BJ21.com Newsletter
February 2, 2007                                0705

Compiled by Al Rogers
 Al@bj21.com


Net-betting crackdown freezes funds

The federal crackdown on online gambling has tied up the funds of thousands of U.S. patrons of two of the largest services.

NETeller Trying to Work Out a Deal with the U.S. Department of Justice

Every U.S. banking partner has stopped all association with the company meaning that Americans have absolutely no way of getting to their money. NETeller will not process any withdrawals for Americans, nor will U.S. banks accept EFTs from Americans that come from NETeller, so the money is literally held hostage at this point.

EU may challenge U.S. online gambling law


U.S. restrictions on online gambling may be challenged by the European Union, the bloc's top financial regulator said on Tuesday.

WTO slams U.S. Net-gambling ban

Federal efforts to curb offshore Internet gambling were dealt a modest setback Thursday after the World Trade Organization ruled some restrictions violated international trade agreements.

Internet Gambling: New Processors Should be up by Next Week


Internet gambling companies that have relied heavily on mailing out checks to their customers over the past two weeks due to numerous electronic funds processors pulling out of the US market expect to have new processors set up some time next week.

Research paints picture of 'average' online gambler

The average online casino gambler is a woman aged 46 to 55, who plays two or three times a week, has played for two or three years and plays for one or two hours each time, a new study says.


Casinos not best seat in house for big game -- NFL rules have hurt Las Vegas' ability to show Super Bowl


Copyright rules allow the NFL to prohibit the game from being shown in public on screens that, according to federal law, are larger than those "commonly used in private homes." The law also allows the league to prohibit anyone from charging admission to see the game. NFL attorneys sent cease-and-desist letters to casinos around town three years ago, upsetting bosses, fans and gamblers who say the league is biting the hand that feeds interest in the championship.

Jeff Haney on why most props aren't so super for bettors


Welcome to the dark side of those "fun" and "wild" and "wacky" Super Bowl betting propositions we hear so much about.

Casino pulls bets on Nevada basketball vs. NFL Bears

Nevada basketball fans will bet on their 15th-ranked Wolf Pack against just about anybody, but they won’t get a chance this weekend to pit their star players against the Chicago Bears.


Wendover bets big: new $1.5 billion development planned

Wendover Will may stop pointing and start jumping for joy & Hooters is coming to town.

Hooters sale called 'curious'

 Richard Langlois arguably had the best job in Las Vegas. In late 2005 and early 2006, the longtime hospitality professional was the point man for Las Vegas' newest attraction. He was the public face who was upbeat about putting the final touches on a rollout to end all rollouts -- the opening of the Hooters Hotel Casino.

Casinos put on a display of raw power with Senate bill

The first few weeks of the current session of the Colorado General Assembly have produced an exercise of raw political power that makes the mob look like a troop of Cub Scouts.

Gov. may not support new casinos

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has said he's "not terribly enthused" about two tribes' plans for off-reservation casinos in Chaparral and Deming.

Harrah's says casino may be turned over to tribe early


Harrah's Entertainment Inc. officials say the company may leave a casino owned by the Prairie Band of the Potawatomi Nation earlier than planned.

Harrah's Entertainment cuts 200 jobs in corporate office


Harrah's Entertainment eliminated some 200 jobs in its Las Vegas corporate office Friday, saying the layoffs have nothing to do with the planned $27.8 billion leveraged buyout of the casino operating giant by two private equity groups.

Disabled tourists sue Wynn Resorts over accessibility


Two wheelchair-bound Floridians who visited Wynn Resorts on multiple occasions in 2006 have filed a federal discrimination suit against the casino operator, alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Table games again considered in West Virginia


Supporters of table games at West Virginia racetracks hope the added competition of slot machines in Pennsylvania rallies support for table games in their state.

Leroy's new computerized kiosks allow sports wagering around the clock


Leroy's, which began its sports and racing wagering life as a small and smoky stand-alone downtown betting parlor, has gone high-tech.

Terrible's Casino staff meets new bosses


Employees of Terrible's Casino Dayton got to meet the new owners and several administrators of Herbst Gaming, Inc., last Wednesday. The Herbst family and administrators visited their new properties and met with their Dayton staff.

Philadelphia Park slot player gets $102,000 payout after all

Philadelphia Park, reversing an earlier decision, yesterday paid a man $102,000, although officials say a message that flashed across a screen proclaiming him a winner was a mistake.

Big things planned at Grand Sierra

Grand Sierra Resort announced plans to begin building the largest indoor water park in the nation this year, and it will enter a partnership with Florida-based Nikki Beach clubs to build a new 200-room hotel.

Macau partnership subject of hearing -- Regulators will hold suitability hearing


Nevada gaming regulators have tentatively set Feb. 27 for a public hearing in Las Vegas to determine the suitability of MGM Mirage's partnership in an under-construction $1 billion hotel-casino in Macau.

Dealers to seek review of Wynn tip policy

After suffering an initial setback in District Court, two Wynn Las Vegas dealers are preparing to ask the state's high court to review the property's new tip pooling policy.

For LV visitors, monorail is a train to nowhere

To board the Las Vegas Monorail from the northwest entrance of Harrah's for a ride to the Flamingo, you need to walk 551 paces. That's just 38 fewer steps than if you walked the 589 paces on the sidewalk from Harrah's to the Flamingo - and you wouldn't have to wait for the ride or pay a $5 fare.

Books closed in Mazzeo incident  --  DA: Insufficient evidence to back cover-up claims

It's still Chrissy Mazzeo's word against everyone else's. That was the determination of the Clark County district attorney's office as it announced Thursday that there was insufficient evidence to support charges that Mazzeo was pressured in October to drop assault allegations against Jim Gibbons, then a Republican congressman running for governor.

Caesars rushes to Angelil's defense

Caesars Palace, in a statement considered breathtaking for its rare detail by a gaming giant, criticized the media for "grossly inaccurate" and "entirely false" reports about the gambling losses of Celine Dion's husband/manager, Rene Angelil.


The Bear GrowlsU.S. government's  witch hunt

Las Vegas blackjack player, casino critic, and frequent BJ21.com contributor LVBear offers his opinions on things that sometimes go wrong in the world of casinos.

By LVBear
LVBear584@cox.net

I have often growled at government arrogance, hypocrisy, incompetence and stupidity.  But this time, the U.S. government's witch hunt against online casino operators has gone way over the top.  Harassing payment processors like Neteller has resulted in millions of dollars of U.S. citizens' money being "frozen" and possibly lost forever.  If its actions weren't so frightening and terrible, this "crackdown" on online gaming would make the U.S. government a laughingstock for its stupidity. It is good that other nations are now contemplating stepping up and taking action against the U.S. government for these flagrant abuses of power.  

Who is backing the U.S. government’s disgusting and sickening actions?  Why is all this being done?  Is it just plain stupidity or outright corruption?  Is the domestic casino industry (large political contributors) behind all this in order to cripple competition so it can take over the online sector in the future?  I hope we eventually find out the real answers behind this irresponsible abuse of government power, and the perpetrators and backers of this absurdity get what they deserve.



Beat the Players - Casinos, Cops and the Game Inside the Game, by Bob Nersesian

This book should be read by everyone who sets foot in a casino: average casino patrons, skilled players, casino employees, and anyone else. It should be required reading for police officers, regulators, other public officials, and attorneys who may represent any of the aforementioned.

Bob Nersesian is an attorney who represents victims of casino wrongdoing against patrons. In an enjoyable writing style, he takes a look at the often too-cozy relationship between casinos, police, and regulators. He discusses specific cases and dispenses sound, practical advice that patrons, casinos and public officials would be wise to heed. Cases discussed are from Nevada and other jurisdictions.

Chapters include: Your Money or Your Liberty; Scary Cop Statements; They'll Take Your Liberty Anyway; Gaming Agents Speak; The Take of the State; Rules for Casino Patrons; Gambling at the Legal Limits; Cops Hate Card Counters; Griffin Investigations; Casinos Cheat With Impunity; A Judicial and Government Overlay; Finding a Nickel Brings Trouble; Names and Aliases; The Security Office and Surveillance Functions, and Casinos and Cops.

Appendices include Nevada Cheating and Detention Laws with Commentary; Other Nevada Gaming Laws of Interest; Gaming Cases of Interest, and Nevada Gaming Regulations with Commentary.

The 320-page book includes a bibliography and an index.

The price is $19.95 plus shipping (plus sales tax if sent to a Nevada address). Green Chip members get their normal 10% discount.

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