Mazen Abdallah snatched the chip lead late into Day 1B to lead 333 hopefuls into WPT Seminole Rock ‘N’ Roll Poker Open’s next stage
Poker action is heating up at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood where the latest edition of the WPT Seminole Rock ‘N’ Roll Poker Open is currently taking place. The two starting flights of the $3,500 event are now complete and figures show that 333 survived through Days 1A and 1B to advance into the second day of action at the host casino.
This year’s WPT Seminole Rock ‘N’ Roll Poker Open drew a record-breaking field of 898 entries, of whom 417 registered through Day 1A and the other 481 came into the event through Day 1B.
Mazen Abdallah, a player from Houston, Texas, will lead the remaining survivors into today’s Day 2. The player accumulated a stack of 469,500 on Day 1B to come atop the temporary leaderboard. Abdallah was also the only player to pass the 400,000 mark. He secured his chip lead late into the day. The player eliminated two fellow contenders on two consecutive hands to multiply his stack and emerge as the chip leader.
If Abdallah makes it to the paid positions, he will secure his largest ever cash from a live tournament. Speaking of money, the event’s field smashed the $2 million guarantee to generate a prize pool of $2,873,600. The money will be split into payouts for the top 113 finishers, min-cashes sitting at $5,845. The bubble is on pace to burst at some point today.
The six final tablists will each secure a min-cash of $103,310. And awaiting the champion is a top prize of $504,820 as well as a seat into the season-ending WPT Tournament of Champions.
Notables Still in the Race for the Title
No other player passed the 400,000 mark on Day 1B and no other player even passed the 300,000 mark. However, there were a number of notables who made it through the day, including Caufman Talley, Vinny Pahuja, Jeff Trudeau, and Nick Yunis. All four bagged more than 250,000 worth in chips at the end of the second starting flights.
They will be joined by the likes of Day 1A chip leader Ajay Gnanasambanthan, and former WPT champions Anthony Zinno, Phil Laak, Jonathan Jaffe, and Sam Panzica, who all locked a seat into Day 2 through the tournament’s first starting flight.
Day 2 of the tournament is scheduled to take place today starting at noon local time. The remaining players will play ten 60-minute levels, during which the money bubble is expected to burst. The Action Clock will be introduced one table from the bubble to add extra thrill to those battling for the WPT Seminole Rock ‘N’ Roll Poker Open title at the host casino.
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The Israeli billionaire has sold his entire stake in the gambling company as US activist investor has been urging Playtech to sever ties with its founder
News about Mr. Sagi cutting ties with Playtech emerge shortly after The Times reported that American activist investor Jason Ader of SpringOwl Asset Management has penned a letter to the directors of the gambling technology giant to express his concerns about the Israeli businessman’s involvement. 
Rhode Island becomes eighth state to offer legal sports wagering in an eventful week for the US betting industry
According to estimates, the state will collect $11.5 million in tax revenue from sports betting through the end of the fiscal year on June 30. The above-mentioned amount is significantly less than the original projection for tax revenue of $23.5 million that was based on the previously announced October 1 launch of Twin River Casino’s sports betting operation. The state expects to get $27.3 million in tax revenue next fiscal year. 
A new week is almost upon us to bring tons of new opportunities for poker players to challenge their skill and luck at exciting poker destinations. Some of the best casinos in Sydney, Manila, and Las Vegas will play host to several major festivals over the week and those will feature massive guaranteed prize pools, prestigious trophies, and huge amounts of fun and thrill for everyone who enters them.
Sydney’s The Star Casino will play host to the next WSOP International Circuit stop. The popular series will bring a handful of gold rings Down Under and those will be awarded during a festival that will take place from November 27 through December 17. 
The next APT festival, this year’s final one, is set to take place November 27-December 6 at the glitzy Resorts World Manila casino resort in the capital of the Philippines. The festival will feature 16 different tournaments, special events, satellites, and tons of quality poker action and excitement.
Wynn Las Vegas is gearing up preparations to welcome players for its Wynn Signature Series. The event will take place from November 28 through December 10 and will feature 11 tournaments. The festival will award more than $700,000 over its course with guaranteed prize pools of between $20,000 and $250,000. 
It is that time of the year when the Bellagio in Las Vegas opens its doors to welcome the WPT for one of the most exciting festivals on its annual schedule. The WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic is set to begin on November 29 and to wrap up on December 15. 
Advertising is one of those tools that has the power to define the success or to cause the complete failure of a product or service. And gambling advertising is one of those categories that are prone to quickly attract a stream of negativity if their statements are too bold or if they approach their targeted public with overly aggressive messages. 
Italy’s general election this year caused quite a stir in the country and incited big trouble for its gambling industry. After months of unsuccessful attempts, Italian politicians eventually formed a new government in May and it was not long before gambling and gambling advertising in particular appeared on their radar screen. 
News emerged last month that Belgium would too implement highly restrictive new rules on gambling advertising. While the new regime is not as stringent as that of Italy, it should be said that gambling companies will certainly find it difficult to advertise their products and services without breaking one new rule or another. 
Joldis, a good friend of 12-time gold ring winner Valentin Vornicu, took down the $600 Double Stack No-Limit Hold’em for his first piece of WSOP Circuit gold
The final stage of the tournament was quite a race. It took relatively quickly for the final four to be whittled down to just Joldis. Martin Logue was the Romanian’s final challenge before claiming the title. Logue was eyeing his first gold ring from the series, but eventually finished second to scoop his first WSOP Circuit cash of $12,210.
Evolution buys Ezugi to cement its position in existing markets and enter new ones; deal to be closed in early 2019
Evolution and Ezugi are currently the only two live dealer gaming suppliers licensed to provide their products in Atlantic City. Evolution went live in one of the largest US casino markets only a few months ago, but Ezugi has been around for several years now. 
Two Virginia lawmakers to introduce sports betting bills during next year’s legislative session
The apparent start of a sports betting debate in Virginia should surprise no US gambling aficionado. The state was the first to legalize daily fantasy sports back in the spring of 2016 after the activity had taken center stage in prolonged and heated debates and legal actions in multiple states around the nation. 
Release of MassGaming’s probe into sexual misconduct allegations against casino mogul Steve Wynn temporarily blocked
Clark County District Court Judge Elizabeth Gonzalez informed attorneys yesterday that she wants to hear arguments about whether the report indeed contains privileged information. A date for a hearing is yet to be determined. 
The complaint filed by the two tribes seeks to stop non-tribal cardrooms from operating house-banked card games
The complaint seeks injunction to compel the defendants to stop offering house-banked and percentage card games and legal relief for the financial losses sustained by the two tribes, which has also resulted in the loss of revenue for the government, employment opportunities for tribal members, and goodwill. Allegations in the lawsuit further included unfair competition and public nuisance, among others. 
The tournament drew 712 entries, 70 made it through their respective flights to secure a spot among those returning for Day 2
The final flight was scheduled to feature 18 levels, just as the ones that had already taken place. Day 1F drew 157 entrants, of whom the top 18 were to make the money. Action was slated to continue until there were ten players left or until all scheduled levels were marked as complete. Flight F’s min-cashes were worth $695. Only 16 players managed to put chips in their bags when all 18 Day 1F levels were done. 
Churchill Downs and Keeneland will operate jointly Kentucky’s first new harness racetrack in 25 years
Kentucky Downs in Franklin and Caesars-Bluegrass Downs in Paducah were the other two bidders for the new racetrack license. Both expressed disappointment and frustration with the bidding process.
As many as 334 entries registered into WSOP Circuit Planet Hollywood Event #2: $400 No-Limit Hold’em through first four flights; only 36 made it into Day 2
Gaming commissioners say they need more time to review and investigate before deciding on the proposed casino site
During the Thursday meeting, developers presented gaming commissioners with the first pictures of the proposed casino resort, noting that those were only renderings and that construction documents were yet to be submitted, pending site approval by the Commission. 
