along with the gold bracelet and a €1 million payday.
Casino Billionaire, GOP Donor Sheldon Adelson Wants Nuke Attack on Iran
Aging Las Vegas casino billionaire and one of the biggest donors to the Republican party, Sheldon Adelson, wants to bomb Iran….with a nuclear weapon no less.
This comes at a time when Iran and the US have entered into one-on-one diplomatic talks for the first time in more than 30 years.
But don’t tell that to Adelson.
Viktor Blom Puts $100k on the Line to Test Himself Against Full Tilt Poker Players
Get freeroll tickets for the chance to face-off against a poker superstar during Blom 100
Onchan, Isle of Man –As Blom 100 kicks off today, 100 Full Tilt Poker players are set to find out if they have what it takes to beat the legendary Viktor “Isildur1” Blom.
Payday Loans Scrutinized in US, UK: Fuel Footballers Gambling Addictions
Federal regulators need to stop banks and payment processors from helping internet and tribal payday lenders collect illegal payments, consumer and civil rights groups urged today. That was the plea issued by the nonprofits National Consumer Law Center, The Center for Responsible Lending and The Consumer Federation of America.
Wynn Not Happy With Massachusetts Casino Licensing Process Either
Steven Wynn, the billionaire founder of Wynn Resorts, expressed disappointment with Caesars Entertainment Corporation’s decision to pull out of a Boston, Massachusetts casino project.
Caesars cited an excruciating licensing process that included mulling over a now-settled dispute with a high-roller over millions in gambling debts and questions regarding the company’s current head of its interactive division who once worked for one of the world’s largest online poker firms.
Wynn himself is pursuing a casino in nearby Everett, Massachusetts.
