Gambling News
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.
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.
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.]
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.
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.
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.
PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker Would be Permitted to Offer Online Poker in Illinois
Illinois is pushing to legalize online poker as part of a gambling expansion bill. On Monday it was revealed that both PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker would be permitted to apply for licensing in the state. The two companies were named in a 2011 indictment.
Full Tilt Poker Founder Ray Bitar Sentenced to Time Served
Full Tilt Poker founder Ray Bitar plead guilty last week to operating an illegal online poker company.
Bitar who is awaiting a heart transplant and only has 6 months to a year to live without one, will not be serving any prison time. The former Full Tilt Poker head was sentenced to time served exactly two years to the day he was indicted.
Private Equity Group Sports Betting Bill SB346 Advances in Nevada Senate
A bill to allow private equity groups to place large bets at Nevada sportsbooks has advanced in the state Senate with the Judiciary Committee amending and approving Senate Bill 346 this past Friday.
Guns, Online Gambling Ensure Bitcoin Staying Power
As long as online gambling remains on the fringe of legality in nations across the globe, Bitcoin should emerge as a viable alternative currency for the industry as more operators come to embrace it.
And then there are guns.
With US efforts to curb gun sales through expansion of background checks, Bitcoin suddenly becomes more attractive to gun sellers and buyers.
Formula One Group Looks to Acquire Online Betting Exchange Betfair
A private equity firm that owns Formula One motor racing is looking into the possible purchase of Europe’s largest betting exchange, Betfair.
CVC Capital Partners confirmed on Monday it was in talks with investors about the possibility of a joint offer for the wagering firm, said to be worth around £800 million.
‘Straight Flush’ Book Details Absolute Poker: Excludes Cheating Scandal
“Straight Flush”, a story of how Montana college frat brothers launched one of the biggest online poker rooms, Absolute Poker, is available for pre-order now.
The book won’t be on shelves until May 28.
Author Ben Mizrich reportedly omits any information pertaining to an insider cheating scandal that would eventually be featured in a segment on the CBS news magazine “60 Minutes”. Mizrich instead opts to focus on how the once financially strapped college students began earning around a million dollars a day after developing their Web card room.
B3W Group to Fix Security Flaw in Online Poker Software
B3W Group, based out of Malta, has announced it plans this week to fix a vulnerability recently discovered by two security experts. The company produces turnkey online casino and poker solutions.
B3W's software updates itself over an insecure HTTP connection. Updated files are stored without digital signatures, and ".exe" files are not verified before installation. They also found issues with how B3W's software stores passwords on a person's computer.
Sam Trickett and Team Europe Win WSOP Asia Pacific Caesars Cup
The greats of poker from three continents went up against one another down under at the 2013 Caesars Cup. Ultimately, Sam Trickett’s Team Europe came up victorious.
The event took place at the World Series of Poker Asia Pacific in Melbourne, Australia.
Trickett’s team consisted of fellow Europeans Marvin Rettenmaier, Phil Gruissem, Dominik Nitsche, Sam Holden.
Online Poker Attorney Jeff Ifrah Sued by Client: Claims He Cooperated With Feds
A big name attorney for the online poker and gambling industry, Jeff Ifrah, is being sued by one of his own clients for allegedly withholding information.
Daniel Negreanu, Antonio Esfandiari Among Chip Leaders at WSOP APAC Main Event
Among the 15 players remaining at the World Series of Poker Asia Pacific (APAC) Main Event were none other than big name pros Antonio Esfandiari and Daniel Negreanu.
Russell Thomas was the overall chip leader after Day 3.
15 of 94 players that started out the day have advanced.
There is a AUD$1,038,825 top prize waiting for the winner of the WSOP APAC Main Event.
Gambling911.com Marketing: Reddit, Bitcoin, Sports Betting Bust Give Traffic Boost
As regular Gambling911.com readers might imagine, this week’s news regarding the indictment against Legends Sports and related sports betting busts have resulted in some significant traffic for the site. Gambling911.com first broke these stories on Wednesday. Additionally, tons of traffic has been coming in from social media behemoth Reddit.com for articles related to both Bitcoin and Morgan Stanley’s forecast for online gambling.
WPT Seminole Hard Rock Showdown 2013: Day 1b Standings
The WPT Seminole Hard Rock Showdown 2013 is well underway with Micah Smith leading in chips followed by Ebony Kenney. Big name pros Paul Volpe and Shawn Deep were among the top 10 chip leaders after Day 1b.
205 players entered Day 1a with 75 remaining. Last year’s Day 1a entries totalled 290 but did not feature a re-entry day. Volpe busted in Day 1a.
This year has single day re-entry, two starting days and a $5,000 buy-in.
Noteable poker player Mike Sexton busted out earlier in the evening.
He tweeted:
PlayOLG.ca Online Gambling Website to Launch in Ontario This Year
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp (OLG) is set to launch its online gambling website, PlayOLG.ca, later this year.
Casino and lottery type games will be offered to citizens of the province including those in its biggest city of Toronto.
Hearing Delayed for Oklahoma Man Charged in Florida Case
ANADARKO, Okla. (Associated Press) - An extradition hearing has been delayed for an Oklahoma man indicted in Florida over an alleged illegal gambling ring.
Chase Burns is the owner of International Internet Technologies. He faces racketeering and conspiracy charges over several Internet cafes affiliated with Allied Veterans of the World.
Federal prosecutors allege the cafes are illegal casinos - and that those involved have been using the charity as a front for a $300 million gambling operation.
Bitcoin Down 75 Percent: CNN Profiles Currency
The virtual currency Bitcoin was down a whopping 75 percent in just under 48 hours and still falling Friday.
Bitcoins were down to $61.11 as of 9 a.m. ET Friday. Prices reached as high as $266 per Bitcoin around 7:30 a.m. ET Wednesday.
A Dozen Players to Receive $3,500 packages for Latin Series of Poker
If you thought last Sunday's $200,000 Guarantee at Americas Cardroom was big, get ready for another whopper of a tournament. On Sunday, April 14th at 6pm ET, Americas Cardroom is holding a 12-package guaranteed tournament for the Latin Series of Poker. The event costs just $50+5 to get into and awards at least 12 packages for the LSOP Main Event. The land-based tournament runs from May 20th through 25th in Lima, Peru at Casino Atlantic City.
Winklevoss Twins Own 1 Percent of All Bitcoins: $1.3 Billion
The virtual currency Bitcoin may have lost nearly 75 percent of its value in recent days, remarkably bringing it back to last month’s levels, but that hasn’t stopped the Winklevoss twins from owning 1 percent of Bitcoin, equivalent to $1.3 billion.
Business as Un-Usual: Legends Sports Still Paying Out Within Hours
While no official statement has been issued by the betting company following Wednesday’s shocking wave of indictments by US law enforcement, a few customers of Legends.com (also found at www.legends.eu) have reported payouts within just a matter of hours on Thursday.
Poker Pros in Love: Kara Scott to Marry Giovanni Rizzo
Sorry gentlemen, poker pro and hostess Kara Scott is no longer available.
Sorry ladies, Giovanni Rizzo is no longer available.
Rizzo proposed to Scott this week and the beautiful co-host of GSN’s “High Stakes Poker” accepted.
We saw it coming as the couple recently moved into a home in Rizzo’s native Italy.
Readers will be able to learn more about the couple’s engagement when she updates her blog shortly, according to PokerNews.com.
Morgan Stanley: By 2020 Online Gambling Will be Bigger Than Vegas and AC Combined
Morgan Stanley upgraded Boyd Gaming’s stock to Overweight Thursday, sending its share price soaring.
Boyd, which is teaming up with bwin.party to offer online gambling in the US once regulation occurs, saw its shares climb 10.37% to $9.05.
Former Sands Exec Details Deal Making in Macau
LAS VEGAS — (Associated Press) - During his second day of testimony, the former president of casino giant Las Vegas Sands detailed how the company gained its foothold in China.
William Weidner is one of the star witnesses in a breach of contract case brought by Hong Kong businessman Richard Suen.
Suen says he helped Sands win a gambling license in the Chinese gambling enclave of Macau.
Sands says it won entry to Macau on its own merits.
During his first day on the stand, Weidner took a few shots at Sands CEO Sheldon Adelson, who was his boss for 14 years.
Illinois Senators Talk Gambling Expansion: Worries Over Organized Crime
SPRINGFIELD — (Associated Press) - Illinois senators seeking to eliminate a major stumbling block to new casinos and slot machines in the state went toe-to-toe Wednesday with regulators who say expanded gambling could open the door to political corruption and organized crime.
Senate President John Cullerton invited representatives of the Illinois Gaming Board and the Chicago Crime Commission to appear before the Senate Executive Committee, saying he wanted to address criticism from both groups.
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First Ever Online Gambling Affiliate Indicted for Recommending Website
In the first case of its kind, an online gambling affiliate based in the US has been named in an indictment for promoting an online sportsbook by simply recommending them.
Gregory “Patchman” Roberts was among 34 charged in a sweeping investigation into a sports betting operative, Legends Sports, which authorities claim had operatives based in both the US and in Panama. Gambling911.com first broke the story Wednesday afternoon.
Law Enforcement Used Skype Wire Taps in Sports Betting Probe Tied to Legends
Law enforcement utilized wire tapping of Skype conversations in an international offshore gambling probe that resulted in charges against principals of Legends Sports in Panama and others.
