
Poker legend Phil Ivey would ordinarily have been ensconced in Las Vegas this battling it out at the World Series of Poker Main Event (WSOP) week. Instead, Ivey is in London, fighting his battle that is legal to £7.7 million ($10 million) in punto banco winnings from London’s tony Crockfords Casino, which he contests has been illegally withheld. The situation reached London’s Supreme Court week that is late last.
Instead of playing for the $8.15 million top prize in this present year’s World Series of Poker Main Event, poker pro Phil Ivey (seen here after winning the 2008 L.A. Poker Classic) is in London during the Supreme Court, fighting for ten dollars million from Crockford’s that he says is due him. (Image: WPT)
The top-ranked player’s absence from the WSOP, while notable, is no longer the huge news it once would have been. In fact, since he won his World that is last Series in 2014, he’s just registered for three WSOP events.
But until now, he’s never missed the Main Event.
Ivey happens to be fighting the Crockford’s battle for 5 years, and also a case that is similar Atlantic City’s Borgata.
Edge-Sorting 101
Ivey and their accomplice Kelly Sun ‘won’ the contested sum in 2012 making use of a training known as edge-sorting. This is a technique where a player that is skilled in a where is crystal forest on slots magic position to spot tiny discrepancies in the patterns on the backs of playing cards. Ivey and Sun requested a particular type of Gemaco cards to assist them in this, knowing historically that there were manufacturing that is hard-to-spot on them.
While at no point did they tamper utilizing the cards, they did ask the dealer to turn certain cards 180 degrees during play, which they explained away during the time being a quirk that is superstitious.
In reality, these people were instructing an unwitting dealer to sort the deck into two sets of favorable and unfavorable cards, which could then be identified by the backs, moving chances into the players’ favor. Crockfords later studied surveillance video, decided they were cheating, and withheld the amount of money, which they had guaranteed to wire to Ivey.
Ivey and Sun subsequently sued.
Battle of Two Dictionaries
The judge in a lower appellate court, in ruling against Ivey in November last year, described the poker player as an ‘honest’ witness, in the feeling that Ivey truly believed he had been not breaking the rules. This prompted Ivey to question how there can be this kind of plain thing as an ‘honest cheat.’
Ivey’s lawyer, Richard Spearman QC, dubbed the case ‘the Battle of this Dictionaries’ on Thursday.
That’s because the Ivey camp uses the Oxford English Dictionary (1989) concept of ‘to cheat’ (”to deal fraudulently, practice deceit’), while Crockfords’ relies on the newer Concise Oxford English Dictionary definition (‘to function dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage’).
‘We say we’ve won that because we’ve the better dictionary,’ quipped Spearman at the hearing. ‘There is no finding at all that Mr. Ivey had been dishonest in every sense,’ he added. ‘He was found to be a witness that is honest didn’t believe what he was doing was dishonest. He contends he could be entitled to be paid his winnings because edge-sorting is a genuine benefit play strategy.’
The case continues.
Ivey’s Poker Acumen
Ranked because the fourth-highest live tournament moneymaker of most time by record-tracker Hendon Mob, Ivey’s winnings in that arena total just upwards of $23,800,000 in lifetime cashes. But in present years, he’s largely abandoned tournament play in support of super cash that is high-roller, mostly in Macau and at the nosebleed private Bobby’s Room into the Bellagio poker room in Las Vegas.
His biggest tournament that is recent ended up being at the 2015 Aussie Millions in Melbourne, Australia, where he took down a prize of US$1,710, 854 into the APPT US$191K + $3,900K LK Boutique Challenge against just 24 other elite players.
Fate of Philadelphia Live! Casino Project in Limbo as still Factions Battle Antitrust Measures
Philadelphia’s Live! Hotel & Casino task remains in appropriate limbo, as a lawsuit continues to block the venue from license finalization and continue to break ground.
State Rep. Scott Petri wants Pennsylvania to quickly approve a 2nd downtown philadelphia casino in hopes of delivering much-needed tax revenue to federal government coffers. But state gaming measures that are antitrust keeping construction from going forward on Live! (Image: Larry Roberts/Post-Gazette)
The main issue is trying to find out whether businessman Watche ‘Bob’ Manoukian, who owns a controlling 86 percent stake in the nearby Parx Casino, is permitted to also hold an interest in Live! The state’s gaming act forbids investors and groups that are financial exceeding a 33.3 per cent stake in multiple gaming ventures.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) recently announced that a hearing that is public the matter is held on July 31 in Harrisburg.
Per the Race Horse Development and Gaming Act, ‘No slot machine licensee, its affiliate, intermediary, subsidiary or keeping company may possess an ownership or economic interest that is greater than 33.3 percent of some other neighborhood machine licensee.’
That presents a problem for the Philadelphia casino project, that will be a joint partnership between Cordish Companies and Green Racing, the latter owned by Manoukian. The businessman is the president of HCBS Bank Armenia, and he holds assets in real estate, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and hospitality.
The $450 million Live! resort is planned become built on a plot that is nine-acre of adjacent towards the Philadelphia Sports Complex. The plans necessitate a 325,000-square-foot casino flooring, plus a hotel that is 18-story.
SugarHouse Casino is currently the only gambling property with a Philadelphia address, but Parx is less than 20 kilometers northeast in Bensalem, and Harrah’s Philadelphia is just 15 miles southwest in Chester.
Dissecting Ownership
Stadium Casino, LLC, the venture between Cordish and Greenwood, received a Category 2 gaming license in November of 2014. It still calls for final approval from the PGCB.
That’s being blocked by a legal challenge brought forth by a bidder who lost down on winning the Philadelphia license. Market East Associates, the entity that unsuccessfully used for the permit, is behind the lawsuit. SugarHouse Gaming has accompanied the litigation as well.
The plaintiffs are challenging Manoukian’s ownership, with the target being that the PGCB will revoke Stadium Casino’s permit. Therefore far, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has sided in the challengers’ side, mandating that the PGCB continue steadily to seek information that is additional Manoukian’s stake.
Stadium Casino says Manoukian’s ownership is through an ‘irrevocable trust’ he wouldn’t get a grip on or have the ability to touch. Rather, the investment vehicle would be earmarked for a beneficiary, and he’d be a hands-off owner.
The complicated structure that is financial why the appropriate challenge has lagged on for almost three years. On July 31, the 2 sides will once again make their cases to your gaming board.
Bill Introduced
Throwing yet more fuel on the fire, State Representative Scott Petri (R-Bucks) believes the one-third ownership clause in the video gaming work has to be repealed. The chairman regarding the Pennsylvania House Gaming Oversight Committee, Petri has introduced legislation to abolish the regulation and enable investors to have stakes that are controlling multiple gambling venues.
‘It’s vital that you finally end litigation on this Philly license,’ Petri explained earlier this month. He added that hawaii is losing down on tens of vast amounts in unseen tax revenue from the as-yet-unbuilt Live! casino project.
A Category 2 license costs a one-time $50 million fee that is upfront. The lawsuit has held up finalizing it, including that payment although that license has been approved by the PGCB.
British Open Odds Favor Dustin Johnson and Jordan Spieth, Lefty Left Out of Top 10
The British Open tees off on Thursday at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England, also it’s a cast that is familiar’s receiving top billing at Las Vegas sportsbooks.
Dustin Johnson’s (right) game has cooled off this summer, permitting challengers like Jordan Spieth to get up to your frontrunner heading into the British Open. (Image: AFP)
For the third consecutive major, Dustin Johnson, the world’s top ranked player, comes with the shortest odds. But at 12-1, he’s somewhat long compared to his lines at the Masters and US Open.
A disappointing summer has led oddsmakers to lengthen DJ’s line, and that is likely an appealing development to numerous bettors in Nevada. Jordan Spieth, who won during the Travelers earlier last month, is also at 12-1, per the Westgate SuperBook.
Masters champ Sergio Garcia, fan favorite Ricky Fowler, and budding celebrity Jon Rahm round out the utmost effective five with their odds at 15-1.
The last Open Championship at Royal Birkdale returned in 2008 whenever Padraig Harrington won his 2nd Claret that is consecutive Jug. The feat that is back-to-back a 12 months after Paddy became a major champion at Carnoustie. This week, Harrington are at 125-1.
The Open, the oldest of the four majors, dates back to 1860.
Mickelson-Stenson Rematch? Odds Say No
The 2016 Open had been one of the biggest duels in the tournament’s storied history. Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson entered Sunday separated by just one shot, with their nearest competitor five back.
It quickly became apparent that the day could be a race that is two-horse. By enough time they reached the fifth tee, they were tied at -14 and nine shots free from third. Stenson would continue to shoot 63 to Mickelson’s 65, and win at -20, a record score.
Fast forward to today, and bettors apparently don’t possess much faith of some other back-to-back winner at Birkdale. The SuperBook has Stenson at 25-1.
Mickelson has played some golf that is good the previous couple of years, but he hasn’t won since 2013. The triumph came at this week’s major championship, when Lefty took the title at Muirfield. Ironically, Stenson came in second place that week, losing by three shots, the margin that is same would win by in 2016.
For 2017, Mickelson is at 30-1 to win his 2nd Claret Jug. It is their very first major with brother Tim on the bag, after ending their long relationship with Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay final month.
Bettors Licking Chops
The British Open chances present many opportunities for bettors willing to take some risk.
One enticing line comes from Rory McIlroy. Once a perennial favorite at majors, the 2014 Open winner is at 20-1. Now rated # 4 in the globe, McIlroy is winless in 2017. Hideki Matsuyama, golf’s second ranked player and the runner up at last month’s United States Open, is also at 20-1.
US Open champ Brooks Koepka’s powerful game may not lend it self to links golf, as he is at 30-1 to win his second major in as numerous tries.
As for the longshots, Long John Daly discovered the champion’s circle for the time that is first the Champions Tour earlier this present year. But don’t search for him become victorious this week. The 1995 Open winner is at 1000-1.
The longest odds (3000-1) take 59-year-old Sandy Lyle, the 1985 Open winner who is using his second to year that is last of (past champions aged 60 and under automatically qualify).
No Goa? Asia’s Newest Floating Casino Runs Into Sand Bank, Crew Members Rescued
Goa, India’s controversial new casino that is floating MV Lucky 7, failed to live as much as its name on Sunday night whenever it ran aground on a sandbank off Miramar Beach during rough weather.
Beached whale: Gopal Kanda’s MV Lucky 7 hits a snag on its way to Panaji City. (Image: NDTV.com)
In accordance with Indian news, the neighborhood coast guard ended up being forced to save four crew members, one of whom had been injured, while the other three were experiencing serious sea illness. Fifteen other crew members did perhaps not need assistance and stayed on board.
The ship was on its solution to the Mandovi River, where it planned to anchor and open for business as ‘Big Daddy Casino,’ Goa’s sixth drifting gambling operation.
However the incident has caused a monsoon that is political Asia.
Controversial Owner
There was already a backlash against MV Lucky 7. Opposition parties and local anti-gambling groups highly opposed the Goan government’s licensing regarding the casino, particularly following the revelation that it ended up being owned by businessman and minister that is former the state of Haryana, Gopal Kanda.
Kanda ended up being arrested in 2012 following the suicide Geetika Sharma, an air-hostess at Kanda’s MDLR airlines. Sharma named Kanda inside her suicide note, claiming harassment.
Kanda resigned from their ministerial post and was subsequently arrested on charges of aiding and suicide that is abetting sexual exploitation, although the case was later fallen.
Criminal Negligence?
Now, MV Lucky 7 is accused of negligence and of putting revenue before safety by attempting to sail to the Mandovi River at a time when the sandbar area is closed to navigation until due to the monsoon season september.
‘The casino (ship) is stuck. Its owner should be arrested immediately,’ said Girish Chodankar associated with the local Indian National Congress opposition celebration. ‘An attempt ended up being made to generate the casino up the river illegally by pressuring the Captain of Ports.
‘then it would affect the environment adversely if that diesel (265 gallons) is spilled. Whom should be held responsible?’
Every one of Goa’s floating casinos are on the basis of the Mandovi River where it flows through Panaji City, hawaii’s capital. But even if MV Lucky 7 had managed to get there on this fateful journey, it wouldn’t be sticking around for long.
Las Vegas Sportsbooks Spruce Up in Expectation of Upcoming NFL Season
With the very first NFL preseason game less than three weeks away, Las Vegas sportsbooks are scrambling to spruce up and acquire ready for throngs of football bettors. In 2016, the facilities took in $4.6 billion, making for an increasingly competitive market, and an ambiance geared towards luring as many customers as possible is clearly key.
The Westgate LV SuperBook has set a bar that is high other Las Vegas sportsbooks, with several other resorts updating to attract more bettors. (Image: EDGeVegas)
Wynn Bets Big
You have to invest cash to make money, as the old saying goes, and the biggest splash this year in improvements was made by Wynn Las Vegas, which will be overhauling its own activities wagering area, and adding one in the neighboring Encore as well. The Wynn will be getting new seating areas and an updated video screen system, that will be likely to open August 1.
Bettors staying at Encore previously had to walk up to the Wynn to place bets, but forget about. The new Encore sportsbook won’t be as impressive as its sis property, but are more convenient, plus it opens up August 8.
The Cromwell is also getting a sportsbook that is new. The boutique resort converted a space that is 1,500-square-foot formally housed high-limit slot machines and is which makes it right into a wagering area. It shall be small, but about 50 seats will be available.
Keeping Up Utilizing The Joneses
The two-year renovation regarding the Westgate’s Las Vegas Superbook, completed in January 2016, set a new standard for these establishments. The property that is off-strip $13 million to completely transform its area.
New leather-based seats were installed and a food court ended up being placed in close proximity. A VIP area was also added. The change that is biggest were the all-important event-viewing medium: televisions. Light-emitting Diode displays measuring 220 feet wide by 18 feet tall and spaning the entire sports guide venue were set up.
The displays are 60 feet wider than the video board hanging from the roof at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, house of the Dallas Cowboys, and bigger than the movie displays in New York City’s Times Square.
Strip casinos took notice and started to make their own changes, starting this past year. Caesars Palace replaced its video screens with new state-of-the-art monitors and Harrah’s also put in new televisions and seats.
It’s about time
Here is the perfect time regarding the 12 months for renovations, with truly the only major expert sport in the summer baseball that is being. There’s also a few of special occasions, such as for instance the just-wrapped-up Wimbledon, the usa Open, plus the occasional UFC or match that is boxing.
That will all change on 3, when the Dallas Cowboys face the Arizona Cardinals in the Hall of Fame game august. The competition, played in Canton, Ohio, kicks off the preseason that is three-week, and despite having starting players only utilized sparingly, should produce action at the betting windows.
As well as the crowds will only get heavier when the regular season and college football get underway.