Gambling

‘Ray Donovan’ Producer Sentenced for Role in Russian Mob Gambling Operative

The former producer of Showtime’s popular “Ray Donovan” cable television series, Bryan Zuriff, has escaped prison time for his role in a Russian Mob-run illegal gambling ring.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Nov/25/2013

Six Casinos Get Green Light to Operate in New Jersey

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Associated Press) - New Jersey gambling regulators gave six casinos the green light to offer Internet gambling statewide on Monday.

The state Division of Gaming Enforcement's decision, which came after more than four days of testing the technology involved in online betting and making sure gamblers are within New Jersey, allows the state to join Nevada and Delaware as the only ones offering Internet gambling. It authorized six of the seven casinos that hold Internet gambling permits to immediately offer online gambling throughout New Jersey.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Nov/25/2013

Colombo Crime Boss Attempts $164 Home Depot Heist: Arrested

Angelo “Little Angelo” Spata has been charged with shoplifting $164 worth of lighting equipment from a Brooklyn, New York Home Depot.

Spata is the son-in-law of Colombo crime boss Carmine “The Snake” Persico.

A police report indicates that the alleged heist occurred November 8 whereby Spata attempted to exit the store with a dimmer switch and LED recessed lights without paying.

“How pathetic!” a law enforcement source told the New York Daily News. 

The maximum prison sentence for this misdemeanor is one year in prison.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Nov/25/2013

Men Prefer Gambling Over Sex Recent Study Reveals: There's an App for That

A recent study conducted in the Netherlands has determined that our brains are programmed to pursue easy money over easy women.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Nov/25/2013

New Jersey's New Internet Gambling Era Has A Lot Of People Very Excited

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Associated Press) — Some were locked out by software that didn't believe they were in New Jersey. Others had their credit cards rejected, their Social Security numbers questioned and their utility bills requested.

But despite the initial glitches as New Jersey's Internet gambling era got underway last week, many gamblers say they're optimistic the kinks will get worked out and the fledgling industry will take off as online gambling gets opened up to the entire state as soon as Tuesday.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Nov/24/2013

Oregon State Lottery Dependent on Gambling Addicts

PORTLAND, Ore. (Associated Press) — The Oregon Lottery is beginning an aggressive campaign to upgrade video lottery machines and bring in more players, even as research suggests that a relatively small group of problem gamblers supply a huge portion of lottery revenue.

The Oregonian reports that consultants found the biggest chunk of video lottery players park in front of a machine and gamble alone until all their money is gone.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Nov/24/2013

Report: Gamblers in 23 Other States Tried to Play With Online Sites in NJ

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Associated Press) — Would-be gamblers from at least 23 states tried to log onto casino gambling websites in the first night of New Jersey's test of online betting.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Nov/24/2013

Multi-State Slot Jackpots Could Come to NJ in Wake of NV Decision

LAS VEGAS — (Associated Press) - In a decision being watched by New Jersey and other states, Nevada gambling regulators this week approved regulations to let slot machine makers and keno companies widen prize pools and offer mega-sized jackpots across state lines.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Nov/22/2013

Adelson Pledge: ‘Willing to Spend Whatever it Takes’ to Eradicate Online Gambling

Casino magnate Sheldon Adelson told Forbes.com’s Nathan Vardi Friday, he will spend whatever it takes to eliminate legalized online gambling from the US landscape.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Nov/22/2013

Officials Begin Poker Cheating Probe at Deadwood Casino

DEADWOOD, S.D. (Associated Press) — South Dakota's gambling commission is looking into reports of cheating at poker tables in the western gambling town of Deadwood.

The state Commission on Gaming has received numerous informal complaints in the past couple of years of players working together in poker games to obtain the chips of opponents, Commissioner Dennis Duncan said.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Nov/21/2013

New Jersey Blackout Throws Wrench in Online Gambling Plans: Some Glitches

Just as a number of websites were set to launch an initial trial of online gambling in New Jersey, a blackout shut off power to a number of towns along the Hudson River.  Of course, there were questions as to whether the affected area would be able to access these sites considering their close proximity to the border.

Submitted by Ace King on, Nov/21/2013

Ultimate Gaming and Trump Taj Mahal Bring Real Money Online Casino to NJ

LAS VEGAS - Ultimate Gaming and Trump Taj Mahal Associates LLC announced today that Ultimate Casino will launch real-money online casino games in New Jersey via Ultimate Casino (online at UCasino.com) with an invitation-only trial period commencing on Thursday November 21, 2013. 

The trial period will last for a minimum of five days and, subject to the approval of the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, Ultimate Casino will thereafter be permitted to go fully live in New Jersey.

Submitted by Press Release on, Nov/21/2013

Deja Woo: Gambling911.com and Bodog Raids, Perfect Together (Video)

One would think that the Philippines government would have more important things to do than conduct a nonsensical raid on Bodog’s offices Thursday evening.  After all, that island nation was just hit with the worst typhoon ever recorded and the devastation is something few of us can grasp, not to mention that Bodog’s Founder, Calvin Ayre, just pledged $1 million to Typhoon Yolanda relief efforts.

Submitted by Alejandro Botticelli on, Nov/21/2013

New Jersey Becomes Third and Biggest State to Begin Offering Online Gambling

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Associated Press) — For the first time, people in New Jersey will be able to click a mouse or swipe a screen to gamble online.

A five-day trial period of Internet gambling begins at 6 p.m. Thursday when players invited by casinos to test their systems make real-money bets online.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Nov/21/2013

NFL Player Fines Lines: Sports Fans Can Now Bet on Week 12 Fines

Quite an innovation from our friends at SportsBettingOnline.com, the same folks who pay 10 percent cash back weekly on all bets, WIN or LOSEYou can now bet on total fines racked up in Week 12 of NFL play, plus a number of other fine-related prop bets.  Be sure to scroll down for important new bonus offers now being offered by SportsBettingOnline.com just in time for the holidays

Submitted by Don Shapiro on, Nov/21/2013

Survey Says: NJ Gamblers Know Atlantic City Brands but Nothing About Online Plans

(London) - While Atlantic City casinos have a high prompted recognition rate amongst New Jersey gamblers, over 50% of players know nothing about the casinos’ plans to go online starting next week.

Submitted by Press Release on, Nov/21/2013

Chavit Singson Gang Allegedly Orchestrates Raid on Bodog in Manila – G911 World Exclusive

Gambling911.com  sources in the Philippines have confirmed that offices of Bodog in Manila have been raided and those within the company are pointing the finger at former Philippines "Gangster Governor" Chavit Singson as the mastermind behind this action.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Nov/21/2013

Casino Bigwigs to Battle Billionaire GOP Donor Adelson in War on Internet Gambling

Casino operators gathered in DC on Tuesday evening to develop a strategy against GOP billionaire donor and Chairman of the Las Vegas Sands, Sheldon Adelson.

In recent days, Adelson has threatened to lobby against the multi-billion dollar industry in an effort to prevent legalization within the US.  Nevada and Delaware have both started offering real money Web gambling while New Jersey is set to do so by the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Submitted by Alejandro Botticelli on, Nov/20/2013

Moooonlighting Mobster-Cattle Rancher Convicted in Racketeering Trial

(Associated Press) - A former mob associate who spent over a decade posing as a cattle rancher in Idaho has been convicted of federal charges including the attempted murder of a man who became the boss of the New England Mafia.

Enrico Ponzo was convicted Wednesday after a month long racketeering trial.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Nov/20/2013

Two More Casinos Approved for Online Gambling in New Jersey

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Associated Press) - New Jersey approved two additional casinos Wednesday to conduct Internet gambling, bringing the total to seven so far.

But last-minute testing that was to continue late into the night might knock some out of the running for Thursday night's launch of a five-day test period, also called soft play.

David Rebuck, director of the state Division of Gaming Enforcement, said his office was testing the systems of the seven casinos.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Nov/20/2013

HostGator Experiences 2nd Outage in Six Months: Many Gambling Affiliates Down

A number of online gambling affiliate websites were down after 11:15 am EDT Wednesday due to an outage with Web hosting site HostGator.com.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Nov/20/2013

Robert De Niro's Failed Audition as Sonny Corleone in 'The Godfather' Surfaces (Video)

Robert De Niro didn’t get the part of Sonny Corleone in the classic 1972 film “The Godfather”.

A failed audition tape surfaced this week, which showed De Niro, in his late 20’s,  is seen spinning around in front of the cameras wearing a black trilby hat and a buttoned-up grey shirt.  While the performance may have been good, it wasn't enough to make the cut.

De Niro would go on to win the part in "The Godfather"'s second installment, a role that would ultimately lead to an Academy Award.

Submitted by Jordan Bach on, Nov/20/2013

Foreign Online Gambling Bill to be Introduced in New Jersey

New Jersey state Senator Raymond Lesniak (D-Union) is set to introduce new legislation that would allow residents of jurisdictions where online gambling is legal outside the US to play with individuals based inside of New Jersey.  The official announcement was slated for 10:30 am EST Thursday.

The move would help create a more expansive pool of players, especially with online poker where volume is most needed.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Nov/20/2013

American Gaming Association Responds to Adelson Anti-Online Gambling Effort

The American Gaming Association (AGA) has issued a statement in the wake of casino magnate and GOP bigwig donor Sheldon Adelson’s threat to launch a media blitz against legalization of online gambling in the USA.

The AGA state:

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Nov/19/2013

Philly Mobster Asks Why He Should Go to Prison for Something PA Will Soon Make Legal

With the announcement that the state of Pennsylvania is pushing to legalize gambling in bars, Philly Mobster George Borgesi questioned why he should be going to prison for essentially engaging in the same type of business model.

"So what are we doing here?" he asked a reporter Tuesday during a break from his retrial on racketeering conspiracy charges.

From the Philadelphia Inquirer:

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Nov/19/2013

Mobster Frank ‘Bobo’ Marrapese Sentenced to 9 Years for Role in Sports Betting Ring

PROVIDENCE – (Associated Press) - A reputed New England mobster was sentenced to nine years in prison after pleading guilty on Monday in connection with an illegal sports betting ring.

Frank "Bobo" Marrapese, 70, pleaded guilty before Superior Court Judge William E. Carnes Jr. to five counts of extortion conspiracy and one count each of racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to commit criminal usury.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Nov/19/2013

Latest Federal Internet Gambling Bill Proposes Taxation: Reid Working on Measure

LAS VEGAS — (Associated Press) - If Congress makes no progress on a national framework for online gambling this session, it won’t be for a lack of legislation.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Nov/19/2013

Countdown to Legalized Real Money Online Gambling in New Jersey – Starts Nov

Real money online gambling is set to launch on November 26 in the state of New Jersey following an initial trial.  We can only hope this launch goes off better than what we witnessed with the much ballyhooed Affordable Healthcare website kickoff back on October 1, a site that still doesn’t quite work.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Nov/18/2013

Gambling Magnate Sheldon Adelson to Battle Online Gambling as NJ Sites Set to Launch

One of the biggest GOP donors, casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson, is preparing to leverage his power by approaching Congress in an effort to ban Internet gambling in the US.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Nov/18/2013

Purple Gang Mobster Shot Dead in Bronx: Brother Killed Up to 70 People

A violent thug involved in the Harlem and Bronx trade during the 70’s and 80’s was found shot execution-style in his head late Friday night.

Submitted by Alejandro Botticelli on, Nov/18/2013

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