The Nightly Turbo: Funds Confiscated in Bahamas, Ladbrokes Makes Big Purchase, and More
How would it feel to have more than $26,000 taken from you by U.S. Customs? Two poker players found out the hard way this week. We're bringing you that story and more in this edition of the Nightly Turbo.
In Case You Missed It
Erik Seidel moved past Jason Mercier for the top spot in the latest Global Poker Index rankings. Jonathan Duhamel also made a huge climb after a remarkable run at the 2012 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure.
Aaron Lim won Event #4 of the Aussie Millions Poker Championship on Thursday. Get the details from the final table in our daily Aussie Millions recap.
The Australian Poker Hall of Fame inducted two new members this week. Chad Holloway took a look at the history of the APHF and spoke with one of the new inductees.
Ryan D'Angelo joined the Strategy with Kristy podcast this week. The two discussed D'Angelo's recent experience at the PCA, as well as the concepts "way ahead or way behind" and "slightly ahead or way behind."
When we're getting ready for a big tournament the $60 nightly at our local casino, we listen to some jams to get pumped up. We're sure you do too, so we're offering up some of our favorites in our latest PokerNews Top 10.
Caught in the Act
Let this be a lesson to traveling poker players: declare your money accurately when re-entering the U.S.
According to the Bahamas Tribune, two players returning home from the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure had more than $26,000 confiscated by authorities for falsely declaring the amount of money in their possession while going through pre-clearance at the airport.
Brothers Michael Ruane, 23, and Sean Ruane, 18, pleaded guilty to the charge and were arraigned before Deputy Chief Magistrate Carolita Bethell this week.
Sean Ruane admitted to authorities that the money had come from a tournament at the PCA in which he and Michael had "invested in some of their friends." One of the players won the tournament, giving them both a percentage of the winnings.
The brothers then attempted to carry $9,400 each onto the plane after signing a waiver stating they weren't carrying more than $10,000. However, as Bethell later pointed out, the U.S. law pertaining to the $10,000 declaration refers to family and not individuals. Authorities became suspicious of a "nervous" and "sweating" Sean Ruane and performed a secondary search of the brothers, resulting in their being detained.
Thomas Freeman Jr., a cousin of the Ruanes, was traveling with the pair and confessed to carrying the remainder of the money. He told U.S. Customs that he was involved in the incident and pleaded guilty to abetting the brothers in their actions. All of the money was confiscated, but Bethell did not sentence the three because they had no prior arrests.
Read more at the Bahamas Tribune.
Ladbrokes Purchases Las Vegas Casino Software Provider
U.K. bookmaker Ladbrokes has taken its first large step across the Atlantic. On Thursday, the company announced it had agreed to acquire a major stake in Las Vegas-based Stadium Technology Group, a software supplier for race- and sports-book operators in Nevada and Delaware.
The $3 million purchase give Ladbrokes a 65 percent stake in the company, with a retained option to buy the remaining 35 percent of the business over the next five years on a performance-related basis. It gives Ladbrokes access to technology for customers such as the Treasure Island, Golden Nugget and Hard Rock casinos.
"The size of the U.S. market and potential for positive regulatory change in the coming years make it a sensible place to establish a presence," said Ladbrokes CEO Richard Glynn. "Stadium Technology is already one of the key software suppliers to casinos in Nevada and Delaware and it has the potential to expand."
Read more at PokerNews.com.
Northern Ireland Still Without Live Poker
The U.S. isn't the only country preventing poker players from hitting the felts. Despite allowing games of chance like bingo, slots and sports betting to be played for real money, Northern Ireland's ban on live poker is still in effect after more than five years.
Many residents hope that ban will soon be overturned. On Thursday, members of the Legalize Poker in Northern Ireland group appealed to the Social Development Committee to allow regulated poker clubs and tournaments.
Spokesperson Glenn McCabe explained to the committee that because many poker clubs had been closed down in Northern Ireland around 2006, many games had gone "underground." The Legalize Poker in Northern Ireland group added that poker could create up to 150 jobs in Northern Ireland
The BBC reported that the response from the committee was mixed, but it was still a step forward for the movement. Following the meeting, the committee agreed to write to the Department of Social Development to ask whether it is considering changing the gambling legislation.
The full story can be found at BBC.com. If you'd like sign a petition to support poker in Northern Ireland, visit gopetition.com.
Rutter Expands His Horizons
Sky Poker TV added another member to its team of talented analysts on Thursday. U.K. poker pro Stuart Rutter made his Sky Poker debut during Thursday night's £15,000 Sky Sports Bounty Hunter. He joined fellow pros and recent Sky Poker recruits Ryan Spittles and Julian Thew in the booth.
Before turning to television, Rutter amassed nearly $700,000 in live tournament earnings, including a $68,000 score at the 2010 £1,000 GUKPT Coventry event. He also has a pair of World Series of Poker final tables on his resume.
"Stuart is just one of a handful of successful British poker players who will now appear on your screens to bring you top poker tips and advice," said Claire Cook, Head of Channel at Sky Poker TV. "He's one of the most charismatic players on the circuit and I am sure viewers will enjoy Stuart's regular appearances on the Sky Poker TV channel."
Read the press release at MarketWatch.com.
Touring the Aussie Millions
In case you've never been to the Crown Casino during the Aussie Millions Poker Championship, you can check out Nicki Pickering's tour around the poker room. You'll feel like you're there — sort of.
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