January 30th, 2010 / No Comments » / by admin
Online gambling software group Playtech plc, has introduced its new playing platform for Mobile gaming. The new Mobile Web Apps is the latest cross-platform solution from Playtech, allowing players to continue playing their favourite online casino games on the go, dispensing with the need to download first.
Playtech Mobile gives its operators the opportunity to grow their player base by expanding their existing online operations into the mobile entertainment market. Playtech Mobile’s Web Apps is the latest way in which users can enjoy the freedom and flexibility of mobile casinos, switching easily between their computer and mobile using the same account log-in. This non-stop, instant play experience is supported by mobile platforms of iPhone/iPod Touch and Android phones, enabling a maximum exposure to a maximum audience.
With over a dozen casino games already available for the mobile, the three pioneer games to launch as Mobile Web Apps are Blackjack, Jacks or Better (video poker) and the Gold Rally progressive slot, which is linked to the Playtech progressive jackpot.
Playtech is launching three more new games as Java apps : Pop Bingo, a single player version of the classic Bingo; Keno, an exciting lottery-style game, and the all-enduring, fixed odds face-off Rock, Paper, Scissors.
Playtech Mobile’s innovative Casino Packs allow operators to create their own unique download packages. By bundling the custom-selected games into one package, users can log-in one time and access all the games instantly.
Playtech’s Mobile Gaming is fully supported by the Information Management Solution (IMS), Playtech’s operational infrastructure that expertly manages and monitors all the activities of the mobile gaming operation. The system’s modular architecture enables full integration and customisation opportunities, allowing licensees to take full advantage of Playtech’s cross-platform capabilities.
Posted in: Casino News
Tags: Gambling, Poker
January 30th, 2010 / No Comments » / by admin
Online poker payment processor, Douglas Rennick of Canada, is facing up to 30 years in prison after an appeals court on Monday upheld a contempt order for his refusing to comply with a grand-jury subpoena. Rennick is accused of processing more than $350 million in payments for Internet gambling companies including PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker.
In an order Monday, the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals rejected arguments that two companies owned by Douglas Rennick can refuse to comply with a subpoena on grounds that it would violate Rennick’s Fifth Amendment right against self incrimination.
Rennick, who lives in Canada, is the sole shareholder, officer and employee of Account Services Corp. and KJB Financial Corp.
"Although the long-established ‘collective entity rule’ prevents corporations from availing themselves of the Fifth Amendment privilege, the companies contend that the Supreme Court’s decision in Braswell v. United States compels us to carve out an exception for one-person corporations," the three-judge panel found. "We disagree and affirm the district court’s contempt order."
What follows is the ruling obtained by Gambling911.com.
On June 18, 2009, a grand jury sitting in the Southern District of New York issued a subpoena duces tecum to Account Services Corporation in connection with an investigation of alleged bank fraud, illegal gambling, and money laundering. The Government and the Companies agreed to construe the subpoena as being directed not just to Account Services Corporation, but to both of the Companies. On July 10, 2009, Rennick moved to quash the subpoena, arguing that his personal Fifth Amendment rights permitted the Companies to resist the subpoena since he was the only individual capable of producing the requested corporate records and the act of production would be testimonial and potentially self-incriminating. Judge Swain, sitting in the Southern District’s emergency part, denied the motion. In re Grand Jury Subpoena Issued June 18, 2009, No. M11-189, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 71610 (S.D.N.Y. Aug. 4, 2009).
On August 5, 2009, Rennick was indicted on charges of conspiracy, bank fraud, illegal gambling, and money laundering. Subsequently, the Companies refused to comply with the subpoena, leading Judge Sullivan, who was then sitting in the emergency part, to hold them in contempt. In re Grand Jury Subpoena Issued June 18, 2009, No. M11-189 (S.D.N.Y. Aug. 17, 2009).
The Companies now appeal.
The Fifth Amendment guarantees that no person "shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself." U.S. Const. amend. V. This text "limits the relevant category of compelled incriminating communications to those that are `testimonial’ in character." United States v. Hubbell, 530 U.S. 27, 34 (2000). Because the act of producing documents can be both incriminating and testimonial – such as when it confirms the documents’ existence, possession, or authenticity – a subpoenaed party may be able to resist production on Fifth Amendment grounds. See United States v. Doe, 465 U.S. 605, 612-13 (1984).
Under the long-established "collective entity rule," however, corporations cannot avail themselves of the Fifth Amendment privilege. Braswell, 487 U.S. at 104-10. A corollary of this rule is that the custodian of corporate records, who acts as a representative of the corporation, cannot refuse to produce corporate records on Fifth Amendment grounds. See Bellis v. United States, 417 U.S. 85, 90 (1974). This is true (1) whether the subpoena is directed to the corporation itself or to the custodian in his representative capacity, see id. at 88, and (2) "regardless of how small the corporation may be," id. at 100.
In In re Two Grand Jury Subpoenae Duces Tecum, 769 F.2d 52 (2d Cir. 1985), we considered whether there was an exception to the collective entity rule for a corporation that was "essentially a one-man operation" (nominally, it had three shareholders). Id. at 54. There, the subpoenaed party made much the same argument that the Companies make here: the custodian of corporate records for a one-person corporation could resist the subpoena since he was the only person capable of producing the documents and the act of production would incriminate him personally. We disagreed, stating emphatically, "[t]here simply is no situation in which the fifth amendment would prevent a corporation from producing corporate records, for the corporation itself has no fifth amendment privilege." Id. at 57. Assuming it remains good law, this case appears to resolve the issue now before us. See United States v. Wilkerson, 361 F.3d 717, 732 (2d Cir. 2004) ("[We] are bound by the decisions of prior panels until such time as they are overruled either by an en banc panel of our Court or by the Supreme Court.").
Since our ruling in In re Two Grand Jury Subpoenae, the Supreme Court decided Braswell v. United States, 487 U.S. 99 (1988), a very similar case. There, the targeted corporations were also essentially one-person operations (the owner’s wife and mother served alongside the owner as figurehead directors). Although the Supreme Court held that the corporations’ custodian of records could not resist a subpoena on Fifth Amendment grounds, it also held that, should the custodian stand trial, the Government could not introduce evidence that the custodian himself produced the records since he acted in his representative and not personal capacity. Id. at 117-18. The Court acknowledged, however, that the jury might permissibly infer that the custodian was the source of the documents based on his position at the corporation. Id. at 118. In a footnote, the Court "le[ft] open the question" of whether a custodian could resist a subpoena where he "is able to establish… that the jury would inevitably conclude that he produced the records," such as where the corporation was truly a one-person operation. Id. at 118 n.11.
We conclude that Braswell did not overrule In re Two Grand Jury Subpoenae. The Supreme Court explicitly withheld decision on the question of whether an actual one-person corporation could resist a subpoena on Fifth Amendment grounds. This non-decision does not call into question our categorical finding that "[t]here simply is no situation" in which a corporation can avail itself of the Fifth Amendment privilege. In re Two Grand Jury Subpoenae, 769 F.2d at 57. We note that we are not the first circuit court to conclude that Braswell did not overrule such precedent. See Amato v. United States, 450 F.3d 46, 51 (1st Cir. 2006).
Our conclusion that a one-person corporation cannot avail itself of the Fifth Amendment privilege is not only supported by our precedent, but is sensible. First, it prevents the erosion of the "unchallenged rule that the [corporation] itself is not entitled to claim any Fifth Amendment privilege." Bellis, 417 U.S. at 90. Second, it recognizes that the decision to incorporate is freely made and generates benefits, such as limited liability, and burdens, such as the need to respond to subpoenas for corporate records. See Amato, 450 F.3d at 52. Third, it avoids creating a category of organizations effectively immune from regulation by virtue of being beyond the reach of the Government’s subpoena power. See United States v. White, 322 U.S. 694, 700 (1944) ("Were the cloak of the [Fifth Amendment] privilege to be thrown around these impersonal [corporate] records and documents, effective enforcement of many federal and state laws would be impossible."); see also Braswell, 487 U.S. at 115 (noting the importance of subpoenaing corporate records in the fight against white collar crime). Every other court to have considered this issue has reached the same conclusion for largely the same reasons. See, e.g., Amato, 450 F.3d 46, 51-53; United States v. Stone, 976 F.2d 909, 912 (4th Cir. 1992); United States v. Milligan, 371 F. Supp. 2d 1127, 1129 (D. Ariz. 2005); SEC v. Bremont, No. 96 Civ. 8771, 1997 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 6125, at *3 (S.D.N.Y. May 6, 1997); United States v. Maxey & Co., 956 F. Supp. 823, 829 (N.D. Ind. 1997); United States v. Raniere, 895 F. Supp. 699, 706-07 (D.N.J. 1995); United States v. Moseley, 832 F. Supp. 56, 58-59 (W.D.N.Y. 1993).
Finally, we question the basic premise of the Companies’ argument, namely, that a jury would inevitably conclude that Rennick himself produced the documents. Although the inference would be strong, it would not be automatic. For example, the jury might believe the Government obtained the documents entirely on its own, such as by conducting a search. Even if the jurors learned that the Government obtained the documents via a subpoena, they might infer that the corporation engaged a third party to search its records and make the production on its behalf.
In sum, the district court did not abuse its discretion in holding the Companies in contempt for failing to comply with the subpoena.
We observe in closing that the subpoena in question requires only that the Companies, and not any particular individual, produce the requested documents; how best to accomplish this is a question for the Companies and not this Court.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, we AFFIRM.
Posted in: Casino News
Tags: Gambling, Poker
January 25th, 2010 / No Comments » / by admin
Online Vegas Casino The upcoming weekend will mark the end of all of the new year slot tournaments that are taking place at online casinos. That means February has almost arrived, and Online Vegas Casino is taking players into the new month with a $50,000 slot tournament.
The See You In February $75,000 Weekend Madness event begins this Friday, and runs through next Tuesday, February 2nd. The tournament already has almost 100 players signed up, and thousands of more are sure to follow.
The tournament is set up similarly to how many of the most recent tourneys at Online Vegas have been structured. The entry fee has changed again for these slot tournaments, up to $13.99, but the prize pool has also increased.
Of the $75,000 that will be won by players, $50,000 will be in real money, and the other $25,000 will be bonus money. First place will win $21,000, second place is $9,500, and third place will be $4,500. The top twenty finishers will all win cash prizes of no less than $250.
The game of choice for this event is Love Bugs, and as is the case with many slot events these days, players may re-buy into the tournament if their balance runs low. The re-buy fee for this tournament is $13.99, and a player will receive an additional balance of $350. The starting balance for all players will be $325.
Posted in: Casino News
January 25th, 2010 / No Comments » / by admin
After nearly a year of television commercials featuring Dom Joly, and the chance for everyone to win a life changing jackpot of £8,888,888, it looks like the Pirate’s treasure is still safe. As yet, no one has found the ‘X’ that marks the spot!
The offer remains the same: all a player has to do is sign up and register with 888 Casino and they are then offered three free spins on the special Pirates Millions online slot. If the player gets very – very – lucky, the spin will land on the jackpot and the player will win the largest slots jackpot in the history of online gambling – a mind-blowing £8,888,888.
The advertising campaign has been a huge success with thousands of people signing up and giving the slots game a spin.
“I have never before gambled on an online slots machine,” said 888 Casino debutante Deborah Cullen. “I saw the television commercial and thought it was worth a punt. I registered, downloaded the software, and had my three spins.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t win but I guess it’s the same as filling in a lottery ticket. Someone, somewhere, will eventually get lucky and win!” She added.
If you still haven’t had your three free spins – what are you waiting for? You have until the end of the month to get lucky. No one has won it as yet!
Posted in: Casino News
Tags: Gambling
January 20th, 2010 / No Comments » / by admin
MGM Mirage It was a bad day for the stock market in general on Thursday and US gaming stocks felt the affects. Most top gaming stocks fell on Thursday, with Melco Crown Entertainment and Ameristar Casinos up slightly.
MGM Mirage stock dropped the most at the close of the trading day, falling by 4.95%. MGM stock finished the day at $11.32, declining $.59. The stock has now had two consecutive days where it has dropped.
Similarly, Las Vegas Sands stock fell 4.81%. It was a loss of almost a dollar a share, and Sands stock closed at $17.02. The stock is still trending upwards despite the small setback on Thursday.
Other gaming stocks that declined were Boyd Gaming, Pinnacle Entertainment, and Isle of Capri Casinos. Boyd stock closed at $8.76, Pinnacle stock finished the day at $8.58, and Isle of Capri stock ended the day at $8.89.
Melco Crown has traditionally gone against the trend of other gaming stocks and that was the case on Thursday. Melco Crown stock closed at $3.63, up 1.68%. Ameristar Casinos stock rose .53%, to $15.13.
Posted in: Casino News
January 20th, 2010 / No Comments » / by admin
Microgaming-powered Nedplay Casino, which has been worrying players for several weeks with bad communications and slow-pay problems, has been acquired by the popular 32Red AIM-listed online gambling group.
Initial player reaction appeared to be favourable due to 32Red’s outstanding reputation; it was awarded “Casino of the Decade” at Casinomeister earlier this week for outstanding support, ethical and responsive operations and business transparency.
A statement from 32Red revealed that the Nedplay player base would be absorbed and an immediate start made on processing outstanding player payments. The takeover agreement also includes all Internet domains and Intellectual Property.
The Nedplay branding will, at least for now, be maintained as the acquisition joins other 32Red brands such as 32Red Casino and Dash Casino.
In the company’s statement, chief executive Ed Ware said: “We are pleased to have the Nedplay Casino join our group and look forward to delivering the same high standards we apply across our existing operations to the Nedplay Casino.”
Nedplay players with approved pending withdrawals that are outstanding should expect payment from 32Red shortly, the statement advised, adding that the same applies to any outstanding affiliate payments.
Posted in: Casino News
Tags: Gambling
January 15th, 2010 / No Comments » / by admin
January 19 – This weekend saw some highly entertaining English Premier League action, and for English football betting fans there were no doubt many chances to win some serious money from their favourite teams and/or opponents alike. Of all the weekend’s many matches, a couple stick out in particular.
The first was the game between Chelsea – who are still riding high at the top of this season’s English Premier League with 48 points – and Sunderland, who have been languishing in the middle of the League with 23 points. While fans of both sides expected Chelsea to win, they did not expect the 7-2 score line.
Despite the fact that many of Chelsea’s key players were absent, busy fulfilling their African Cup of Nations commitments, from the first minute to the last Chelsea played like a team possessed. And it showed as the goals started piling up as the Blues were absolutely relentless in their pursuit of a big score.
‘Ninety minutes plus of sheer entertainment’ was how many Chelsea fans described the game. Said newly appointed Chelsea manager, Carlo Ancelotti, after the game, ‘This is Roman Abramovich’s team and I’m honoured to train them. If we give enjoyment to our fans, it’s good. It’s one of our aims.’
No so happy was Sunderland manager, Steve Bruce. But he was full of praise for an unstoppable Chelsea. ‘That’s the strength of Chelsea. They can be without four or five and still bring in very good players. Their strength in depth is to be admired. Whoever finishes above this lot will win the League.’
Another exciting match took place between Everton and Manchester City, where Everton saw in the final whistle as the 2-0 victors to the disgust of Man City fans. The only thing that Manchester City got out of the game was ‘embarrassment’ as they failed to keep middle-of-the Leaguers Everton at bay.
Even Manchester City’s expensive Brazilian player, Robinho, failed to rate against Everton. He was brought on 15 minutes into the first half and was taken off – head hanging – 15 minutes into the second half by beleaguered Man City manager, Roberto Mancini. When asked after the match if there was anything he could take away from the match, Mancini simply replied: ‘Nothing’. Nuff said.
Here are the English Premier League Football results from Saturday, January 16 and Sunday, January 17, 2010:
Aston Villa 0-0 West Ham Utd
Blackburn 2-0 Fulham
Bolton 0-2 Arsenal
Stoke City 1-1 Liverpool
Chelsea 7-2 Sunderland
Man Utd 3-0 Burnley
Tottenham 0-0 Hull City
Wolves 0-2 Wigan Athletic
Everton 2-0 Manchester City
Posted in: Casino News
January 15th, 2010 / No Comments » / by admin
Make a note of Rhode Island bill S.2028, because you may be hearing more about it as the new year progresses. It’s a proposal now before the Senate Constitutional & Regulatory Issues Committee that suggests it’s time to lift the federal sportsbetting ban in order to boost state tax revenues, and follows similar moves in Delaware and New Jersey.
Authored by state Senators Tassoni, McBurney and Doyle, and introduced January 13th, the bill urges the United States Congress to lift the national ban on sports wagering imposed by the 1993 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act which prohibits states and local governments from authorising sports wagering, confining it solely to the state of Nevada.
The Senators point out that Nevada pulled in $81.5 million on 2009 Super Bowl wagering alone – an estimated mere 1% of nationwide sportsbetting potential – and attracted 287,000 visitors to Las Vegas.
The politicians also quote National Gambling Impact Study Commission statistics indicating that illegal sports wagering in the United States generates revenues around $380 billion every year.
The Senators argue that the federal sports wagering ban is not effective in curbing illegal sport gambling, and that lifting the ban on sports wagering would allow state gaming enforcement agencies to more properly regulate and police this activity, at the same time significantly benefiting the State of Rhode Island by generating additional tax income and by enhancing tourism.
Posted in: Casino News
Tags: Gambling
January 10th, 2010 / No Comments » / by admin
PokerStars and PokerStars players are offering their help to the people of the Earthquake-ravaged Caribbean nation of Haiti. Tens of thousands of people are feared dead and up to three million affected by the huge tremor. Please promote this appeal as soon as possible.
Players can donate in two ways and all donations will be matched by PokerStars and donated to the Red Cross.
Players can either
a) transfer to the account "Haiti Fund" using the Transfer Funds tool under Requests menu. Or…
b) players can enter one of the dummy tournaments located under Tourney > Special called "Haiti Earthquake Relief". Please note these are not real tournaments, just a means for players to donate and publicly show their efforts for the relief efforts. Players can enter the "tournaments" for amounts ranging from $1 to $1,000.
At the time of writing this, thousands have already donated. Among those who have donated the maximum include Team PokerStars Online player Anders "Donald" Berg and American pro Steve Silverman
Posted in: Casino News
January 10th, 2010 / No Comments » / by admin
To the new player, online poker tournaments can be very disappointing affairs. After having spent a few hours consistently bleeding chips, most online poker players are hungry for a win. If you fall into this category, take heart. We have compiled some of the best online poker strategies into this article to show you just how to win online poker tournaments.
BEST ONLINE POKER ROOMS
AT WTB
Tip 1- Don’t give up
The Lottery Commission used to have an advertising slogan that said something along the lines of “You cant win if you don’t play” and that slogan was not a bluff. If you give up because you are losing a few hands, then online poker is probably not your game. A caveat emptor here: This doesn’t mean to play beyond your means. If you are betting real money and losing consistently, by all means, run away from the table fast and spend that money on some good books regarding poker systems. Then come back and win the online poker tournament next time.
Tip 2- Start Small
This tip actually ties into the caveat emptor of Tip 1. New players who want to learn how to win online poker tournaments should start small, preferably in a realm where no real money is actually at risk. There are literally hundreds of game rooms to play online poker with fake money so why risk real money on a learning experience? Go waste a few million in fake money learning how to read peoples tells and control your own emotions as you play. It will make you a better player when the stakes are higher down the road.
Tip 3- Baby Steps
Okay, now we are rolling. We stuck it out as we lost our first ten million in fake money and smiled the whole time as we raked it back in ten fold in the fake money online poker tournament. Now we want to whet our teeth on something a little more risky. Start out with little steps and play the low risk games for as little as a few cents per hand. That way, if you let your new found skills go to your head, you won’t lose your shirt. Take it slow and work your way up to winning online poker tournaments for bigger money.
Tip 4- Practice, Learn, Practice
Read up on your game. Find articles discussing strategies, systems and tips on how to win online poker tournaments. Put those tips into practice and learn what works for you. Then modify them to your personal needs and practice some more. When you consistently win in small tournaments, then you are ready to move up to the bigger tables. When you do, keep learning. The game of online poker is in a constant state of evolution as new players enter the game and bring their own strategies and systems, as well as individual quirks and tells. Pay attention to what is going on around you and modify your style to keep up with the changes.
Tip 5- Repeat
Yes, you have made it this far because you were willing to take the time to learn how to win online poker tournaments. If you notice that your skills are starting to backslide, don’t fret over it. Everyone has a cold spell once in a while. Just go back to the first tip and don’t give up.
You can learn how to win online poker tournaments by applying yourself and recognizing the trends that exist in the game and its players. By doing so you can improve your ability to play the game and insure your future winning streaks.
Posted in: Casino News
Tags: Poker
This site is built for the purpose of sharing information about Casinos. Online casinos gambling became very popular in the last few years as a medium for gambling on the internet. Players can place bets from their own home on every casino game they desire. Different online casinos have different games and their variations. Paying methods are used by depositing money into your account using a Credit Card. The casino players pay a cash advance in order to get virtual chips for playing online.
