Gambling News
Doyle Brunson Continues to Hold His Own at WSOP Main Event
Slipping a few notches to the lower tier of the 70’s in terms of chip counts, the Texas Dolly, Doyle Brunson, was still among the more successful players kicking off Friday’s play of the 2013 World Series of Poker Main Event. 77 out of 649 ain’t too shabby after all.
Media Teleconference: Congressman Joe Barton to Talk HR 2666
WHAT: On Tuesday, July 16, John Pappas, PPA’s executive director will be joined by Representative Joe Barton (R-TX) on a media teleconference to discuss Mr. Barton’s newly introduced bill, The Poker Freedom Act, to license and regulate Internet poker.
Kevin Costner Asking $14 Million for Deadwood Casino
DEADWOOD, S.D. (Associated Press) — Hollywood actor Kevin Costner is asking $14 million for 1,000 acres of land he owns near the Old West gambling town of Deadwood in western South Dakota's Black Hills.
The property includes the site of the ill-fated Dunbar casino resort, a $100 million project that would have included a golf course and a steam-powered passenger train. It never materialized.
666: Joe Barton Online Poker Bill May be Doomed From the Onset
Texas Republican Congressman Joe Barton has introduced his highly anticipated online poker bill, HR2666. It is indeed an appropriate ending set of numbers we at Gambling911.com couldn’t help but notice the irony, a la the “666”. Previous bills to legalize online gambling in the US have all pretty much gone to Hell.
Okay, so this one does actually give us some degree of hope.
WSOP Masseuse Sophie Lonsinger Hot Tips: Doyle Brunson Wants Happy Ending (Video)
Sophie Lonsinger, massage therapist to the pros, shared some quick tips with PokerNews.com on how to revitalise your body and mind while playing a long poker session.
They are going to need Ms. Lonsinger’s expertise as the days continue to drag on.
As of late Thursday evening, just under 1000 players remained in the 2013 World Series of Poker Main Event.
Mobster Whitey Bulger was Able to Cross US Border Into Canada While Still a Fugitive
It was confirmed Thursday that mobster James “Whitey” Bulger had crossed the US border into Canada to watch Game 7 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Stadium in Toronto. At the time, he was a fugitive and is currently standing trial for racketeering in Boston.
CO Gambling, Marijuana License Files Go Up in Smoke Due to ‘Hardware Malfunction’
DENVER - (Associated Press) - Colorado officials say a hardware failure that destroyed some computer files regarding gambling and medical marijuana licenses also has affected recordings of driver license hearings held from March 1 to May 17.
In June, state officials said the problem had destroyed files regarding the gambling and marijuana industry licenses.
Predictious Bitcoin Online Prediction Market Unveiled
Welcome Predictious.com as the newest online gambling website and like none other that exist today. Not only does the site promise to be a step up from now defunct intrade.com, Predictious.com will also be accepting the digital currency Bitcoin (note that credit cards can also be used).
The new site is slated to debut this coming Thursday July 9, 2013.
Ultimate Poker Successful Completes Field Trial
LAS VEGAS, NV - Ultimate Gaming, a majority-owned subsidiary of Station Casinos LLC, has successfully completed the field trial for Ultimate Poker, receiving recommendation for approval from the Nevada Gaming Control Board to continue offering real money online poker at UltimatePoker.com.
Americas Cardroom Awarding 10 Punta Cana Poker Classic Packages, $100k
San Jose, Costa Rica –Winning at poker is all about making smart choices at the tables. This weekend, online poker players will be faced with a big decision as Americas Cardroom has scheduled two massive guarantees within an hour of each other.
Belize Players Were Asked to Fix Games vs. USA
Reports have surfaced that the Belize national team was approached about fixing football matches against the US team.
Nevada Gambling Revenue Up, Zynga Rises
(Associated Press) - The state Gaming Control Board reports Nevada casinos won $897.3 million in May, posting a 1.37 percent increase from the same month a year ago.
The May winnings pushed the fiscal year-to-date total to more than $10 billion, 2.4 percent more than last year.
Taxes collected on the May win totaled $57.5 million, an increase of 10.9 percent.
The Las Vegas Strip posted a 6.4 percent monthly gain over May a year ago and is now 5 percent ahead of 2012.
Casino winnings in Reno jumped 9.8 percent.
Michael Mizrachi Still Killing it at 2013 WSOP Main Event
Lock Poker pro Michael Mizrachi continued to play strong at yet another World Series of Poker Main Event. The Fort Lauderdale, Florida native has already made one final table, although there are still a number of days and over 2300 people to go before we can start talking about a repeat.
Gun Toting Poker Babe Anna Benson on Ex Hubby: ‘Can’t Keep it in His Pants’
The ex-wife of Texas Rangers player Kris Benson, Anna Benson, was arrested and booked Monday morning following an alleged brazen home invasion.
Anna, a poker player who has previously entered World Series of Poker events, reportedly entered Kris’ home dressed entirely in black and wearing a bulletproof vest. She also pulled a gun from her purse and also carried a metal baton.
In a 911 recording, the former baseball player appears to be calm.
Bwin.party Lower Margins in Sports Betting Hit Q2
The second quarter of 2013 for Bwin.party was mired by lower margins in sports betting, the City reported on Wednesday.
Bwin is dealing with a turnover tax on sports betting in Germany, its largest market, and competition in the bingo sector in Britain and Italy, according to the City.
“While the revenue performance was down on last year, we remain on course to deliver the targeted €70m (£60m) of cost savings in 2013 with more to follow in 2014,” chief executive Norbert Teufelberger said in a statement.
Atlantic City has Worst Year Ever
ATLANTIC CITY – (Associated Press) - This year is shaping up to be the worst for the Atlantic City casino industry in the last 22 years.
Figures released Wednesday by the state Division of Gaming Enforcement show the city's 12 casinos are on a pace that would see them take in less than $3 billion from gamblers for the first time since 1991.
For the first six months of the year, the casinos won $1.38 billion, down 10.7 percent from the same period last year.
Caesars Shares Up Due to Online Gambling Spinoffs
Caesars Entertainment Corp (CZR) has gained 13 percent to $15.94 Wednesday after announcing it plans to offer about $1.18 billion in stock in its expansive US-based online gambling business. The company has more than doubled this year.
The company plans to offer a real money platform for its WSOP.com website and last week partnered up with its four Atlantic City properties to begin offering real money Web gambling to residents of New Jersey.
Poker Commentator Anna Benson Gun-Toting Home Invader Says Ex (911 Call)
A poker commentator and model, Anna Benson, has been arrested for an alleged home invasion.
The outspoken ex-wife of former Texas Rangers star Kris Benson reportedly broke into his Georgia home, brandishing a pistol and whacking his computer with it. Kris made a frantic 911 call at the time of the apparent forced entry.
2013 World Series of Poker Main Event: Greg Merson Watch
Day 2A/B of the 2013 World Series of Poker Main Event championship was filled with plenty of highlights, disappointments, and dramatic moments. The day belonged to a number of new names and faces, as well as some superstars who are intimately familiar to everyone who enjoys playing and following the game.
Of the 562 players who survived, perhaps the biggest story of the day was the major move by the defending World Champion, Greg Merson. He arrived on this day well above the chip average, at 81,650. By day's end, he bagged up a stack amounting to 275,600.
Zynga Unveils Real Money Gambling Apps for Facebook
Zynga was in the process of unveiling its real money gambling apps during a conference in Barcelona, Spain.
From ValueWalk.com:
Paddy Power to Offer Real Money Sports Betting on Facebook
The UK’s third largest bookmaker, Paddy Power, has announced it will be offering real money sports betting on Facebook.
The news broke early Wednesday with beta testing currently in progress. The new platform was developed by Paddy Power’s team out of Bulgaria.
“The app will add social engagement to online betting, enabling customers to bet on a wide variety of sporting events through Facebook while also giving them visibility of, and the opportunity to engage with, other users. Player participation will be subject to strict age verification checks,” said Paddy Power.
Americas Cardroom to Unveil Cutting Edge Software: Fastest Paying Online Poker Room
North America’s fastest paying online poker room, Americas Cardroom, is about to take it to the next level.
ACR has long been praised for its fast payouts and aggressive promotions including the first ever progressive rake race and, how can we forget THE BEAST?
The biggest criticism lodged against Americas Cardroom – Its software can at times be clunky.
MGM Funds Pro Casino Group in Massachusetts
BOSTON — (Associated Press) - MGM Resorts International, which hopes to build a resort casino in Springfield, spent nearly $1 million over a six-week period in an effort to convince voters to back a July 16 referendum on the proposal, according to campaign finance records.
The leader of a group opposing the casino said it has spent little and is relying on grassroots efforts to get its message across.
Foreigner Wins Case Against IRS on How Gambling Should be Taxed
WASHINGTON — (Associated Press) - An appeals court has sided with a South Korean businessman in a dispute over how his gambling winnings in the U.S. should be taxed.
Sang Park gambled away thousands of dollars at slot machines during trips to the U.S. The Internal Revenue Service said he had to pay taxes on every winning pull.
Park argued that he should be allowed to calculate his winnings on a per-session basis - the way that U.S. citizens are treated.
Cell Phone Usage, Computers Now Illegal in Florida as Part of Gambling Crackdown
Residents of Florida can no longer use their cell phones or computers.
It’s all due to a recently enacted gambling crackdown on Internet cafes.
The bill, passed into law two months ago, is so broad, it could be interpreted as prohibiting usage of cell phones and computers in the Sunshine State.
From CNN:
Whitey Bulger to Trial Witness in Court: ‘F*** You Too, You Suck!’
BOSTON — (Associated Press) - James “Whitey” Bulger and his once-loyal criminal apprentice had an angry, profanity-laced exchange in court Tuesday during Bulger’s racketeering trial after the former aide called Bulger and his partner “the two biggest rats.”
Nine Men Indicted in NYC Mob Crackdown With Ties to Online Gambling
(Associated Press) - Nine reputed members of the Bonanno crime family were charged in an indictment unsealed Tuesday with what prosecutors called old-school mob activity: gambling, loan sharking, extortion and drugs.
Phil Ivey Inks Deal With California Tribal Casino Online Poker Room
PokerFuse.com is reporting that poker pro Phil Ivey has entered into a deal to act as front man for the Pala band of Mission Indians new online poker room.
Michael Mizrachi Among Top 5 Chip Leaders at WSOP Main Event
One of the biggest names in poker and a past World Series of Poker Main Event finalist, Michael Mizrachi, was among the top 5 chip leaders following Day 1c’s action.
The Lock Poker pro has amassed more than $14 million in career live tournaments to date. He also managed to finish 4th and 9th in two of this summer’s World Series of Poker events.
Some of the other big survivors after Day 1c included Phil Ivey, Phil Hellmuth, Phil Laak, and 2010 WSOP Main Event champion Jonathan Duhamel.
Italy Online Poker Future is Bleak
For a time, Italy had become one of the most lucrative online poker epicenters with its population just shy of 60 million.
