Author Archives: Alex Igelman

About Alex Igelman

Alex Igelman is a gaming lawyer and consultant based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In 2007, Alex Igelman founded Gaming Research Partners, a full service gaming and eSports consultancy that specializes in research and business development.

Billy Walters and the Story of the Computer Group – Johnny Detroit – Pregame Blogs – Pregame.com

This is an older but detailed article that sheds light and provides good insight and background on  Billy Walters as well as on the famous “Computer Group”.

You should note that Walters and the Computer Group eventually beat all the charges that were laid against them by the FBI.

Walters still lives in Las Vegas and is a very successful businessman and philanthropist. He is a living legend in the world of professional gambling.

Billy Walters and the Story of the Computer Group – Johnny Detroit – Pregame Blogs – Pregame.com.

My comments on: Las Vegas Betting Scandal Earns $5.5 Million Fine but the Boss Walks – The Daily Beast

Interesting article by John L. Smith, investigative reporter/columnist with the LVRJ and well known author of gambling related material (see: Running Scared about Steve Wynn).

Smith makes some good points in his article but as I have said before, Cantor Gaming (or CG) and Lee Amaitis should get through this alright assuming the Gaming Commission approves the GCB’s recommendations and accepts the massive fine levied.

Amaitis is a very sharp guy and while he may have boasted about being close to Billy Walters, I personally don’t see that as such a bad thing. Walters is a professional gambler and Amaitis is in the business of operating sports books. People that earn great sums of money from gambling will always be scrutinized by the authorities, and knowing these folks or even being close to them is not a crime. Walters happens to be a nice guy from what I have heard and he is a well known philanthropist in Nevada.

Las Vegas is full of colorful characters and while the old (read: MOB) days are long gone, there are plenty of people with “interesting” backgrounds that are friendly with licensed gaming people.  As long as these “interesting characters” are not involved in casino operations or are not  bringing the administration  and oversight of licensed gaming into disrepute (by their association with licensed persons), what’s the real harm?

Let’s face it, monks and saints are not the people that frequent Las Vegas and sports betting in particular is not the realm of little old church ladies. Call a spade a spade.

The GCB does a great job policing the sports wagering  business which legally handles approximately 3.5 Billion dollars in Nevada. Unfortunately the GCB does not police the approximately 400-500 Billion that is illegally wagered in the US each year, but this betting does happen and most of these folks are not unsavory. Many of these “illegal bettors” are normal law abiding citizens who just like to wager and can’t fly down to Vegas to place a legal bet.

All I am saying is that if you hang around a barbershop long enough you will get a haircut. The sports wagering industry is what it is. Not good. Not bad. Just there.

Las Vegas Betting Scandal Earns $5.5 Million Fine but the Boss Walks – The Daily Beast.

iGaming: Internet Casino | Online Casino Games | OLG Modernization

Since the departure of Paul Godfrey from the OLG we haven’t heard much about the status of the OLG’s online gaming initiative. If you visit the playolg.ca website you can get a sampling of what WILL be when the site is finally launched.

Spielo G2 through its subsidiary Boss Media AB, won the tender to provide the games (wonder why?) and soon every Ontarion of legal age will be able to lose more of their hard earned money to the Government while sitting at home in their pajamas.

If the machine’s payback are set  anywhere as low as the machines at the Racinos and Commercial Casinos  then people won’t be playing for long. Let’s hope that the OLG smartens up and gives people a fighting chance.

 

iGaming: Internet Casino | Online Casino Games | OLG Modernization.