Top Stories This Week: Ivey Bails Out Sports Betting Suspects, Social Media Scores and Amaya Closes on Deal to Buy PokerStars Top Stories This Week: Ivey Bails Out Sports Betting Suspects, Social Media Scores and Amaya Closes on Deal to Buy PokerStars
Key Takeaways
  • Amaya Purchase of PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker Complete.
  • PokerStars Rates Pros on Their Social Media Skills.
  • Phil Ivey, Andrew Robl Post Multi-Million Dollar Bond for Sports Betting Suspects.

We wrap up the week with a rundown of the most read news articles and features from the past seven days on pokerfuse. Never miss a story with our special feature every Saturday.


10. Phil Ivey and Daniel Cates Post $2 Million More in Bail

Businessman and high stakes poker player “Richard” Yong is among the latest suspects released on bail. Three more defendants in an alleged World Cup sports betting operation have been released on bail with the support of famous poker players.


9. Online and Offline Synergy Provides a New Job for Gregory Chochon at the WSOP

The dramatic rise in WSOP Nevada cash game traffic shows the possibility of exploiting the relationship with the WSOP tournament series. Caesars Interactive Entertainment has announced a new position of Director, World Series of Poker (WSOP), which will be filled by Gregory Chochon.


8. Political Contributions by Las Vegas Sands Approach Record Numbers in an Effort to Stop Regulated Online Poker in the US

Through the first six months, $460,000 in donations have resulted in two federal anti-online gambling bills. The Las Vegas Sands has spent $460,000 on lobbying to ban online gambling in the first six months of the year, according to a report from OpenSecrets.org.


7. Free at Last, Paul and Darren Phua Released

Efforts by prominent poker players to have suspects released finally pay off. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have released Wei Seng “Paul” Phua and his son Darren Phua from the Henderson Detention Center according to a report by Jeff German of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.


6. High Stakes Online Cash Report: Isildur1 and SanIker Grind Close to $1 Million in Profits

Four of online poker’s most popular games were constantly in action over the week with 8-Game, Deuce to Seven Triple Draw, Fixed Limit Omaha Hi/Lo and Pot Limit Omaha producing the largest accumulation of cash over what has been the biggest 7-day period of online high stakes cash poker since the WSOP came to an end according to Highstakesdb.com.


5. Final Regulatory Approval Paves the Way for 888 All American Poker Network in Nevada

Approved plan allows sharing of player pools between multiple online poker operators. The Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) approved a plan late last week that would enable Nevada online poker operators to combine player pools.


4. Regulators Worldwide Clear the Amaya/PokerStars Deal

A critical issue has now been put to rest after Amaya’s new ownership of the Rational Group crosses the regulatory hurdles. Amaya Gaming has announced it has received all the regulatory approvals it needs to complete its deal to buy the Rational Group.


3. Phil Ivey, Andrew Robl Post Multi-Million Dollar Bond for Sports Betting Suspects

Malaysian businessman remains behind bars—detained by Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Las Vegas Review Journal reported Sunday that high stakes poker players Phil Ivey and Andrew Robl posted a multi-million dollar bail for the release of Malaysia businessman Paul Phua and his son Darren Phua, who were arrested earlier this month by the FBI on charges of running an illegal sports betting ring.


2. PokerStars Rates Pros on Their Social Media Skills

Top social currency bragging rights go to Daniel Negreanu, but Liv Boeree proves her pulling power by ranking third. Phil Hellmuth has said that the Global Poker Index (GPI) measure is unfair to celebrity poker professionals who want a social life away from work. PokerStars has listened and has set a goal for pros to aim for that takes into consideration their desire to be social.


1. Amaya Purchase of PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker Complete

PokerStars on the verge of re-entering the coveted US online poker market. Amaya Gaming Group Inc. has completed its acquisition of PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker it announced on Friday.