NEW LONDON, CT — As reported by theday.com: "Richard “Mr. Casino” Taylor proclaimed himself “the best dice player in the world” and declared his innocence just minutes
Richard “Mr. Casino” Taylor  before he was sentenced to 10 years in prison this morning for masterminding a craps cheating conspiracy that cost Foxwoods Resort Casino an estimated $70,000 and ruined the careers of a dozen employees.

A New London jury found Taylor guilty in May of cheating, conspiracy to commit cheating, first-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit first-degree larceny. It was the first major cheating trial in the state that plays host to two of the world’s largest casinos. According to court testimony, Taylor had recruited dealers who were willing to pay players for late or illegal bets, then met up with the casino employees outside the casino to pay them for their services. The scam involved a dozen employees, including dealers and managers.

Taylor maintained his confident attitude and his innocence to the end, strutting into the courtroom in his prison tans in the same manner that dealers testifying at the trial had described him walking up to craps tables with large amounts of money and women on his arms. He said the former Foxwoods employees were liars. In taking his case to trial, the 43-year-old Memphis, TN resident had rejected the state’s offer to plead guilty in exchange for a four-year-prison sentence…"

LAS VEGAS, NV — The Las Vegas – Clark County Urban League has presented MGM MIRAGE with its “Most Notable Patron Award” for the Company’s active support and ongoing involvement
MGM Mirage in Las Vegas  in the Urban League.

The award was presented at the Urban League’s inaugural “Power Breakfast” held this morning at Bellagio.

“The partnership between the MGM MIRAGE and the local affiliate of the Urban League helps fulfill our company’s commitment to make a positive difference in our community,” said Phyllis James, MGM MIRAGE Senior Vice President, Senior Counsel and Chief Diversity Officer. “We are most honored to be recognized by this agency, which works to help improve the quality of lives of citizens throughout our community.”

MGM MIRAGE was a founding corporate member of the Las Vegas – Clark County Urban League in 2004. Through its Voice Foundation, many of the Company’s 56,000 employees donate funds to support the Urban League’s “Read to Rise” program. The program promotes literacy among parents of elementary school students.

This is the first year ever that the Urban League has presented a “Most Notable Patron Award”.

Also recognized at the “Power Breakfast” was Newsome Marketing Enterprises of Las Vegas with the Urban League’s “Community Service Award”. The Urban League’s Interim President and CEO Morse Arberry, Jr. was presented with the “Community Service Award” for his work in the Nevada State Assembly, and Las Vegas City Councilman Ricki Barlow was presented with the “Community Service Recognition Award” for his support of the Urban League and residents of his Ward 5 district.

MOSCOW — As reported by the New York Times: "When Russia carried out sweeping restrictions on gambling this month, closing thousands of casinos and slots parlors, their owners grasped
  at a small loophole. Poker was legally classified as a sport, giving some the prospect of curbing their losses by becoming private poker clubs.

This week, though, the Kremlin essentially said not so fast.

Russian officials announced that an error was made in 2007 when poker was added to the list of official sports. As a result, poker clubs will also be illegal under the antigambling law…

LAS VEGAS, NV — With temperatures rising into the triple digits, why not spend some time indoors with the dancers of MGM Grand’s Crazy Horse Paris? Beginning Saturday, August 1 through Monday,
Beautiful women dancers at the Crazy Horse Paris show  September 7, any guest who presents a valid Nevada identification will be able to redeem a special 2-for-1 locals offer to see the hottest French sensation on the Las Vegas Strip.

Since its inception in 1951 in Paris, Crazy Horse Paris has been a cultural phenomenon offering unique shows that engage the eye as much as the imagination. Crazy Horse Paris shows rely on raw body talent and beauty rather than technology and combine sensuous choreography with various luminary and projection effects to create a moving canvas of skin where reflections and images meet in a kaleidoscope of colors and textured designs.

MGM Grand’s Crazy Horse Paris performs nightly at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., dark Tuesdays. Guests must be at least 18 years of age to attend the show. Tickets are priced at $50.50 (limited seating) and $60.50 including tax and fees and can be purchased at MGM Grand ticketing outlets, by phone at (702) 891-7777 or online at www.mgmgrand.com.

The PokerStars Americas Cup of Poker is a team event that will see qualifiers and Team PokerStars Pro compete for their country at a live event held in Argentina, with a $250,000 prize pool on the
Pokerstars Americas Cup of Poker  line. The action starts online, where you can help your team qualify for the live final. The eight teams who win qualification through their group will then make it to Argentina to play for the huge cash prize.

The live tournament will take place at a ski resort in Bariloche, situated against the backdrop of the Andes, in the region of Patagonia. It’s the trip of a lifetime that gives you the chance to explore one of South America’s most beautiful regions – and play poker for cash and the glory of your country while you are there. See below to find out how you can be part of the team that will represent your nation.

Poker is all about winning big money, but it’s also about pride. And there’s no greater sense of pride than the feeling you get when you represent your homeland. Your country needs you, so you better make it count.

Here’s how it works
Players in the following 13 countries have the chance to compete and help their nation make it to the live final: USA, Mexico, Ecuador, Canada, Colombia, Uruguay, Chile, Venezuela, Peru, Costa Rica, Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay.

If you are in one of these countries, you can play in any of the Americas Cup of Poker daily tournaments. Participating countries have been split into groups, and each will face-off against each other week by week. During each weekly round, you can play in any or all of the daily freerolls, $0.20 or $5.50 tournaments for your country. You’ll be playing to score as many points as you can for your team (see below for how points are awarded). See below for group and schedule information. To register, open the PokerStars lobby, click ‘Tourney’ and ‘Regional’.

When all the group matches are complete, the two countries with the most wins in each group will go on to the live final in Argentina. Check out the Country Rankings page for the latest national rankings.