Gambling Blog

While the boxing world has become a little used to slanging matches, dirty tricks and volatile press conferences, it seems that respect has finally broken out prior to the Calzaghe v Kessler fight this Saturday, at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff.  The quiet man of the valleys has held his WBO title for more than 10 years (a feat which shows the true class of Calzaghe), with the Danish fighter putting his WBC and WBA titles on the line.

This super-middleweight title fight looks like being a real battle of respect, with both fighters well aware of each others strengths and weaknesses.  Joe Calzaghe is very passionate about his Welsh routes and will be supported by a sell out 50,000 crowd on Saturday night.  While there is no doubt that Kessler  is a great fighter, he does not have the experience of Calzaghe, or the hand speed which has caused so many of his opponents major problems.

Calzaghe himself freely admits that some of his sparring sessions for earlier fights were not what they should have been, but as with the Jeff Lacy fight (where he destroyed his opponent), the WBO champion seems up beat, confident he is in top shape and has put in sufficient work in the gym.  While Calzaghe is 35 year old ( 7 years older than his opponent) he still seems to have the same desire and level of fitness that he had as a young fighter.

Trained by his father, Enzo, Calzaghe has never been one to court the limelight, although there is a growing feeling that his does not get the respect that he deserves.  The Americans tried to write him off prior to the Lacy fight, a fight which he controlled from the opening bell, and while some have reservations about his age and desire, he seems more focused than ever on Saturday’s fight.

While the years will catch up with him at some stage, Calzaghe is a very proud man and will not want to break his fathers impressive record, which shows none of his fighters have been defeated in the last 2 years. Forecast : Calzaghe by a knockout in the middle rounds to unify the titles.  No more than the man deserves!

The gaming giant MGM Mirage has reported record results for the third quarter of 2007 as all of its diverse operations continued to show steady growth.

The latest figures to come out of Las Vegas show that earnings per share stood at $0.62, a 17 per cent increase on the $0.53 per share seen in the same period of 2006.

Revenues over the period rose by six per cent to $1.9 billion, an all-time third quarter high for MGM and driven partly by the performance of the company’s non-gaming operations, including its restaurants, hotels and nightclubs as well as its global operations which have seen it forge strategic partnerships with a number of overseas operators.

Commenting on these latest results, Terry Lanni, MGM Mirage chairman and CEO said: “Our growth initiatives, including strategic relationships with Dubai World and Kerzner International, reflect our ability to leverage our tremendous assets and creative energy to grow the Company.

“Our all-new MGM Grand Detroit is the clear market leader right out of the gate. We are well underway in creating the most important Las Vegas development ever, CityCenter, and we believe our MGM Grand Atlantic City project will have a similarly profound impact on the Atlantic City market,” he added.

The figures come as rival operator Hard Rock unveiled plans for a new casino resort in Penang, Malaysia.

In a move which seems to pre-empt any future actions by the Association Of Tennis Professionals (ATP), the governing body of tennis in Australia, Tennis Australia, have taken their own action to ensure that January’s tournament is free from any betting scandals.  It seems that they have tired of waiting for official global action by the main tennis authority and have taken the matter into their own hands.

The head of Tennis Australia, Steve Wood, has taken the rather unusual step of appointing a third party corporate security company to monitor betting activity in next years tournament, to ensure everything is “whiter than white”.  This move comes hot on the heels of the most recent accusation of match fixing, which allegedly saw former Wimbledon Doubles Champion Michael Llodra being approached some 4 years ago to effectively throw a match.

While there are many in the sport who applaud the actions of Tennis Australia, the ATP are sure to be fuming that their thunder has been stolen and their slow reaction to the threat is being highlighted.  Nobody is quite sure what the ATP advice is, as they have been fairly quiet for some time, stating that they are under going an investigation into various allegations.  However, those in the sport are crying out for help and guidance now, at a time when tennis is being dragged through the mud.

This constant drip feed of unsubstantiated accusations is starting to take its toll, although it will be interesting to see what findings are made in the Australian Open next year.  Perhaps this is the stand which will break the back of the match fixers, or will this tear the sport apart through lack of guidance and advice? Either way, unilateral action is required sooner rather than later, before the sport is overwhelmed by the stench of scandal.

Should gaming officials Maryland give the go-ahead to the planned instillation of slot machines in venues across the state, games such as blackjack, roulette and poker could soon follow, industry leaders predict. 

The Maryland General Assembly is set to hold a special meeting over the coming days to discuss the proposed bill put forward by Governor Martin O’Malley that would allow state-owned slot machines at horse racing locations. 

Such gambling could benefit the state economy by as much as $550 million a year, the Governor has argued. 

However, according to the Maryland Daily Record, gaming industry chiefs have bigger plans for the state and feel that, should this initial decision go their way, the path could be open for a significant expansion of the gambling sector within Maryland.

Currently, horse racing within the state is becoming less lucrative in comparison to surrounding states, with the bill’s supporters arguing that slot machines could be used to close a $1.7 billion budget deficit.

While many had been eagerly awaiting the Breeders Cup Classic horse race at Monmouth Park, USA on Saturday, what had promised to be a real classic turned to disaster shortly after Curlin passed the winning post.  Further behind on the track UK favourite George Washington had broken down, after breaking two small bones in his ankle.  Unfortunately the horse could not be saved, and was humanely put out of its misery by the on-course vet.  A tragic end to one of horse racings true superstars…..

George Washington was foaled at the famous Coolmore Stud,  with a blood line which included champion Danehill and Bordighera.  While the horse was a great favourite of UK horse racing fans, it was actually owned by US pair Roy and Gretchen Jackon, earning them over £700,000 in prize money alone. 

“Gorgeous” George as he was fondly known by the racing fraternity started his career on 1st May 2005 at Newmarket, and while he finished third, it was soon to become clear that he was destined for greater heights.  As a two year old, victories soon followed, and while he was held back for the big races he always seemed to perform on the day.  While some started to doubt his credentials after a narrow win in the National Stakes in September of 2005, “George” soon bounced back to take the 2,000 Guineas in 2006.

September 2006 saw George Washington head for his top target, the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot, and with heavy rain on the day many thought his best chance had gone.  He drifted in the betting in the morning, but just prior to the race a great wave of money was placed on the fans favourite.  After an eventful race which saw a number of horses tangle with each other, “Gorgeous” George strode effortlessly by them to take the winning post by some margin.  His position at the top table was now secured!

While many blame the muddy track on the day of the Breeders Cup for his fatal injury, it is clear that racing has lost one of the great characters, a horse with a never say die attitude, one which seemed to revel in proving people wrong when written off, a true champion.

Some of the leading internet poker players from across the US are set to lobby Congress over the coming days in an attempt to get poker exempted from the recently-passed online gambling ban.

At a discussion panel on Capitol Hill which kicked off this latest lobbying effort, the Poker Players Alliance put forward its case for the benefits of the game with the help of some of the brightest minds in the country as well as some of the leading players.

Among those involved in the drive is Charles Nesson, a professor of law at Harvard University, who feels that poker should be taught to children.

“I think poker has tremendous educational utility for kids,” he said.

“I think it’s a great family game.” 

As the horse racing industry goes from strength to strength around the world, we are seeing a major increase in the Ante Post market - betting on a horse before the day of the race - as everyone looks to take that extra point out of the race.  But is it actually worth the risk?

For those not aware, traditional Ante Post betting allows to you to bet on a horse before the day of the race, but the potential problem is that if the horse is pulled out of the race then you do not get your stake back.   However, if you place a bet on the day of a race and the horse is pulled out then you will receive your stake back.  This is where the gamble comes in, because all Ante Post odds will have that added risk that the horse is pulled out, which means you will normally get improved odds.

What are the chances of a favourite being pulled before the race?

You may be surprised to learn that it is probably the more popular horses which are likely to be pulled prior to any race.  These horses are some of the fittest animals you will ever come across, and often need perfect race conditions.  Who is going to risk a potential multi-million dollar horse on “going” which does not suit?

For many race horses their racing career is just the start of their lives, with many going on to years of stud and breeding, and the potential for owners to earn millions of dollars.  This is why you will often see horse commentators mention a horse’s bloodline, which can often give an indication of the future potential.

What about betting exchanges?

Interestingly Ante Post bets made via betting exchanges will not be lost in the event of horses being pulled, because funds will be returned to both sides of the transaction.  This is an interesting way to squeeze better odds from a horse, although you should always check the terms and conditions of any gambling site before placing a bet - especially Ante Post.

Following on from the huge success of the original, Hands on Mobile has announced the launch of its WPT Texas Hold’em 2 mobile game, which allows card players to sharpen their skills while on the move.

Developed alongside the experts at the World Poker Tour, the new game comes with unprecedented web-to-wireless multiplayer facilities and offers gamers the ability to create their own private tables and games.

In addition, customizable avatars and advanced communication features such as instant chat and messaging lists are all designed to improve interactivity between players and foster a sense of community among mobile gamers.

Commenting on the launch, Steve Lipscomb, founder, president and CEO of WPT Enterprises, said: “With exciting new products like WPT Texas Hold ‘Em 2, we continue to work together to bring authentic, WPT-caliber poker to fans and players all over the world, anytime, anyplace, anywhere.”

According to the latest statistics, more than six million people across the world have already downloaded a mobile poker game, with the sector showing no signs of slowing down.

In a move which is becoming more and more embarrassing by the day for the French authorities, it was announced that Unibet Chief Executive Petter Nylander was arrested in Holland on the orders of the French authorities. 

Initially they claimed that Unibet were operating illegally in the French online gambling market, and much like the similar situation in the US, they applied for his arrest.  It has since been proved that Unibet are a legal EU entity and as such have every right to be present in the French online gambling market.  So why was he arrested?

The arrest of Mr Nylander has created a situation which is set to continue for some time, after revelations that this is not the first time the authorities have acted illegally in trying to protect their domestic online gambling industry.  This revelation has prompted a major back lash from European counterparts, who are in the process of bringing Europe closer together, not segregating markets.

While the French have since rescinded the arrest of Mr Nylander, who was being held in the Netherlands, this episode is sure to result in some form of legal action, and major censorship for the French.  Such is the embarrassment that this has caused, the French regulators have announced plans to formally open up their online gambling markets, although participants will need a licence to trade - is this against EU regulations?

It remains to be seen if the French online gambling markets will actually be formally opened up to non-national companies, or whether this is just a tactic to draw some of the sting out of the recent farce.  Either way, the revelations that this is not the first time the authorities have illegally discriminated against online gaming companies is a major blow to their credibility. 

While some may wonder why the French have sunk to such depths, it is all to do with the potential to tax what is becoming one of the more lucrative industries in the world.

Alongside the mansions of the Hollywood superstars, California’s tribal casinos are facing the threat of being engulfed by the fires currently sweeping the state.
Already the flames have burned through some parts of San Diego County’s Indian reservations and burned down historic buildings and homes and now the fires are now getting close to the popular gaming venues.
According to Sign on San Diego, around 7,000 acres of the La Jolla Indian reservation have already been affected, forcing those living there and at the neighboring Ricon and San Pasqual reservations to take refuge at the Harrah’s Ricon casino.
Sheryl Sebastian, a spokeswoman for the venue, told the channel: “The casino shut down gambling before dawn and workers began tending to about 350 people stranded there.
“It will remain closed Wednesday, as will other casinos inside evacuation zones, including Pauma, Barona, Valley View and Santa Ysabel.”
While other casinos in the area have remained open they have been reporting lower numbers of players frequenting their slot machines, card table and bingo parlours.

The world’s top players will be putting $5 million of their own money into the pot for the forthcoming High Stakes Poker event, to be televised on GSN.

To be shown across seven episodes, High Stakes Poker IV will be the only ‘cash game’ of no-limit Texas Hold’em to be broadcast, with the stellar line-up expected to bring in the viewers and make for some top class entertainment.

While it would be hard to single out one individual, Doyle Brunson is arguably the greatest poker player of all time.

Known on the circuit as “Texas Dolly”, the ten-times World Series of Poker bracelet winner will be lining up alongside 2006 WSOP champion Jamie Gold, who famously walked away with $12 million after that victory.

Among the other names to be sitting at the High Stakes Poker table will be David Benyamine, Barry Greenstein, Antonio “The Magician” Esfandiari, Daniel Negreanu, Patrick Antonius and the businessman and event newcomer Guy Laliberte.

The weekly show will kick off on Monday 5th November.

While we often hear about betting syndicates taking home massive jackpots, whether this be in sport, the lottery or any other form of gambling, do they work for everyone?

A syndicate is basically a number of people who pool their funds together, with an agreement that any wins will be shared amongst the group. While it is advisable to formalise your syndicate with a written agreement, many people choose to do this on an informal basis - often causing major problems at a later date!

While the use of the syndication process will reduce the amount that you could win, it will also offer you more chance of winning.  On the downside, depending upon the size of the syndicate, even the largest of wins can soon be reduced when spread amongst all of the members, with a £100,000 win reduced to “just” £10,000 each in a 10 syndicate group.  That headline grabbing jackpot which may have changed your life, may soon be reduced to a figure which ensures that you will be going back to work tomorrow!

Unless a syndicate is set up on a  formal basis, there may be problems in the future, with many instances of informal agreements being ripped up at the first sign of a big win - leaving some syndicate members “out of pocket”. 

There have been many court cases where rulings have gone in favour of an informal syndicate, but there have been many rulings against informal syndicates.  While you may enjoy a flutter, it is essential that you ensure your syndicate is set up correctly, otherwise you may be taking a massive “gamble” with that future big money win!

In the correct environment syndicates can and do work, but they have also seen the end of many a long term friendship, prompting thoughts of the old saying “do not mix business with pleasure”.  Friendship can often go out of the window where money is involved, but you might only find this out when it is too late.

At a time when both Las Vegas and, more significantly, Atlantic City have admitted to falling player numbers and declining revenues, the Far Eastern gaming market looks to be booming.

According to the latest figures from MarketWatch, Macau’s casino gambling revenues soared by 46 per cent to $2.55 billion over the third quarter of the year.

This latest income brings the total revenue for the region’s casinos for the year so far to around $6.75 billion, 47 per cent higher than the results posted for the same period in 2006.

With Macau being the only place in China where gambling is legal, it consistently attracts high-rollers from across the region, a major factor behind its strong performance.

In addition, the recent opening of MGM’s prestigious Macau resort has added to the growth of the local economy, which has also been further fuelled by increased flights from both China and the rest of the world, most notably the US.

While officially team orders are not allowed in F1 racing, with both drivers of each team supposed to be given equal opportunity to win, does this really work, or are “team orders” effecting the outcome of some races?

For those of you who watched the final F1 race in Brazil, you would have seen the two Ferrari’s swap places after different pit stop strategies, conveniently giving the lead to Kimi Raikkonen and eventually seeing him provisionally claim the Drivers Championship. 

While there is an appeal from McLaren about the fuel temperature of three cars which finished just ahead of Lewis Hamilton, many are now asking if it really was worth betting on the Felipe Massa, the second placed Ferrari driver who was leading the race for so long.

The rules of F1 state that team orders are not allowed, and while officially they are not discussed, this is not the first time we have seen suspected “team orders” effect the overall outcome of  a race, to the detriment of many gamblers.  Should betting on F1 be allowed? Is it really fair?

Despite much promise of tightening the rules and regulations, the F1 authorities are not really able to control so called team orders, with cases against various teams difficult to prove.  In a sport which generates millions of dollars for a whole variety of associations and companies throughout the world, there is little chance of the authorities “rocking the boat”. 

You also need to consider the fact that each team does have a number one driver, and if they are seen as the more skilful of the drivers available to the team, then it would be crazy not to give them special attention.  However, it does become a little more difficult when you see a so called number two driver, such as Lewis Hamilton, in serious contention to win the Drivers Championship.  It seems that the gap between number one and number two drivers has reduced of late, giving the F1 set-up a major headache.

When you strip down the bare bones of the gambling industry, it is very easy to see the attractions and the way in which the industry operates.  It is simply gamblers pitting their wits against each other in a show of knowledge, gambling acumen and straight forward nerve.  While there are many strategies and styles when gambling, whether at the casino, online or at the horses, the basic skills are the same.  So why do so many ask themselves if they should go with their head or their heart?

The beauty about the gambling industry is that fact that dreams can come true (although not too often!) and you can bring home a massive gamble, and the big bucks which go with it.  The industry is also littered with moving, touching stories of sports men, sports woman and animals which have overcome great heartache to reach the finishing line first.

Whether you are looking at the story of Shergar, and his tragic disappearance, or Denmark winning the European Championships after being added at the last minute after Yugoslavia were banned, the industry is littered with hard luck and good luck stories.  It is this element of real life which can force many gamblers to go with their hearts when they know they should really go with their head, and the stone cold facts.

However, the beauty of the industry is that dreams do come true as we saw with the likes of Red Rum and Best Mate, coming from unfancied stables only to capture the hearts and minds of the public.  Sometimes we want to believe it can happen, sometimes we need to believe it can happen and sometimes we are just glad to see it happen - even if we may have lost a few pounds!

It is the unpredictable nature of gambling which attracts so many, dreaming of a little piece of history……..