Gambling
Michael F. Orlando’s Coming Out Party at Philly Mob Trial: Calls it a ‘Death Sentence’
Michael F. Orlando testified for a second day at the trial of alleged mobster Joseph Ligambi.
Orlando came out this week as a government informer where he testified that he owed a small debt to Ligambi.
Cantor Gaming Sportsbook Director Michael Colbert Released on Bail
The Sportsbook Director for Cantor Gaming, Michael Colbert, has been released on $50,000 bail Friday.
Colbert, 32, was one of 25 individuals charged with conspiracy, money laundering and enterprise corruption in connection with a $50 million sports betting enterprise with ties to Pinnacle Sports in Curacao.
Colbert is scheduled to appear Monday in Las Vegas Justice Court.
MajorWager.com Founder Russ Hawkins Killed in Plane Crash
The founder of one of the most successful sports betting posting forums, MajorWager.com, has passed away.
Russ Hawkins, 47, of Guelph, Ontario, was killed in a plane crash Thursday afternoon after a float plane he was piloting plowed into trees at the edge of Puslinch Lake in Ontario, Canada.
OPP Insp. Scott Lawson, commander of the Wellington County detachment, said there were two men aboard the aircraft. The second individual was transported by ambulance to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Cantor Gaming Being Probed by Nevada GCB Following Arrest of Executive
The Gaming Control Board in Nevada is now focusing on possibly regulatory violations against Cantor Gaming following the arrest of its Sportsbook Director Michael Colbert on Wednesday.
Underage Children Learning How to Play Online Poker Via Free Sites Say Researchers
WESTBROOK, Conn. (Associated Press) — Online gambling is making regulation more difficult, luring children to gambling and introducing new types of problem gambling, a British researcher told a conference on Thursday.
Mark Griffiths, professor of gambling studies at Nottingham Trent University, told a few hundred participants at a conference sponsored by the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling that technology will make gambling more accessible as gamblers turn to online sites and avoid casinos.
NYPD Hungry for Bookies: One ‘Cannibal’ Cop Hungry for 100 Women
The NYPD announced the arrest of 25 individuals tied to a sports betting ring that netted some $50 million since the start of 2011. One of those individuals, George Molsbarger, has donated millions to various charities over the years. So sad indeed.
Philly Mob Trial: ‘I Should Just Shoot You in the Head’ Comment Just ‘Talk’
The defense in what is anticipated to be a months long Philly Mob trial claims that supposed “threats” made against two cooperating witnesses were nothing more than “talk” with no acts of actual violence.
Philadelphia mob boss Joseph Ligambi is on trial accused of running a massive organized crime operation that focused on gambling, loansharking and more.
Pinnacle Sports Denies Any of Its Employees Under Arrest: Business as Usual
In a statement issued by Curacao-based Pinnacle Sports, the company has denied any of its officials have been arrested as part of a massive nationwide sting operation that netted the Sportsbook Director of the M Resort, Michael Colbert.
Queens DA Issues Release on Arrests of 25 in Massive Sports Betting Ring Tied to Pinnacle Sports
Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown, joined by New York City Police Department Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly, Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Mary E.
Cantor Gaming Director Michael Colbert, PinnacleSports Owners Indicted
Michael Colbert, the Sportsbook Director for Cantor Gaming, was arrested early Wednesday morning in Las Vegas along with seven other individuals whose names have since been released. A total of 25 arrests were made nationwide Wednesday. The 259 page indictment charges these individuals with Enterprise Corruption, Money Laundering, Promoting Gambling and Conspiracy.
The Ironies Associated With The ‘Cantor Gaming – Pinnacle Sports Arrests’ are Many
Jagajeet Chiba here for Gambling911.com and boy what a day, heh?
Mike Colbert, Director of Cantor Gaming’s sportsbook operations in Las Vegas, was arrested early Wednesday morning in connection with an investigation related to Pinnacle Sports out of Curacao.
Mike Colbert Arrest a Black Eye for Nevada Gaming Control Board
As Nevada is set to begin legalizing online poker, it may also face a serious setback following news that M Resorts Sportsbook Director, Mike Colbert, has been arrested and charged on eight counts of conspiracy, money laundering and enterprise corruption.
Specifics of this arrest are forthcoming on Thursday 11 am ET as New York prosecutors are set to hold a press conference. The investigation is being conducted by the Queens District Attorney's Office, long notorious for going after operatives of offshore sports betting businesses.
Sportsbook Director for Cantor Gaming, M Resorts Arrested in NYC: Faces 8 Charges
As first reported on Gambling911.com Twitter Wednesday afternoon, there has been a series of arrests made in New York City and across the US related to sports betting and one of the individuals charged is none other than Mike Colbert, Sports Director for Cantor Gaming and Manager of M Resorts Race and Sports Book.
Brennan Jr: Harry Reid Likely Eyeing Cyber Security Bill for Online Poker Measure
The Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Association (imega.org) founder Joe Brennan, Jr. believes that a reintroduced Cyber Security measure could be the vehicle for passing online poker legislation during the lame duck session.
Brennan, Jr. tweeted:
Bet this is the ‘must pass’ bill Reid will tack his poker bill to in Lame Duck; is it enough of a “must have” to work?
European Commission Action Plan for Online Gambling Published
Online gambling in the Internal Market - Frequently asked questions
Why is the Commission adopting an Action Plan on online gambling?
Online gambling services are both in demand and widely offered throughout the EU and the economic significance of the sector continues to grow. This process has so far proven to be largely independent from the level of restrictions imposed by individual Member States. Thus in 2008, four out of the five largest national online gambling markets in the EU were characterised by very restrictive regulatory models (Germany, Italy France, Sweden)
Philadelphia Mobster Wanted Frank Sinatra Dead
A high profile Mob trial began last Thursday in Philadelphia and on Monday we learn that reputed Mob 'boss' Joseph Ligambi wanted crooner Frank Sinatra dead for insulting him at a concert.
Ligambi is charged with illegal gambling and extortion.
EU Unveils Online Gambling Mission
The European Union on Monday unveiled plans to improve safeguards for money laundering activities via online gambling websites.
The EU mission also looks to prevent match fixing while protecting players against fraud.
From Bloomberg News:
Critical Call Costs Bettors in Seahawks 49ers Game
Darren Rovell, now with ESPN, questioned a call Thursday night during a division meeting between San Francisco and Seattle that no doubt infuriated a large number of bettors, unless of course you happened to be on the other side of this situation.
Illegal’ Family Gambling Exploits Raised During Tierney, Tisei Debate
BOSTON (Associated Press) — Democratic U.S. Rep. John Tierney and his Republican challenger Richard Tisei butted heads on health care, gun control and the controversy surrounding the illegal gambling business operated by Tierney's brothers-in-law in a feisty televised debate.
The two candidates in Massachusetts 6th Congressional District tossed charges and countercharges in the 25-minute match Thursday on NECN.
Lose a Bet, Rob a Walmart
A Tennessee couple have been charged with robbing a Walmart after Brandon Lee Henry lost a bet on his beloved Vols. The girlfriend assisted in stealing $756 worth of goods to pay off the $150 lost bet (fuzzy math, we know).
Philadelphia Mobsters Go on Trial Thursday
Opening arguments will begin Thursday in the racketeering trial of reputed mob boss Joseph “Uncle Joe” Ligambi and six others. The trial is expected to last for up to 12 weeks.
A final group of alternative jurors were selected on Wednesday.
From the Philadelphia Inquirer:
New Jersey Attorneys Set to Grill the NFL Head Roger Goodell, NBA Commish David Stern
John Brennan of NorthJersey.com revealed Wednesday afternoon that New Jersey attorneys will begin to depose leaders of four professional sports leagues and the NCAA.
Those to be deposed include the likes of the NCAA’s Mark Emmert plus the NFL’s Roger Goodell, the NBA’s David Stern, MLB’s Bud Selig, and the NHL’s Gary Bettman.
Christie Spokesperson Elaborates Further With Response to NCAA Pullout
“Ludicrous,” is what a Governor Chris Christie spokesperson called the decision by the NCAA late Monday to pull 2013 championship games out of New Jersey. The NCAA objects to the state’s intentions to allow legalized sports betting.
Christie, Brennan React to NCAA Pulling Games Out of New Jersey: ‘Ludicrous’
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie did not mince words Tuesday when he referred to the NCAA’s decision to pull some championship games out of the Garden State as “ludicrous”.
The NCAA is reacting to New Jersey’s decision to move forward with legalizing sports betting in the state. It will begin accepting application from potential operators on January 6.
New Ruling on Mass. Gambling Tribe
BOSTON, Mass. (Associated Press) - Gov. Deval Patrick calls "very frustrating" the federal government's rejection of a casino compact the state had reached with the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe.
Patrick told reporters on Monday that he planned to reopen negotiations with the tribe but offered no timetable on when a revised compact might be completed.
NJ Schools Express Outrage Over NCAA Decision to Pull Games
New Jersey school officials were fast to react to the NCAA’s decision to pull scheduled championship games because of the state’s pursuit of sports betting.
NCAA Will Not Hold Championship Games in New Jersey Due to Gambling Effort
The NCAA has announced it will be withdrawing a number of 2013 Playoffs and Championship games from the state of New Jersey.
The NCAA has filed a lawsuit in an effort to stop the state from moving forward with plans to allow sports betting.
From USA Today:
Casino Table Games Up 15 Percent in PA
PHILADELPHIA — (Associated Press) - Gross revenue from table games rose 15.4 percent last month compared to the same period a year ago, state gambling regulators reported today.
The state's 11 casinos generated $59.3 million in gross revenue from table games in September, an increase from $51.4 million during the same period a year ago, according to Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board revenue figures. Last month's numbers include $2.9 million generated at Valley Forge Casino Resort, the state's newest casino, which opened in March.
New Jersey to Begin Issuing Sports Betting Licenses in January
Despite legal opposition from four professional sports associations, including the National Football Association (NFL), New Jersey is forging ahead with licensing of sports betting operations beginning January, it was revealed on Monday.
1st Anonymous Juror Chosen for Philadelphia Mob Trial
(Associated Press) - The first juror selected for a Philadelphia mob trial is a former Teamsters member who was a crime victim in her teens.
The FBI investigation involves alleged mob activity since about 1999, when former boss Joey Merlino went to prison.
Prosecutors say acting boss Joseph "Uncle Joe" Ligambi has led Philadelphia's La Cosa Nostra since then.
The case mostly involves illegal gambling and loansharking in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and there's little violence alleged.
