Sonneteer, Futile, Far Right and Untrapped will meet again in the Feb. 19 Razorback Handicap (G3), the second of four major two-turn races for older horses run at the Arkansas track.
Monthly Archives: February 2018
Asmussen Has Strength in Numbers in Southwest
Count the $500,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Feb. 19 as a microcosm of the how deep the well of potential runs in trainer Steve Asmussen’s shedrow these days.
EHV-1 Quarantine at Belmont, One Horse Euthanized
A 4-year-old filly trained by Tom Albertrani, who had been suspected to have an equine herpesvirus-1 infection, had to be humanely euthanized midday Friday, Feb. 16.
Wynn Resorts hints at rebranding after Steve Wynn allegations
Casino operator Wynn Resorts says former boss Steve Wynn won’t be getting a nine-figure golden handshake after resigning due to sexual harassment allegations.
On Friday, Wynn Resorts announced that it had reached a separation agreement with its former CEO and chairman, who resigned last week following mounting allegations of a decades-long pattern of sexual harassment against Wynn Resorts’ female employees.
Speculation had it that Steve was in for a payout of up to $330m for the early termination of his contract, which extended through 2022. But the company now says its separation agreement means Steve “is not entitled to any severance payment or other compensation from the Company under the employment agreement.”
Furthermore, Steve will have to vacate his swanky penthouse at the Wynn Las Vegas no later than June 1 while his company health care coverage will terminate by year’s end. Steve has also agreed to a two-year non-compete clause and to assist the company “in connection with any private litigation or arbitration” that may arise from the investigations into his alleged bad behavior.
EHV-1 Case Prompts Quarantine at Belmont
A filly at Belmont Park has been diagnosed with Equine Herpesvirus-1, in a case that has progressed to the neurologic form, forcing an immediate quarantine of Barn 10 at the Long Island facility.
Ontario’s online gambling grows but still lags provincial rivals
The Canadian province of Ontario’s government-run online gambling site posted double-digit revenue gains in its most current fiscal year, but still lags well behind its provincial rivals.
This week, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) published its 2016-17 annual report, during which the government-owned entity generated total revenue of just under C$7.5b (US$6b). The bulk of this revenue came from lotteries (C$3.7b) and land-based casinos (C$3.6b).
OLG’s online gambling site PlayOLG.ca, which began offering online casino and lottery products in January 2015, contributed just under C$58.4m, up 18.7% over the 2015-16 figure. OLG declined to break out specific figures for how that revenue was split between lotteries and casino products.
Tighter cost controls and a 16% rise in active players allowed OLG to reap an online gambling profit of C$27.4m, a hefty 84% higher than the previous year.
Phoenix Thoroughbreds on Kentucky Derby, Oaks Trails
Billed as an investment fund focused on Thoroughbred racing, Phoenix Thoroughbreds is off to a spectacular start with leading Kentucky Oaks candidate Dream Tree and Kentucky Derby hopefuls Mourinho and Gronkowski.
Litfin At Large: Fair Grounds Ushers in 50-Point Preps
Things start to get serious for the 3-year-olds Feb. 17, when the first 85-point qualifying races for the Kentucky Derby Presented By Woodford Reserve (G1) and the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) will be run at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
Phil Hellmuth to Promote Relaunched YouStake, Starts by Selling 60 Percent of His WPT LAPC Action
Phil Hellmuth has never been one to shy away from representing a brand. He’s chomped down on a Carl’s Jr. burger on television, has had his mug plastered across Milwaukee’s […]
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Plan for Paved Puts El Camino Real Derby to Use
Although the El Camino offers a total of 17 points in the Road to the Kentucky Derby series, Paved’s connections plan to use the race as a stepping stone to major turf races for 3-year-old fillies.
Kentucky Derby Slot on Line in Tokyo's Hyacinth Stakes
The Hyacinth Stakes at Tokyo Racecourse Feb. 18 is the third and final leg of the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby and Ruggero (JPN) has the inside track to get the guaranteed slot in the Run for the Roses.
Phoenix Thoroughbreds on Derby, Oaks Trails
Billed as an investment fund focused on Thoroughbred racing, Phoenix Thoroughbreds is off to a spectacular start with leading Kentucky Oaks candidate Dream Tree and Kentucky Derby hopefuls Mourinho and Gronkowski.
Portugal’s online gambling market closed out 2017 on a high
Portugal’s regulated online gambling market enjoyed record-high revenue in the final quarter of 2017, thanks to a surge in online sports betting.
Figures released Friday by the Serviço Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos do Turismo de Portugal (SRIJ) regulatory body show the seven locally-licensed online gambling operators generated combined revenue of €36.5m in the three months ending December 31, 2017, nearly €10m higher than the same period last year and over €7m higher than Q3 2017.
For the year as a whole – the regulated market’s first full calendar year of operation since its May 2016 launch – total revenue hit €122.6m. The government’s share of this bounty was a hefty €54.3m, a 44.2% slice of the overall pie, thanks primarily to the market’s punitive 12% tax on sports betting turnover.
Despite the government’s grabby approach to sports wagering, the vertical generated revenue of €20.5m in Q4, 26% higher than the market generated in Q3 2017 and a new quarterly record.
Gold Dream Heads February Stakes
Japan’s best dirt horse of 2017, Gold Dream (JPN), returns to action for his specialty in the Feb. 18 February Stakes (G1), a Breeders’ Cup Challenge event that offers a guaranteed spot in the Nov. 3 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs.
Essel Group’s PokerNation acquires rival Mercury Poker
PokerNation, an Indian poker site owned by Essel Group, has taken over rival website Mercury Poker.
In a statement, Mercury Poker CEO Pranav Bathija informed players early this week that they will be redirected to the PokerNation website starting Feb. 13, 2018. Customers should expect a “seamless transition” to the new site, according to the executive.
“Fortunately for our players this will be a seamless transition, both our teams are working tirelessly to ensure that you, the player, will continue to enjoy an enhanced experience,” Bathija said on the Mercury Poker site.
Beginning Thursday, Mercury Poker players have been able to log in to PokerNation using their current details. Their existing balances, along with accrued loyalty points and bonuses have also been transferred to their PokerNation accounts.
eGamingServices was present in the ICE Totally Gaming and LAC
The company has a commitment in investing in LATAM
Lisbon, February 16th, 2018- eGamingServices was present in one of the most reputed events in the igaming industry, celebrated last week in London: ICE Totally Gaming and London Affiliate Conference (LAC), to promote and offer their services for online gaming operators looking to enhance their business in Latin America, Africa and Europe.
ICE Totally Gaming is the ultimate event for B2B business development with over 30,000 attendees from more than 150 countries. With the second consecutive presence in the event, the Lisbon based company, demonstrated a strong commitment in investing in Latin America, specifically in Brazil, whose sales represent 42% of Latin American online revenue. eGamingServices creates effective and efficient projects to help operators to find more customers, mitigate the risk of their existing markets and generate more income.
The presence in London was also an opportunity for Tiago Almeida, eGamingServices’s CEO, to be a Key note speaker at London Affiliate Conference, that hosted a session about LATAM market as the ultimate gaming marketplace. Almeida took the opportunity to provide a full scope about Latin American markets, through an explanation of its characteristics, payment methods, popular products, leading operators. According to this entrepreneur opportunities and profitability can be found and achieved in this region.
Who will take the crown? Bolt and Hart take to the felt in PokerStars #GameOn final
Following their 100-metre beach race, this week sees Usain Bolt and Kevin Hart put their poker skills to the test in the much-anticipated heads-up #GameOn conclusion.
In the first instalment of the four-part heads-up poker final, the pair take a look around the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure before sitting down at the table to put the skills they have learnt into practice.
With fun challenges and rebuy options, tune in to find out who will take the lead.
Go to the PokerStars social media channels to watch the latest video.
Doyle Brunson once turned down $230M, and he still has nightmares
Not many poker players have as much bragging rights as does Doyle Brunson. He’s one of the most seasoned veterans at the felt, has won two WSOP Main Events and 10 bracelets, is a member of the Poker Hall of Fame and has penned several books on his favorite topic. He even has a hand named after him—Doyle’s Hand, a 10-2.
Despite over 50 years at the tables, he doesn’t always make the right call, and one word cost him $230 million. It was a decision that he said still gives him nightmares to this day.
About 14 years ago, Brunson took advantage of his status to launch Doylesroom.com, certain to be a popular site for online poker. It was the height of the boom, and he had everything going for him. “Texas Dolly” signed several big names to help pitch the site, including Steve Gross, Chris Moorman and Amit Makhija.
In 2006, the site was performing well and Brunson was a happy camper. It wasn’t long before Brunson was presented with an offer to sell the site, of which he held 50% control. Expecting bigger things, though, Brunson said no. And that is how you lose $230 million. In April of 2006 the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) was enacted and the site’s value dropped to almost nothing from one day to the next. Despite managing to stay alive for a little longer, the damage was done and the site eventually was sold to America’s Cardroom.
Sorry, Californians, no (legal) online poker for you
It was a long, hard-fought battle. But sometimes it’s necessary to know when to say enough is enough.
After almost a decade of attempts to bring legalized online gambling to California, it looks like the struggle is over, and state legislators won’t be reviving the subject again anytime soon, according to Online Poker Report‘s Matthew Kredell.
California’s most successful attempt was seen in 2016 when Assemblyman Adam Gray was pulled together enough support to at least light a small fire. He managed to earn the backing of the California horse racing industry in April of that year in support of his poker bill, AB 2863. Multiple concessions had been given to the collective in order to receive their approval, but the bill later smoldered into oblivion instead of blazing a path toward poker acceptance.
Gray’s bill was most recently fought by California tribal interests who have worked feverishly to suppress any attempts to expand gambling in the state. Even if online poker in the state were to be approved, it could still be considered illegal on the federal level, and tribes were more than willing to take that fight to the courts. Gray’s hand was forced, and he reluctantly waved the white flag.
After fire destroys family home, couple wins $1M lottery prize
A man who has spent the last two years rebuilding his fire-ravaged home can finally finish the project after winning a $1 million lottery jackpot.Winner Stories, International, Atlantic Lottery Corporation, Canada, Canada Lotto 6/49, Multi-Province Game