Dan Katz

20 players, 17 schools The sports world is reeling, as federal prosecutors have announced that 26 people have been charged with crimes related to point-shaving in men’s college basketball games. Of those people, 20 are players who competed in basketball games in the 2023-2024 and/or 2024-2025 seasons for 17 schools. Four of them played in…

Maintaining their integrity David Lappin and Dara O’Kearney, hosts of the popular “The Chip Race” poker podcast, have announced that they are cutting ties with WPT Global after the poker site signed Tony “Ren” Lin as an ambassador. In a joint statement posted to social media on Tuesday, Lappin and Kearney said that when they…

Quick turnaround WPT Global has announced the signing of Tony “Ren” Lin as its newest ambassador. And the poker community has been absolutely dragging the poker site for it. Lin ranks third on China’s live tournament earnings list and has been a very popular player, but was also “indefinitely” suspended from GGPoker – for which…

“Saddened me, made me angry” A popular poker player in South Australia has admitted to cheating in a New Year’s Eve tournament in Cobram, Victoria. Chris Skinner, who has $312,270 in live tournament earnings, according to The Hendon Mob figures, was accused of and eventually admitted to adding chips to his stack in the AU$125…

Up to three sites per operator A bill has been filed in Virginia that would legalize poker, along with other forms of internet gaming, in the state. Introduced by Northern Virginia Democrat Marcus Simon on Tuesday, HB161 would place online gambling under the regulatory authority of the Virginia Lottery Board. There appear to be multiple…

Pursuit of perfection While NFL teams were fighting for playoff spots and jockeying for seeding on the final weekend of the regular season, six groups were sweating millions of dollars in Circa Sports’ annual Circa Survivor contest. In the end, five entries made it through the competition unscathed, splitting the $18,718,000 prize pool to win…

Higher rakeback GGPoker has announced that it is reworking its player loyalty program, touting a new system that it says is more generous and geared more toward long-term rewards. Starting January 30, the old Fish Buffet system is out, and another aquatic-themed Ocean Rewards system is in. Calling it the “next evolution” of Fish Buffet,…

Violated FLSA rules Pennsylvania’s Mount Airy Casino Resort has agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit brought by two ex-table game dealers. A total of 696 current and former casino employees are eligible for a share of at least $1,474,000. The entire settlement was for $2.3 million; the difference will go to lawyers, settlement administration, and…

Need licenses, but none issued The City of Chicago may be in court as the calendar turns to the New Year. On Tuesday, the Sports Betting Alliance (SBA), an advocacy group formed by the country’s major sportsbooks, sued the city over a new licensing and taxation structure that is supposed to take effect on Thursday,…

Claim that government has overstepped Two months ago, NBA guard Terry Rozier was arrested on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with his alleged involvement in an illegal betting scheme. Now his legal team has filed a motion to dismiss the charges. Prosecutors have alleged that…

Earlier, more frequent injury reports Following discussions with teams and the league’s board of governors, the NBA has issued a memo to all teams outlining potential steps to reduce the negative impact sports betting has on games, players, and coaches. The talks come in the wake of gambling scandals involving the Miami Heat’s Terry Rozier…

Stacking wagers like matryoshka dolls In a ruling that may cause sportsbooks to be extra careful when posting betting markets, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission determined that DraftKings must pay a customer $934,137 in winnings that the company sought to reduce by about 90%. It was a unanimous decision, with the Commission ruling 5-0 in favor…

The slowroll. You don’t see it that often in big-time poker events anymore, but when you do, hoo boy. It is considered one of the most unsportsmanlike things one can do at a poker table, frowned upon by just about everyone except the slowroller. But hey, if you’re going to try to put your opponent…

There’s always a trail Yet another basketball player has been permanently banned from participating in college athletics for violating NCAA gambling rules. On Wednesday, the NCAA announced that former University of San Francisco basketball player Marcus Williams knowingly provided information to a player at another school for betting purposes. After agreeing to a negotiated solution…

Back in the saddle, it seems The term “indefinite suspension” does not necessarily mean forever, but it typically means “a long time,” at the very least. Define it how you will, poker pro Ren Lin’s indefinite suspension from the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and GGPoker lasted less than two months. Lin is currently playing…

Raiders lose to Broncos, as expected As online poker was growing, one common refrain from players was, “It’s rigged!” With every bad beat or unlikely card, players were convinced that nothing was random and the poker site had it out for them. Now, with sports wagering continuing to expand across the United States, bettors become…

One man is dead and another is in custody after a shooting at MGM National Harbor casino in Oxon Hill, Maryland. According to the Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD), 22-year-old Benjamin Williams has been charged with the murder of 23-year-old Darnell Hawkins, Jr. In a press release, the PGPD said that officers responded to…

Spring ahead PokerStars’ Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) is one of the most highly anticipated internet poker festivals every year. Introduced in 2009, it popularized the three-tiered buy-in structure, now a common sight at online poker rooms. SCOOP is typically in May, its conclusion cozying up to the start of the World Series of…

Finish line in sight As expected, the five-person New York Gaming Facility Location Board has recommended that each of the three remaining applicants for full, resort-style casinos in New York City be granted licenses. The board advanced all three – Bally’s, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, and Resorts World New York City – to the…