Gambling
Breaking News: New Jersey Suspends Review of PokerStars
In a major blow to the world’s largest online poker firm, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement has suspended the review of PokerStars application for an online gambling license for two years.
Tribes Set to Begin Offering Online Gambling, Some to Target Most US States
Some of the 240 Indian tribes in the U.S. are eager for a piece of that market, writes Pamela M. Prah of PewStates.org
The tribal online gambling efforts might exceed those at the state level where only three states have so far legalized Web gambling: Nevada, New Jersey and tiny Delaware.
Prah notes:
The Hill: Sheldon Adelson’s Futile War on Internet Gambling
TheHill.com released a compelling op-ed piece this week on Nevada gaming tycoon Sheldon Adelson’s attempt to quash legalized Internet gambling in the US, calling it “futile”. Michael Minton of TheHill.com writes:Congressional Subcommittee Looks at Internet Gambling at Federal Level
(Associated Press) - Organizations and advocates on all sides of the online gambling debate are cheering a Congressional hearing on the state of online gambling.
The hearing took place Tuesday before the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade.
In his testimony, American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman praised the hearing as timely. He said the gambling lobby appreciated Congress' leadership.
The Gaming Association is pushing for a national regulatory structure for online gambling.
NJ Governor Chris Christie Going to Supreme Court Over Sports Betting
Fourth time is a charm perhaps as New Jersey’s attempts to legalize sports betting in the Garden State have failed three times already in federal courts.
Governor Chris Christie has cried foul against the National Basketball Association, National Football League and other professional sports association that filed suit against the state to prevent such wagering in Atlantic City casinos.
Former Portsmouth, Blackburn Players Arrested as Part of Match Fixing Probe
Second division team Blackburn Rovers confirmed Monday that striker D.J. Campbell had been taken into custody by police as part of an undercover investigation into claims that the players accepted bribes to ensure certain outcomes during a match -- known as spot-fixing -- for betting purposes, CNN reported.
In all, six players have been taken into custody as part of the ongoing investigation into match fixing attempts of a championship game.
MGM Approved to Operate Casino in Massachusetts
BOSTON — (Associated Press) - The investigative arm of the state gambling commission recommended on Monday that MGM Resorts be found suitable to proceed with a bid for a casino in downtown Springfield, provided company officials adequately explain to the five-member commission several concerns raised during a lengthy background check.
The Bureau of Investigations and Enforcement said its 10-month review did not find any factors that would disqualify MGM from doing business in Massachusetts.
North Korea Acknowledges Purging of Leader’s Uncle for Gambling, Drug Use
(Associated Press) - North Korea on Monday acknowledged the purge of leader Kim Jong-un’s influential uncle for alleged corruption, drug use, gambling and a long list of other “anti-state” acts, apparently ending the career of the country’s second most powerful official.
Johnny Manziel Celebrates 21st Birthday in Vegas
Texas A&M Aggies star quarterback Johnny Manziel celebrated his 21st birthday this weekend in style, frolicking around Las Vegas.
TMZ.com stumbled upon the College Football standout playing blackjack at the Hard Rock Casino.
From TMZ.com:
Sources in the casino tell us the guys played for roughly an hour -- from the looks of things, Johnny was doing his gambling with a short stack of the standard $5 red chips.
WagerWeb's Stephanie Wynters Nominated for Best Affiliate Manager Sports Betting
WagerWeb.com’s Stephanie Wynters has been around the online gambling industry from a while now and all her hard work is beginning to pay off. She just made the short list at the iGB Affiliate Awards 2014 so let's get her some votes!
While I like her partner-in-crime, Marty Davis, and miss rubbing his shaved head and other assorted body parts we won't discuss on this family website, Marty missed the cut this year. I do miss my little Shreky-poo.
‘Operation Gotham City’ Sports Betting Ring in South Florida Busted
Law enforcement authorities have busted a major illegal sports betting ring in South Florida dubbed “Operation Gotham City” following a year-long investigation.
12 people were charged Friday (December 6, 2013) in Broward and Palm Beach counties. Five of the twelve remained at large as of late Friday evening.
Adam Green, 52, has been identified as the ring leader of the sports betting operative.
Taxman Catches Up With British Bookmakers
LONDON - (Reuters) - Bookmakers are preparing for a tax avoidance crackdown on online gambling in Britain that will cost the industry 300 million pounds ($490 million) a year, putting a brake on the fastest growing part of their businesses.
Many bookmakers have set up internet operations in territories such as Gibraltar, allowing them to sign up British gamblers while benefiting from benign local tax regimes.
Massachusetts Gambling Chief Steps Aside on Everett Ruling
BOSTON — (Associated Press) - The head of the Massachusetts gambling commission said he was withdrawing from a crucial review of the land deal for a proposed casino in Everett because one of the site's owners was a longtime friend and former business partner.
Stephen Crosby said he has known Paul Lohnes, co-owner of the 29-acre site, since they were in the National Guard in the 1970s and that they were business partners from 1983 to 1990.
Computer Hacker Steals Fantasy Game Items From RuneScape Customers
A computer hacker is accused of stealing virtual property from online fantasy gamers as a means of paying off real debt he had incurred.
Steven Burrell, 21, spent 16 months hacking into player profiles on the fantasy site RuneScape.com. Some 200 million players use the RuneScape website.
Because the items in question existed in a “medieval fantasy world”, Burrell has not been charged with theft. Instead, the 21-year-old has been charged with hacking.
Two England Footballers Charged as Part of Match-Fixing Probe
(Reuters) - Two players from an English sixth tier semi-professional team have become the latest to be charged as part of an investigation into soccer match-fixing, British police said on Thursday.
Michael Boateng and Hakeem Adelakun, both 22 and from Whitehawk FC in Brighton, were charged with conspiracy to defraud contrary to common law and have been bailed to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court next Wednesday.
Florida Man Pleads Guilty for Role in Online Gambling Business
A Florida man entered a guilty plea in connection to his involvement in an illegal online gambling business based in Stanford, Connecticut.
Craig Caffro, 48, pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering and one count of operating an illegal gambling business.
Caffro was one of 20 individuals arrested for their role in running the now shuttered online gambling site 44Wager.com. All but one of these individuals have agreed to forfeit money and property
Caesars: Online Bets Might Hurt Land-Based Casinos
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Associated Press) — The world's largest casino company is cautioning investors that Internet gambling might hurt rather than help its brick-and-mortar casinos.
Caesars Entertainment, which owns four of Atlantic City's 12 casinos, wrote in a filing with securities regulators late Wednesday that online gambling could reduce patron visits to its casinos in New Jersey and Nevada, and harm the company's bottom line.
Online Gambling Glitches in New Jersey Persist
More than a week after online gambling began in New Jersey, casinos and their partners are still struggling to verify the location of people who want to play on the new websites, Ryan Hutchins of the Newark Star Ledger reports.
Sure it’s not the same disaster as – let’s say the Obamacare website rollout – but there are glitches nonetheless.
Online Gambling Firm Paddy Power Sending Dennis Rodman Back to North Korea
Irish online gambling company Paddy Power is sending retired NBA star Dennis Rodman back to North Korea to help coach the national basketball team there.
He'll spend several days helping train the North Korean basketball team, which will play at least one exhibition game against former NBA players in January, according to the company. Paddy Power sponsored Rodman’s last trip to the aptly titled “Hermit Kingdom” and this time will be shooting a documentary on the event.
Mobster was Left to be Eaten Alive by Ravenous Pigs
Reputed mobster Francesco Raccosta was beaten with iron bars by members of the Ndrangheta crime family in the Calabria region of Southern Italy.
They then tossed him inside a pig sty where he was left to be eaten alive by the hungry hogs.
The murder was allegedly carried out by mob boss Simone Pepe, 24, who has since confessed to the murder of Raccosta and three other men.
“It was so satisfying hearing him scream. Mamma Mia, he could scream!” Pepe is heard shouting on recorded wiretaps. “I didn’t see a f–king thing left.
Legal Online Bingo Site Luckity.com Opens to US Customers a la Churchill Downs
Now US players can enjoy online bingo from the comforts of their own home thanks to Luckity.com, a legal US-based website that comes to us courtesy of Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby.
The online bingo industry has changed dramatically in the few past years thanks to the 2007 smoking ban in bingo halls. Due to this ban, many took their bingo games online, with reports showing an 80 percent increase in the number of online bingo players.
Delaware Considers Gambling Expansion
DOVER, Del. (Associated Press) - Members of a state panel looking at Delaware's gambling industry amid increasing competition from neighboring states is reviewing a report on the feasibility of allowing more casinos in Delaware.
Lawmakers established the lottery and gaming commission earlier this year to examine the competitive marketplace facing Delaware's gambling industry. The panel, which meets Wednesday at Legislative Hall, is facing a Jan. 31 deadline for reporting its findings and recommendations to the governor and General Assembly.
Bet on Real Financial Data With TradeFight.com
TradeFight.com is a new social gaming site that allows its players to challenge one another in the live financial market with $1000 in virtual cash.
Here’s how it works:
Atlantic City Showboat Casino Fined for Unshuffled Cards
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Associated Press) - New Jersey's top casino regulator has fined the Showboat casino hotel $7,000 for playing games with unshuffled cards, and violating rules regarding the money counting room.
State Gaming Enforcement director David Rebuck issued the fines Nov. 25. They were made public this week.
The casino declined comment.
Pennsylvania Wants a Piece of Online Gambling Industry
Following the huge success with the launch of legalized online gambling in the state of New Jersey, neighboring Pennsylvania now wants a piece of the pie.
And why not? After all, it is PA that is responsible for stealing away much of New Jersey’s brick and mortar gambling market.
Proponents of legalized Web gambling in the US were hoping for a domino effect and it appears that is about to happen.
Son of Oklahoma City Bookie Teddy Mitchell Sentenced to Six Months in Prison
OKLAHOMA CITY — (Associated Press) - A former bookie was sentenced Monday to six months in federal prison after pleading guilty to two felony counts.
NH anti-gambling groups to introduce new leaders
CONCORD, N.H. (Associated Press) — Two anti-gambling groups are introducing their new leaders to New Hampshire now that spokesman Jim Rubens has decided to run for U.S. Senate.
The Granite State Coalition Against Expanded Gambling and Casino Free New Hampshire will introduce new leaders at a Concord news conference Tuesday and announce a renewed effort to stop a casino.
The groups represent business, law enforcement, the arts, religious leaders and others.
Betfair Share Price Up on Strong Earnings Report and News of Expansion Plan
Betfair, the largest online betting exchange in Europe, has seen its shares rise more than 3 percent on Tuesday following news of its pre-tax profit for the past six months soaring 56 percent year-on-year to £32.5 million. This is welcome news for a company that has widely been viewed as “stagnant” over the years.
Betfair’s share price rose 3.8 percent to £10.69 as of 13:08 UTC.
The company went public in 2010 but its share price fell from the £13 level in which it was floated.
Ex-Wis. Payroll Worker Accused in $1M Embezzlement
A former payroll specialist at Wheaton Franciscan Services is accused of embezzling more than $1 million to support her gambling, according to a complaint released Monday.
Janice Nieman, 49, of Milwaukee is charged with four felonies _ three counts of theft over $10,000 and one count of identity theft for a scheme that dates back to 2004.
According to the complaint, Nieman admitted to the theft and told Glendale police she used much of the money to play the slots at Potawatomi Bingo Casino.
Players Flock to New Jersey Internet Gambling
(Associated Press) - The first week of Internet gambling in New Jersey went well, according to the state's top casino regulator, who says he finally stopped worrying about it.
"I'm pleasantly pleased," said David Rebuck, director of the state Division of Gaming Enforcement. "I'm also very tired because for the last seven days, all I've been doing is worrying this was going to crash."
It didn't.
