Gambling
New Jersey Sports Gambling Tab Comes in at $2.8 Million and Rising
NEWARK, N.J. (Associated Press) — New Jersey's bid to legalize sports gambling has endured defeat after defeat in the courts, but one big winner has emerged, at taxpayer expense — the law firm hired to help Gov. Chris Christie defend a lawsuit filed by the four major pro sports leagues and the NCAA.
The firm — Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher — is the same one Christie hired, also with public money, to investigate the George Washington Bridge lane-closing scandal that is plaguing his administration.
George Clooney, Steve Wynn Feud Grows More Intense
Las Vegas casino magnate Steve Wynn insists he did not call US President Barack Obama an “a**hole” during a heated argument last month while having dinner with Hollywood actor George Clooney.
Churchill Downs Boycott May be Taking Hold as Kentucky Oaks Handle Dips
This year’s Kentucky Oaks handle fell nearly 6% as revealed by Churchill Downs Saturday, making some wonder if a much publicized call to boycott Churchill Downs is starting to have some negative impact.
Batman Banned: Ben Affleck Banned From Playing Blackjack at Hard Rock Casino
Hollywood star Ben Affleck has been banned from playing blackjack the Hard Rock Casino in Las Vegas because he is “too good”.
The 41-year-old actor, who has starred in various gambling themed films, was stopped from playing the popular casino table game Friday night and was advised he could continue playing other games.
Steve Wynn Wins $7.5 Mil Judgment Against ‘Girls Gone Wild’ Founder
CARSON CITY, Nev. — (Associated Press) - The Nevada Supreme Court has upheld Steve Wynn's $7.5 million judgment in a civil defamation case against "Girls Gone Wild" founder Joe Francis.
Man Gets 3 Years in Russian Mob Gambling Case: Penchant for Violence Revealed
An associate of a notorious Russian Mob boss was sentenced this week to three years for his role in a sports betting ring that generated around $100 million. His sentence came just one day prior to the same judge ordering a wealthy art gallery owner to one year behind bars.
UK Tightens Rules on High Street Betting Shops
LONDON - (Reuters) - Britain is tightening controls on the spread of betting shops and the high stakes gambling machines that account for a growing part of their business, the government said on Wednesday.
Britain has a well developed gambling industry and betting shops have been a feature of the high street for more than 50 years after they were legalised in the early 1960s.
However, public concern has been growing over clusters of shops housing machines on which gamblers can stake up to 300 pounds ($510) per minute playing games such roulette.
Liverpool on His Tool: Fan Vows to Go All In With Penis Tattoo Bet
Is it really news when a Liverpool fan vows to have the Live Bird of his football club tattooed on his privates? After all, people do get tattoos there and we don’t read about it in the Mirror.
Tom Pound has promised to do just that if his team wins the Premier League.
How to Fund an Online Betting Account in New Jersey: Firm Claims It’s Been Tough
Wayne Parry, New Jersey-based Associated Press writer, reports that funding an online betting account in the Garden State has not been easy despite the activity being legal for nearly 6 months now.
Funding by credit card has been among the most difficult.
Art Gallery Owner Gets One Year in Jail for Roll in Russian Mafia Gambling Ring
NEW YORK (Associated Press) — A wealthy Manhattan art scion was sentenced to a year and day in prison on Wednesday for illegal gambling after a judge accused him of trying to avoid punishment by offering to use his family's fortune to fund an art appreciation charity for disadvantaged children.
Jenny Woo Baby Rescued From Gulf Breeze Florida Flooding by Kayak
The two-year-old baby girl of Gambling911.com intrepid reporter Jenny Woo became a national sensation Wednesday after film crews from Good Morning America and WeatherNation captured little Lily being rescued from her flooded Gulf Breeze, Florida living room by way of a kayak.
Gulf Breeze and other Florida Panhandle towns were devastated by up to two feet of rain that fell in under 24 hours.
Baby Lily’s dad happened to have a kayak out back and was able to get her to an area that was not flooded.
Jacksonville Fraternal Order of Police VP Pleads Guilty in Gambling Case
SANFORD, Fla. (Associated Press) — The longtime vice president of the Jacksonville Fraternal Order of Police has pleaded guilty, but won't face any jail time for his role with a veterans' organization that prosecutors say was as a front for a $300 million gambling operation.
Robert Freitas made the plea in court Tuesday and has agreed to testify in other cases, if necessary.
"The state's not seeking any sanction beyond the time he's already served," said attorney Tad Yates, who represented Freitas.
Floyd Mayweather Wants to Buy LA Clippers: Gambling Rep Could be an Issue
WBC Welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. said Tuesday that he would like to purchase the NBA franchise LA Clippers.
Mayweather, a regular at Clippers games, made the comment during a press conference while in Las Vegas.
Florida and Seminole Tribe Near New Deal
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Associated Press) – Florida Gov. Rick Scott and the Seminole Tribe of Florida are close to reaching a new deal that could force legislators to once again consider the future of gambling in the state.
So far there haven’t been any details released, but legislative leaders have confirmed that Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera met with them this week to let them know a deal with the Hard Rock hotel and casino owner could be reached soon.
Massachusetts Attorney General Hopeful has Ties to Online Gambling
Massachusetts Attorney General hopeful Warren Tolman reportedly promoted technology that would make online betting more appealing to young people.
From the Globe:
Couple Will Forfeit $2 Million From Illegal Gambling Operation
A defendant in an illegal gambling case out of Oklahoma has agreed to forfeit $2 million in cash and property to the federal government as part of a plea deal.
Bitcoin Sportsbook Coinbet.cc Folds After Only Four Months
Coinbet.cc, a bitcoin-only online sportsbook, has closed its doors, leaving customers wondering if they will ever see their winnings.
[SportsBettingOnline.com does accept bitcoin here]
Online Gambling in New Jersey: Toms River, Jersey City Top List of Registrants
This week we learned that Toms River ranked number one on the list of Most Registrants signing up and playing on licensed New Jersey online gambling websites. The state’s second largest city, Jersey City, ranked 2nd.
Fit News Exposes Lindsey Graham, Nikki Haley Online Gambling Agenda
FitNews.com, a site that purports to expose the “unfair” and “unbalanced” in South Carolina politics, has blasted Republican Senator Lindsey Graham along with Governor Nikki Haley for their sponsorship of a bill to prohibit online gambling at the federal level. This is an excellent piece exposing what really lies behind their efforts.
Michigan Senate Passes Charitable Gambling Bill: No More 'Millionaire Parties'
LANSING, Mich. (Associated Press) — Gov. Rick Snyder and Michigan lawmakers aren't seeing eye to eye on reining in the charitable gambling industry, which has seen significant growth over the past decade.
The Senate on Thursday unanimously passed a bill regulating so-called millionaire parties. The casino-style events allow nonprofits to split proceeds with poker rooms that host Texas Hold 'Em and blackjack games.
Jacob’s Family Has ‘Gambling’ Obstacle Standing in Way of Buffalo Bills Purchase
ESPN.com on Wednesday reported that the family involved with helping to find the Buffalo Bills a new owner hasn’t ruled out buying the franchise themselves. The Bills previous owner, Ralph Wilson, died last month.
Jeremy Jacobs Jr., the son of Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Sr., is engaged in discussions related to the franchise's future. The Jacobs, one of Buffalo's wealthiest families, would most certainly want the Bills to stay put.
Art Dealer Tied to Russian Mob Run Gambling Ring Case Blames His Dad for Woes
Playboy art dealer Hillel “Helly” Nahmad is blaming his dear ‘ol dad for his gambling problems. Nahmad was one of 30 charged for running high stakes poker games with ties to the Russian Mafia. He has since plead guilty to a lesser charge and is due to be sentenced in Manhattan on April 30.
Lobbyists Are Big (and Only) Winners Thus Far in US Online Gambling Battle
States like New Jersey are not yet seeing the promised revenue numbers for their fledgling Internet gambling sector even though growth appears inevitable. Likewise, the sites themselves are not exactly going gangbusters (not even NJ market leader PartyPoker). But alas, there is one group benefiting big time from the efforts to both legalize and prevent online gambling from taking shape in the US: The lobbyists.
Is New Jersey Online Gambling Site Virgin Casino Free $50 for Real?
A number of our readers were wondering if the New Jersey online gambling site VirginCasino.com was really offering a FREE $50 in cash to new signups. The answer to this question is a resounding YES with a big BUT… this works like a refill bonus, hence the ‘Up to $50 Bonus Cash’. So opening your account with $5 won't result in VirginCasino giving you $50.
Las Vegas Removes Dead Gambler From Infamous Black Book
We now know what happens to “casino cheats” after they die. Las Vegas removes them from their infamous Black Book. Whether they go to Heaven or Hell is anyone’s guess.
Roderick William Dee II made his way off the Black Book this past week. He died this past December at the age of 59 from a four-year bout with cancer.
The former casino dealer had four felony convictions for slot machine incidents, three of which were in Nevada.
ASA Says Paddy Power ‘Made Joke’ Out of Domestic Violence, Mocked Amputees
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned Irish online bookmaker from ever promoting bets on the Oscar Pistorious trial.
Mafia Boss Dire Warning: ‘Fellow Mobsters Might Have to Get Real Jobs to Survive’
Mafia bosses this week sounded the alarms that money in their respective criminal enterprises is starting to run out and younger members may have to (gulp) “get real jobs in order to survive”.
This comes after jailed Cosa Nostra boss Giovanni Di Giacomo was secretly recorded complaining that protection and extortion rackets weren’t as lucrative as they once were.
Deadwood Commissioners Fear Turning Gambling Town Into ‘Party City’
DEADWOOD — (Associated Press) - Commissioners in the western South Dakota gambling town of Deadwood have voted against allowing open containers of alcohol on Main Street during weekends.
The Rapid City Journal reports that the Monday night vote was 3-2 against the measure, despite recommendations by the city’s chamber of commerce and its independent business club that there be a 30-day trial.
Casino general manager Peter DeMangus said allowing people to roam the downtown area with beers in hand would create atmosphere.
Dreyfus on iGaming: ‘Not About Whether You Are Going to Eat Someone or Be Eaten’
Alexandre Dreyfus, founder of Chili Poker and now the head of the Global Poker Index, is celebrating his 10th year in online gambling and Gambling911.com would like to take this time to congratulate him as this is no small feat. After all we have seen countless numbers of "executives" come and go during this time.
Prior to ten years ago, the Frenchman had never bet online. One could argue he is among the industry’s most successful businesspeople and certainly a pioneer when it comes to online poker.
New Milwaukee Bucks Owner ‘Close Friend” to Alleged Russian Mobster
The Milwaukee Bucks are being sold and one of the new owners enjoys a “close friendship” to with a 27-year-old Russian who was among the 34 people charged nearly a year ago today in connection to a high-stakes poker game at the Carlyle Hotel and in Hollywood with alleged mob ties. One of those arrested operated an art gallery within the hotel.