Gambling News
Poker Player Defrauds Bank Out of A$100 Million: Faces 142 Charges
Professional poker player William Jordanou, 55, is accused of providing false documents to the Commonwealth Bank of Australia in order to get about $100 million in loans with three other men. He faces 142 charges.
Jordanou was acting as a financial adviser to a Scoresby-based accounting firm between the years 2004 and 2013. He is alleged to have provided the bank with false tax documents, letters of employment and invoices.
His lawyer George Defteros asserted his client would strenuously fight the charges. ‘
Macau Scraps Bill on Big Payouts Following Record Protests
(Reuters) - The top official in Macau, the world's gambling capital, said on Thursday a bill providing lavish perks for senior civil servants would be withdrawn days after the largest protest in the enclave since China restored control over it in 1999.
The climbdown represents the first time the government has taken heed of a large civic movement in Macau, a former Portuguese territory with autonomy and provisions for free speech much like neighbouring Hong Kong.
John Daly Had Fun Losing $55 Million Gambling
Appearing on “Depth With Graham Bensinger” this week, American professional golfer John Daly admitted he blew around $55 million gambling after a review of his tax records between the years 1991 and 2007.
Man Serving Time for Property Fraud Indicted for Running Sportsbook
A Minnesota man currently serving a four year prison sentence for property fraud has been charged with running an online sportsbook with servers based in Costa Rica.
Massachusetts to Award First Casino License, Nevada Casino Revenue Flat in April
BOSTON (Associated Press) -- State gambling regulators say they'll begin the final, four-day long deliberation on awarding Massachusetts' first Las Vegas-style casino license on June 10.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission said Thursday that the June 10 and 11 meetings will be in Springfield, the June 12 meeting in Boston and a June 13 meeting - when it is expected to issue a decision - will be in Springfield.
Phil Ivey And The 2014 WSOP: Is He In Or Is He Out?
Hamlet famously once asked, "To be or not to be?"
For the folks who run the World Series of Poker (WSOP), the question seems to be, "Ivey or not Ivey?"
That's Ivey as in Philip Dennis Ivey Jr.--Phil to his pals--one of the best professional poker players on the planet.
And one of the most controversial.
Three years ago, Ivey skipped the WSOP for the first time in his career because he was involved in a huge controversy.
Churchill Downs, Showboat Hotel Online Gambling Lawsuit Moved to NJ Court
As if things couldn’t get any worse in the Garden State for its new online gambling industry, Churchill Downs and Atlantic City’s famed Showboat Hotel and Casino are embroiled in a lawsuit over a vendor agreement.
Churchill Downs had entered into a deal to purchase the Showboat Hotel.
NLR Entertainment owner Nicholas Ribis was paid $2.5 million as “earnest money" by Churchill Downs to be the exclusive vendor of NLR for the period 2014 until 2021.
Philadelphia Mobster Heading to Prison for Role in Illegal Gambling Business
PHILADELPHIA — (Associated Press) - A man who authorities say worked for the Philadelphia mob is heading to prison for his role in an illicit video poker operation.
Forty-three-year-old Eric Esposito is described by federal prosecutors as a foot soldier of La Cosa Nostra. A judge sentenced him Wednesday to 27 months behind bars.
Happy Hours Announced at Americas Cardroom Awards 2x Points for Sit and Crush
The online poker site known for making players happy is upping the ante again. Americas Cardroom today announced the launch of Happy Hours, an extension of its popular Sit & Crush points race. During select hours, poker players will automatically earn double points towards the Sit & Crush leaderboard.
Gambling, Nude Modeling Wife of Saudi Football Coach Sparks Outrage
Further proof that what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay there but Maria Prodan would be wise to do just that….stay in Vegas.
2014 World Series of Poker – What to Watch For? $10 Million Guaranteed 1st Place
The 2014 World Series of Poker (45th annual) got underway Tuesday (May 27) and this promises to be one of the most exciting WSOP’s ever. Just knowing there will be a $10 million guaranteed 1st place prize is enough to have poker aficionados mouths watering.
Waddell & Reed Buys 16.96 Million Las Vegas Sands Shares
HONG KONG (Reuters) - U.S. fund manager Waddell & Reed Financial Inc said Wednesday it raised $1.38 billion by selling its remaining stake in Macau-based Sands China Ltd, and shifted most of its holdings to parent Las Vegas Sands to boost its global gaming exposure.
The sell-down comes as Macau gaming stocks face pressure due to a raft of negative news, after clocking a scorching pace of growth over the past two years.
Is Sorel Mizzi The Chicken of the Sea or the Next Michael Phelps?
Poker pro Sorel Mizzi last week made a prop bet that got plenty of notice, one in which he would swim in shark infested waters several miles to an island off Brazil’s Ipanema Beach. And the results are in.
Online Poker Processor Rat Daniel Tzvetkoff Will Likely Avoid Prison
The man who brought down PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker’s businesses in the US is not likely to receive any jail time.
Supreme Court Says Mich. Can't Block Indian Casino
(Associated Press) - A divided Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that Michigan can't block the opening of an off-reservation American Indian casino because the state's legal challenge is barred by tribal sovereign immunity.
In a 5-4 decision, the high court said the state could not shutter the Bay Mills Indian Community's casino about 90 miles south of its Upper Peninsula reservation.
2014 World Series of Poker Kicks Off Today
LAS VEGAS (Associated Press) — The 45th Annual World Series of Poker kicked off seven weeks of play in Las Vegas on Tuesday, promising the tournament champion at least $10 million and enticing tens of thousands of players with a prize pool estimated at $200 million.
Nevada May Soon Permit Betting on the 2016 US Presidential Election
Nevada State Senator Tick Segerblom wants to push for legislation that would permit betting on US Presidential elections in the Silver State.
This is hardly a new concept. US Presidential elections in the past have taken in more money for international online gambling establishments than any other single non-sporting event.
Bitcoin-Only Casino Generates Over $1.4 Mil in Turnover in its First 3 Months
BitCasino.io, the first ever licensed bitcoin-only casino has grown to a player base of 7,000 users betting over 3,000 BTC (~$1,400,000) since February 2014. The success of the casino has been built around its world-class software that includes Live Dealers, Live Dice/Lottery and over 150 HD video slots as well as traditional table games.
Amaya Gaming Looks to Calm PokerStars Acquisition Rumors
Amaya Gaming’s share price rose 5% on rumors that it was in pursuit of a possible acquisition. The main target appears to be the world’s largest online poker room, PokerStars. Such a move would allow Stars to re-enter the US market on a clean slate.
The company was forced to issue a response Monday afternoon.
Slump in Online Gambling Adds to Christie’s Budget Woes
Bloomberg News on Monday evening reported what was already widely known throughout the gambling sector, that New Jersey has failed to meet its early expectations when it comes to their newly rolled out Internet gambling sector. Even some operators are stepping forward to say it’s been a complete disaster up to this point.
Brian Mattingley, chief executive officer of London- based 888, said in a telephone interview with Bloomberg News this weekend, “We are absolutely shocked by the slowness of the (New Jersey online gambling) market.”
Online Poker May Not be in the Cards for California After All
California’s tribal casinos remain at odds as to whether they want to legalize online poker in the state.
Hard Rock Casino Ban of Ben Affleck Could Prove to be Big Mistake
Professional gambler and Pittsburgh Gazette columnist Mark Gruetze believes that the Las Vegas Hard Rock Casino’s recent decision to ban Hollywood actor Ben Affleck from playing blackjack in their establishment could backfire.
Gulfstream Park's Rainbow Pick Six Pays Out $6.7 Million
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. (Associated Press) — Gulfstream Park got its Rainbow 6 record, a day early.
The track says only one player correctly picked all six winners needed to cash the bet on Sunday, a day before Gulfstream officials were expecting to pay out what would have been a massive wagering pool on the exotic ticket.
The winning payout Sunday was $6,678,939.12.
888.com CEO on Internet Gambling in NJ: ‘We Are Absolutely Shocked by Slowness'
Brian Mattingley, chief executive officer of London- based 888, said in a telephone interview with Bloomberg News this weekend, “We are absolutely shocked by the slowness of the (New Jersey online gambling) market.”
And he’s not the only one.
New Jersey casinos are in the process of shifting their marketing focus from poker to the online casino, which traditionally has been the cash cow for internationally based Web betting firms.
Racketeering Law Does Not Cover Online Gambling Losses in Arizona
PHOENIX (Associated Press) — A state court decision says people who voluntarily engage in online gambling can't use Arizona's anti-racketeering law to sue websites' operators to recover gambling losses.
The state Court of Appeals decision issued Thursday upholds a Maricopa County Superior Court judge's ruling against a man who had sued several operators of gambling websites after he lost $800,000.
The man's lawsuit alleged that the websites were an enterprise engaged in civil racketeering.
American Gaming Association Drops Support for Online Gambling in US
American Gaming Association chief executive Geoff Freeman said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal Wednesday that his Las Vegas-based organization will no longer support legalization of online gambling in the US, citing a nasty split between casino operators on both sides of the issue.
"One of the things I've learned in this industry is we are extraordinarily competent at shooting at one another," he said. "The snipers in this industry are of the highest quality, and if you let that be the focus, we'll kill each other."
Sheldon Adelson Insists He is Not Retiring: Right Hand to Step Down
80-year-old Las Vegas Sands Corp CEO Sheldon Adelson has dispelled rumors that he will be retiring any time soon following in the steps of 76-year-old President and COO Michael A. Leven, who announced his retirement this week.
Online Bet Startup Costs Shrink AC Casino Earnings
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Associated Press) - Startup costs associated with Internet gambling, and the closure of one casino in January lowered Atlantic City's casino earnings by 8.4 percent in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2013.
Figures released Thursday by the state Division of Gaming Enforcement showed the casinos had a gross operating profit of $38.7 million.
Las Vegas Casino Strike Planned to Begin June 1
LAS VEGAS (Associated Press) - Hotel workers and bartenders plan to strike at nine downtown Las Vegas casinos next month if contracts aren't reached, labor leaders announced Wednesday.
Officials with the Culinary and Bartenders unions said employees are prepared to walk off the job at 5 a.m. June 1 at The D, Four Queens, Fremont, Main Street Station, El Cortez, Binion's, Golden Gate, The Plaza, and Las Vegas Club.
Global Poker Index to Launch Free Magazine in US to Compete With Card Player
In less than 5 days, the 45th annual World Series of Poker will begin with 65 Events spread across 7 Weeks. The whole poker world will attend - either to play or simply follow the action. Once again, Global Poker Index will be Official Partner and have a booth.
