Crime

Sands Casino Websites Back Up But Slow to Access

Days after a hacking of its various corporate websites, Sands Casino was back up and operational on the Web Saturday evening. Still, the sites were slow to access at times.

The access time had some initial telltale signs of a Denial of Access (DoS) attack though the slow downloads were more likely attributed to routine maintenance.

A DoS attack sends pockets of useless traffic from compromised servers to a website, thus crippling load ability.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Sat, 02/15/2014 - 19:43

Regulators Still Unsure if Sands, Venetian Guest Credit Card Info Compromised

LAS VEGAS – (Associated Press) - A Nevada gambling regulator said Thursday afternoon that it's unclear whether the hackers who knocked down all of Las Vegas Sands Corp.'s websites for three days and counting had stolen patron data, including credit card information.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Thu, 02/13/2014 - 22:31

Second Bitcoin Exchange Halts Withdrawals: Canada to Tighten Grip

A second major bitcoin exchange has temporarily ceased withdrawals following an apparent cyberattack that has seen the anonymous digital currency’s price drop in recent days.

Bitstamp followed the move of Mt.Gox by halting withdrawals after hackers had exploited a bug in some underlying software to carry out the attack.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Thu, 02/13/2014 - 11:33

FBI Confirms Probe of Sands Website Hackings: Credit Card Breach a Concern

Day 3 of the Las Vegas Sands casino websites remaining down following a corporate-wide hacking and it was still unclear as to whether customer credit card information could have been compromised.

At the time of the hacking, employee social security numbers were seen scrolling across the breached website.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Thu, 02/13/2014 - 11:12

Former Full Tilt Poker Operative ‘Malpractice’ Claim Against Attorney Thrown Out

A Nevada district court has thrown out a claim against noted online gambling industry attorney Jeff Ifrah by which a former client asserted “malpractice”.

Chad Elie, a convicted online poker payment processor who was among those indicted during a sweeping crackdown on the industry April 15, 2011, alleged last April that Ifrah gave him misleading professional advice so that he could continue making millions of dollars in commission.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Wed, 02/12/2014 - 18:17

Lawyer in Allied Veterans Gambling Case Sentenced: Faces Dozens of Years Jail time

SANFORD, Fla. (Associated Press) - An attorney for a veterans group that prosecutors say was a $300 million gambling operation is being sentenced for his conviction on 103 counts.

Kelly Mathis faces dozens of years in prison during his sentencing hearing Wednesday.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Wed, 02/12/2014 - 11:34

Las Vegas Sands Not Saying If Customer Credit Card Info Compromised (Video)

Las Vegas Sands officials were not responding to inquiries related to customer credit card information following a hacking of its corporate websites Tuesday that continued to leave its digital services in disarray 36 hours later. The site remained out of commission heading into Thursday.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Wed, 02/12/2014 - 11:19

First They Steal Doyle Brunson’s Identity: Now They Steal His Crutches

80-year-old poker icon Doyle “Texas Dolly” Brunson tweeted that his crutches had been stolen from an Albertson’s drug store over the weekend.

He tweeted:

Submitted by Jenny Woo on, Tue, 02/11/2014 - 21:40

Sands Casino Sites Still Down After Hacking: Social Security Numbers Posted

The Sands Las Vegas casino property websites were down throughout the day Tuesday following what appeared to be a website hacking. At one point during the early part of the day it was reported that staff and executive social security numbers were scrolling on the compromised sites.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Tue, 02/11/2014 - 20:26

US, Italian Authorities Arrest 17 Gambino Crime Family Operatives in Massive Sting

(Associated Press) - U.S. and Italian authorities said Tuesday they had broken up a new heroin-and cocaine-trafficking ring coordinated by Italy's powerful 'ndrangheta organized crime syndicate and New York City's Gambino crime family. Seventeen people were arrested in Italy and another seven in New York, officials said.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Tue, 02/11/2014 - 15:20

Match Fixing Probe Finds ICC Chairman Son-In-Law Guilty

NEW DELHI — (Associated Press) - The son-in-law of Indian cricket board boss and ICC chairman-designate Narainswamy Srinivasan has been found guilty of passing on information to illegal bookmakers by a committee investigating match fixing in the Indian Premier League.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Tue, 02/11/2014 - 13:29

Man Arrested for Using Fake Poker Chips at Borgata Made $1 Mil From Pirated DVDs

A North Carolina man charged with using fake poker chips during this past month’s Borgata Winter Open has now been charged with copyright infringement.

Submitted by Ace King on, Tue, 02/11/2014 - 13:16

Al-Qaida Poker Network Could Help Fund Several 9-11 Styled Attacks (Video)

Vegas casino billionaire and GOP donor Sheldon Adelson may have gone a bit overboard with his latest attack ad suggesting Internet gambling to be a national security threat.

One of the few gaming industry heads opposed to legalized Web gambling in the US, Adelson released his latest anti-online gambling ad on Monday.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Mon, 02/10/2014 - 21:03

Canadian Gambler Files to Bankruptcy to Avoid Paying $12.9 Mil Casino Debt

Canadian gambler and real estate tycoon Semion Kronenfeld has filed for bankruptcy protection in the US with hopes of avoiding the payment of a $12.9 million debt to MGM Grand and Venetian Hotels in Las Vegas.

The 43-year-old is facing decades in prison following a grand jury decision and an arrest warrant has since been issued.

The case against Kronenfeld has lingered on since 2008.

Submitted by Ace King on, Mon, 02/10/2014 - 12:20

Miami Beach Police Make What Could be First Ever Bitcoin Vendor Arrests

Police in Miami Beach in conjunction with the U.S. Secret Service’s Miami Electronic Crimes Task have arrested two men moving a large amounts of cash in and out of the Bitcoin virtual currency. Experts believe this could be the first case that bitcoin vendors have been charged with a crime.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Fri, 02/07/2014 - 21:48

Johnny Depp Slated to Play Boston Mobster Whitey Bulger in Upcoming Film

Actor Johnny Depp will be playing notorious Boston mobster Whitey Bulger in a film currently titled “Black Mass”.

The film project will center around the rise and fall of Bulger including his arrest three years ago following years on the run and his ultimate conviction.

Submitted by Jordan Bach on, Fri, 02/07/2014 - 12:00

Man Who Claimed to Have $700k in Gambling Debts Ordered to Pay Back Wife $10 Mil

A Manhattan judge ordered a default judgment against Steven Lalicata for failing to respond to his wife’s $1 million suit against him.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Thu, 02/06/2014 - 22:19

Archie Karas Hearing on Tap: Accused of Cheated Casino With Card-Making Device

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Anargyros Karabourniotis, better known as Archie Karas, on February 27. He is accused with cheating a San Diego, California area casino through the use of an alleged card-making device. Karas has won and lost millions of dollars over the years.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Thu, 02/06/2014 - 21:35

Poker Legend Doyle Brunson Becomes a Victim of Identity Theft

Legendary poker pro Doyle Brunson, now 80, tweeted Wednesday that he was a victim of identity theft.

The following tweets were made by the Texas Dolly:

Attention banks, lending institutions, stores, etc. Some imposter is out there using my name. He has my social# and mycredit card#.#stopit

Submitted by Ace King on, Wed, 02/05/2014 - 20:37

‘Cold Case’: Canadian Gambler Indicted for Stiffing Casinos Out of $12.9 Mil

A Canadian gamblers has been indicted by a grand jury for failing to pay back $7.9 million in markers to the Venetian resort and $5 million to the Green Valley Ranch resort, both in Las Vegas.

Real estate magnate Semion Kronenfeld faces 12 counts, including theft and obtaining money under false pretenses, for failing to pay the two casino establishments.

Kronenfeld was first charged in 2008, making this somewhat of a cold case.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Wed, 02/05/2014 - 19:46

Swedish Poker Player Falls From Roof in Macau: Homicide Investigation Underway

An unidentified Swedish poker player has fallen from a roof in the gambling mecca of Macau. Interpol police have begun conducting a homicide investigation.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Tue, 02/04/2014 - 22:40

Sports Betting Ring Taken Down in Rhode Island: 13 Arrested

Thirteen individuals were arrested as part of a crackdown on illegal sports betting in Northern Rhode Island Tuesday. All were arraigned in District Court Providence during the afternoon.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Tue, 02/04/2014 - 22:07

Former Philadelphia Mayor’s Daughter Spared in Mob Gambling Case

PHILADELPHIA - (Associated Press) — The daughter of a former Philadelphia mayor is likely to go free in the latest gambling prosecution of her husband, who admits running a global sports betting ring.

Joanna Mastronardo, daughter of the late Mayor Frank Rizzo, will have a banking charge dropped if other defendants plead guilty to racketeering and gambling charges.

Her husband, Joseph "Joe Vito" Mastronardo Sr., and son, Joseph F. "Joey" Mastronardo, pleaded guilty on Friday.

A federal judge said Tuesday that he will drop her case when they are sentenced.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Tue, 02/04/2014 - 18:03

Disgraced Poker Blogger ‘Who Jedi’ is Now ‘Where Jedi’: Pulls Blog

A poker reporter charged with stealing from dealer chip jars at the Mohegan Sun no longer has his blog up, Thomas Somach reports.

Submitted by Ace King on, Mon, 02/03/2014 - 10:49

Mastronardo Brothers Cop Plea in Sports Gambling Case

PHILADELPHIA (Associated Press) — Two brothers have pleaded guilty in a gambling case that involves $1 million buried in the yard of the daughter of a former law-and-order mayor of Philadelphia.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Fri, 01/31/2014 - 18:39

Online Gambling Site Shut Down: Programmer Pleads Guilty

A local Roanoke, Virginia restaurant owner and programmer were charged with running an online sports betting site that was being served out of Costa Rica.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Thu, 01/30/2014 - 21:02

Russia Reportedly Protecting Mafia Figure Accused of Bribing Olympics Figures

With the Winter Olympics about to kick off in Sochi, Russia in just a matter of days, a dark shadow continues to hover over that nation, and we’re not referring to any terrorist threats or fear of reprisal against the LGBT community.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Thu, 01/30/2014 - 12:26

Pleas Set in “Buried Gambling Money” Case Tied to Offshore Betting

PHILADELPHIA (Associated Press) — Guilty pleas are unfolding in a gambling case that involves $1 million buried in the yard of the daughter of a former law-and-order mayor of Philadelphia.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Wed, 01/29/2014 - 21:01

British Poker Pro Nigel Goldman Vanishes Amidst Embezzlement Fears

Nigel Goldman, a British poker pro popular on the big name tournament circuit, has gone missing from his Costa Del Sol, Spain mansion.

It’s not just Goldman who has gone missing, however. Some by £2.5m in clients funds have also vanished.

The warning signs may have been there from the get-go.

Submitted by Ace King on, Wed, 01/29/2014 - 10:07

Neteller customers Targeted in Phishing Scheme

Customers of the popular online wallet Neteller were targets of an apparent phishing scheme, it was revealed this week.

Numerous customers received emails over the weekend notifying them that their accounts would be closed if they did not provide pertinent personal details. Those emails turned out to be fake.

The email appeared as such:

Dear [e-mail address]

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Tue, 01/28/2014 - 21:50