The negative media onslaught over daily fantasy sports must be costing operators a fortune in legal fees, as DraftKings has reportedly gone looking for another $200m in venture capital.

On Thursday, Boston Business Journal technology editor Sara Castellanos reported that the Boston-based DraftKings was “quietly raising” an additional $200m in investor funding, suggesting that the data leak controversy hasn’t dimmed the company’s appeal in the eyes of deep-pocketed speculators.

While the round hasn’t officially closed, the extra scratch would bring total VC investment in DraftKings to around $630m, according to research firm PitchBook. That would put DraftKings’ valuation somewhere in the $2b range, having already achieved so-called ‘unicorn’ status following its $300m funding round this summer.

Castellanos reported that DraftKings CEO Jason Robins gave a keynote speech at an awards ceremony in Boston on Wednesday at which he claimed his company had raised over $500m to date, higher than the $426m the company has previously cited. A DraftKings spokesman later said the company hadn’t raised more money than it had disclosed following this summer’s funding round.

Lee Davy captures the week’s poker headlines including a storm concerning the Poker Hall of Fame, complaints about the reduction in European Poker Tour (EPT) Grand Final buy-in, and much more.

The Poker Hall of Fame (PHOF) Class of 2015 is known and spears tipped with xenophobic poison are currently being thrown around the Internet. Whether one of the them lands in the ass of someone who can propose radical changes to the existing process remains to be seen.

The two newest additions are multiple World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winners Jennifer Harman and John Juanda. Despite Juanda being Indonesian by birth, he is being branded as a North American along with the other 50 members of what one respected member of our little bubble called ‘Madame Tussaud’s of US Poker.’

John Duthie created that cool brand during an exclusive op-ed penned for PokerNews this week. The EPT founder was angry that once again international players failed to make the cut. Joe Beevers went one step further by creating his very own PHOF on his personal blog. There is currently one incumbent: the late Dave ‘Devilfish’ Ulliot.

Lee Davy captures the week’s poker headlines including a storm concerning the Poker Hall of Fame, complaints about the reduction in European Poker Tour (EPT) Grand Final buy-in, and much more.

The Poker Hall of Fame (PHOF) Class of 2015 is known and spears tipped with xenophobic poison are currently being thrown around the Internet. Whether one of the them lands in the ass of someone who can propose radical changes to the existing process remains to be seen.

The two newest additions are multiple World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winners Jennifer Harman and John Juanda. Despite Juanda being Indonesian by birth, he is being branded as a North American along with the other 50 members of what one respected member of our little bubble called ‘Madame Tussaud’s of US Poker.’

John Duthie created that cool brand during an exclusive op-ed penned for PokerNews this week. The EPT founder was angry that once again international players failed to make the cut. Joe Beevers went one step further by creating his very own PHOF on his personal blog. There is currently one incumbent: the late Dave ‘Devilfish’ Ulliot.

Zachery Schneider has won the World Series of Poker Circuit High Roller event at Horseshoe Hammond for a top prize of $101,250.

Zachery Schneider has won the $5,300 No-Limit Hold’em (NLHE) High Roller at the World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) event in Horseshoe Hammond.

[Image Credit: PokerNews]

It’s the first time the World Series of Poker (WSOP) has held a High Roller format on the circuit. It attracted 54-entrants and a $270,000 prize pool. Schneider – a pre-Black Friday professional online poker player – went wire-to-wire as the tournament chip leader to claim the $101,250 first prize.

Zachery Schneider has won the World Series of Poker Circuit High Roller event at Horseshoe Hammond for a top prize of $101,250.

Zachery Schneider has won the $5,300 No-Limit Hold’em (NLHE) High Roller at the World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) event in Horseshoe Hammond.

[Image Credit: PokerNews]

It’s the first time the World Series of Poker (WSOP) has held a High Roller format on the circuit. It attracted 54-entrants and a $270,000 prize pool. Schneider – a pre-Black Friday professional online poker player – went wire-to-wire as the tournament chip leader to claim the $101,250 first prize.

2015 World Series of Poker November Nine chip leader, Joseph McKeehen, will move into the most important Sit & Go of his life after winning the 2015 Wynn Classic Main Event.

Where are the November Nine?

[Image Credit: PokerNews]

I posed that question last week after it occurred to me that the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event final table occupants were not making the most of the tremendous heat that allowed them to scorch a trail to the very pinnacle of the poker world.

2015 World Series of Poker November Nine chip leader, Joseph McKeehen, will move into the most important Sit & Go of his life after winning the 2015 Wynn Classic Main Event.

Where are the November Nine?

[Image Credit: PokerNews]

I posed that question last week after it occurred to me that the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event final table occupants were not making the most of the tremendous heat that allowed them to scorch a trail to the very pinnacle of the poker world.

Nevada casinos snapped a three-month losing streak in September thanks to the return of pro football wagering and improved baccarat winnings.

Statewide casino gaming revenue rose 1.5% to $916.3m, while action on the Las Vegas Strip improved 2% to $504.8m. The reversal of fortune came as VIP baccarat posted year-on-year gains in both turnover and revenue, only the third time this year that trick’s been managed. For the year-to-date, statewide revenue is up 0.3% while the Strip is down 1.5%.

Baccarat handle rose 16.5% to $752m while revenue improved 23.2% to $100.5m. Blackjack also had a good month, rising 14.5% to $90.3m, while craps spiked 37.5% to $36m. Roulette spun unlucky, falling 31.6% to $21m, while slots was also in negative territory, slipping 1.8% to $572.4m despite slots handle rising 1.7%.

The rest of the table games finished thusly: three-card poker ($12.1m, +8.3%), pai gow poker ($8.4m, +7.6%), mini-baccarat ($7.1m, +1.1%), let it ride ($3.2m, -6.6%), keno ($2.3m, +15%), pai gow ($1.2m, +67%), bingo ($93k, +142%) while other games & tables rose 9.7% to $14.3m. Card game revenue, which includes the state’s two licensed online poker sites, rose 1.5% to $8.3m.

Nevada casinos snapped a three-month losing streak in September thanks to the return of pro football wagering and improved baccarat winnings.

Statewide casino gaming revenue rose 1.5% to $916.3m, while action on the Las Vegas Strip improved 2% to $504.8m. The reversal of fortune came as VIP baccarat posted year-on-year gains in both turnover and revenue, only the third time this year that trick’s been managed. For the year-to-date, statewide revenue is up 0.3% while the Strip is down 1.5%.

Baccarat handle rose 16.5% to $752m while revenue improved 23.2% to $100.5m. Blackjack also had a good month, rising 14.5% to $90.3m, while craps spiked 37.5% to $36m. Roulette spun unlucky, falling 31.6% to $21m, while slots was also in negative territory, slipping 1.8% to $572.4m despite slots handle rising 1.7%.

The rest of the table games finished thusly: three-card poker ($12.1m, +8.3%), pai gow poker ($8.4m, +7.6%), mini-baccarat ($7.1m, +1.1%), let it ride ($3.2m, -6.6%), keno ($2.3m, +15%), pai gow ($1.2m, +67%), bingo ($93k, +142%) while other games & tables rose 9.7% to $14.3m. Card game revenue, which includes the state’s two licensed online poker sites, rose 1.5% to $8.3m.

Casino operator MGM Resorts International reported better than expected Q3 earnings while finally revealing its plans to hop on the real estate investment trust bandwagon.

MGM reported net income of $66.4m in the three months ending Sept. 30, compared to a $20.3m loss in the same period last year.

Of the three US casino operators doing business in Macau, MGM is by far the least reliant on its Asian operations. So while MGM China’s numbers were bad – revenue down 33% to $529m and earnings down 40% to $128m – its performance was overshadowed by good growth at MGM’s US operations.

Revenue at MGM’s wholly owned domestic properties rose 4% to $1.6b, while earnings were up 25% to $411m. Casino gaming revenue improved by 4% as a 2% rise in slots handle offset a 1% fall in table drop. Room revenue rose 8% as occupancy improved one point to 96% and average daily room rates rose $10 to $141.