Gambling
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.
Legends Sports: ‘All Players Funds Safe Following OKC Indictment’
The US Justice Department out of Oklahoma City filed a 96-page indictment against one of Central America’s oldest US-facing bookmaking operations. Legends Sports and 34 individuals connected to the lucrative wagering business were charged with running an illegal sports betting ring, a story first broke by Gambling911.com.
57 Charged With Operating Illegal Sports Betting Ring
From FBI Oklahoma Division….It is not immediately known if individuals arrested earlier in the day from Albany, New York were tied to this matter. Both men were charged with their role in an extensive sports betting ring with arrests that were taking place thoughout the country Wednesday. This story is very fluid....
Head man of TheGreek.com also named in indictment.
Breaking News: Sports Betting Agents Being Rounded Up Throughout Florida
Gambling911.com has learned that the Northern District of New York was in the process of rounding up sportsbook agents throughout the state of Florida and elsewhere.
Details were not immediately known, however, the indictments are currently under seal and G911 has been unable to obtain further information.
Man, Woman Found Dead in Revel Casino Hotel Identified
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Associated Press) - Authorities have identified a man and woman found dead last weekend in a hotel room at Atlantic City's Revel casino.
Vincent Iappelli Jr., 56, of Ringwood, and Clarissa DelCollo, 22, of Hasbrouck Heights, were found Sunday morning by a housekeeper in a seventh-floor room, said Atlantic City Police Sgt. Monica McMenamin.
Police do not suspect foul play, McMenamin said, adding that neither person had signs of trauma or visible signs of injury, but investigators found illegal narcotics in the room.
Bodog Zone Features Faster Baccarat, Online Poker Product
The Bodog brand is set to launch a range of new products under the Bodog Zone moniker offering high-speed versions of the most popular online games including Baccarat and poker. In Asia, Baccarat is by far the biggest game played both on and offline but with complicated calculations between hands can be frustratingly slow.
Bodog’s new super-fast Baccarat has recently gone live in Asia via the Bodog brand’s Live Dealer casino. Zone Poker will launch later this year.
CakeBet.com Preparing to Launch BitCoin Online Casino
CakeBet.com, not to be confused with CakePoker.eu/Cake Gaming Whose banner appears below, is one of a handful of new BitCoin online casinos preparing to launch.
Adelson Says ‘Zero’ Contributions Made by Suen to Get Macau License
Testifying for a third day Tuesday, billionaire casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, 79, insisted everything was on the up-and-up in obtaining a license in the gambling Mecca of Macau.
Richard Suen, a one-time business associate, claims that he is owed US$328 million for helping the company win a casino operating license from China back in 2002.
When asked what contributions Suen made in getting the Las Vegas Sands license, Adelson responded “Zero”.
Oh My God! Gambling Nun Admits Stealing $128k From Churches
(Associated Press) - A Roman Catholic nun with a gambling addiction has pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $130,000 from two rural western New York parishes.
The Daily News of Batavia reports that 68-year-old Sister Mary Anne Rapp pleaded guilty Monday in Orleans County Court to grand larceny. She admits she stole the money from St. Mary's Church in Holley and St. Mark's Church in Kendall from March 2006 to April 2011.
Rapp faces up to six months in jail when she's sentenced July 1. She'll also be required to pay restitution that would be worked out at a later date.
Couple Found Dead in Revel Hotel and Casino
A 56-year-old man and 21-year-old woman were found dead in a room at Atlantic City’s Revel Resort and Casino Sunday. Police have since ruled out foul play.
The bodies were discovered on the 7th floor of the resort by a member of the housekeeping staff.
There was no sign of forced entry into the room and neither body showed signs of trauma.
Police have not yet revealed the identities of the individuals but have confirmed they are New Jersey residents.
Nevada Sports Betting Bill Would Allow Investment Groups, Syndicates
CARSON CITY, Nev. — (Associated Press) - Private investment groups could place sports wagers on behalf of investors under a proposed law in Nevada that would allow the state to reap millions of dollars in untapped revenue.
Full Tilt Poker Former CEO Ray Bitar Pleads Guilty: Awaits Heart Transplant
The former CEO of Full Tilt Poker Raymond Bitar has plead guilty to money laundering and bank fraud.
Indicted on April 15, 2011 on what has become known as “Black Friday”, Bitar was facing significant prison time.
Bitar, however, remains hospitalized as he is about to undergo a heart transplant.
Online Gambling in New Jersey has Already Generated $90 Million
John Brennan of The Record pointed out an interesting fact this past weekend.
New Jersey, which last month legalized online gambling, has already generated a massive windfall from the activity: $90 million to be precise.
Oklahoma Cheyenne Tribe to Offer Real Money Online Gambling
The Oklahoma Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes are set to go live with real money online gambling via their website PokerTribes.com this summer.
So add Oklahoma to the shortlist of US states that will be offering real money online gambling, right?
Not so fast.
China Dismisses Casino Billionaire Sheldon Adelson Macau ‘Influence’
Billionaire and Chairman of Las Vegas Sands Corp. Sheldon Adelson last week testified that he did not authorize former President William Weidner’s offer of a share of the company’s Macau profits to a Hong Kong businessman.
BetRevolution.com Confiscates Players Funds: Claims ‘Syndicate’ Play
Online sportsbook BetRevolution.com has come under fire in recent days for reportedly confiscating $26,908 from two players citing syndicate betting, according to the website SportsBookReview.com.
According to the SBR site:
Businessman Harry Kakavas Loses $1.5 Billion at Casino
Gold Coast businessman Harry Kakavas has squandered away $1.5 billion at the Crown Casino in Australia and now he is attempting to retrieve a portion of those funds back via the courts.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports:
Bill to Ban Online Gambling in Kansas Fails
A measure that would have banned online poker in the state of Kansas failed to pass in the Senate on Friday.
House Bill 2055 sought to amend current law concerning racetrack gaming facilities and the Expanded Lottery Act.
That same bill also looked to define “Internet or online gambling” and classify as a class B nonperson misdemeanour.
Florida Bans Internet Cafes in Wake of Gambling Scandal
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Associated Press) — Florida legislators voted overwhelmingly Thursday to ban storefront gaming operations, a quick response to a scandal that led to dozens of arrests and the lieutenant governor's resignation.
The bill is now headed to the desk of Gov. Rick Scott, who said he will sign it. The operations, commonly called "Internet cafes," would allow customers to play sweepstakes games that simulated slot machines.
Gambling Addict Steals Baby’s iPhone: Caught on Camera
How bad a problem is gambling addiction? Just ask 72-year-old gambling addict Kenneth Fletcher of Liverpool, England.
Tribal Casinos Prepare for US Online Gambling: Pechanga Conference Planned
As Gambling911.com reported earlier in the week, some Tribal casinos are looking to combine their resources as a means of gaining entry into the lucrative US online gambling market.
Zynga Will Expand Real Money Online Poker Into Europe: Shares Surging
With the announcement that Zynga, the word’s largest social gaming market, will offer real money gambling in the United Kingdom, shares rose 5.5 percent to $3.24 in after-hours trade Tuesday. By late morning Wednesday, shares were up 12.4 percent to $3.45 with an earlier high of $3.49.
Zynga Shares Surge on News of ZyngaPlusPoker Will Offer Real Money Play in UK
Zynga, the world’s largest social gaming company, announced Tuesday it will begin offering real money online gambling in the UK through its new website ZyngaPlusPoker.
Shares of Zynga, which closed 2.9% lower, rebounded 8% to $3.33 in after-hours trading following the news.
"We look forward to launching our social versions of real money games for players on Facebook and mobile in the UK throughout 2013," says Barry Cottle, chief revenue officer of Zynga, posted shortly after the announcement.
Churchill Downs to Buy Maine’s Oxford Casino
OXFORD, Maine (Associated Press) — Less than a year after it opened, Maine's Oxford Casino is being sold for about $160 million to Churchill Downs Inc., the Kentucky-based gambling company announced Friday.
The deal awaits approval by the Maine Gambling Control Board and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2013.
Tribes Looking to Form Online Gambling Coalitions
A report appearing on GamblingCompliance.com suggests that US Tribes could begin forming online gambling coalitions as states begin to legalize betting on the Web.
From GamblingCompliance.com:
Internet Gambling, Casino Expansion a Tough Sell in Illinois: Quinn Skeptical
CHICAGO — (Associated Press) - Lawmakers pushing to expand gambling in Illinois hope the third time is a charm with a more finely tuned proposal that could make Illinois the fourth state to allow Internet gaming.
The latest proposal includes some familiar ideas: five new casinos, including one in Chicago and Rockford; thousands of slot machines, including at Chicago’s two airports. But it also includes Internet gambling, which would allow Illinois residents to play games like black jack on their computers or smart phones.
Casino Mogul Sheldon Adelson Testimony to be Streamed Live This Week
Courtroom View Network is expected to receive exclusive ability tomorrow to provide live streaming coverage in the trial against Las Vegas Sands Corp. Renowned liberal icon, Alan Dershowitz, and former lawyer for OJ Simpson appeared in court Friday to argue against the motion to allow cameras in the courtroom. Dershowitz argued against cameras - the liberal icon is representing the interests of ardent conservative billionaire Adelson.
AFFCoins Online Casino Brands Rockbet, Slots Jackpot Re-enter US Market
In a sign of good things to come we suppose, the AFFCoins online casino group, which includes Rockbet Casino, Vegas Days Casino, Casino Fiz, Tradition Casino and Slots Jackpot, have re-entered the US market offering real money play.
Double Down or Bust: How Gambling is an American Addiction
With March Madness slowly coming to an end, gamblers and sports enthusiasts are just looking for something else to bet their money on! Some say that their gambling habits are just for fun, some call it added income, but for many who take part in this billion dollar industry, they may call it an “Addiction.”
