The Miccosukee Tribe of Florida launched a legal proceeding against its insurer Great American Insurance Company seeking to recoup $5.3 million, which was swindled in an elaborate embezzlement scheme at its Miccosukee Casino & Resort in Miami-Dade County. Four employees, three spouses and a girlfriend were convicted of theft, computer fraud, and money laundering.
Beginning of the Story
In 2015, an anonymous tipster alerted casino officials about the fraudulent scheme. He told them that the slot technicians who had to service the video gaming machines at the casino found a way to manipulate the devices and get false credit tickets in order to create “ghost credits.” The said vouchers showed that they had won money and the employees were exchanging cash for these credits. The swindle operated between January 2011 and May 2015 when the tribe received the tip.
As the casino officials could not establish how the scheme operated and the money was stolen, they summoned the Miccosukee Police Department, but the police were not able to determine exactly how the gaming machines at the casino have been manipulated.
Then the tribe asked the FBI for help and it launched an immediate investigation. The federal agency warned the casino officials not to discuss with anyone the case until it was concluded. Upon the FBI’s request, the tribe contracted an internal auditor, a specialist in the gambling industry, to perform an investigation.
In August 2017, the hired auditor issued a report, according to which many employees tampered with the gaming machines in the casino to gain “ghost credits” for four years and swindled a total of at least $5,283,638.
In July 2019, when the FBI’s investigation ended, a federal Grand Jury issued an indictment of 63 counts and charged eight individuals with participating in the fraudulent scheme.
Lester Lavin was identified as the mastermind of the scam. He started working at the casino in 2003 and in 2009, he was promoted to video supervisor. In 2011, he started conspiring with his own supervisor and two of the video technicians to thieve money from the casino.
In August 2020, Lavin and another one of the defendants were sentenced to 51 months imprisonment. Another two defendants received a sentence of 37 months in prison.
Claim Submitted But Denied
In August 2019, the tribe submitted its $5.3 million claim when it was no longer prohibited from discussing the matter with others. It also provided all necessary information and documentation to Great American Insurance Company and the latter acted as if it was going to pay the claim. However, in April 2021, “with no previous warning,” the insurer denied the $5.3 million, because, allegedly, the tribe did not manage to give timely notice of the loss, and the policies, which are supposed to cover the loss, were canceled.
Per Great American Insurance Company, the tribe did not inform the insurer about the loss when it was discovered in May 2015. The tribe responded that it had not been allowed to talk about the case due to the then ongoing investigations.
The insurer has not responded yet in court to the tribe’s lawsuit. Both parties were not available to comment on the case.
The latest craze for AI-generated art, self-portraits and chats has got even the poker world abuzz, and here at PokerNews we couldn’t help but see what exactly what ChatGPT knows about poker.
For those of you who don’t know, ChatGPT is a language model that uses Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback (RLHF), to interact with humans in a conversational manner. Below are some edited highlights from the conversations PokerNews had with ChatGPT.
So lets see exactly what this AI knows about poker, and whether it has any advice for PokerNews readers. Note: Everything in Italics comes straight from ChatGPT with minimal editing for brevity and readability.
How Does PokerStars Deal With Bots?
What do you think about poker?
An easy enough place to start — what does the AI think about the game that we all know and love?
“I think poker is a fun and exciting game that can be enjoyed by people of all skill levels,” said ChatGPT. “It’s a great way to test your strategic thinking and decision-making skills, and can be a social activity as well.
“There are many different variations of poker, so there’s always something new to learn and try.”
What do you think is better – live poker or online poker?
The age old question — feel the cards and hear the chips being shuffled, or multi-table from the comfort of your own home. We wanted to know the answer from ChatGPT, but they said there wasn’t a definitive answer to the question, with both live and online poker having their own unique advantages and disadvantages.
“Live poker allows players to interact with each other face-to-face, which can add a social element to the game.
“Online poker, on the other hand, allows players to participate from anywhere with an internet connection, which can be more convenient.
“Ultimately, the choice between live and online poker comes down to personal preference. Some people may prefer the social aspect of live poker, while others may prefer the convenience of online poker.”
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How do you get better at poker?
PokerNews has plenty of poker strategy articles to help you improve your poker skills, but ChatGPT also has their own ideas on how to get better at poker.
“One effective way to get better at poker is to practice and play as much as you can. This will give you the opportunity to try out different strategies and see how they work in real game situations.
“Another way to improve is to study and learn from experienced players. This can include reading books or articles about poker strategy, watching instructional videos, or joining a poker forum or community where you can discuss the game with other players.
“Additionally, it’s important to stay focused and maintain a good mental attitude while playing. This can help you make better decisions and avoid making costly mistakes.”
Do you think anyone can become a professional poker player?
The journey to becoming a professional poker player is long and arduous, and ChatGPT agrees that although it’s possible for anyone to achieve this goal, it’s by no means an easy task.
“Playing poker professionally requires a combination of skill, dedication, and luck. It’s important to have a deep understanding of the game, including the rules and strategies, and to be able to make quick and accurate decisions.
“Professional poker players also need to be able to manage their bankroll effectively and handle the ups and downs of the game.
“In addition to these skills, it’s also important to be able to maintain a positive attitude and stay focused during long and grueling sessions. Becoming a professional poker player is a challenging but potentially rewarding pursuit.”
What should be done about the use of bots and real-time assistance (RTA) in poker?
We thought we’d take the opportunity to ask the bot what they think about…bots.
“The use of bots and real-time assistance (RTA) in poker has been a source of controversy and debate within the poker community. Some people argue that the use of these tools gives an unfair advantage to players who use them, and that they should be banned in order to maintain the integrity of the game.
PokerStars “Up to the Challenge” of Combatting Cheating and Real-Time Assistance
“Others argue that the use of these tools is a form of skill, and that players who use them should be allowed to compete on an equal footing with others. There is no definitive answer to this question, and different poker organizations and venues may have different rules and regulations regarding the use of bots and RTA.
“Ultimately, the decision about how to handle these tools in poker is up to the individual players and the organizations that host the games.”
Quickfire Questions
In addition to the questions above, we couldn’t help but get ChatGPT to answer once and for all certain famous poker questions:
Who is the best poker player in history?
“There are many factors to consider when trying to determine the best poker player in history, and the answer is likely to be a matter of personal opinion.
“Some of the most successful and respected poker players in history include Johnny Moss, Johnny Chan, Stu Ungar, and Phil Ivey.”
Is Pot-Limit Omaha really “The Great Game”?
“While Pot-Limit Omaha is a popular and exciting variant of poker, it is ultimately up to individual players to decide whether they think it is the “great game” or not.”
Would you call an all-in if it was the first hand of the WSOP Main Event and you had pocket aces?
“It is generally considered to be poor strategy to go all-in with pocket aces on the first hand of a poker tournament, especially a high-stakes event like the World Series of Poker Main Event.”
Will Shillibier
Executive Editor E.U.
Will Shillibier is based in the United Kingdom. He graduated from the University of Kent in 2017 with a B.A. in German, and then studied for a NCTJ Diploma in Sports Journalism at Sportsbeat in Manchester. He previously worked as a freelance live reporter, and video presenter for the World Poker Tour.
Octavian Lab, an Italian gaming and betting platform provider, has inked a new agreement with Flows, an innovation platform that ingests data from any source or integration. The agreement will see Flows leverage its automation tech to help Octavian Lab’s customers build features and applications without code.
Octavian Lab Pens Deal with Flows
Flows’ novel solutions will help Octavian Lab bolster its products by allowing its clients to easily build features and applications. This, in turn, will allow them to roll out more innovative content, all thanks to Flows’ automation technology.
In short, the agreement will help Octavian Lab’s partners supercharge their respective businesses by allowing them to quickly build various features and applications. As Flows’ solutions require no coding, this will accelerate development and integration for the Italian supplier’s partners.
Flows was designed to be the “most agnostic piece of software” on the market. This description fits the solution’s incredible compatibility, which allows it to be paired with any other piece of technology.
Flows’ ambition is to leverage its plug-in no-code platform to allow businesses to innovate as much as they’d like without constraints. Thanks to the effectiveness of its solutions, the company has partners across the entire gaming industry.
The Two Companies Have Similar Philosophies, CEO Nocentelli Says
Flows’ director of sales, Domenico Mazzola, spoke about the agreement. He said that his team is honored to be trusted by a young and dynamic supplier such as Octavian Lab. Mazzola also praised the supplier for recognizing the importance of innovation and wanting to bring the benefits of Flows to its customers.
We are excited to have partnered with Octavian Lab and are looking forward to welcoming their customers to Flows and to see how they will utilize our no-code technology to supercharge their customers’ experience and their business
Domenico Mazzola, director of sales, Flows
Emanuele Nocentelli, Octavian Lab’s chief executive officer, also spoke about the deal. He said that his team is thrilled to close 2022 with such an agreement and is happy to join forces with Flows. Nocentelli noted that Octavian Lab and Flows share the same vision when it comes to gaming and concluded that his team is eager to work alongside Flows.
We are eager to take advantage of the benefits of Flows’ unique software.
Emanuele Nocentelli, CEO, Octavian Lab
Octavian Lab is a provider that supplies operators and Italy and beyond with fully managed casino and sports betting solutions. It is one of the latest companies in the sector to recognize the benefits of using Flows’ no-code platform. In early December, NuxGame, another famous gaming content provider, inked a similar agreement with Flows.
While many of the biggest poker stories of 2022 were happy ones, including the triumphant return of live poker and online poker expansion across North America, the year was also marked by tragedy.
No poker story in recent years has been as tragic as the 2020 murder of Susie “Susie Q” Zhao, a Los Angeles-based pro who made several deep runs in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event.
Two years later, the story received a new and final chapter as Jeffery Bernard Morris stood finally stood trial for the graphic and disturbing murder and, after being found guilty, was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Long-Awaited Justice
In July 2020, Michigan police discovered Zhao’s badly burned body in a state recreation area and in the coming weeks arrested Morris, a convicted sex offender with a violent criminal history.
Zhao, who grew up in Michigan after migrating from China at a young age, had moved back to Michigan from LA to live with family during the pandemic.
Susie Zhao
According to prosecutors, Zhao, who had recently been diagnosed with schizophrenia (something revealed during the trial), had met up with Morris at a Michigan motel before he bound her with zip ties, drove her to a remote area and sexually assaulted and “lit (her) on fire until she died.”
In September 2020, Morris was charged with first-degree premeditated murder in Clarkston’s 52nd District Court, though the case was later transferred to the higher Oakland County Circuit Court. Morris was initially slated to stand trial in March 2021, but that date was pushed back due to coronavirus-related restrictions at the courthouse, the first of many delays in the trial.
The trial was pushed back several more times in 2022 due to changes in counsel, a filing error and additional COVID-19 restrictions. After two years of delays, Morris finally stood trial in October 2022.
Jeffery Bernard Morris stood trial in October 2022
Zhao’s Love of Poker Highlighted During Trial
During the week-long trial, Oakland County prosecutors built a robust case against Morris that drew from eyewitness testimony, cell phone data and medical reports to connect Morris to Zhao at the time of the murder.
Morris’ search history revealed that he had searched for violent sexual assault more than 2,000 times for violent “punch-fisting” pornography, while a medical examination showed Zhao sustained a “significant deep wound” in her genital area that was made by “a significant force.”
The trial also brought to light new information about Zhao’s struggles with mental illness, which lead prosecutor John Skrzynski argued made her a vulnerable victim.
“You took advantage of an individual who was fragile and basically destroyed everything that she had accomplished in her life,” Judge Martha Anderson told Morris during sentencing.
Jeffery Bernard Morris
Susie Zhao Murder Trial Timeline: Day 1: Jury selection, opening statements Day 2: First day of witness testimony Day 3: Second day of witness testimony Day 4: Closing statements; Jury finds Morris guilty Day 5: Morris sentenced to life without parole
But there were also touching moments during the largely horrific proceedings. Ahead of sentencing, Zhao’s childhood friend, Meredith Rogowski, recalled meeting Zhao in 6th grade and forming “a friendship that significantly shaped the course of my life.”
Rogowski told the court about Zhao’s vibrant personality, passion for glitter and unicorns and her deep love of poker, which she discovered in middle school and “organically absorbed it into her identity.”
“After school, she would routinely meet other kids in the basement of the apartment complex and win their allowance,” said Rogowski. “(Zhao) liked that it was a boy’s game and with her natural charisma, mathematical aptitude and skill for reading others, she found a lot of power in a deck of cards.”
“Poker was how Susie discovered the American Dream. Poker enabled her to turn nothing into tremendous wealth. And this was freedom.”
Read about the sentencing of Jeffery Morris
Covering Tragedy
Zhao’s horrific death and Morris’ trial were both covered by national news publications and poker outlets alike, including PokerNews. Veteran poker writer Jennifer Newell covered the trial for Tight Poker and tweeted live updates throughout the proceedings, keeping friends of Zhao consistently updated as they awaited justice.
Nothing will bring Susie Zhao back to life. Nothing will erase the horror she experienced or that which her family… https://t.co/0pMuRxyNMu
— Jennifer Newell (@WriterJen)
PokerNews asked Newell how she first began covering Zhao’s death and what she learned about “Susie Q” throughout her coverage of the gruesome case.
PokerNews: When did you first hear the name Susie Zhao and when did you start reporting on this case?
Jennifer Newell: I had heard about Susie Q in passing, as I had heard of so many poker players. But when the Detroit news media first reported her death in July 2020, I immediately started reading comments from poker players on social media and asking friends about her. Hearing what happened to her made me want to write about it with care and sensitivity and tell the story that she was not able to tell.
Susie had many friends in the poker community and seemed to make a strong impression on players. How would you describe Susie and what was her overall reputation in the poker community?
In two years of scouring the internet for photos and stories about Susie, I never came across a person who thought negatively of her. Her friends told me how sweet she was, how funny and fun, how smart and gifted, and how much she loved her friends, family, and poker. She loved the game, the challenges it presented, and the mental stimulation. And she appeared to have loved so many people she met along her poker journey.
You spent a lot of time covering the graphic and disturbing trial. What was your biggest takeaway from the trial?
My biggest takeaway was that I wish I had known Susie. The darkest takeaway was that the person who stole her from this world is pure evil; I’m still so deeply disturbed at the pictures and facts presented at trial. I also realized that a friend or family member with a mental illness can seem out of reach and the illness too complicated to grasp, but we need to research and look into these tough subjects, especially when they affect someone we love.
How do you think Susie would want to be remembered and what can those in the poker community do to honor and remember her?
I truly cannot speak for Susie. Personally, I’d like people to remember her as her friends described her – funny, smart, kind, loving, and adventurous. Check out her Twitter or Instagram accounts to get to know her a little. I’d love for the poker community to honor her memory by learning more about mental illness and reaching out to people they know who might be struggling. Work to prevent rape, sexual assault, and harassment; believe and support victims of these crimes. Let’s try to make a better, safer world.
Remembering Susie
Zhao’s loving nature and bright personality earned her plenty of friends in the poker community, among them Bart Hanson, David Tuchman, Xuan Liu and Allen Kessler.
Here are a few tweets from poker players who knew “Susie Q.”
Susie Zhao was a so fkn cool. Was nice on and off the table. Had the pleasure to hang out and break bread with her… https://t.co/BQSkq5awGO
— Ronnie Bardah (@RonnieBardah)
She was one of the bubbliest and most vivacious opponents I’ve ever had. She was a very strong player who also like… https://t.co/e8EHpk6CQi
— Clayton Fletcher (@claytoncomic)
So sad to hear the news that one of my long time poker friends Susie Zhao was found dead.
— Allen Kessler (@AllenKessler)
@AllenKessler Wow that’s terrible. #
— Todd Brunson (@ToddBrunson)
Today I remember Susie fondly.
— Jennifer Shahade (@JenShahade)
The details coming out about Susie Zhao’s murder are truly horrifying. My heart goes out to her family & loved ones… https://t.co/vmPUc3nvLi
— Kara Scott (@KaraOTR)
On a more somber note the murder trial of my dear friend and LA poker pro @SusieQZhao started today in Michigan. It… https://t.co/7aywlOb0L5
— Bart Hanson (@BartHanson)
@WriterJen She came over my home for Thanksgiving. I miss her. #
The 2022 Military Bowl is taking place at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland, on Wednesday, December 28. The two teams locking horns in this year’s bowl are UCF (American Athletic Conference) and Duke (Atlantic Coast Conference).
This is going to be the first Duke vs UCF game in history, as well as the first time that either of these colleges is taking part in the Military Bowl.
At the moment of writing, the Duke Blue Devils are seen as odds-on favorites to win the 2022 Military Bowl, however, that wasn’t always the case. When the odds were initially published, the UCF Knights were priced at -147. Let’s see why that happened.
UCF vs Duke 2022 Military Bowl Odds
Spread
Spread
Odds
UFC Knights
-110
Duke Blue Devils
-110
Moneyline
Moneyline
Odds
UFC Knights
-164
Duke Blue Devils
+145
Points
Over/Under
Odds
Over 62.5 points
-110
Under 62.5 points
-110
When, Where, and How to Watch?
Place: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland
Date: Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Time: 2:00 PM ET
How to Watch: ESPN
UCF Knights Missing a Couple of Key Men
The UCF Knights lost the American Athletic Conference Championship Game to the Tulane Green Wave on December 3, which was the last time they went on the field. It was a blowout 45-28 loss, in which the Knights defense just couldn’t do anything.
Their offense did score 28 points, but they were far from impressive. Their starting quarterback John Rhys Plumlee and third-string Thomas Castellanos were in charge of calling the signals that day but did not impress.
To make things even worse, Plumlee is struggling with an injury at the moment, which is why he might miss the Military Bowl. Backup Mikey Keene entered the transfer portal (even before the Championship Game) and will miss the game as well. This leaves Castellanos as practically their only option at QB.
As if all that wasn’t enough, The UCF Knights have also lost their offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey. Last week, he inked a deal with North Carolina, effective immediately.
Duke Blue Devils are Great in the Offense, Bad in the Defense
The Blue Devils finished the NCAAF season at 8-4 with 5-3 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Their scoring average was 33.08 which is only slightly lower than what the UCF Knights were averaging before their starting QB got injured.
Speaking of QBs, the signal-caller for the Blue Devils is sophomore Riley Leonard who’s got 2,794 yards and 20 TDs to his name this season. He and his teammates sure have what it takes to run riot on UCF’s defense.
The real question is whether Duke’s defense can finally put on a decent performance. Their defensive average of 22.83 doesn’t seem too bad, but the fact is that they didn’t play against too many great offenses in 2022.
UCF vs Duke 2022 Military Bowl Prediction
Our prediction of the 2022 Military Bowl is that this is going to be one very interesting game. Neither team is great defensively, which is why we think the outcome of the game will be decided by the team with the better offense.
So, which team is better offensively? Considering that UCF’s starting QB is reportedly struggling with an injury, we got to go with Duke.
Picks: Duke Blue Devils to win and cover the spread; under 62.5 to hit
It’s an exciting time to be a PokerStars player in the USA, with the announcement today that from January 1, 2023 players in both Michigan and New Jersey will play together on a shared platform.
This makes PokerStars the first operator to announce shared liquidity in these states.
“Michigan and New Jersey joining forces is great news for our players in these two states, and poker, more generally,” said PokerStars US Managing Director, Severin Rasset. “As it promises a better experience and even more value, all with the confidence provided by a trusted, licensed operator.”
The occasion will be marked by two special tournaments on New Year’s Day, with $150,000 in guaranteed prize pools.
Shared Platform, Same Stars Experience
PokerStars NJ has been operating since 2016, while PokerStars Michigan only came online in January 2021. Now, this shared liquidity will see players from both states have access to the same PokerStars software, all backed by industry-leading security and gaming integrity tools.
Is Poker legal in New Jersey (NJ)? Online Poker Laws in New Jersey Explained
“Our community will experience more breadth and depth of games,” said Rasset. “More tournaments with bigger prizes to win, amped-up promotions, and more choice.
“To kick start, we are offering generous guarantees on our debut multi-state tournaments, that will no doubt provide lots of value for those who take to the tables.”
Rasset went on to say that PokerStars had worked closely with the regulators of New Jersey and Michigan, and that he hoped more states will follow this example in the future.
Is Poker legal in Michigan (MI)? Online Poker Laws in Michigan Explained
Debut Multi-State Tournaments
If you’ve already started putting New Year’s Day in your diary, there’s more reasons to do so with the announcement of two special tournaments to mark the occasion.
Date
Time (ET)
Buy-in
Guarantee
January 1, 2023
18:00
$100
$100,000
18:30
$10
$50,000
Registration opens for both events on December 27, 2022.
Will Shillibier
Executive Editor E.U.
Will Shillibier is based in the United Kingdom. He graduated from the University of Kent in 2017 with a B.A. in German, and then studied for a NCTJ Diploma in Sports Journalism at Sportsbeat in Manchester. He previously worked as a freelance live reporter, and video presenter for the World Poker Tour.
The news coincides with a confirmation by BeyondPlay that the company has launched a new jackpot engine to help with community-focused products currently in development. The engine will help turn solo gameplay into outstanding multiplayer sessions.
BeyondPlay COO Jacqui Gatt hailed the success and said that the company appreciated the recognition granted by the Malta Gaming Authority. Gatt also acknowledged the difficulties that BeyondPlay had to experience.
Significant Milestone as BeyondPlay Prepares to Build Up
For starters, the company lacked a dedicated Compliance Team until recently and management was tasked with ensuring that all products conceptualized and brought to life by BeyondPlay were in fact on par with market standards. This led to an excessive workload for management, but things are finally beginning to look up.
Gatt paid his thanks to the MGA and the advisors from Helix Partners who were brought in to help clear this milestone. Gatt further noted:
It’s especially thrilling to know that we are now taking these important final steps on the path to seeing our solutions going live, with Jackpots planned for launch with multiple operators early next year.
BeyondPlay COO Jacqui Gatt
The addition of the jackpot engine will also be available to partner casinos moving forward who wish to access the product via “a software-as-a-service” model. BeyondPlay has confirmed that even ahead of the launch of the product it has already been able to establish several tier-one partners.
Some of the partners that have agreed to work with the company include ComeOn Group, Soft2Bet, and others. The jackpot product is expected to go live with them before long and in the first quarter of the new year. BeyondPlay founder and CEO Karolina Pelc further hailed the success of the company.
Pelc said that she felt passionate about building a robust gamification solution that has not been seen anywhere else. Thanks to the upcoming partnerships with the aforementioned high-profile partners, Pelc is confident that BeyondPlay and its products will gain a significant awareness boost.
While the MGA license is a significant step forward for BeyondPlay, it’s not the only one that the company has planned for the future. The company is similarly working on obtaining a license from the UK Gambling Commission.
BeyondPlay is confident that it can expand in North America and is applying for a license in Ontario as well as different jurisdictions in the United States.
This holiday season, PartyPoker is the place to be as the platform is currently gearing up for its highly anticipated partypoker Championship (PPC) Winter Edition.
The full schedule features Progressive Knockout, Pot-Limit Omaha, Hyper and Deepstack tournaments — offering a festive feast of poker for all buy-ins.
Don’t Miss Out on the $500K GTD PPC Winter Edition Main Event
Have you thought of any New Year’s Poker Resolutions yet? If not, how about winning the #PPC Winter Main Event! We… https://t.co/qKJEqtxSoW
— PartyPoker (@partypoker)
PartyPoker PPC Winter Edition Main Event Schedule
The Main Event of the PartyPoker Championship (PPC) Winter Edition comes with a $500,000 guarantee, with the first of six starting flights taking place on Christmas Day at 7:05 p.m. (GMT).
There are flights on the following two Sundays (January 1 & 8) and before the final three flights take place across January 15 & 16.
There are plenty of other tournaments as part of the PPC Winter Edition, including PKO and Omaha tournaments, with Mini editions of these and the Main Event, offering players a way to experience the big buy-in tournaments for much less.
Dates
Event
Buy-in
Guarantee
Dec 25-Jan 17
PPC Winter Mini Main Event
$55
$100,000
Dec 25-Jan 2
PPC Winter Omaha PKO Championship
$109
$30,000
Dec 25-Jan 2
PPC Winter Mini Omaha PKO Championship
$22
$15,000
Jan 2-9
PPC Winter PKO Championship
$215
$150,000
Jan 2-9
PPC Winter Mini PKO Championship
$33
$50,000
PartyPoker Is Your Online Poker Site for the Sunday Grind
Don’t Miss Out on PPC Winter Edition SPINS
PartyPoker recognizes that not everyone will have the time to grind out several satellites so, they’re soon to be introducing their PPC Winter Edition SPINS, where cash and a wide range of PPC Winter Edition tickets will be up for grabs.
SPINS are fast and furious winner-takes-all three-handed Sit and Go tournaments. The SPINS for the PPC come with a $10 buy-in and can be an affordable and quick route to the Main Event.
We have 5 x $22 satellite tickets for the #PPC Winter to give away. To go in the draw just like, retweet, follow an… https://t.co/iHislYUZAL
— PartyPoker (@partypoker)
Furthermore, keep an eye on partypoker’s Twitter account as they are dishing out tons of satellite tickets on the platform. Most of the time, all you need to is like and retweet the post, while also chucking partypoker a follow.
PPC Winter Edition SPINS
Multiplier
1st prize
Frequency in 1M Games
2
$20 cash
€653,193
3.3
$33 PPC Winter ticket
€249,807
5.5
$55 PPC Winter ticket
€75,000
10.9
$109 PPC Winter ticket
€20,000
21.5
$215 PPC Winter ticket
€1,500
53
$530 PPC Winter ticket
€500
Now Is The Perfect Time to Join PartyPoker
Thinking about joining PartyPoker? Now is the time to get off the fence and join the fun at PartyPoker. Download PartyPoker via PokerNews, create your free account, and make your first deposit safe in the knowledge that your deposit amount is matched 100% up to $600, plus you receive $30 worth of free tickets if you deposit at least $20!
Day 1: 1x $5 SPINS ticket + 1x $3.30 MTT ticket
Day 2: 2x $1 SPINS ticket + 1x $5.50 MTT ticket
Day 4: 1x $5.50 MTT ticket
Day 6: 2x $3 SPINS tickets + 1x$3.30 MTT ticket
Sharelines
Get a slice of festive fun with the PPC Winter Edition, as well as the $500,000 guaranteed Main Event on PartyPoker
Calum Grant
Editor & Live Reporter
Calum has been a part of the PokerNews team since September 2021 after working in the UK energy sector. He played his first hand of poker in 2017 and immediately fell in love with the game. Calum’s proudest poker achievement is winning the only tournament he has ever played in Las Vegas, the prestigious $60 Flamingo evening event.
The company said that it undertook the measure in order to guarantee the sustainability of its business and not disrupt the flow of product delivery moving forward.
Russian companies have been buffeted by an increasing number of sanctions issued in response to the country’s illegitimate invasion of neighboring Ukraine. Connective Games confirmed that the decision was a difficult one as the company has deep roots in the country, with its first development studio launched in Russia.
Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place
However, the present geopolitical challenges made maintaining business arms in Russia no longer sustainable. There is still something good to take out of this development, as the company is confident that its decision to withdraw will also result in better logistics and strengthen its overall presence in markets while carrying no risks for its business.
Connective Games has been marching forth confidently, announcing the opening of numerous studios across Europe and beyond. The company launched new local studios in Turkey, Serbia, and Armenia among others. The expansions were announced in November, and they are a part of a much larger and more ambitious plan.
Moving forward, Connective Games will seek to increase its presence even further in specific markets. Those include regions such as Latin America, Asia, and other European jurisdictions. Presently, the company is headquartered in Malta and holds multiple international licenses.
In March, Parimatch Tech, another prominent gambling operator and tech company, withdrew its operations from the Russian market and condemned the illegitimate war led by Russia against Ukraine, a country the company identifies with. Other companies around the world have responded. LeoVegas symbolically suspended betting on Russian and Belarussian sports in May.
When voters approved the legalization of Las Vegas-style casino gambling for New York state in 2013, industry heavyweights had their eye on the Big Apple and its population with the NYC Metro area approaching 20 million people but lacking any true casinos. When Gov. Kathy Hochul more recently gave a nod to three new casino resorts in downstate New York; the public started to hear more about it too.
It’s widely believed that two of the licenses will go to the two existing video lottery terminal and electronic table game venues – Resorts World New York City, adjacent to Aqueduct Racetrack near JFK Airport, and the Empire City Casino in Yonkers. The third license is the one that has created a clash of titans with mega-casino operators and billionaires wanting to get in on the action.
Proposals have bubbled up that range from a resort at Hudson Yards to a new attraction at Coney Island to the inevitable desire to inhabit the vibrant center of the American entertainment universe at Times Square. All told, there are at least six viable proposals making the rounds and stimulating conversation as well as big dollar money interest.
Advocacy Group Forms
One of those ideas has gained the support of a new advocacy group; it’s called the Coalition for a Better Times Square. While stalwart opposition remains – notably coming from Broadway’s largest theater owner, the Shubert Organization and league of operators, producers, general managers, and owners – others see the value in such an addition.
It’s highly likely that big money is behind most “grassroots” groups in America, especially those involved in commercial advocacy that favors one entity over others. On its face and at its bones, the Coalition for a Better Times Square is composed of people and organizations that would benefit from any major economic engine being located there.
Construction unions, theater workers, hotel operators, small businesses, musicians and others have banded together to promote their location for a NYC casino to revitalize Times Square.
But the group doesn’t want just any casino resort on Times Square, it favors Caesars Palace Times Square. Caesars Palace would be developed by a coalition including real estate developer SL Green, Caesars Entertainment, and the newest member – Roc Nation headed up by world-famous rapper Jay-Z.
Alicart Restaurant Group is a member of the coalition. Its CEO and President, Jeffrey Bank said: “Times Square is the Crossroads of the World. Unfortunately, many tourists have yet to return and businesses still haven’t fully recovered from the impacts of the pandemic, which means lunchtime business is gone.
“We need a new entertainment destination, like the facility proposed by SL Green and Caesars Entertainment, so we can bring our economy back and invest in needed safety, sanitation, and traffic flow.”
New Footfall of 7m New Visitors Yearly
Group organizers predict new footfall of more than 7 million new visitors to Times Square each year if the entertainment center is built there. Many of those people will eat, sleep, and shop too so they estimate over $130 million annually in Broadway ticket sales and retail receipts as well as more than half a million overnight stays.
Union leaders are all for progress and keeping their members working so it’s no surprise that the Mason Tenders’ District Council of Greater New York and Construction and General Building Laborers’ Local 79 support the proposal.
Business manager Mike Prohaska said: “A new gaming facility in Times Square would provide hundreds of well-paid, union jobs during both construction and operation. Caesars and SL Green both have strong pro-labor histories, and they have committed to minority hiring and apprenticeship programs that will open a pathway to the middle class for even more New Yorkers.”
Laborers’ Local 79 vice president Chaz Rynkiewicz added: Our members need housing we can afford in New York City, and this is the only plan that puts a casino in a part of the city where it belongs and won’t take away land that should go to housing.”
It’s no surprise that some owners and workers might have different opinions and positions on the idea and nowhere is that more obvious than in the contrasting agendas of the Broadway League (owners, managers, operators, etc.) and the Actors’ Equity Association.
The association’s communications director, David Levy said: “Equity members depend on a strong, thriving theater industry in Manhattan. Bringing almost half a million new theatergoers into our theaters, a commitment to union jobs, and unprecedented investments in safety and traffic flow will be beneficial for Broadway and its workers.”
Source: Business Owners, Operators, Unions Team Up To Support NY Casino In Times Square, PlayNY, December 20, 2022
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