Pennsylvania Treasurer Used Over $100,000 of Stolen Money for Gambling and Expensive Trips

Sneaky man putting money in his pocket


Following the money

A Pennsylvania treasurer has been charged with stealing over $100,000 of public funding which then went to cover vacations and gambling expenses.

“The defendant is a public official entrusted to oversee city funds with integrity and accountability,” said Attorney General and Governor-elect Josh Shapiro in a press release. “My Office will investigate and prosecute anyone who abuses their position of power for their own financial gain.”

thieved $106,000 from 2020-21 while serving in office

The accused is Uniontown’s Antoinette Hodge, who is believed to have thieved $106,000 from 2020-2021 while serving in office. The money was illegally diverted from school and city tax revenues, among other sources.

Pennsylvania treasurer spent tax funds gambling

The City Council launched an investigation in 2021 after more than a dozen taxpayers were informed they were behind despite having already submitted their payments. That tracked back to Hodge and helped lead to the recent accusations.

Hodge created a system that allowed her to commit the offenses by restructuring the flow of responsibility, giving her total control over a variety of important tasks.

“Staff at the City’s Treasurer’s Office testified that various changes were made under Hodge’s leadership, including Hodge taking over filling out deposit slips, taking over as the sole person reviewing the tax account information, and eliminating other checks and balances within the Treasurer’s Office,” said the press release.

The investigation also found that the ex-treasurer spent the money on expensive trips to Jamaica, Costa Rica, and Disney World. She had also planned a trip to Paris.

$500-600 per day on lottery tickets and $500-$1,000 on a gambling machine

When she wasn’t traveling, money was spent funding gambling habits and living a high-roller lifestyle. A Uniontown convenience store manager said that Hodge spent $500-600 per day on lottery tickets and $500-$1,000 on a gambling machine. 

It was also determined that Hodge was a regular at casinos, where she spent over $67,000 in 2022 and $14,000 in 2021. 

What’s happening now

Officials attempted to step in once it became clear that Hodge was not performing her duties as intended, only for her to respond that she was “in charge.” 

“Sometimes weeks would pass before Hodge would actually make a bank deposit,” a process that occurred daily before Hodge restructured the system, read an affidavit. 

eliminating any sort of oversight from the deputy treasurer

The accused also reviewed bank statements for tax accounts each month on her own, eliminating any sort of oversight from the deputy treasurer.

Hodge has been charged with Theft by Unlawful Taking, Receiving Stolen Property, Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition of Funds Received, Misapplication of Entrusted Property, Obstructing Administration of Law or other Governmental Function, and Perjury. She awaits trial and sentencing.

Hodge was elected treasurer of Uniontown in 2019. Her illegal exploits are a dangerous reminder of the harms of potential gambling addiction and overall abuse of power.

The post Pennsylvania Treasurer Used Over $100,000 of Stolen Money for Gambling and Expensive Trips appeared first on VegasSlotsOnline News.

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Dara O’Kearney: Of Poker Travel Snafus and WPT World Champions

Steve Martin in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles


Double-checking my itinerary would have been wise

I have a bit of a history of travel mishaps on my way to Vegas. On one of my earliest WSOP trips over ten years ago, I booked (or thought I had booked) an itinerary that required me to spend a few hours overnight in Heathrow. After idling in terminal one for a while after my arrival and typing up a blog entry, I headed for terminal three, which I was assured was the Virgin Atlantic terminal. Long walk, but sure – didn’t I have all night? I was greeted at terminal three by the sight of VA logos everywhere, which was encouraging. Less encouraging was the absence of any sign of my flight to Vegas on the screens. Hmmmm. Better check the old itinerary. A quick glance at the aforementioned itinerary revealed the source of the problem here: my flight to Vegas from Heathrow was actually from Gatwick.

 just in time to see every shop, food outlet, and tube station in the joint slam its shutters shut

Having no notion of the most economical way of getting from Heathrow to Gatwick but harboring a strong suspicion that the answer wasn’t “TAXI!”, I decided to catch the last train to Paddington. That got me into Paddington around 1am, just in time to see every shop, food outlet, and tube station in the joint slam its shutters shut. Hmmmm. After ascertaining that the best plan of action now was to tube it to Victoria and then catch the Gatwick Express, I was left with the minor problem of what to do for the next four hours until the tube station reopened.

The answer I came up with, and I acknowledge it right here right now to be laughably sub-optimal, was to spend the night in Paddington shivering on a bench like a homeless person, surrounded by actual homeless people. And let me dispel any illusions you might have: spending a night shivering in London’s draftiest and least attractive train station with no food and no toilet and just your overheating and dying laptop battery as your only heat source is not as much fun as you might think.

A few hours into this, I noticed one of my homeless compadres had skulked off somewhere. A little investigation revealed the destination of the skulk to be an inexplicably open, but empty ticket office which afforded considerably more shelter and heat than the concourse benches. Better yet, it boasted a power outlet. As I reveled in the plush surroundings of the floor of the ticket office recharging my laptop and my spirits, I got all philosophical about how even the smallest things can become huge luxuries in the right light.

My reveling and revelation didn’t last long though: a station security guy materialized to chase us back out onto the concourse with shouts of “get out or you’ll have me sacked.” I wouldn’t have thought his job security was a pressing concern to the homeless fraternity, but nobody argued. He shot me a particularly quizzical look: I guess he’d never seen a homeless man in a white Miami Vice jacket clutching a laptop before.

Finally, on my way

My partially regenerated battery got me through ’til 5am, opening time for everything. Hurray! The Circle Line tube ride to Victoria was rendered all the more surreal by the fact that I was the only human in the carriage, and my companion the only bird. Yes, an actual bird of the flying feathery variety was sitting on the seat next to me, looking up at me like he’d never seen a homeless man in a white Miami Vice jacket with a laptop before. I took a picture of him with my phone to prove I wasn’t hallucinating. I also think it’s just as well the ticket conductor didn’t come until after the bird got off at Notting Hill to tell the other birds his “hey, you’ll never guess what I saw on the tube this morning” story, as I’m reasonably certain that the bird was not in possession of a valid ticket.

The Gatwick Express entertainment was provided by the panicky American old lady determined to drive her silent and sullen husband round the twist with very public fretting over them missing their plane. “We have only six hours before takeoff! Are you sure that’s enough time? How long does this train take to get to Gatwick?”

I was tempted to up the ante by telling her “Ah, you’ll be grand, it rarely takes more than five hours,” but the husband looked like it wouldn’t take much for him to snap, so I left it. Instead, I focused on the positives of my frigid night. It probably surprises nobody that knows me that I used to run for 24 hours non-stop for no good reason other than to see how much it could mess me up, that I like to put myself through some sort of pointless ordeal every so often in the view that it “builds character” and “puts things in perspective.” Anyway, when you’ve endured a night like I just had for no good reason other than your own stupidity and lack of attention to detail, you kinda need to find some sort of silver lining.

Quite the upgrade from my prior WSOP travel experience. [Image: Dara O’Kearney]

I tweeted quite a bit about my connection woes this time on the way to the WPT World Championship at the Wynn, and bleated about them on a recent episode of “The Lock In”, so I’ll spare you the threepeat. The cliffs are I missed my connection in Heathrow and after several hours of being shunted from queue to queue, I ended up trying to book an airport hotel only to find them all booked out. My friend Alex O’Brien came to the rescue, and I ended up spending the night in much more salubrious surroundings than that night in Paddington. Alex is the perfect hostess, and had champagne on ice served in gold glasses ready on my arrival.

Didn’t cash, but heard Phil Hellmuth sing

David Lappin and I were staying at the Wynn Encore for the trip, easily my favorite hotel on the strip. I was also blown away by just how well run the entire festival was. I associate playing in Vegas with all the worst of the WSOP: endless registration queues, incompetent staff, dreadful dealers, poor food options. None of these were problems here – it was one of the smoothest-run festivals I’ve ever attended.

Come on, I want to hear you sing.”

I had a tough Day 1 struggling with card death and dropped very low at one point, but managed to bag up a bit more than starting stack. My Day 2 table featured the one and only Phil Hellmuth, who is always fun to play with. We had some good banter when he read a tweet by my co-author Barry Carter suggesting I was a 90s reggae singer. When I declined Phil’s cajoling to sing, he treated us to his own rendition of Drake. My neighbor turned to me and said: “Come on, I want to hear you sing.”

“Trust me, you really don’t. It’s really bad.”

“It can’t be worse than Phil’s Drake.”

Having started the day relatively short, I was teased by doubling my stack in the first session, knocking out a shorty in a flip and winning a few other decent sized pots. Just after the first break, I got in AKs against Jacks for well above average, but couldn’t win this flip.

Side events: two heads are better than one

I fired three bullets at the mystery bounty without making Day 2, coming very close with the second bullet. I had built a big stack, but my Kings lost to QJo near the end of the day.

I also fired two bullets at the 1k on the final day. The first didn’t last long (my Kings got outdrawn by J9 in a three-bet pot), but the second one brought me not far from the bubble. This time my AKs lost to QQ.

By now, I was already technically in the tag team event. After he busted his second bullet, Lappin went and regged us both, happy to play all the hands until I busted in the 1k.

It’s a game of being whittled away, hoping to get a big infusion before you ante out.

This was a tag team event with a difference. While it was technically Hold’em, every pot was a bomb pot. For those unfamiliar with the concept, the dealer deals a hand to everyone and then a flop (so there’s no pre-flop) after everyone antes. This sounds like a lot of fun in theory, and bomb pots are apparently used to enliven cash games. As a tournament format, though, it doesn’t really work. It’s a game of being whittled away, hoping to get a big infusion before you ante out. Every pot is big, but your chances of winning it small (1 in 8 or however many players there are at your table). You need a strong hand to bet into that many players and a strong one to continue facing a bet.

Entire hours went by without a single elimination and a sort of gallows humor engulfed those of us (most of the remaining field) who were kind of regretting our decision to sign up. One guy said it reminded him of the early days when “My friends and I would all play. None of us had a clue so we’d limp every pot, check it down to the river, and then find out who won.”

Team Chip Race was hanging on grimly near the bubble, then got some heat and actually hit the chip lead briefly with six left. Lappin recorded the whole thing for the latest episode of “The Lock In”, which he assures me is his masterpiece as a director. We ended up busting in 4th for just under 5k, a partial trip saver.

Guess who read my book?

In between tournaments I signed a few books for a few folks and was particularly heartened by the number of people taking the trouble to tell me how much they appreciate them. One, in particular, stuck in my memory because of the beautiful way it was worded. As I strolled back to fire my second bullet at the 1k, a tall handsome young guy asked: “Are you Dara O’Kearney?”

“Yes.”

“I just want to say I don’t admire many poker players, but I really admire you for your books and work. I just read GTO Poker Simplified and it made a huge difference to my game.”

He sounded Francophone so I asked his name and where he was from.

“Eliot. From Montreal.”

When I passed on this encounter to my co-author Barry Carter two days later, he said: “You mean the Main Event winner?”

For the first time, I made the connection. The day after stopping to chat with me in the corridor, Eliot Hudon from Montreal had closed out the WPT World Championship for over $4m, defeating Benny Glaser heads up.

Final table changed in a hurry

I’d stopped paying close attention to the Main Event after I busted out, but was aware that Benny Glaser went in as massive chip leader and favorite to win. The general consensus was that with almost half the chips and the most experience, he’d be able to put all the others in an ICM coffin. Everyone else except Eliot was short (sub-20 big blinds) and Eliot had only half his stack. This put everyone but Benny in a horrible ICM spot waiting for others to bust.

It all changed a few hands in. Picking up AJ under the gun, Benny just open shoved. This is a shove that’ll get through most of the time, and Eliot, in particular, needs a very strong hand to call (specifically Kings or Aces). Unfortunately for Benny, Eliot had one of those hands, Kings, and held, flipping not just the stacks but the whole complexion of the game.

the play was profitable, but not optimal

To put it in layman’s terms, it’s similar to betting 35 of the 36 numbers on the roulette wheel, a bet that will usually result in a small profit but occasionally a catastrophic loss. ICM specialist Bungakat (who kindly allowed us to reference some of his sims in our “Endgame Poker Strategy: The ICM Book” posted the results of an HRC sim he ran that indicated the play was profitable, but not optimal.

Let the debate commence

Debate raged through the poker community and the Benny rail over the play. My own view was as follows. Even if the play was optimal (and I don’t believe it is based on the sims I’ve seen) I personally wouldn’t recommend it in this spot. When you’re the most experienced player at the table with a commanding chiplead, you can railroad your way to victory the vast majority of the time with small bets and raises. Preflop solvers don’t account for this kind of future equity and just consider each hand in a vacuum. Before the final table started, I asked several top-class players how often they thought Benny would win from here and they all estimated his chances at 90% or higher, and reckoned that he came second the rest of the time.

it was a 1% risk he didn’t need to take

When he ran into Eliot’s kings and didn’t get there, the stacks flipped, and he was now in the same horrible ICM situation Eliot was at the start (only worse, because the was out of position to him). The fact that Eliot cruised to victory from there underlined this point even further. Yes, Benny was very unlucky to run into the 1% of hands that can call, but it was a 1% risk he didn’t need to take. If the pro assessment that Benny was 90%-plus to win at the start is accurate, this shove ended up costing Benny well over a million dollars in equity.

I ran my own sim for a video with Barry Carter where we discuss the shove, the call, and all relevant factors. That sim also indicates that the shove is profitable but not optimal, and that the optimal play is a min-raise. We shared a cab to the airport with Jack Hardcastle, who concurred. He said he’d have no shoves in this spot, preferring the small ball approach. We both agreed it would be different if it was a super high roller final table with Michael Addamo, Stephen Chidwick, and three other players much better than us. In that instance we’d happily shove and hope.

Eliot’s win was extremely impressive. He handled himself with tremendous poise and grace, giving a very gracious winner’s interview. The delight of his small close-knit rail of actual friends would warm the most withered of hearts. His execution on the day and over the whole tournament suggests this is the start, not the end, for the soft-spoken lad from Montreal.

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New Jersey Poker Player Hits $1.7M Progressive Jackpot, Tips $77K

New Jersey Poker Player Hits $1.7M Progressive Jackpot, Tips $77K



Christmas came early for one lucky New Jersey poker player and her dealers at an Atlantic City casino. Earlier this week, the Monmouth County woman hit a progressive poker mega jackpot at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City that earned her $1,681,458 off a $5 bet.

The woman, who casino officials identified as a “longtime customer” of the Caesars Entertainment-operated casino, was apparently in the holiday spirit as she tipped her dealers a handsome $77,000, according to NJ.com, which first reported the heartwarming tale.

The five-figure cut for the dealers made for 4.6% of the total prize, not a bad tip that arrived just in time for the holiday season. The lucky winner, meanwhile, can go Christmas shopping comfortably after seeing a 33,629,060% return on her $5 investment.

Conveniently, several poker players debated earlier this year how much pros should tip dealers after a controversial tweet from poker vlogger Lex Ozias (@LexOpoker1). PokerNews wrote about that debate, which you can read about here.

Plenty of Big Jackpots Hit This Year

The $1.7 million jackpot hit in Atlantic City was big, but there have been no shortage of big jackpots in 2022.

In August, West Virginia’s Benjamin Flanagan lost a hand with quad aces against a royal flush at Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh to hit the poker room’s $1.2 million bad beat jackpot, the largest bad beat jackpot in US live poker history.

Rivers Casino Pittsburgh
Bad beat jackpot at Rivers Casino Pittsburgh

In June, a record-setting $2.2 million jackpot hit at Playground Poker Club in Canada when a player lost with quad tens to win approximately $845,000.

Back in January, GGPoker paid out the biggest ever Omaha Bad Beat Jackpot of $593,177 that had Ibai Delgado walking away with the lion’s share worth $366,159.

Read about five bad beat jackpots that you won’t believe

Looking to play online poker in New Jersey? Check out this helpful PokerNews guide with information about all of the sites available in the state.

Photo courtesy of TruffStuff/Wikimedia Commons





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Top Stories of 2022, #7: Sing When You’re Wynning

Top Stories of 2022, #7: Sing When You're Wynning



Over the past few years, if you were to ask any poker player in Las Vegas where their favorite place to play poker was, chances are they’d say the Wynn. The venue has long been known for its elegance, professionalism, and cleanliness. They hold themselves to a high standard, which doesn’t go unnoticed.

The Wynn has traditionally been an independent operator, preferring to host their own tournaments series such as the Wynn Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter Classics, all of which have traditionally been very successful. In 2021, they upped their game by introducing both the Wynn Millions and Mystery Bounty tournaments. The former instantly became one of the premier tournaments on the schedule, while the latter revolutionized the tournament landscape by showing operators the world around how to best execute the new format.

It’s hard to imagine how Wynn Las Vegas could continue its upward trajectory, but Director of Poker Operations Ryan Beauregard and Tournament Director Ray Pulford found a way – by partnering with the World Poker Tour (WPT) for the WPT World Championship, a $10,400 buy-in December tournament with a $15 million guarantee, the largest-ever for a live event.

It was ambitious, and the Wynn were clearly willing to put their money where their mouth was, and the poker community responded by making the entire festival a resounding success. While the Global Poker Awards for 2022 won’t be held until February, the WPT World Championship at Wynn is a surefire nominee, and with all likelihood the favorite to win.

Check out the Wynn Poker Room review here on PokerNews!

WPT Championship a Massive Success

WPT Wynn

The original goal of the WPT World Championship was to hit 1,500 entries, which would meet the $15 million guarantee. It was a risk given other venues had missed big GTDs in the past such as when the $10 million GTD Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open missed its mark to the tune of $2.5 million, the largest overlay in poker history.

Even the most optimistic thought 2,000 runners was probably the ceiling. No one predicted that the guarantee would be nearly doubled as 2,960 entrants turned out in force over the course of three starting flights. That included a mix of recreational players and poker pros from around the world.

There were many memories made, such as that of father-son combo of Jerry and Miles Barnum, as well as plenty of bad beats and coolers, but after six days of play, it was Canada’s Eliot Hudon defeating Benny Glaser heads-up to win the 2022 WPT World Championship for $4,136,000.

What’s more, the WPT World Championship was just one event in a nearly three-way festival.

Here are some of the bigger headlines from the WPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas:

Kudos to Beauregard & Pulford

Ryan Beauregard
Ryan Beauregard

Back in 2016, PokerNews published a feature article on Beauregard on the heels of them debuting their brand-new poker room. The industry veteran, who began his career as a dealer at the Wynn when they first opened, had just been named Director of Poker Operations after six years working in Macau.

At the time, Beauregard said: “I think our players here respect the tournaments that we run. While we don’t run as many as some other people, the ones that we do run, like the Wynn Classic and one-off weekends, they have their own following. Those who play one usually play all of them. Players plan their trips to Vegas around the Wynn Classic.”

Ray Pulford
Ray Pulford

In six years, Beauregard and his team have grown the Wynn’s tournament offerings into a gold standard. Even Daniel Negreanu ranked it as one of his favorite places to play, though he did recently suffer a really bad beat there.

While Beauregard deserves credit for making big moves to elevate Wynn Poker, Tournament Director Ray Pulford deserves equal credit for actually pulling them off. Their tournaments tend to run with minimal hiccups, and all the while the staff executes in a fun, friendly, and professional manner. Seriously, ask anyone who has the best dealers and staff in Vegas and you’re sure to hear the Wynn as the answer.

Don’t Forget the WPT

Of course, the highly-successful stop wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for Wynn’s partnership with the WPT, which closed out its 20th anniversary with the WPT Championship. They deserve just as much credit for the stop’s success thanks to everything they did, which was a lot.

Here’s a list of just some of the things the WPT did to ensure their stop at Wynn would be a hit:

  • Qualified hundreds of players via WPT Global, ClubWPT, and various giveaways.
  • Hosted both a Premier Meet-Up Game (MUG) and Ladies MUG.
  • Offered halftime shows including Ballon Girl, DrumBots, Water on Mars, Tina Guo, Pilobolus, ELEW, and Lisa Marie Smith.
  • Offered various guests special access to a VIP Lounge.
  • Hosted a special book signing by WPT Ambassador Doyle Brunson.
  • Enlisted the full strength of their WPT Ambassador roster that included Brunson, Phil Ivey, Brad Owen, Andrew Neeme, and Steve Aoki, as well as WPT talent such as Lynn Gilmartin, Tony Dunst, Matt Savage, and Vince Van Patten.
  • Brought in media from around the world.

“This event is the culmination of more than 18 months of work by the World Poker Tour family to deliver the biggest initiative in company history,” WPT President Adam Pliska said at the start of the festival. “What started out as an idea has blossomed into the most highly anticipated poker event of the year.”

WPT President Adam Pliska
WPT President Adam Pliska

More than two weeks later, Pliska added the following:

“The success of the WPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas was a spectacular way to commemorate 20 years of global, WPT events and the many players who have made WPT what it is today. We attempted to make this a true festival atmosphere and are so grateful for the overwhelming reception we received.”

The WPT and Wynn changed the game at the tail end of 2022 with a truly historic series. The good news is that it’s not a one-and-done. Both the WPT and Wynn have confirmed they will run it again in 2023, and given they’ve had the opportunity to learn what worked and what didn’t (of which there was little), players can expect the next iteration to be even bigger and better!

*Images courtesy of the WPT.

Name Surname
Chad Holloway

Executive Editor U.S.

Executive Editor US, PokerNews Podcast co-host & 2013 WSOP Bracelet Winner.





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Hard Rock Payroll Approaches 50,000 with Mirage Acquisition

Hard Rock Payroll Approaches 50,000 with Mirage Acquisition


Hard Rock International (HRI) began operations of The Mirage Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip early Monday morning after Nevada gaming regulators gave final approval of the purchase from MGM Resorts International on Friday.

About 3,500 workers went to bed over the weekend working for MGM and woke up or finished their shifts officially employed by HRI, joining about 45,000 other employees of the iconic international hospitality and entertainment brand.

Aside from in-house transitions invisible to the visiting public and a fresh vibe, nothing is expected to change in the immediate future with the transfer of operations, a new lease agreement, and a cash payment of $1.075b from HRI to MGM.

The transition from The Mirage Hotel & Casino brand created by Steve Wynn in the 1980s with its nightly volcanic eruption attraction to the Hard Rock brand with a guitar-shaped hotel will take place in phases before the name change to Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas is accomplished.

Will Remain as Mirage for Some Time

While no firm timetable for the complete transition has been announced, as part of the terms MGM will retain the Mirage brand name and license it to HRI for three years. However, Hard Rock is not obligated to use the Mirage name for any period of time.

In addition to assuming operational assets from MGM, HRI also entered into a long-term lease with property owner VICI Properties at the same rate MGM was paying the real estate investment trust with multiple gambling properties acquired specifically for reconveyance as leaseholds to gambling operators.

Jim Allen, Chairman of Hard Rock International welcomed the new family members to the company and thanked Nevada gaming officials for accepting Hard Rock to become the first tribal gaming entity to operate on the Las Vegas Strip.

Allen said: “Today, we’d like to officially welcome the 3,500 team members at The Mirage to the 45,000 global Hard Rock family and express our gratitude to the Nevada Gaming Control Board and the Nevada Gaming Commission for approving the gaming license for us to operate The Mirage Hotel & Casino.” He added, “We are excited to create an integrated resort on The Strip that will make this legendary entertainment community proud.”

The visiting public and commercial clients won’t need to make any adjustments with reservations and group bookings transferring over to the new operators behind the scenes. Residencies and shows such as those by Cirque Du Soleil will continue without interruptions. Hard Rock has not announced any plans for a complete closure of the property while the brand transitions in phases.

Complete Refurbishment Over Time

While the legendary property won’t experience a complete death and rebirth cycle and no implosion is slated for the hotel, nearly every structural element will eventually be stripped to the bones or bare concrete walls in a sort of slow-motion, time-lapse archetypal hero journey of ontogenesis.

MGM chief executive and president Bill Hornbuckle nearly waxed poetic as he lauded three decades of Mirage employee dedication and welcomed Hard Rock to The Strip. He said: “Mirage employees have delivered unparalleled service and experiences over the past three decades, and we are forever thankful for their work to make The Mirage such an iconic, world-class destination.

“I’m excited for the opportunities that lay ahead for the property, its people and the entire Las Vegas Strip with this prime location now under Hard Rock’s leadership. We’re thrilled to welcome Hard Rock to the neighborhood and wish them all the very best.

Source: MGM Resorts International Announces Completion of the Sale of the Operations of the Mirage, MGM Press, December 20, 2022

The post Hard Rock Payroll Approaches 50,000 with Mirage Acquisition appeared first on Casino News Daily.

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Rei do Pitaco and Kambi Group Became Partners for Brazilian Market

Rei do Pitaco and Kambi Group Became Partners for Brazilian Market


These days, a lot is happening in the Brazilian gambling market. The newest information is about the agreement signed between Rei do Pitaco and Kambi technology 

Rei do Pitaco will leverage its newest partner, so sports betting Kambi offers will be available in Rei do Pitaco’s fast-growing customer database. The app has about 13.6 million downloads, and this partnership will surely help the company gain even more fans.   

Leading companies on the market:  

Kambi Group plc is one of the leading sports betting partners in the world. When it comes to the Brazilian market, the largest daily fantasy sports operator is Rei do Pitaco. So, it’s not unexpected that two giants decided to join forces and deliver a fantastic sports betting experience 

This multi-year partnership will help Rei do Pitaco leverage the technologies and services Kambi offers. Brazil is currently in the middle of the process of regulating sports betting, and the market will indeed become one of the largest regulated markets worldwide.   

Rei do Pitaco’s focus is on soccer, which is the most popular sport in the country. The operator’s app was launched in 2019, and it has become very popular since then. The database continues its growth, and sports betting is a fantastic addition to the company’s portfolio.  

Through this deal, Rei do Pitaco will deliver highly localized products to loyal customers. In it, Kambi’s highly customizable technologies and wide range of APIs and differentiation tools will be of great help. Kambi’s award-winning products, such as the Kambi Bet Builder, will also be included in the Rei do Pitaco’s offer.   

Investments that make everything better:  

A huge investment recently came to the Rei do Pitaco. The company has been using it to grow further and enhance its sports betting offer. One of the investors is Nigel Eccles, a technology entrepreneur, and FanDuel co-founder. He became the Chair of Rei does Pitaco last year. 

Kristian Nylén, Kambi CEO and Co-founder, said: “Brazil has the potential to become one of the world’s largest regulated sports betting markets so I am delighted Kambi has partnered with Rei do Pitaco, a company which I believe is uniquely positioned to gain a strong position in the country.  

“The talented people behind Rei do Pitaco have exciting and ambitious plans, so this agreement is a testament to the strength and flexibility of our sportsbook technology to be able to support those aims and enhances our position as the leading sportsbook partner in Latin America and across the world.”  

Mateus Dantas, CEO and Co-Founder of Rei do Pitaco, said: “We are pleased to have agreed this exciting sports betting partnership with Kambi. Through this new operation, we are confident of delivering a market-leading online sportsbook to our fast-growing customer database which will have access to an excellent and safe user experience on our platform.” 





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Massachusetts Retail Sports Betting Starting on January 31

Massachusetts Welcomes You sign


Part one of the grand launch

In another victory for the Massachusetts gaming scene, retail sports betting will be unveiled on January 31, nearly two weeks ahead of Super Bowl LVII.

able to accept bets for the first time at the end of next month

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) announced Thursday that the state’s three licensed sports betting casinos—Plainridge Park Casino, Encore Boston Harbor, and MGM Springfield—will be able to accept bets for the first time at the end of next month.

The launch of online sports betting still does not have a firm date. Regulators are targeting a day in March to capitalize on the popularity of March Madness betting, but that is still nothing more than hope.

Massachusetts retail sports betting

The MGC has been busier than ever lately. Over the past few weeks, it has granted Category 1 licenses to the three aforementioned casinos and has also reviewed several sports betting odds providers. So far, WynnBet, BetMGM, and Caesars have been approved to supply local casinos with fixed-odds markets.

Testing of software at betting stations and tellers’ desks will begin on January 16. If the technology “passes muster, it will be paired with the hardware, then the retail setup will have to be verified.”

each legal sportsbook will have a soft launch on January 30.

The commission will then have a certificate of operations vote on January 27 in what will be the final hurdle for operators to clear. Assuming there are no issues, each legal sportsbook will have a soft launch on January 30. Staff and VIP guests will be able to visit local establishments to place their first bets before the full market goes into effect the day after.

MGC officials will attend each soft launch on their own and then make visits to all three casinos on the day of the true grand opening.

Commissioner Jordan Maynard will be at Plainridge Park Casino’s soft launch, Commissioner Brad Hill will go to MGM Springfield, and Commissioner Eileen O’Brien will visit Encore Boston Harbor. Commissioner Nakisha Skinner was supposed to be at Encore Boston Harbor but could not attend due to a scheduling conflict.

Online bettors patiently waiting

While the arrival of online sports betting in Massachusetts is still unknown, operators can take solace in the commission meeting its pre-Super Bowl target for retail wagering. The three online sportsbooks that have already been approved do not include powerhouses FanDuel and DraftKings or others such as PointsBet, Barstool, and BetFanatics.

Both FanDuel and DraftKings are instead waiting to hear about their applications for Category 3 standalone licenses, which will allow them to operate freely without being tethered to a local casino (unlike WynnBet, BetMGM, and Caesars). Betway, BallyBet, Betr, and PointsBet are also seeking Category 3 standalone licenses.

While Massachusetts’ arrival on the gaming scene is imminent, fellow northeastern state Vermont is looking to adopt legislation to later join the growing list of states with legal sports betting. This comes in the wake of the overwhelming success from nearby states New York and New Jersey.

The MGC is still reviewing license applications in various categories and does not have an estimate of when it will launch the online market. However, it has been very organized up to this point and is in a nice spot to meet the pre-March Madness target.

The post Massachusetts Retail Sports Betting Starting on January 31 appeared first on VegasSlotsOnline News.

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Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario ᗎ Overview and Function

Gambling in the Country of Canada


Overview of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario

Contrary to initial impressions, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario’s activity is not limited to drinking and playing slots. In fact, this institution has the unenviable task of making sure that certain vices are safe for the general public to take part in. Here is some general information about AGCO Ontario:

✅ Year Founded 1998
❓ Fields of Work Alcohol, Lottery and Gambling, Horse Racing, Cannabis
💼 Employees 500+
🗺️ Address Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario 90 Sheppard Avenue East Suite 200-300 Toronto, Ontario M2N 0A4
🌐 Website www.agco.ca
📞 Phone General telephone: 416-326-8700
Toll free in Ontario: 1-800-522-2876
📧 Email [email protected]

As you can see, this institution deals with a wide range of different issues. The scope of its practice is quite broad, and this is not random. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) was established in 1998 by merging the Liquor Licence Board of Ontario, the Gaming Control Commission, and the Ontario Racing Commission.

Over the years, the commission’s role has expanded to regulate other activities and substances. Once recreational cannabis was legalized in Canada, the AGCO in Ontario had the honour of regulating its retail form.

Purpose and Mission Statement

The purpose of AGCO Ontario is to provide the user with a safe and high-quality product. Regardless of what you enjoy, this institution is tasked with ensuring that everything is above board. Here is the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario’s mission statement in their own words:

The AGCO commits to conducting business in a manner that will:

  • Develop, implement and enforce fair policies and procedures
  • Establish a framework of critical regulatory controls in the public interest that are sensitive to the economic viability of the alcohol, gaming, horse racing and cannabis industries
  • Be client focused in the way they respond to and manage client and stakeholder needs
  • Educate clients and stakeholders and develop partnerships
  • Create a supportive work environment that respects and values AGCO staff contributions and provides them with opportunities for growth and professional achievement

Online Gambling in Ontario

Ontario is one of the few Canadian provinces with centrally regulated online gambling. Unlike other regions, Ontario does the work to create the necessary conditions for legit online gaming to thrive. It is no surprise then, that many of the best Canadian online casinos have much in common with Ontario operators. Per the Ontario regulations, the minimum gambling age is 19 years old, and responsible gambling is advised.

So, what does it take to earn an AGCO license to run an online casino in Ontario? The process is described as relatively straightforward. The institution defines several different types of online gaming platforms – commercial and charitable. Charitable operators pay significantly lower fees, whereas commercial gambling operators have to cough up $100,000 per year per site.

Additionally, to earn the AGCO license, operators have to abide by the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming. This includes a broad list of requirements that have to do with fair gaming, responsible gambling, protecting vulnerable groups, limiting illegal activities, and others. Only after ensuring that the applicant covers all necessary requirements the regulator might issue a gambling license in Ontario.

Regulating Online Gambling in Ontario

As one of the few regulated Canadian online gambling markets, Ontario’s iGaming scene is definitely interesting for us to explore. To call Ontario’s gambling regulations unorthodox would be an understatement. To start off, just about all forms of online gambling are permitted by AGCO Ontario.

🎲 Online Gambling Type: ⚖️ Legal Status:
🎰 Casino Legal
🏈 Sports Betting Legal
♠️ Poker Legal
⭐️ Bingo Not Specified

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario is the entity that approves and licences iGaming operators. However, where most other jurisdictions would lay off and let operators do their thing, the province introduces the iGaming Ontario entity.

This organisation works with all licensed operators in the province to provide players with the respective gambling product. It bridges the gap between the government’s role in regulating and the actual day-to-day business activities of an operator. There is no precedent for iGaming Ontario in Canadian gambling laws so far.

The role of iGaming Ontario (iGO) is not the most clear-cut, and even after reading about it, most people find it confusing. In short, according to Ontario’s gambling laws, iGO is the entity that provides the online gambling service rather than the specific operator. The individual casinos or sportsbooks are seen more as a type of ‘gateway’ to the gambling product.

Additionally, all money passes through the iGO bank accounts, the appropriate taxes are subtracted from the revenue, and only then is the money transferred to the operators’ accounts. It is definitely a strange way of doing things. So far, the best gambling sites in Canada have had free reign to run their affairs as they see fit. Time will tell if this method is worthwhile or too obstructive to run a business. Till then, make sure you’re 19 years old before gambling and do so responsibly.

AGCO and Horse Racing

Aside from online gambling, the AGCO is also responsible for the horse racing scene in the province. Currently, the activity is legal and regulated by the AGCO division for horse racing. There are numerous racetracks spread out all over the province. Here is a list of all horse racing locations in Ontario:

  • Flamboro Downs – Dundas, Ontario
  • Rideau Carleton Raceway – Ottawa, Ontario
  • The Raceway at the Western Fair District – London, Ontario
  • Woodbine Mohawk Park – Campbellville, Ontario
  • Woodbine Racetrack – Etobicoke, Ontario

Betting at the tracks is fully supported, as is the online equivalent. Races are held regularly, and there is a full schedule posted for each racetrack. If horse racing is something that interests you, then Ontario is ready to provide you with an excellent source of entertainment.

Popular Questions

If you have any questions on the matter, please check out the FAQ below. We have done our best to include the most pressing questions by Ontario players. You will also find quick and easy-to-understand answers.

1️⃣ What is the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario?

As stated in our AGCO overview, this is the provincial institution that regulates online gambling in Ontario. It is also responsible for alcohol and cannabis commerce in the province. The AGCO issues licenses to companies that wish to deal in gambling, alcohol, or cannabis in Ontario.

2️⃣ What is the purpose of AGCO Ontario?

The purpose of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is to provide users with a safe product. Whether it be gambling or substances, the AGCO is there to ensure that you can engage safely in your preferred vice.

3️⃣ How is an AGCO license for gambling earned?

Earning an AGCO gambling license requires potential operators to meet all necessary regulations. This includes providing responsible gambling tools, provably fair games, prohibiting illegal activities and access to vulnerable groups. There is also the topic of the yearly operating fees, which amount to $100,000 for commercial operations.

4️⃣ How are online gambling businesses regulated by AGCO Ontario?

The online gambling regulations in Ontario are not quite like anything else out there. Once a company meets the necessary standards, it earns an AGCO licence. However, another entity – iGaming Ontario – is heavily involved in the day-to-day operations. It’s a heavy-handed approach, to be sure, and only time will tell if it pays off.

5️⃣ Does AGCO Ontario regulate horse racing?

Aside from casino gambling and sports betting, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario also regulates the ON horse racing scene. You will have free access to online betting on the races, and you can also check the racing schedule weeks in advance.



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Can You Beat the Blackjack Frenzy with GOP3?

Can You Beat the Blackjack Frenzy with GOP3?



Do you think you have what it takes to beat the blackjack frenzy? Are you thinking about playing blackjack or are you a professional? This is your chance to see if you have what it takes to beat the frenzy.

Throughout Governor of Poker 3, and in this article, you’ll understand what blackjack is and how to play, the different levels of the blackjack frenzy which ranges from low to Xtreme blackjack earning you more coins at each level.

Most importantly, as you reach the end of the article, you’ll understand where you’re able to get involved and beat the blackjack frenzy:

What is Blackjack and How to play it?

Being the game to be able to reach a score of 21 without exceeding over the number. You need to ensure that you hit this number before the dealer hits 17. However, your way to win is through not busting and ensuring that the total is higher than the cards of which the dealer presents.

Through hitting 21, this is your chance to be able to win even bigger winnings throughout the game of blackjack!

In the midst of learning how to play blackjack, being of the most important elements is being able to understand and learn the scores of the different cards. Through a simple breakdown, this is the points system of the cards:

  • Each ace is worth either 1 or 11 points
  • For all cards which belong between 2 and 10, the rank equals their point value.
  • Every face card, either a Jack, Queen, or a King is worth 10 points.

Low Blackjack

For those who are just getting started in the game of black, entering into the low blackjack through the frenzy is one of the best options.

Through a buy-in which ranges from 10,000 chips all the way through to 250,000 chips – as you build up the number of chips which you have, this is the best steppingstone to being able to understand the strategies of blackjack.

Additionally, if you’re in a team, through the blackjack frenzy, you’ll be able to earn an additional 5% team points to improve your level on Governor of Poker and through your team levels.

Low Blackjack Governor of Poker 3

Normal Blackjack

Introducing the next stage in the learning process of blackjack and advancing into the higher buy-ins throughout the games.

Ranging from 250,000 chips all the way through to 10,000,000 chips, this gives you even chances to win bigger and bigger prizes. If you’re starting to work the way into the bigger leagues, this means that you understand your blackjack strategy, and its starting to work for you!

If you’re wanting to start playing with your friends within this level, you can create private tables for those who you invite to see if you can beat those too!

Blackjack Normal GOP3

High Blackjack

Although there is one more league above the High Blackjack games, once you reach this level, you’ll have gained and proven that you have skill – so why not join and become more competitive in the game of blackjack?

As you’ve reached this level, including the buy-in levels of between 10 million and 100 million chips as you join the games – now begins your chance to really become a pro at the game and win even more games!

If you’ve joined a team, in addition to the other prizes and leveling up through each win, you’ll also earn an additional 15% in team points! For the other prizes, you can earn more coins, and experience levels, and complete the missions as you progress through each game!

High Blackjack GOP3

Xtreme Blackjack

As you reach the final level throughout the frenzy, this is where you can determine if you really have what it takes to beat it. Since you’ve reached this level, it means that you have enough coins to join and to continue to play.

Starting at 100 million chips which range up to 25 billion chips, this alone proves that you have the skill and knowledge of blackjack to gain even more coins.

Throughout this process, increasing at each stage, once you start playing the games within the Xtreme level of blackjack frenzy, this is when you’ll start to gain 20% more team points than you would usually.

So, as you reach this level, utilizing the strategy, do you reckon that you can beat the game and finally beat the Blackjack frenzy?

Xtreme Blackjack Frenzy GOP3

Where Can You Play the Blackjack Frenzy?

Whether you’re someone who is new to the game of blackjack, is a professional, or somewhere in between – as you join one of the games – this will test your skills and help you learn the game with a range of people.

If you think you can beat the players of blackjack or you want to improve your strategy, join Governor of Poker 3 via PokerNews and become the Governor and grow your coins!





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PokerNews Podcast: Hear from WPT Championship Winner Eliot Hudon + a $250K Bounty!

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On the latest episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Jesse Fullen, and Connor Richards wrap up the World Poker Tour (WPT) World Championship at Wynn Poker. That includes recapping winners from the $1,100 WPT Prime and Ladies Championship, the $1,600 Wynn Mystery Bounty (hear from Dave McGowan, who drew the $250,000 top bounty), and of course, Eliot Hudon beating out 2,960 entrants to win the tournament for $4.1 million. In fact, they offer a winner interview with the champ!

They also highlight Survivor‘s “Boston Rob” Mariano winning the RGPS Pro-AM at PokerGO Studio, late winners from the recently-completed EPT Prague, Bally’s becoming Horseshoe Las Vegas, and a look ahead to the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA) and PSPC.

Don’t forget to call the PokerNews Bad Beat Hotline at (+1 702-625-0166) to share your bad beats, which may be featured on a future episode of the show.

Listen to those stories and more in the latest episode of the PokerNews Podcast!

Time Stamps

PokerNews Bad Beat Hotline
Call the PokerNews Bad Beat Hotline today!

Tell us who you want to hear from. Let us know what you think of the show — tweet about the podcast using #PNPod, and be sure to follow Chad Holloway, Jesse Fullen, and Connor Richards on Twitter.

Subscribe to the PokerNews Podcast on Apple Podcasts here!

Check Out Past Episodes of the PN Podcast Here!

*Lead image WPT.

Name Surname
Chad Holloway

Executive Editor U.S.

Executive Editor US, PokerNews Podcast co-host & 2013 WSOP Bracelet Winner.

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PN Podcast: HCL Investigation & $1.2M Hand, Koon vs. Hellmuth; Neidgrano on WPT Wynn





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