3663 stories by Philip Conneller
Beijing Expands Gambling Travel Blacklist to ‘Safeguard Lives and Property’
China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced on its website this week it was adding more overseas destinations to its travel blacklist for Chinese citizens as part of its war against cross-border gambling. The move aims to “better regulate the tourism market...
Prison for Pennsylvania Kidnapper of 84-Year-Old Wind Creek Bethlehem Slots Player
A Bethlehem, Pennsylvania man was sentenced to at least 12 years in a state prison Wednesday for the kidnap and robbery of a slots-playing senior citizen. Hykeem Sessoms, 39, stole just $7 after terrorizing his victim, an 84-year-old woman. In December 2019,...
Oklahoma Supreme Court Says Gov. Stitt’s Tribal Compacts are not O.K.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) has been dealt another lousy hand in his quest to reshape the commercial relationship between the state and its tribal casino operators. On Tuesday, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled Stitt had overstepped his authority when he renegotiated...
New York Gets Lottery Scratch-off Door-Delivery Service to Boost Ailing Sales
New York Lottery tickets can now be couriered legally to customers’ homes by third-party resellers, as the state gaming commission seeks ways to combat the dip in sales caused by the pandemic. Manhattan-based Jackpocket began offering its service supplying lottery draw tickets,...
Mitch Englander, Former LA City Councilman, Sentenced in Las Vegas Bribery Case
A former Los Angeles City Councilman was sentenced to 14 months in prison on Monday. Mitch Englander was convicted for accepting cash bribes, escort services, hotel rooms, and meals at casinos in Las Vegas and Palm Springs, then lying about them to the...
River Rock Casino Managers Fought Investigators Over VIPs, BC Commission Hears
VIP managers at the River Rock Casino in Richmond, British Columbia would clash with gaming regulators who tried to question their high rollers about the source of their funds, the Cullen Commission heard Monday. The commission is charged with investigating whether individuals...
Apple Sued in California Over ‘Illegal Gambling’ Social Casino Apps
A lawsuit in California accuses tech giant Apple of facilitating illegal gambling and of violating state law, which bans slot machines. The complaint claims that the company’s distribution of free-play social casino games via its app store is akin to the house...
North Dakota’s Veteran Campaigner for Online Poker Tries His Luck 15 Years On
New legislation in North Dakota would allow state residents a vote on whether to change their constitution to legalize and regulate online poker. The resolution, which would put the question on the 2022 ballot, is being pushed by State Rep. Jim Kasper....
Tse Chi Lop, Reputed Boss of Triad Super-Syndicate ‘The Company,’ Arrested in Netherlands
Authorities in the Netherlands have arrested a man alleged to be one of the world’s biggest drug kingpins, dubbed “Asia’s El Chapo” by the media. Chinese-born Canadian citizen Tse Chi Lop, 56, is reputed to be the leader of “the Company,” a...
London Calling: $2 Billion Londoner Macao Welcomes First Guests
LVS subsidiary Sands China’s new integrated resort, the $2 billion Londoner Macao, opened some of its hotel rooms to guests Friday on Macau’s Cotai Strip. The opening was ahead of its planned official phase-one launch in February. The resort, a rebranding of...
