Brazil has a long and complicated history when it comes to gambling in general and poker in particular. The latest development, according to an article published on CardsChat*, the country has passed a law banning the playing of online poker in public. Anyone caught using their mobile device to access an online poker site while in a public space now faces a stiff fine and, in certain cases, potentially a short jail sentence. At first glance, it may seems surprising that the Brazilian government would clamp down in this way, given that the overall trend seems to have been towards…

Aristocrat Technologies has confirmed its ‘Heart of Vegas’ mobile application is now available to download on Android. The app features 11 free-to-play versions of games found in casinos around the world, with more titles due to be added in the near future. Having already established itself on iOS and the Facebook social network, the app is now available to Android users on a global basis. Craig Billings, chief digital officer at Aristocrat, said: “Our goal is to delight social casino players everywhere, everyday, and we are pleased to add Android users to the broader Heart of Vegas ecosystem. More at…

Chinese police have arrested 15,000 people on suspicion of cybercrimes (including gambling) as the government tightens its control over the Internet, the Ministry of Public Security said Tuesday. Police throughout the country have investigated more than 7,400 cases of possible cybercrimes, including hacking, online fraud and illegal sale of personal information, resulting in 15,000 arrests, the ministry said. It did not say when the arrests were made. Authorities launched a six-month special operation to clean the Internet in July, but some of the cases date back as far as December. Beijing considers the Internet to be a virtual territory that…

While U.S. players impatiently wait for the New Jersey government to get off its ass and approve PokerStars’ internet gaming license, the world’s largest online poker room has made a move to get back into the U.S. gaming market. Amaya Gaming, PokerStars’ parent company, announced today that it has purchased Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) site Victiv.com for an undisclosed dollar amount. The move was previewed in the spring when Amaya Gaming CEO David Baazov said on an earnings call that his company planned to get into the DFS industry before the National Football League (NFL) season started. “We have also…

Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority has announced that their Mohegan Sun online casino has launched in New Jersey. MoheganSunCasino.com is the newest, most sophisticated, real money online casino that will enable people located in New Jersey over the age of 21 to experience the exciting atmosphere the brand generates, from wherever their heart desires. “The MTGA is thrilled to launch what we believe has raised the bar in online gaming and stays true to our commitment to luxury, leisure and best-in-class practices,” said Bobby Soper, President of the MTGA. “Our goal is for Mohegan Sun online casino to become the premier…

Having blown past their soft deadline of July 1, Pennsylvania’s Republican-controlled state legislature is still trying to iron out a budget agreement with newly-elected Democratic Governor Tom Wolf. And so far, that has not included talk of online gambling expansion. Wolf is intent on raising revenue by overhauling the state’s income tax code and creating new taxes on, among other things, natural gas production. On the other hand, the legislature would like to raise the necessary revenue without raising taxes. Republicans are of the opinion this can be accomplished by reforming existing revenue channels. One of the proposals put forth…