New Jersey casino regulators have barred the world’s largest online poker website from Internet gambling in the state for two years.
The state Division of Gaming Enforcement suspended the application of PokerStars, citing an unresolved federal indictment accusing company founder Isai Scheinberg of violating federal gambling statutes. It says PokerStars can reapply within two years if its circumstances change.
PokerStars says it’s disappointed but promises to let New Jersey know if things change.
Also disappointed is Resorts Casino Hotel, which had partnered with PokerStars in anticipation of offering Internet gambling. Resorts won’t say if it’s seeking another online partner.
PokerStars was expected to have difficulty getting approved to own The Atlantic Club casino, which it tried to buy last year before the deal died.
Affinity Gaming credit and debit card system hacked
The Affinity Gaming company warned over the weekend that its system used to process customer credit and debit cards was hacked during a period of several months.
Involved are the company’s dozen casinos, including the three in Primm, Nevada, and another on Flamingo Road in Las Vegas.
The company also operates casinos in Iowa, Missouri and Colorado.
Company officials said they regretted the inconvenience but warned customers to check their bank statements.
Quarter of Nev. jobs lost between 2007 and 2011 regained
Only a quarter of the jobs lost in Nevada between 2007 and 2011 have been regained, according to state officials who reported last week the state’s unemployment percentage had fallen to 9 percent, down from the previous month’s 9.3 percent.
Helping improve things was the addition of 9,500 jobs that were added during the reporting period.
“While the continued decline in the unemployment rate is good news,” said Bill Anderson, chief economist for the state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation, “Nevada’s recovery is still slow compared to other states.
In Las Vegas, the unemployment rate fell to 8.6 percent from October’s 9.4 while in Washoe County, the decline was from 8.8 percent to 8.2 percent.
Construction of casino halted at request of PENN
A county judge has intervened in the construction of a casino in Sioux City, Iowa, saying activity would have to cease until ongoing litigation is resolved.
The request for intervention was made by Penn National Gaming Inc. (PENN) that is fighting the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission over the gaming license previously held by the Argosy casino.
The Commission recently awarded a license to Sioux City Entertainment to build the $128.5 million Hard Rock casino to replace the Argosy riverboat.
Powerball jackpot to be split between two winners
There were two winning lottery tickets that will share an estimated $122 million Powerball jackpot that was held last week.
The tickets were sold in Nebraska and in Sterling, Massachusetts.
The Multi-State Lottery Association said the winning numbers were: 1,10,13,18,19 and Powerball 26.
The amounts pale in comparison with the Mega Millions Jackpot expected to reach $550 million or more when the winning tickets are drawn on Tuesday, Dec. 16.
‘Old Rock’ casino could threaten charitable gaming
It has been described as charitable gaming but when the totals reach the neighborhood of $75 million annually, there are many in New Hampshire who believe the activity rises to the commercial gambling level.
Because of the size of the activity, charitable gambling soon became part of the Gaming Regulatory Oversight Authority report filed last week with Gov. Maggie Hassan, who formed the group to study future gambling in the Granite State.
In its report, the Authority suggested a number of regulatory changes regarding charitable gambling, as well as the proposal that a new regulatory structure be developed to authorize and regulate a commercial casino.
Ironically, the leading candidate for a commercial casino license would locate the facility at Rockingham Park where Millennium Gaming – owned by Las Vegas’ Bill Wortman and Bill Paulos – proposes a $600 million casino/entertainment project.
And, Rockingham Park currently provides the state’s largest charitable gambling operation, thus providing a major threat to charitable monies being generated.
The Wentworth-Coolidge Commission reported raising $37,744 during its charitable gambling days at Rockingham Park. That was only one group that benefited from its charitable days at The Rock.
There are other charitable gambling locations. One is Oceanfront Gaming at Hampton Beach. It was there the Sisters of the Holy Cross in Manchester raised $6,000 during its Oceanfront Gaming stint.
Most charitable gambling locations take on charities for 10 days of gambling. But, there are far more charities than there are gambling locations and opportunities. At Rockingham Park, there are 36 charities with game dates. They reportedly average about $55,000 raised during their allotted time.
One charity reportedly has waited five years to receive dates at Rockingham Park. This year, it hopes to pick up about $50,000 for its 10 days. This is far more than it has been able to raise in other locales, a spokesman said.
This past legislative session, a casino bill was approved by the Senate but rejected by the House, despite having the strong backing of Gov. Hassan.
She now hopes that with the recommendations of the Authority, at least one casino license will be approved. The next question would be where?