Gambling News
Backers, Critics Debate New York State Casino Expansion Plan
NEW YORK (Associated Press) — Opponents of New York state's proposal to build new casinos argued Monday that more gambling would further impoverish people struggling to make ends meet and encourage addicts, while supporters said tax revenue would generate jobs and fund schools.
A discussion presenting both sides of a referendum on amending the state constitution to allow Las Vegas-type casinos was held in New York City, ahead of a Nov. 5 ballot vote.
Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Bilking Investors: Used Funds to Pay Gambling Debts
A San Jose, California man has been sentenced to five years prison time and five years probation for defrauding investors in order to pay off his gambling debts.
Thomas R. Papa, 56, represented himself as a money manager for a company called MTJJ via Craigslist. He would tell potential clients that he could broker deals for property and business loans through private investors.
Reginald Roberts Repeats HPT Victory
Wyandotte, OK - When Reginald “Shawn” Roberts of Springfield, Missouri walked into Indigo Sky Casino for Monday’s taping of Heartland Poker Tour, he tried to keep his expectations in check. “Honestly, I just feel grateful to be at the Final Table,” he said, “You never know how many times you will get to do this.” Last year, Roberts became one of just a few players to return to HPT’s televised Final Table. He finished fifth in Missouri after a win in Oklahoma in 2010.
One Dead, Three Wounded at Bally’s Hotel-Casino Club in Vegas
LAS VEGAS — (Associated Press) - Authorities say an ex-convict with a history of altercations at Las Vegas clubs was behind a shooting that killed a patron and wounded two employees at a casino after-hours nightclub on the Strip.
Clark County Sheriff Doug Gillespie said Monday that 41-year-old suspect Benjamin Frazier remained hospitalized at University Medical Center.
Police say Frazier is being treated for serious head injuries sustained when he was subdued following the 5:45 a.m. (October 21, 2013) shooting at Drai’s After Hours at Bally’s hotel-casino.
The Latest Poker Hall of Fame Inductees Announced
Scotty Nguyen and Tom McEvoy will be the 45th and 46th inductees into the Poker Hall of Fame.
A ceremony for the induction will take place on November 3. Celebrations take place at the 2013 WSOP Main Event.
Scotty Nguyen, a Vietnamese-American, is a five-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner. Nguyen is perhaps best known for winning the 1998 World Series of Poker Main Event. He is the first and currently only player to win both the WSOP Main Event and $50,000 Players' Championship.
Depositing on WSOP.com Hasn’t Been Easy Say Players
The second real money online poker site to begin accepting players from the US within the US hasn’t had the easiest time getting money in (or off the site) according to complaints that have cropped up on the TwoPlusTwo.com message boards.
Tropicana Casino Approved for NJ Online Gambling License
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Associated Press) - New Jersey casino regulators continued their march toward Internet gambling Monday, awarding the state's fifth online gambling permit to the Tropicana Casino and Resort.
The state is preparing for the launch of online gambling in New Jersey, which will begin Nov. 26 after a five-day invitation-only test period to make sure all the systems work properly.
The awarding of the permit came as detailed regulations for Internet gambling took effect Monday.
Negreanu, Scott Clements, Ludovic Lacay Still Going Strong at WSOPE 2013
With just 71 players left at press time Monday evening, Daniel Negreanu was among the big names still hanging in there at the 2013 World Series of Poker Europe Main Event (WSOPE).
Some of the biggest money earners including Phil Ivey, Phil Hellmuth and Antonio Esfandiari busted out of this year’s event.
Big international money earners were among the chip leaders heading into the overnight hours Monday.
375 Players Enter 2013 World Series of Poker Europe Main Event
This year's World Series of Poker Europe Main event has 375 entries, a €3.6 million prize pool, and €1 million payout to the champion.
Remaining players from the first two days will be combined to kick off Monday’s play.
Among the more familiar names still taking part: Phil Ivey, Antonio Esfandiari, Phil Hellmuth, Daniel Negreanu, Martin Finger, Max Steinberg, Shannon Shorr and Noah Schwartz.
Niagara Police Can Now Buy New Cars With Gambling Proceeds
NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (Associated Press) — A western New York police department can start shopping for patrol vehicles for the first time in five years now that casino gambling payments have been received from the Seneca Nation of Indians.
The Niagara Gazette reports that the Niagara Falls City Council has approved a measure seeking the allocation of $513,000 in casino revenues to buy 19 new police cars. The move will allow the cash-strapped city to essentially replace its entire fleet of overworked police cruisers.
Indianapolis Airport Considering Wireless Gambling Technology
(Associated Press) - Phil Sicuso and Joe Champion say Indianapolis International Airport is well suited for wireless gambling technology that could bring in revenue to support more nonstop flights.
The pair work at Bingham Greenebaum Doll LLP and floated the idea in an article for their firm's newsletter, the Indianapolis Business Journal reported.
Week 8 College Football Upsets Great for the Bookies
Bookies celebrated a series of Week 8 College Football upsets that helped boost profits as the betting public tended to back the more high profile favorites.
Ole Miss pulled off one of the week’s biggest upsets, beating LSU outright as a +10 underdog. The Tigers now have two losses on the season. The Rebels record coming into Week 9 is 4-3 following their three point home victory.
$1 Million Big One for One Drop Returns in 2014
After a one year hiatus, the $1 Million Big One for One Drop will be returning in 2014 as part of the World Series of Poker.
“It was a terrific inaugural event in 2012 with One Drop raising nearly $5.7 million from the Big One event,” One Drop founder Guy Laliberté said in a press release. “There is still a lot of work to be done to ensure access to water for all. I have no doubt that the poker community will once again live up to its reputation for generosity by helping to transform lives sustainably.”
Gambler Archie Karas Extradited to CA for Casino Cheat Case: Pleads Not Guilty
One of the most well-known and successful gamblers of all time, Archie Karas, was extradited from Nevada to California to face charges he cheated a San Diego casino out of more than $8000. He entered a “Not Guilty” plea on Friday.
Genovese Crime Family Mobster Admits Role in Racketeering Tied to Sports Betting
Genovese Crime Family associate John Breheney (AKA “Fu”), 49, of Egg Harbor, NJ, pleaded guilty Friday before US District Judge Claire C. Cecchi to conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) statute through his participation in an illegal sports betting operation.
Las Vegas Sands Earnings Beat 3rd Quarter Earnings
(Reuters) - Casino operator Las Vegas Sands Corp. , owned by billionaire Sheldon Adelson, on Thursday posted better-than-expected third-quarter earnings, boosted by positive trends at its Macau and Singapore operations.
The company, which operates the Venetian in Las Vegas, also said it increased its common dividend by 42.9 percent to $2 per share yearly, or 50 cents per quarter, for the 2014 calendar year.
Philadelphia Plays Host to Internet Gambling Conference
HARRISBURG, Pa - Gaming Control Board Chairman William H. Ryan, Jr. along with Executive Director Kevin O'Toole and Bureau of Licensing Director Susan Hensel will participate in the World Regulatory Briefing USA focusing on iGaming on October 22 and 23, 2013 in Philadelphia.
Leaders from the gaming industry along with regulators from state, international and Native American gaming jurisdictions will be presenting at the conference.
Adelson Republican Strategic Research Study: ‘Universal Opposition to Web Gambling’
Online gambling opponent and one of the GOP’s biggest donors, Sheldon Adelson, recently commissioned the Republican strategic research and polling firm, The Tarrance Group, to conduct a study to determine voter attitudes towards legalized online gambling in the US. Their findings, not surprisingly, favor Adelson’s stance.
Trump Casinos in Atlantic City Latest to be Granted Online Gambling Permits
(Associated Press) - The two Trump casinos in Atlantic City received their Internet gambling permits Thursday, as New Jersey regulators continued preparing for the launch of online gambling next month.
Trump Plaza and the Trump Taj Mahal got their Internet gambling permits and join the Borgata and the Golden Nugget among casinos approved to begin Internet gambling.
Online gambling will begin Nov. 26 in New Jersey after a five-day, invitation-only trial period.
New Jersey is the third state in the nation to offer online gambling, along with Nevada and Delaware.
Americas Cardroom to Host $350k ‘The High Five’ Poker Tournament Series
US facing online poker room Americas Cardroom (ACR) will be hosting a new tournament series called the High Five Tournament Series (HFTS). The series of tournaments runs from November 20th to 24th and promises 5 major guaranteed tournaments each night along with smaller events for a series guarantee of $350,000.
888 Holdings Anticipates Dramatic Revenue Rise in 2014 With US Web Gambling
(Reuters) - London- listed 888 Holdings is expecting to start to see the benefits from next year as a number of U.S. states ease a ban on Internet gambling.
888, which runs online gambling and poker sites, is already operating in Nevada, with markets in Delaware and New Jersey expected to go live in the coming weeks.
"In 2014, we should start to see some meaningful revenues come through," Chief Executive Brian Mattingley said, talking about prospects in the American market.
CAMS Names Former Nevada Gaming Control Head Mark Lipparelli Advisor
Los Angeles – CAMS, LLC, the leader in providing online operators with payment connectivity and Know Your Customer (KYC) verification services, today announced that Mark Lipparelli has been engaged by the company as an advisor. The company will look to him for strategic guidance as they navigate the newly-regulated internet gambling industry.
Golden Nugget Obtains Second NJ Online Gambling Permit
The Golden Nugget is the second Atlantic City casino operator to be granted an Online gambling permit.
New Jersey anticipates launching its Web gambling industry on November 26 with real money play permitted by those physically located within the state’s borders.
Lisa Spengler, a spokeswoman for the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, said there is no competitive advantage to being issued a permit early as the launch date is the same for all casinos.
Last week the Borgata was the first casino property to receive a permit.
Judge Throws out Lawsuit Challenging New York Gambling Referendum
ALBANY, N.Y. (Associated Press) — A judge on Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit challenging a referendum on Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposal to authorize seven more casinos in New York, ruling it was filed too late.
The suit by Brooklyn lawyer Eric Snyder contested the language of the Nov. 5 ballot proposition, claiming it was biased in favor of approval. It was reworded by the Cuomo administration and legislative leaders to promise benefits including jobs, lower taxes and school aid without mentioning any potential downside to casinos, including problem gambling and crime.
Betfair Launches LetsPlayNJ.com for Web Gambling but Can’t Play Yet in Garden State
While New Jersey prepares to begin allowing online gambling by the end of next month, European powerhouse Betfair has mostly been left out in the cold.
Embezzlement Scheme Uncovered at Bodog: Several Employees Allegedly Involved
The online gambling firm Bodog has accused a number of high-ranking company officials of perpetrating a scheme to embezzle millions of dollars from its Asian operation.
Caesars Stock Price Slides 12 Percent: No Right to Online Gambling IPO
Caesars Entertainment Corp. has sold 10.3 million shares of its common stock to a Swiss banking firm for $200 million, resulting in a sharp 12 percent decline in its share price Tuesday (October 15). This represents the biggest decline of the year so far.
The stock began trading without rights to participate in an IPO of the company’s online gambling unit. Anyone purchasing the stock as of the 15th would not enjoy rights to the new unit. Those already owning stocks in Caesars will be able to purchase Caesars Acquisition Co. stock.
Mobster-Turned-Cattle-Rancher to Face Trial for Conspiracy, Murder
(Associated Press) - With his East Coast accent and tales of living in New York, Jay Shaw stood out when he moved to the tiny farm town of Marsing, Idaho.
But he was friendly enough, even helpful, to his neighbors, and they never suspected him of having a dark secret.
Anticipated Positive Results With This Week’s Sands Earnings Report
Las Vegas Sands (LVS) is expected to report its Q3 2013 earnings this coming Thursday October 17 and results should be positive according to Zacks Investment Research’ Steve Reitmeister.
Poker Pro Annie Duke: ‘Smart’ People are Manipulating Us
Female poker pro Annie Duke says we should be careful about what we read as smart people control the news and, as such, manipulate it.
