Featured Articles Archive - Page 386

Gambling and the Law: D.C. proposes rules for Internet non-gambling

[In the interest of full disclosure, I am working with the D.C. Lottery on a related plan, to bring in electronic Instant Ticket Vending Machines ("e-ITVMs"). These will look like the most advanced Class II machines, and will dispense instant lottery tickets.] The District of Columbia officials held a public hearing today, Wednesday, June 29, on their plans to start taking money bets on online gaming in September...read more

No drop in this year's WSOP

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- If the 2011 World Series of Poker ended today, it would close with the fourth-most participants in the tournament's 42-year history.With eight events left to go, however, including next week's start of the $10,000 buy-in No Limit Hold'em World Championship Main Event, the current World Series of Poker is on track to shatter several all-time records.The success has come despite concerns of a drop in participation following the federal government's crackdown on Internet poker in April, which left many American players with their bankroll stranded on overseas gambling websites.Apparently, the tournament's impending doom was vastly overrated."It's hard to discount how almost every event has grown in participation," World Series of Poker Executive Director Ty Stewart said.Through Thursday, with 50 of the 58 planned events on the books, the tournament inside the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino's Convention Pavilion has drawn 57,781 entries, 6.6 percent higher than at the same time a year ago.The prize pool in the World Series of Poker cracked the $100 million mark Thursday, which puts the tournament on a money pace that is 6.7 percent higher than the 2010 tournament."It is one thing to plan and prepare to accommodate such a large number of people on a daily basis," World Series of Poker tournament director Jack Effel said in a statement, "But it is truly an amazing feeling to see it all unfold in front of your eyes like we have witnessed at the World Series of Poker in 2011."Last year's World Series of Poker awarded $187.1 million and had a record 72,966 entries, including 7,319 players for the Main Event.With the $50,000 buy-in Poker Players Championship and the Main Event still to be played, the tournament is on a record pace.Stewart said the timing of the Poker Players Championship, which begins Saturday and concludes Wednesday, could increase the number of entries from a year ago, when it was held early in the tournament.Last year's Poker Players Championship, which requires participants to rotate play in eight variations of poker, drew 116 players and was won by Michael Mizrachi, who earned almost $5.6 million."We've seen an increase in participation in mixed-game events, so we think this will help attract participants," Stewart said.The 2011 tournament has already shattered several event records, including the largest-ever $1,000 buy-in event, the largest-ever $1,500 buy-in event and the largest consecutive days of a starting field with a combined 6,332 entries."We are humbled once again by the incredible turnout from players all over the world," Stewart said.The Rio is also offering 150 satellite tournaments daily throughout the World Series of Poker, which allows players to enter a lower-buy-in event and win the entry fee for a larger event...read more

Full Tilt Poker traffic now routed through Kahnawake Mohawk Territory

One day after its license to operate an online poker room was suspended by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission, rumors are swirling that Full Tilt Poker may be looking to obtain a license from the Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC) to resume games.While the IP address for www.fulltiltpoker.com is still located in Ireland, a trace route for the IP address shows that traffic is routed through the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory...read more

Alderney suspends Full Tilt Poker's license

The future of Full Tilt Poker appears to be in doubt this morning, as the Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC) has issued an order for Full Tilt to suspend all operations immediately."The decision to suspend these licenses follows a special investigation prompted by the indictments unsealed by US Attorney General's Office in the Southern District of New York on 15 April 2011, during which grounds were found to indicate that these licensees and their business associates were operating contrary to Alderney legislation," reads a press release from the AGCC...read more

Top-10 Nolan Dalla WSOP write-ups

Some media outlets that cover gambling — and specifically poker — spend the entire months of June and July camped out in the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, reporting on the World Series of Poker.The tournament series is the ultimate grind, as action runs from noon until 3-4 a.m...read more

Heard it on the River: Flooding hurts Mississippi casinos

The water and mud that flooded casino jurisdictions up and down the Mississippi River in April failed to wash away the buildings but did swallow up revenue leaving behind a 60 per cent drop for May compared with the number last year for Riverfront operations, according to the state department of revenue. Some 17 casinos from Tunica down to Natchez started to shut their doors last April and during the closure period they collected only $41 million in May compared with $107.8 million a year ago and $101.8 in April this year. It was a bad hit worsened by the bad economy and credit to the casinos that mustered their forces as soon as they had access to their buildings and re-opened a lot quicker than anticipated...read more

Juanda riding high at WSOP

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- When John Juanda denied Phil Hellmuth an unprecedented 12th World Series of Poker championship bracelet in the Deuce-to-Seven Lowball event, about a third of the audience for the heads-up match was solidly in Juanda's corner...read more

Moody's upgrades Las Vegas Sands rating

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- Moody's Investors Service on Friday revised Las Vegas Sands Corp's rating outlook to positive from stable and affirmed its Ba3 corporate rating. The revision reflects greater confidence that Las Vegas Sands will be able to reduce its debt ratio, which is required for a one-notch ratings upgrade. "Las Vegas Sands would also need to adhere to a conservative long-term financial policy in order to achieve a Ba2 corporate family rating," said Keith Foley, a Moody's senior vice president. The positive outlook also incorporates Moody's favorable view of Las Vegas Sands refinancing...read more

Match play promotions are better than you may think

Make believe your friendly neighborhood casino wants to boost its minibaccarat action. So the joint sends you and some other specially-selected solid citizens $100 in “match play” coupons. The coupons are good only for $10 or higher bets on Player at minibaccarat. In case you’re foggy about the fine points, match play is funny money the casino gives you to bet along with equal face value of your own wampum...read more

Deal Me In: Hot news on roulette voodoo

Dear Mark: I enjoyed your response to a question column roulette wheel bias. I was wondering if an experienced roulette dealer could make the ball land where he or she pleases? Josh G.What you’re asking, Josh, is whether a dealer can deliberately target and pocket a particular number when the wheel is spinning east, the ball west, with frets impeding a descending bouncing ball as it finds its way to a particular pocket...read more