Gambling News
Zynga Distances Itself From Facebook
The popular free online poker and gaming site Zynga has announced it is diversifying its business beyond Facebook with a focus on its own Web platform.
The move makes sense. Facebook currently takes a 30 percent cut of Zynga’s business.
Zynga chief executive Mark Pincus said of the company’s new direct-to-consumer strategy, called Zynga Direct, that it will allow “a direct relationship with consumers… where we can give you a whole sandbox and create socialness around the games.”
Four new games will debut as part of the new platform, including bingo.
Black This Out Ron Paul Money Bomb October 19
With Ron Paul running for US President once again, the fine folks assisting with his campaign and various grass roots efforts will be working with Gambling911.com to deliver all the latest news.
Ron Paul, the long time Republican Congressman from Texas, has given a number of interviews to Gambling911.com. While not an active supporter of gambling per se, Dr. Paul is very much in favor of legalized online poker as a right of US citizens and has actually co-sponsored bills in the past along with Democrat Barney Frank.
Up, Up and Away: Merge, Lock Poker Begin Accepting New Customers Worldwide
America’s Card Room Online Super Series Will Look to Mimic PokerStars
Exciting news this week as America’s Card Room announced its acquisition of DoylesRoom and the newly formed Online Super Series.
“This is going to be like PokerStars World Series of Online Poker,” a representative for America’s Card Room told Gambling911.com, which was the first to break the news regarding the acquisition on Monday.
“Obviously it will be at a much smaller level,” the rep added, noting that PokerStars is a much more massive operation.
Merge Poker to Begin Accepting New US Players Again Tonight?
PokerUpdate.com is reporting that the Merge Poker Network will once again start accepting new players from the US with the exception of certain states such as New York and Maryland as early as Midnight October 12.
The site claims to have sources close to the company who confirmed the time while noting that “some details are still unconfirmed”. Gambling911.com has not independently confirmed these details.
Everleaf Poker Peak Traffic Rises in October
With 126 online poker skins associated with the network, the most in online poker today, Everleaf should be among the top 10 networks in terms of overall traffic. It is not.
Everleaf just happens to be one of the only US-facing Internet poker rooms.
That said, PokerScout.com observed a fairly significant increase in peak traffic during the month of October compared to previous months.
Alderney Commission to Hold a Review on What Went Wrong With Full Tilt Poker
The Alderney Gambling Control Commission has egg on its face following the collapse of what was the world’s second largest online poker room, Full Tilt Poker.
The AGCC was forced to revoke FTP’s license late last month after admitting the company did not have sufficient funds in reserve.
The Alderney Gambling Control Commission says it will hold a review following the Full Tilt Poker scandal, according to a BBC report.
CalShark.com Online Poker in California Goes Live
CalShark.com, the first online poker website based out of California, has just gone live with its beta testing (see site here).
The site is affiliated with California’s leading Tribal casinos and card rooms. The site claims to be for instructional and entertainment purposes only, but does offer virtual prizes at the current time.
Marco Rubio as Vice-President: A Bad Bet for All Concerned
Regardless of who wins the Republican nomination for President of the United States, the most talked about name for Vice-President on the G.O.P. ticket is Florida Senator Marco Rubio.
Rubio, 40, from suburban Miami, started his political career as a local legislator, serving as a Miami City Commissioner.
He then moved up to the state legislature, serving as a member of the Florida House of Representatives and eventually rising to the post of Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives.
In 2010 he was elected to the U.S. Senate.
New Chief Minister of the Isle of Man for Online Gambling Revealed
FORMER Treasury and Economic Development Minister Allan Bell has been appointed as the new Chief Minister of the Isle of Man today (Tuesday October 11, 2011).
The Ramsey MHK was elected to the position by Tynwald, the Island’s parliament, of which he has been a member for 27 years. He takes over as leader of the Manx Government from Tony Brown, who has retired from politics after a long and distinguished career.
Alderney Gambling Control Commission Talks Full Tilt Poker With J Todd (Video)
J. Todd of Perspectives Weekly was on hand at the Global Gaming Expo this past week where he managed to grab an interview with Andre Wilsenach, the CEO of Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC). The AGCC last week revoked Full Tilt Poker’s license.
53 Percent of California Residents Would Vote for Legalized Online Poker
A poll conducted last month revealed that 53 percent of California voters would side with legalizing online poker. The state legislators were forced to can a vote on legalizing the activity after it was determined there would not be enough time on the current year calendar for a vote.
State Sen. Lou Correa, who sponsored the legislation, explained the benefits of having California as a hub for Internet poker.
"In terms of the revenue potential for California, it could be explosive. What we need to do now is cut a deal."
- Ace King, Gambling911.com
Another Big Parlay Payout at BetDSI.com
The popular online sportsbook BetDSI.com has confirmed to Gambling911.com that it has paid out yet another massive parlay (ticket can be seen below).
“We had another big winner this past weekend as a guy hit a 12 team parlay risking $150 to win $150,000,” a BetDSI.com representative informed G911.
Ladbrokes Ends Acquisition Talks With Sportingbet
Ladbrokes and Sportingbet announced on Monday the two gambling firms have terminated merger talks as part of a mutual agreement.
A statement from Sportingbet on Monday said: “The boards of Sportingbet and Ladbrokes agreed to end discussions as the parties were unable to agree either a suitable structure or one that delivered sufficient value to shareholders in a meaningful time frame.”
ESPN Magazine Asks: How Often Do You Hear About Betting Odds?
ESPN Magazine had a great little piece about how often folks from various sports sectors hear about betting odds and point spreads mentioned.
On a scale of 1 to 10, the respondents in the poker, NFL, NBA and International football (soccer) claimed to hear about the point spreads most often.
Poker pro Vanessa Rousso: “It’s our culture. Women are always underestimated and I get motivated when I see I’m at 75-1 (odds) in a field of 64 (to win the World Series of Poker)”.
Daniel Tzvetkoff to be Star Witness in Full Tilt Poker, PokerStars Trial
Australian entrepreneur Daniel Tzvetkoff will act as a star witness in the trial of 10 men charged in connection with the operation of three giants in the online poker sector – Full Tilt Poker, PokerStars and Absolute Poker.
MGM CEO: “Time has Come for Legalized Online Poker”
MGM CEO Jim Murren on Wednesday delivered the key note address at this year’s Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas. As part of his address, Murren urged Congress to legalize Internet poker, predicting it would help, not hurt, the US economy.
“We feel the time for talking is over and that the time for action is right now,” Murren told attendees.
Full Tilt Poker Faces Another Law Suit
Yet another lawsuit has been filed against Full Tilt Poker, this one by Cardroom International.
A statement was issued by the company:
Revealed: Lock Poker Puts Its Pros Up In French Castle
Lock Poker pros from throughout Europe and North America had something to be excited about this week as they were treated to exclusive use of a centuries old French castle just outside of Lyon.
“There are going to be many more of these events upcoming,” Lock CEO Jennifer Larson told the nearly 50 guests in attendance. “We are all a family and you are all going to get a taste of the Lock treatment.”
The Gambling911.com crew was also invited to stay at the fabulous Chateau de Bagnols castle.
Michael Gaughan Online Poker Site Approved by Nevada Gaming Board
The highly anticipated debut of the South Point Hotel and Casino online poker site comes with the blessing of the Nevada Gaming Board.
SouthPointPoker.com, a website developed by our good friends at Level Media, entered the play-for-fun-while-we-wait-for-legislation-in-the-US market on Wednesday.
Michael Gaughan’s property in the first US-based casino operation to open an Internet poker room in the US.
Lock Poker Retreat Comes to a Close
The highly anticipated Lock Poker retreat has completed with everyone leaving Thursday morning. Gambling911.com will not discuss details of this incredible event until after everyone has departed.
Some of us at Gambling911.com closed the party Wednesday night with a little dancing but Wednesday was a fun-filled day, which began with a hot air balloon flight followed by a horse and carriage excursion followed by a wine tasting at two different vineyards (7 taste tests) then an amazing dinner and dancing. We were all up by 6:30 am and most of us went to bed by 3 am.
G911 Exclusive: A Sneak Peak at the South Point Casino New Online Poker Room
The very first Las Vegas casino to launch its own online poker room is South Point Casino and that takes place later on Thursday (October 5, 2011). However, Gambling911.com has been provided with an exclusive look at the new site here.
Level Media was the agency selected by South Point to build the new online poker room. It is now live.
South Point Poker will offer a play-for-free registration online poker platform in anticipation of legalization within the USA.
Lock Poker is Full of Hot Air….Literally!
Today, Gambling911.com and the Lock Poker pros woke up at the crack of dawn. Well actually it wasn’t quite dawn and many of us had not yet fallen asleep.
Tuesday evening’s sunset hot air balloon flights were postponed until the early AM on Wednesday due to high winds in the region. So basically, the late Tuesday night dinner, drinking and poker-for-fun event ran right into the hot air balloon flights. Hence, there were a few drunkards taking flight in the early AM hours.
PartyPoker Builds Strong Margin Between It and iPoker Network
The battle over number two has been won by PartyPoker for the time being as it builds a solid 500 player lead over its closest competitor iPoker. The two online poker sites have been battling to be the second largest ever since Full Tilt Poker was shut down on June 29.
Throughout much of last month, iPoker had occupied the number two spot. In recent weeks, Party has taken over and it now has since build the largest margin between it and the iPoker Network since the FTP closure.
Situation Looking Bleak Again for Those Owed by Full Tilt Poker
Hopes appear to be dashed that French investors Bernard and Laurent Tapie can save shuttered online poker room Full Tilt Poker, at least where payment to customers is concerned.
Defense Attorneys for Man Named in Full Tilt Poker Case Say Poker is not Gambling
The defense attorneys for a Utah banker and businessman indicted as part of a probe into the online poker firm Full Tilt Poker are trying to convince a federal judge that playing poker on the Web is not a form of gambling.
Lawyers filed their arguments in a Manhattan federal court on Friday and Monday in hopes of having charges against their clients John Campos and Chad Elie dismissed.
Betfair Scandal: Critical Credit Card Hacking Data Withheld From Players
The world’s largest betting exchange, Betfair, has found itself in the middle of a major scandal that resulted in the firm’s Head of Security stepping down.
More than three million customers were affected by a massive credit card hacking scheme. The company made the situation worse by failing to advise customers. The hacking incident in question occurred over 18 months ago.
