Gambling News

Gambling911.com Marketing: NBA Betting Search Picks Up Steam

While poker and gambling news dominated Thursday’s readership traffic at Gambling911.com, the NBA Playoffs are fast approaching and G911 is revving up its coverage with some decent results already starting to trickle in. 

[For industry professionals, be sure to check out our Marketing section regularly here and if you wish to contact us, please do so here.  We are available 24/7.]

Submitted by Payton on, Apr/18/2013

2013 Berlin Cup Attracts 638 Poker Players

There were 638 players for Day 1b of the €1,100 Berlin Cup today which combined with yesterday's 273-strong Day 1a field, means 911 players in total, creating a €883,670 prize pool with €180,000 for first. 112 places paid.

Nearly half the players (435 / 48%) came from Germany - more than ten times the number from the next biggest country Russia, which has 5% of the field with 43 players. It's the first time the Berlin Cup has ever been held and the €883,670 prize pool far exceeds the €500,000 guarantee.

Submitted by Press Release on, Apr/18/2013

Producer of Showtime’s ‘Ray Donovan’ Denies Wrongdoing in FBI Poker Sting

Bryan Zuriff, an Executive Producer for the upcoming Showtime drama “Ray Donovan” has denied any wrongdoing in connection to an FBI probe of high stake poker games and sports betting with ties to the Russian Mafia.

Submitted by Ace King on, Apr/18/2013

Probability Plc Looks at Potential US Online Gambling Alliances

(Reuters) - UK-based Probability Plc, a maker of gambling games for mobile phones, is in advanced talks with potential U.S. partners to break into the American online gaming market as several states relax betting restrictions.

The legalization of online gambling in New Jersey this year, following similar legislation by Nevada and Delaware last year is expected to persuade other states to change their laws.

Submitted by Reuters on, Apr/18/2013

Macau Poker Cup 2013 Schedule: PokerStars LIVE at the City of Dreams Will Host

The Macau Poker Cup 2013 schedule features events that kick off April 17 and run through April 28.  The event itself will be hosted at the newly branded PokerStars LIVE at the City of Dreams in Macau.

Stars has moved from their temporary home in the Grand Waldo Entertainment Complex. 

One of the most highly anticipated events taking place during the Macau Poker Cup is the $HK$11,000 Macau Poker Cup: Red Dragon Main Event, which last year featured the largest number of entries for any tournament held in Asia to date.  It includes a $5 million guaranteed prize pool.

Submitted by Ace King on, Apr/18/2013

Massachusetts Online Gambling Bill Would Not Allow PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker

A measure to legalize online gambling in the state of Massachusetts includes a provision that would prevent wagering firms that engaged US citizens post 2006 prohibition from obtaining a gaming license. 

Among those companies that continued to accept business from Americans up until April 2011, PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker would be excluded under such a provision.  It should be noted that New Jersey and Illinois both contained similar language in their own Internet gambling legislation only to remove such a provision later on in the process. 

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Apr/18/2013

Baccarat Accounts for 91 Percent of Macau Revenue

Baccarat has accounted for 91 percent of Macau’s gross revenue numbers and 67 percent of its gross income of 57.815 billion, according to the Gaming Inspecition and Coordination Bureau.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Apr/18/2013

Insurance Broker Used $1.9 Million of Clients Funds to Gamble Online

An insurance broker from Prudential has been indicted, charged with allegedly bilking his insurance clients out of over $1.9 million and using those funds to gamble online.

The indictment alleges that Daniel J. Trolaro, 34, unlawfully used the funds of nine clients to place wagers via the Internet from June 2008 through February of this year while employed at Prudential in East Hanover, New Jersey. 

Trolaro will not be arrested, however, he must appear before a judge in Morris County in the coming weeks. 

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Apr/18/2013

Full Cash Games Confirmed at European Poker Tour Grand Final

Edgar Stuchly, President of the European Poker Tour, has confirmed a full slate of cash games at this year’s EPT Grand Final (2013)….. 

Today I’m happy to confirm that this year’s PokerStars and Monte-Carlo®Casino European Poker Tour Grand Final will be the largest festival of cash games in the tour’s history.

Yes, cash games.

Submitted by Press Release on, Apr/18/2013

It’s Official: PokerStars Applies for NJ License to Operate Atlantic Club Casino

While news broke earlier in the year that the world’s largest real money online poker room was in talks to acquire the Atlantic Club Casino and Hotel in Atlantic City, PokerStars had not yet filed for the necessary licensing application with New Jersey’s Gaming Commission.

The company filed the application last week and will now undergo a 90-day review.  Most industry experts believe PokerStars will ultimately be permitted to operate in the state. 

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Apr/18/2013

Ohio AG Unit Raids Internet Cafes Over Illegal Gambling

COLUMBUS – (Associated Press) - Early Wednesday afternoon, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timothy J. McGinty were in Euclid and announced the execution of six search warrants on six separate internet cafes that are currently open and operating illegally in Cuyahoga County.

Three are owned by VS2 Software, the company that supplies the Video Lottery Terminals.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Apr/17/2013

Frederic Vacher Leads After Day 1a of First Ever Berlin Cup

French player Frederic Vacher is chip leader with 239,200 at the end of Day 1a of the first ever Berlin Cup. There are 85 players remaining from the 273 who started at noon. The €1,100 tourney has a guaranteed prize pool of €500,000. Today's survivors include Team Pro Jan Heitmann, Connor Drinan, Petr Jelinek, ************************, Yury Gulyy, Michael Tureniec and Thomas Mühlöcker. Updates are on www.pokerstarsblog.de (in German).

Submitted by Press Release on, Apr/17/2013

Poker Maximus V to Feature $2 Million in Guaranteed Prizes

Poker Maximus is back and bigger than ever! This time featuring over $2,000,000 in guaranteed prizes!

CarbonPoker is excited to announce we are running our fifth tournament series this year with the launch of Poker Maximus V. The last 4 Poker Maximus tournament series were so successful that players have been clamoring for the next installment.

Submitted by Press Release on, Apr/17/2013

Online Jackpot Games to Offer $2 Million at Cake Poker: Upgrades Blackjack

Popular online gaming site, Cake Poker (CakePoker.eu) has launched Jackpot Games, a selection of cash and Gold Chip buy-in casino and entertaining games that offer wins of up to $2 Million. In addition, Cake has launched an upgraded version of their BlackJack games with new, advanced features including auto play, speed settings and the inclusion of strategy tips.

Submitted by Press Release on, Apr/17/2013

Legends Sports to Shut Down: Will Transfer Accounts to Other Book

Exactly one week after indictments were handed down against 34 individuals tied to Panama-based Legends Sports, that long established sportsbook has made the decision to shut down.

Legends alerted customers via email that they were in talks with another top online sportsbook to have all accounts transferred.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Apr/17/2013

Majestic Star Casino in Gary to Host Heartland Poker Tour in August

Gary, IN –Heartland Poker Tour (HPT), one of the longest-running televised poker tours in the United States, announced today its upcoming return to Majestic Star Casino & Hotel this summer, August 9th-19th.  Majestic Star, located just 25 minutes outside of Chicago in Gary, IN, has been one of HPT’s most popular stops, hosting the tour each year  since its second season in 2006. 

Submitted by Press Release on, Apr/17/2013

PokerStars SCOOP 2013 Schedule Released: Will be Richest Online Poker Festival

ONCHAN, ISLE OF MAN –PokerStars today released the official schedule for the 2013 Spring Championship of Online Poker, which takes place from May 12-26 and features 44 events (132 tournaments) spread across low, medium and high stakes levels, making it the largest poker festival ever held.

Submitted by Press Release on, Apr/17/2013

Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open Will Feature $10 Million Guarantee

The Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, Florida, has announced it will be hosting a $10 million guarantee poker tournament this Aug. 22-29.  The Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open will be one of the largest guarantees of the year and is certain to draw big name players from around the globe.  Gambling911.com, with headquarters nearby, will be in attendance.

Submitted by Ace King on, Apr/17/2013

NJ Men Arrested for Running Illegal Poker Games Tied to Russian Mob

Yugheshwar Rajkumar of Bergen County, New Jersey, has been taken into custody for his alleged role in running high stakes poker games tied to Russian organized crime. 

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The games were attended by Hollywood celebrities, athletes and high powered Wall Street executives, according to an indictment handed down on Tuesday.  

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Apr/17/2013

Youth Brutally Murdered for Protesting Gambling Racket: Genitals Cut

An Indian youth was brutally murdered for his role in protesting a gambling racket.

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The body of 20-year-old Subho Dhaki was found Tuesday morning at Shibtala in Dhulagarh, Howrah, under Sankrail police station.  His genitals had been cut and placed in his pocket.  Dhaki’s throat was also slashed.

The victim had protested gambling activity near his home at the Dhulagarh Market.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Apr/16/2013

Spiros ‘The Greek’ Athanas Released on $1 Million Bond

One of online sports betting’s most legendary bookmakers, Spiros “The Greek” Athanas, has been released on $1 million bond according to court documents.

Athanas, one of 34 charged last Wednesday in connection to his alleged role in a multi-billion dollar sports betting ring, turned himself in two days later.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Apr/16/2013

FBI Names Poker Hostess Molly Bloom, Others in Massive Gambling Ring Raid

Feds released the names of poker players connected to an investigation into a Russian organized crime ring that held high stakes poker games.

FBI agents arrested several people Tuesday in New York, Los Angeles, Miami and elsewhere as part of the investigation.  Federal agents also searched a Madison Avenue art gallery located within the prestigious Carlyle Hotel.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Apr/16/2013

NY’s Carlyle Hotel Raided in High Stakes Poker Probe With Mafia, Art Ties

A section of New York’s ritzy Carlyle Hotel was raided on early Tuesday in connection to an international multi-billion dollar gambling investigation with alleged ties to the Russian Mafia.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Apr/16/2013

Online Poker Phenom Isildur1 Closes in on $2 Million in Just Over Week

One of online poker’s most famous young players, Viktor “Isildur” Blom, has won over $1.5 million in just over a week.

Following last week’s $1 million in winnings, Isildur1 took in another $548.1 million yesterday playing against another notable online poker, Tom “Durrrr” Dwan.

Blom had sought sweet revenge for a defeat Sunday at the hands of Dwan.

HighStakesDB.com highlighted one of the biggest pots of the day:

Submitted by Ace King on, Apr/16/2013

Vegas Refunds Celtics-Pacers Season Win Total Bets

In light of Monday’s tragic terrorist bombings at the Boston Marathon, Las Vegas sportsbooks have decided to refund all Celtics/Pacers season win total bets, according to Randy J. Bell of Pregame.com.  It was not immediately clear if online sportsbooks would follow suit.

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Submitted by Tyrone Black on, Apr/16/2013

Free-to-Play Online Poker Network Zen Entertainment Acquired

A Swedish gaming company has purchased the troubled free-to-play online poker network Zen Entertainment.

NYX Gaming Group has completed the acquisition according to Gaming Intelligence Report.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Apr/16/2013

Gambling911.com Marketing: Bitar, Bitcoins and Legends Continue to Dominate

Gambling911.com continued to receive plenty of readership traffic April 15 for the latest news on Full Tilt Poker former head Ray Bitar, updates on last week’s Legends Sports bust in the United States and our extensive coverage on Bitcoin’s crazy rollercoaster ride.

[For industry professionals, be sure to check out our Marketing section regularly here and if you wish to contact us, please do so here.  We are available 24/7.]

Submitted by Payton on, Apr/15/2013

Legends Sports ‘Bookie’ to Remain Behind Bars: Deemed a ‘Fight Risk’

While three of four individuals arrested in Florida for their role in a massive multi billion dollar sports betting ring have been released on bond, one will remain behind bars.

Prosecutors claim Philip Gurian, 51, acted as a “bookie” out of his Boca Raton home on behalf of Panama-based Legends Sports.  The Sun-Sentinel reported Monday evening that Gurian had employees working for him in 10 different states and 6 countries.  He is charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering. 

Submitted by C Costigan on, Apr/15/2013

Ladbrokes Shares Plunge: Profit Warning Issued

LONDON (Reuters) - Ladbrokes , Britain's second largest bookmaker, warned investors it expected annual operating profit to fall this year after a poor performance from horse racing and online gaming in the first quarter.

Ladbrokes shares fell eight percent after the unscheduled trading statement, which dashed expectations that the company was turning itself around after problems with its online operations last year.

Submitted by Reuters on, Apr/15/2013

Daniel Negreanu Wins 2013 WSOP APAC and 5th Bracelet

Big name poker pro Daniel Negreanu has won the 2013 World Series of Poker APAC and his 5th gold bracelet.

It has taken Negreanu five long years to win his most recent bracelet.  In doing so he managed to take down 405 other players and win AUD$1,038,825.

The Toronto, Canada native sits among the biggest money earners on the live poker circuit of all time, winning just over $17.5 million in his career.

Submitted by Patrick Flanigan on, Apr/15/2013

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