David Crawford

Seidel Well in Contention in WPT Hollywood Poker Open

Apr 122011

World Poker Tour

The playing field of this year’s $10k World Poker Tour Hollywood Poker Open in Lawrenceburg, Indiana is (97) considerably smaller than that of last year (143).

However, in among the competition’s diminished playing field sits Erik Seidel: the current all-time money winner leader and member of the poker Hall of Fame. And with the 97 playing field know reduced to 9, the experienced and legendary Seidel has put himself in an excellent position to take first place and collect the $273,664 prize money.

The event, which commenced on Saturday, is currently led by Steve Barshak with a stack of 601,000. William Reynolds, the 2010 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure High Roller victor, currently sits in second place with a 541,000 stack. Seidel trails Reynolds marginally with a stack of 526,000; the former eight WSOP bracelets and former WPT title-holder is clearly still very much in contention.

From 1 p.m. ET on Tuesday, all 9 competitors will play until a T.V. table playing field of six remains. Then, on Wednesday, the winner of the World Poker Tour Hollywood Poker Open will be decided.

Dublin, Ireland to Host the 2011 International iGaming Supershow

Casino Industry, Gaming, Online Casinos No Responses »

Apr 052011

iGaming Super Show 2011

From May 24-26 this year, a wide variety of members of the online casino and gambling industry will set up base in the Dublin, Ireland. From online casino operators to regulators, software producers to casino vendors: anyone with their finger on the pulse of the online gambling industry will be in the Irish capital city.

Each of these industry members will all be in town for the same reason: the 2011 iGaming Supershow conference.

The iGaming Supershow has a dual appeal for industry members: it represents an opportunity to network and discuss prospective business opportunities, while simultaneously representing an opportunity to party the Supershow’s numerous happy hour social events.

This winning combination proved hugely successful at the 2010’s conference in Prague, yet the iGaming Supershow is expected to up its game even more in Dublin this year. Indeed, the 2011 event is set to include around 2,500 industry delegates and 150 stands and offer a number of conference streams and speed networking opportunities. Moreover, 2011’s event will host an invite only exclusive VIP conference and a 50^th birthday celebration for the founder of the online gaming brand Bodog, Calvin Ayre.

The event receives excellent degree of support from a number of company’s. The official sponsors of the iGaming Supershow 2011 are DublinBet and their affiliates, yet the event also boast renown industry brands such as Victor Chandler, Betfair, Bwin, and 888.com among its roster of sponsors and partners.

Those who register for the Supershow before May 9will gain free entry. To register, simply visit the show’s official website and fill out an online registration form.

Nevada Wishes to Keep Online Gaming Revenue Stateside

Casino Industry, Gambling Law, Gaming, Land Base Casinos, Online Casinos No Responses »

Apr 012011

Macau casinos

Las Vegas is no longer be the official gambling capital of the world — that title currently belongs to Macau, China — but it is most certainly the gambling capital of the USA. Indeed, the world-famous city of sin is still home to many of the biggest casinos operating stateside: casinos which draw in millions of visitors every year, generating large amounts of revenue for a variety of Nevada city businesses.

However, while it is these tangible, real-life casinos which contribute a great deal to both the allure and economy of Las Vegas at present, the city’s casinos are also making plans to move into the virtual, online gambling world.

Currently, online gambling, which is a multi-billion dollar industry, is illegal in the USA. However, despite its illegal status in the US, a sizeable percentage of the online gambling industry’s massive profits are generated by US game players who play on the web via online casinos hosted overseas. The casinos of Las Vegas are eager to find a way to keep this online gaming cash within America’s shores.

One such way is the intrastate online gambling bill: a bill which casinos in the state of New Jersey are currently lobbying their governor, Chris Christie, to sign and have been doing so for some time.

Nevada is now treading a similar path to New Jersey by proposing a system which would allow gamers who reside outside of Nevada’s state lines to bet online. Specifically, Nevada is proposing a $500k license fee charge, with a $250k renewal fee paid each year.

Christie originally cancelled proposed legislation which would allow online gambling. However, a senate and assembly vote aiming to decide whether blackjack, online poker and a variety of other casino games should be legalized ended with a 32-2 and 63-11 result, respectively. Consequently, regardless of Governor Christie’s clear resistance to the idea of legalized internet gambling in New Jersey, legislation which advocates just that may eventually get pushed through.

Macau Millions Will Commence in Spring

Gaming, Land Base Casinos, Poker No Responses »

Feb 092011

PokerStars have confirmed that they are set to return to Asia this Spring in order to host the Macau Millions.

PokerStars Macau will host the event at the Casino Grand Lisboa from April 2-10, and the organisers are expecting a huge turnout.

The 2010 Macau Millions included an Asian record-breaking 741 player field. However, this year’s tournament, whose HKD$2,200 main event includes a certain HKD$1.5 million cash prize pool, could be set to break that record by a considerable number.

Team PokerStars Pro Celina Lin said: “There’s every reason to think that PokerStars Macau at Grand Lisboa will be the first to cross the 1000-player mark in Asia this year.” Lin suggested that the increase in players is largely due to the generous entry free/payout ratio which the tournament offers, saying: “Two years ago, players put up $10,000 for a million dollar guarantee in the Red Dragon event [the main event at the Macau Millions]. They’re now awarding more prize money at a fraction of the entry fee.”

The Macau Millions has a unique tournament structure which allows its players to compete in any and all of its seven Day 1 starting heats.

Day 1 is then played down to 7 percent of the field, with surviving players gaining entry to Day 2 with their money.

The tournament also permits players to retry their starting heat. If such players successfully progress to Day 2 twice, they are allowed to take their largest stack along with them.

The April Macau Millions is not the only Macau-based poker tournament to look out for this year. Indeed, the Macau online poker site will also host the Macau Poker Cup over February 21-27. This event also guarantees big players and big prizes, with big-name poker stars such as Phil Ivey and Tom “durrrr” Dwan expected to be among the players contesting for the Red Dragon Main event’s HKD$3 million guaranteed HKD$11,000 prize money.

2011 Aussie Millions Championship Commences

Poker No Responses »

Jan 132011

Antonio Esfandiari

The Aussie Millions Championship, the largest and most highly renowned poker tournament in Australia, will commence on Thursday. The tournament is to be held at the Crowd Casino will opening with a AUD$1,100 No-Limit Hold’em event.

Now in its tenth year, the Aussie millions has conventionally always lived up to its name by providing sky-high prize pools, and this year it looks set to continue the tradition. Indeed, the tournament’s organisers are said to be expecting a total prize pool of approximately AUD$20 million: the level of prize money which has enabled the tournament to remain widely acknowledged as the greatest poker tournament held in the Southern Hemisphere.

Last year’s tournament saw Aussie-native Tyron Krost win the main even. Kronst defeated a final table which included Sorel Mizzi and Annette Obrestad to win the AUD$2 million prize money.

This year’s championship will include over 20 events, including a high stakes cash game and a High Roller challenge (AUD$100k). The tournament will close with the Aussie Millions main event, which begins on January 23.

The Aussie Millions main event has also conventionally drawn huge player fields: again, this year’s tournament is set to continue in that vein, with the main event’s organisers expecting a field of around 1000 to participate.

There will be many big names among this field. Indeed, Phil Ivey, Antonio Esfandiari, Joe Hachem, Chris Ferguson, Maria Ho, Patrik Antonius, Gus Hansen, are each expected to compete.

Mohawk Council of Kahnawake To Request Legal Status from Quebec

Gambling Law, Online Casinos No Responses »

Dec 022010

In Kahnawake, since 2007, three poker dens have been operating in a semi-legal capacity. A recent report in the Montreal Gazette suggests that a legal action between the Quebec and Mohawk territories may soon commence, and the legal status of these dens is said to be the root cause of this action.

The report states that the patron’s of the poker dens were completely unaware of their dubious legal status. This, however, is sure to change when the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake — a council who licenses and hosts online gambling, making millions of dollars in the process — requests Quebec to legally recognize its gambling authority and the legal status of the dens.

Previously, Contingent 8 and Mohawk Internet Technologies, the two local companies who own the dens, have operated under agreements with gambling regulators in jurisdictions around the world, such as Malta and Antigua. As a result of these agreements, the companies have been able to financially successful. In annual payments, this financial success would equal $4 million for the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake.

Yet, the dubious legal status of both the two companies and the Kahnawake Gaming Commission has meant that neither has been able to acquire approval from foreign governments outside of these jurisdictions (such as the UK). Consequently, their earnings have been affected.

A major aspect of the existing problem between Quebec and the Mohawk territories involves the gambling dens. Indeed, Quebec views these dens as being in conflict with its Loto Quebec, a state run establishment which operates bingo, a casino and lotteries.

The Mohawk Council, however, have already taken steps to resolve this issue. Indeed, the Montreal Gazzette has reported that the Mohawk Council announced in late September plans to met with representatives of the Quebec province and discuss the issue, with the hope an agreement may be reached and, eventually, their request for legal status will be accepted.

Record High Casino Revenue for Macau

Casino Industry, Land Base Casinos No Responses »

Nov 112010

Macau Casinos

Las Vegas may traditionally be viewed as the capital of world gambling, but in actuality that title now belongs to Macau. In fact, statistically speaking, the Chinese territory has had the edge over the U.S. city since 2006, and more recent figures, announced by the Gaming Inspection and Coordinate Bureau this week, suggest that Macau will maintain this status for some time yet.

According to the Gaming Inspection and Coordinate Bureau, Macau’s six casino operators together recorded gambling revenue totalling $2.4 billion in October 2010, having taken $1.6 billion in revenue in October 2009. These high figures have been accredited to China’s Golden Week: a national holiday which commences in early October.

Macau’s overall gambling revenue for 2010 now stands at $19 billion: a figure which reveals a 59 percent increase when compared with the first 10 months of last year.

Such high figures spelled good news for stocks and share holders, and the price of stocks and shares in many of Macau’s gambling operators — including Wynn Macau, Galaxy Entertainment, Melco International Development, and Crown Ltd — rose as the Gaming Inspection and Coordinate Bureau announced the figures. Specifically, stocks in Sands Chine rose to HK$17.10 — an increase of 1.2 percent — while stocks in SJM Holdings increased 3.1 percent to HK$11.88.

Macau’s gambling industry boom has been attributed to an increase in the number of arrivals to the peninsula from mainland China. From January to September this year, for example, 53 percent of visitors to Macau had travelled from the Chinese mainland. Moreover, this figure rose up to 70 percent in October, as 685,000 people visited the territory during the Golden Week holiday.

Two buddies hit the Jackpot at Casion Regina‏

Gaming, Land Base Casinos No Responses »

Aug 212010

Two friends from Canada were in a celebratory mood after winning big in a jackpot while gambling on the Monte Carlo slot machines on Sunday, August 1.

The two buddies however didn’t get onto a winning start when they started gambling at the Casino Regina in Saskatchewan in the middle of Saturday. They made big losses on the roulette wheel and went home with the determination to return later in a bid to have a change of fortunes. Jesse and Brandon decided to play on the Monte Carlo slot machine but it was busy with players. When it finally became available they decided to play just a few games but they turned their gamble of $40 into a $913,940 jackpot which got each of them $456,970 when they split.

After sharing the booty Brandon said he was extremely surprised and was speechless. He said he was locked into his sitting position until 5 in the morning.

This is the first time since May 2008 that a player has hit the Monte Carlo slot machine jackpot and this amount was the biggest ever won since it was founded 14 years ago. It’s one of Canada’s record a lot machine payments.

Harrah's launches Caesars bingo site in UK

Bingo, Casino Industry, Land Base Casinos, Online Casinos, Poker, WSOP No Responses »

Mar 042010

UK players are now able to play bingo Las Vegas style as Harrah’s Interactive Entertainment has already launched its new Caesars bingo site exclusively for Britons through CesarsBingo.com

Harrah’s already has online Caesars Casino in Britain but this is the first bingo site for the kingdom. The new site also comes with other side games including baccarat, blackjack, roulette and slots.

CaesarsBingo.com operates using the Gamesys software. Players will be able to enjoy the site using real or play money.

Both Harrah’s Interactive Entertainment and Gamesys expressed excitement in the new partnership. They are also thrilled that they would be working for the UK market.

CaesarsBingo.com will offer many terrific cash and non cash prizes, jackpots, bonuses and promotions. Some of the great offers include trips to the Casino at the Empire in London’s Leicester Square, to all-expenses paid holidays to the iconic Caesars Palace Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas.

Harrah’s has always been active in the UK market. Harrah’s is the host of World Series of Poker Europe that is happening every September at the Empire Casino in London. The company also owns 11 casinos in Great Britain including Clubs International Inc.

Horse Racing Betting is Drawing Gamblers in

Sports No Responses »

Sep 242009

Horse racing has been by far the oldest betting sports in the history of betting.

Special big events such as the Breeders Cup Challenge are bringing in more and more gamblers into the horse racing arena. Gamblers which have not yet been familiar with Horse racking , or, did not place any bets at horse racing bookies, are more and more exposed to this field.

Recent reports by Online Sports Bookie SBC.com show a large increase in gamblers of the horse racing sector. Gamblers usually will follow the big races over the TV (Some cases there is a live broadcast by ESPN or similar online sites) and will place a bet for both favorite horse or an odds based bet.
SBC.com claim to enlarge number of online sports horse race betting, by a average of 4% annually, acting so for the last 3 quarterly report, in effect bets accumulated into $2.3 million, estimates.
This large increase In interest for gambler vary from few reasons, so say SBC specialist.

“Being as the economy at right now, people like to buy an opportunity, lottery tickets and similar gambling does not have any sense , in terms of odds, so usually a gambler would like to enjoy the action by really feeling and having the full excitement, horse race betting can offer .
More over, there is some increase in TV rating by 2% higher, in terms of TV viewers interested in horse races. This has direct effects with the betting they potentially place with us”.

Some big horse race bookies offer up to 60% bonus on each first deposit , actually claiming to take stakes real high.
“The average profile of a horse race gambler would be higher in terms of age, income and education when it’s directly compared with casino or poker players”.

This year, numbers are climbing up and it seems that horse racing betting takes a real turn to a bigger league if it’s own.

CasinoExaminer.com News – Casino, Poker, Sports Betting, Bingo, Online Casino

Search