Gambling News

Nevada Gaming Revenue Up 10 Percent

CARSON CITY, Nev. — (Associated Press) - December was a good month for Nevada casinos.

State gambling regulators reported Friday that casinos statewide took in a little over 10 percent more in gambling revenues during the month than they did in the same period a year ago.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board says casinos won about $943 million during the month, and the state collected more than $39 million based on that amount.

The state's share represents a more than 23.5 percent increase from the previous year.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Feb/08/2013

Is Patti Hart Prepared to Step Down as IGT CEO for Jason Ader

Will Patty Hart Step Down From IGT For Team Jason Ader?  That is the million dollar – or in this case, potentially multi-million dollar question – being asked as we are about to enter the middle part of February. 

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Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Feb/08/2013

Christie Move on Internet Gambling Creates Huge Impact for Markets

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s move to conditionally approve legalizing Internet gambling in the state has resulted in a surge in share prices of publicly traded European i-Gaming companies.

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Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Feb/08/2013

PokerStars Content With Christie Decision on Internet Gambling

PokerStars, the world’s largest real money online poker site, expressed satisfaction with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s conditional veto of an Internet gambling measure.  PokerStars parent company has confirmed it is in negotiations to acquire the troubled Atlantic Club Casino and Hotel in Atlantic City.

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Submitted by Ace King on, Feb/07/2013

IGT Proxy Fight: First Time Major Customers Enter Any Proxy Fight

In the July 16th, 1999 edition of Business Journal of San Jose Patty Hart of IGT claimed “Wringing more efficiency out of the organization is not what I do best. I’m a problem solver and team builder. I love talking to customers, employees, and engaging the outside world, not going to meeting after meeting to find out where we can take three seconds off our call times”.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Feb/07/2013

Poker Players Alliance Pleased With Christie Conditional Okay of Gambling Bill

The Poker Players Alliance (PPA), the leading poker grassroots advocacy group with more than one million members nationwide, commended New Jersey Governor Chris Christie for his decision to establish New Jersey as a leader in online gaming. Governor Christie expressed his support for online gambling legislation, AB 2578, but through a conditional veto outlined a series of amendments the legislature will need to approve before the bill can become law.

Submitted by Press Release on, Feb/07/2013

Lesniak Expects Revised NJ Online Gambling Bill to be Passed by March 18

New Jersey state senator Raymond Lesniak, co-author of bill number 2578 to legalize online gambling within the state’s borders, was expected to act fast to address Governor Chris Christie’s concerns.  The Governor enacted a conditional veto on Thursday whereby the bill is being sent back to the Assembly.

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Submitted by C Costigan on, Feb/07/2013

Chris Christie Conditional Veto of New Jersey Online Gambling Bill

(Associated Press) - Gov. Chris Christie has vetoed a bill that would have made New Jersey the third state to legalize gambling over the Internet, but he says he will support such a law if it were put on a 10-year trial period.  (*Gambling911.com note:  This is a conditional veto, meaning that Governor Christie will sign once amended)

Submitted by Associated Press on, Feb/07/2013

Cyril Andre Leads Final 23 at EPT Deauville 2013

French pro Cyril Andre is chip leader going into Day 5 of the €5,300 EPT Deauville Main Event with 2,108,000.

The 25-year-old from Toulouse - known as "Don Limit" online - has been playing poker for around five years and is considered one of the best online cash game players in France. His best live result to date was seventh in the Partouche Main Event in 2010 for €187,500.

Among those who will also be returning for Day 5 tomorrow are James Mitchell, Gordon Huntly, Aurelien Guiglini, Jeffrey Hakim, Glen Cymbaluk and serial PokerStars qualifier Yury Gulyy.

Submitted by Press Release on, Feb/07/2013

IGT Urged to Immediately Commence ‘Dutch Auction’ Tender Offer

Orange Capital, LLC issued an open letter to the Chairman of the Board of International Game Technology (IGT).   *Note that Jason Ader is being represented by top PR FIRM  5WPR (www.5wpr.com)

 

Orange Capital, LLC, a New York based investment firm, has issued the following open letter (text below) to the Board of Directors of International Game Technology (NYSE: IGT) in response to the Company’s recent share price performance and election contest with the Ader Group:

Submitted by Press Release on, Feb/07/2013

$500,000 Mini Online Super Series II at Americas Cardroom

Just weeks after wrapping up its phenomenally successful Online Super Series that paid out over $1.3 million, Americas Cardroom is giving poker players what they want in a big way—for a mini price. The online poker site today announced the launch of mOSS II, a $500,000 guaranteed Mini Online Super Series with events starting at just $2+0.20.

Submitted by Press Release on, Feb/07/2013

All Eyes on Chris Christie as D-Day is Here

Today, February 7, 2013, is D-Day for online gambling in New Jersey.

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Will Governor Chris Christie sign off on a bill legalizing what is currently a multi-billion dollar industry worldwide but technically remains “illegal” in the States?

Nevada has passed an intrastate law allowing for Web cardrooms.  New Jersey neighbor Pennsylvania is considering doing the same.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Feb/07/2013

Shahaf Hadaya Leads EPT Deauville 2013 After Day 4

Israeli player Shahaf Hadaya is leading EPT Deauville with 1,237,000. There are 51 players still in contention for the €770,000 first prize.

Among those who will be returning for Day 4 tomorrow are former Deauville champion Lucien Cohen and EPT Prague winner Salvatore Bonavena as well as Sam Grafton, James Mitchell, Gordon Huntly, Aurelien Guiglini, Mathew Frankland, Jason Koon, Kristijonas Andrulis, Alexander Dovzhenko, Michel Abecassis and PCA finalist Ionel Anton.

Submitted by Press Release on, Feb/06/2013

Chris Christie to Turn in ‘Homework’ Assignment re Online Gambling Bill

Talk about keeping everyone on edge.

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New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has once again waited until the final minute to make a decision regarding Internet gambling.

It was almost two years ago that Christie vetoed a bill that would have allowed New Jersey residents to place bets online within the state’s borders. 

Submitted by C Costigan on, Feb/06/2013

IGT Proxy Fight on CNBC: Ader Says Stock Price Should be Much Higher

Gaming analyst-turned advisor Jason Ader spoke Wednesday afternoon on CNBC regarding the ugly proxy fight at IGT.

Ader is spearheading efforts to take control of the board.

“There is a limited amount of gaming expertise (within IGT),” Jason Ader said regarding the current board members.

Ader feels IGT shares are very undervalued.

“Gaming companies are less healthy but there is big demand,” he noted. 

IGT’s current management told CNBC that Ader had “no plan”.

“We want to see the stock price much higher,” Ader said.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Feb/06/2013

Poker Maximus IV Schedule Released by Carbon

It is time once again for the next installment of Poker Maximus. CarbonPoker is excited to announce their fourth tournament series this year with the launch of Poker Maximus IV. Poker Maximus I, II & III were so successful that players have been excited for the next rendition of this highly regarded tournament series.

Submitted by Press Release on, Feb/06/2013

Spain, France Want Combined Liquidity of Online Poker Players

The European model for online poker may provide a glimpse into what will occur in the United States.

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A handful of European nations attempted ring-fencing of Internet poker on a nation-by-nation basis.  To date, that experiment has mostly failed, even in Italy where there was some initial success. 

Submitted by C Costigan on, Feb/06/2013

Chris Christie has Under 24 Hours to Decide on Internet Gambling

Regulated online gambling in the state of New Jersey will help protect children, so says the Poker Players Alliance.

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Various groups have come out to express support for Web gambling in the state including Atlantic City’s biggest union.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Feb/06/2013

Asia Soccer Match-Fixing Investigation Intensifies

Singapore - (Reuters) - Gambling houses in Southeast Asia form the foundation for organized crime gangs to generate huge profits from sports match-fixing, according to Chris Eaton, ex-FIFA head of security and director of Qatar's International Centre for Sport Security.

Submitted by Reuters on, Feb/06/2013

Zynga Shares Up Following Stronger-Than Expected Revenue Report

Shares in the social gaming company Zynga were up 2 percent Wednesday morning following the release of stronger-than-expected financial numbers for the final quarter of 2012.

The company’s loss narrowed after it laid off workers and closed underperforming offices.  Revenues, however, remained mostly unchanged. 

The results exceeded Wall Street's expectations with shares rising nearly 7 percent in after-hours trading Tuesday evening.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Feb/06/2013

Betmaker Exchange Customers Moved to Bookmaker

Bookmaker has taken over all existing accounts of the US-facing online betting exchange Betmaker, it was announced on Tuesday.

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All funds are safe and the transfer of accounts was expected to be seamless.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Feb/06/2013

Split Verdict at Philly Mob Trial

PHILADELPHIA — (Associated Press) -  Reputed Philadelphia mob boss Joseph “Uncle Joe” Ligambi will seek bail after a jury deadlocked Tuesday on a racketeering charge against him, and deadlocked or acquitted him of all eight lesser counts in a gambling and loansharking case.

The federal jury convicted underboss Joseph “Mousie” Massimino and two others of racketeering, and convicted a mob associate of two loansharking counts. But the jury deadlocked or acquitted the seven defendants on most of the approximately 60 counts.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Feb/05/2013

Andrei Stoenescu Leads for Day 3 of EPT9 Deauville

Romanian PokerStars qualifier Andrei Stoenescu is chip leader going into Day 3 of EPT Deauville. The 24-year-old high stakes cash game pro from Bucharest, who came third at EPT Madrid last March, has 485,600.

There are 154 players left in contention for the €770,000 first prize, with 120 getting paid. They include Team PokerStars Pros Vanessa Rousso, celebrating her 30th birthday today, Matthias De Meulder and EPT Dortmund champion Sandra Naujoks. The €5,300 event attracted 782 players, creating a €3,753,600 prize pool.

Submitted by Press Release on, Feb/05/2013

Philly Mob Jurors Reach Verdict on Some Counts, Deadlocked on Others

PHILADELPHIA (Associated Press) — The judge in a Philadelphia mob racketeering trial says the jury has reached a verdict on some counts but is deadlocked on others.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Feb/05/2013

The Delaware Lottery to Begin Offering Online Gambling by Fall

The Delaware Lottery has announced plans to begin offering “real money” online gambling no later than September.

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The request for online gambling noted:

“All proposed components of the Solution must be delivered, installed, implemented, acceptance tested and ready to be operational by the agreed-upon schedule.”

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Feb/05/2013

Asian Match Fixing Scandal Rocks Soccer World

(Reuters) - Hundreds of soccer matches have been fixed in a global betting scam run from Singapore, police said on Monday, in a blow to the image of the world's most popular sport and a multi-billion dollar industry.

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Submitted by Reuters on, Feb/05/2013

Record $98.9 Million Bet on 2013 Super Bowl in Nevada Casinos

LAS VEGAS (Associated Press) — Sports fans bet a record $98.9 million at Nevada casinos on the Super Bowl.

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The Gaming Control Board says unaudited tallies show 183 sports books made $7.2 million on the action. The San Francisco 49ers started out as a 5-point favorite but the Baltimore Ravens won 34-31.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Feb/04/2013

Costa Rica Based Bookmaker Platinum SB Shut Down by RCMP

The RCMP raided a Super Bowl party Sunday in Ontario and shut down the Costa Rican-based bookmaking operation Platinum SB in the process.

Police also seized $2.5 million during the raid.

The RCMP claims that 6 of the over 2300 people in attendance at the Le Parc Banquet Hall party had ties to the gambling operation and the mob.

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Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Feb/04/2013

Atlantic Club Casino Head Urges Chris Christie to Sign Online Gambling Bill

The head of the Atlantic Club Casino in Atlantic City is urging New Jersey Governor Chris Christie to sign a bill legalizing online gambling in the state.

The Rational Group, which owns the world’s largest real money Web poker room PokerStars, has agreed to purchase the financially strapped casino for an undisclosed amount and have promised to create at least 100 new jobs at the property.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Feb/04/2013

€770k for 1st Place at EPT9 Deauville: David Ostrom Leads

David Ostrom is chip leader going into Day 2 of EPT Deauville, with 419 players left. The 33-year-old Swedish PokerStars qualifier from Hultsfred has 212,600 chips, just ahead of EPT veteran Casey Kastle who has 204,500.

The eventual winner of this season's Deauville Main Event will be taking home a whopping €770,000 first prize - with 119 others also getting a share of the €3,753,600 prize pool. 782 players entered the €5,300 event which started on Sunday.

Submitted by Press Release on, Feb/04/2013

Breaking News

Circa Rumors Escalate

Derek Stevens, owner of the famed Circa Casino and Sportsbook in Las Vegas, had many folks talking Monday morning following a recent post.