Poker Pro Accused of Do an Awful Deal

TMZ is reporting that poker player Scott Lazar is allegedly reneging on a promise to feature a gambling company's brand in his upcoming film. Gambling Times Inc. claims that Lazar's film "Deal", which stars Burt Reynolds and Shannon Elizabeth, was to include "highly visible" product placement during the film in exchange for a $50,000 investment. The best part of all from TMZ.com: According to the lawsuit, filed in L.A. County Superior Court, the plug was far from highly visible... because it didn't exist at all. Now here's the ironic part: G.T. is suing Lazar for no less than $1,000,000 in damages -- but the film only made... get this... $78,000 WORLDWIDE when it hit theaters back in 2022. Lazar attributes much of his success in the live poker tournament circuit to his finish on the final table of the 2005 World Series of Poker, taking home $1.5 million.

iMEGA Challenges Minnesota Online Casinos Site Ban

Many people believe that the Minnesota Department of Public Safety went above their jurisdiction when they ordered Internet service providers to ban access to online gambling sites. The Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Association is now prepared to challenge the state in court. iMEGA believes that simply going to a gambling website is not illegal under Minnesota law. While online gambling is illegal, people have right, according to iMEGA, to go to the sites and look at the content if they wish. They are challenging the notices that were sent to eleven communication companies. "The notices state that the gambling opportunities available on the sites are 'illegal within Minnesota.' Regardless of whether this is an accurate statement of the law, merely visiting the sites and perusing their content is not illegal in Minnesota...," read the complaint. While Minnesota is trying to block access to Internet gambling sites, a US Representative, ...

No bluffing: State trying to pull plug on online gambling

State officials today told 11 national and regional telephone and Internet service providers to block access by all Minnesota-based computers to nearly 200 online gambling websites. The state is cracking down on online gambling, which the state says is illegal in Minnesota. A division of the state Department of Public Safety that enforces gambling and alcohol laws said today that it has instructed 11 national and regional telephone and Internet service providers (ISPs) to block access by all Minnesota-based computers to nearly 200 online gambling websites. "We are putting site operators and Minnesota online gamblers on notice and in advance," says John Willems, director of the state's Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division. "State residents with online escrow accounts should be aware that access to their accounts may be jeopardized and their funds in peril." Willems said the state is acting even though he has no idea how much Internet wagering is going on in ...

Atlantic City shows gambling isn’t recession-proof

In the 20 years he's worked on the Atlantic City boardwalk, Joe Lochs has never seen business this bad. Lochs, 54, makes his living giving rides to casino patrons in a "rolling chair," a three-wheeled, wicker-sided buggy that he pushes up and down the boardwalk between casinos, shops and restaurants. In good times, he can make $1,000 a week but since the beginning of winter, business is off by around 60 percent, and some days, there is no work at all. Business at Atlantic City's 11 casinos is falling at a record pace. Aggregate revenue plunged 19.2 percent in February from a year earlier, the sharpest decline in the 30 years since gambling was legalized in the city, according to the New Jersey Casino Control Commission. "Before this year, I never had a day without a single ride," Lochs said, rolling a cigarette outside the bankrupt Trump Plaza casino. "This year, I've had three ...

TV star cements business relationship with Gala Bingo

In a surprise move that expands her business ties with well-known Gala Bingo, Sharon Osbourne launched her own bingo site with the www.SharonsBingo.com website. If you do not know yet who Sharon is, she is the famous wife of the equally famous rocker Ozzy of Black Sabbath fame. The site is a collaboration with one of the U.K.’s biggest bingo operators. Gala Bingo alone has a 40% share of the country’s bingo industry and claims close to 32 million admissions annually. With more than six million registered members, that translates to about 5 admissions per member. This bingo division of the Gala Coral gambling group pays out millions in pounds in winnings to lucky bingo players weekly. As for Sharon herself, she is so excited about finally having her very own bingo site. She is breathless about the ultra-feminine pink-looking website which she claims her millions of fans will surely love. Talented in ...

Two New Eateries Feed Casual Cuisine Cravings at MotorCity Casino Hotel

Pizza, mile-high sandwiches, gourmet burgers and mouthwatering BBQ are rounding out the expansive food options at MotorCity Casino Hotel. With the addition of a Little Caesars Pizza and the Pit Stop deli, the property now features six distinct eateries. "Our culinary team is delighted to offer a very broad variety of dining options to our guests," said Lucio Arancibia, vice president of food and beverage. "Players, spa visitors, concert goers and hotel guests have around-the-clock food options at MotorCity Casino Hotel. From fine dining at Iridescence to a quality sandwich, burger or slice, we cater to any craving." Little Caesars, open daily from 2-10 p.m., and from 2 p.m.-3 a.m. on weekends, will offer pizza slices, whole deep dish pizzas, wings, bread sticks and salads for a meal or snack on the go. "We're excited to add a new Little Caesars restaurant in the heart of Detroit and look forward to serving ...

INTERNET GAMBLING A THREAT TO U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY?

Say it isn't so....! One of the more way-out there articles spotted on the Internet this week came from Softpedia, which reported on the somewhat reaching theories of an Illinois academic in a three part publication entitled 'The United States International Gambling Report Series'. Apparently the latest in the series contains an article by University of Illinois professor and editor of the series, John W. Kindt, who is of the view that the surge in legalised gambling that the country has registered over the past two decades is posing an increased risk to the nation's security. Kindt makes the connection between gambling and the national security of the United States by claiming that monies that would have otherwise gone to strengthen the economy and to consumer services are now diverted to private interests, and that this state of events ultimately reduces the amount spent from federal funds for the military ...

Rockers chase their dream in feel-good documentary

In the early 1980s, Steve “Lips” Kudlow and Robb Reiner were on their way to the top of the heavy metal heap. The Canadian rockers had been playing together since they were 14, and their band, Anvil, known for its fast and hard-driving, speed metal sound, was sharing the stage with some of the world's biggest rock bands. Although their music had a big influence on groups like Metallica, Anthrax and Slayer, Anvil never achieved the same level of success as their raucous peers. But they never gave up their dream. Anvil! The Story of Anvil, is a funny and inspiring documentary that catches up with Lips and Robb, now in their fifties, as they balance boring day jobs, family life and keeping the band alive. Opening Friday, April 24 at the Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak, Anvil! The Story of Anvil was directed by Sacha Gervasi, who at age ...

OUTSIDE FACTORS CAN INFLUENCE POKER PLAY

How different nationalities play? What can be the impact of the external events on a player’s ability to function well at the poker tables? Because of these quirky player surveys, Everest Poker an online poker operator made a name for itself. After the six months study, the company found out that there are several factors that affect the poker players’ performance. Such factors include live TV, some social factors and sometimes even the day of the week. Ed Pownall, PR and Events European Manager for Everest gave a situation as an example. There were two first timers who in their aim to save money on accommodation costs flew on the day of the live event, instead of choosing to arrive a day or more days earlier for them to be able to relax. Within their first hour of playing poker, they were already busted out, tired and stressed. Even a personal ...

TWO COMPANIES PULL OUT OF TURKISH LOTTERY TENDER

Bidding for the national lottery privatisation contract just got less competitive According to a Turkish Press report the bidding for the Turkish lottery privatisation contract is now less competitive following the withdrawal of local group Dogan Holding and its Italian partner Lottomatica. Both companies had already met the government's preliminary requirements for bidders. Dogan advised the stock exchange that it's withdrawal was due to adverse market conditions, but little more is known beyond that. In a separate statement, Lottomatica, one of the world's largest commercial lottery operators and a market leader in the Italian gaming industry, announced that it has exited the Turkish process and that it had terminated the memorandum of understanding signed earlier with Dogan Holding to participate in the tender. The much delayed privatisation process for Turkey's state-owned national lottery is expected to begin in August after enactment of a bill on financial control. Along with several foreign companies, ...