Gambling

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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:

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.

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 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. 

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:

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.

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.”

Game Developers Conference 2013 Talks Gambling on Games and $20B Payday

All the talk at this week’s Game Developers Conference appears to have centered around - you guessed it -  gambling.

And why not?  Experts placed a dollar figure at around $20 billion for the sector.

The big question for a panel discussing the subject:  Is gambling the next growth opportunity and how can it be regulated?

Mass Organized Crime Figure Joseph Giallanella Sentenced to 2 Years

WOBURN, Mass. (Associated Press) — A 64-year-old North Andover man prosecutors say was a key associate in a loan sharking and illegal gambling operation has been sentenced to two years and a day in prison.

$338.3 million Powerball Ticket Purchased in New Jersey

PASSAIC, N.J. — No one has come forward yet in New Jersey to claim the winning Powerball ticket worth $338.3 million.

The owner of the liquor store where the ticket was sold says a couple of people have told the store they have the winner. But Sunil Sethi (SOO’-neel SET’-tee) of Eagle Liquors in Passaic, 15 miles northwest of New York City, says nothing has been confirmed.