The CEO of Montreal online gaming company Amaya has been charged after an investigation into insider trading by Quebec’s stock market watchdog. David Baazov faces five charges, including influencing or attempting to influence the market price of the securities of Amaya and communicating privileged information. “These allegations are false and I intend to vigorously contest these accusations,” Baazov said in a statement Wednesday. “While I am deeply disappointed with the (Autorite des marches financiers) decision, I am highly confident I will be found innocent of all charges.” He was charged as part of an investigation by the AMF that resulted…

Canadian gaming giant Amaya has filed a notice of appeal against a Kentucky court order to pay $870 million (€794 million) in damages for subsidiary PokerStars’ allegedly illegal operations in the US state between 2006 and 2011. Amaya said that it has filed a $100 million supersedeas bond to stay enforcement of the order “during the pendency of the appeals process”. Amaya added that it will “continue to vigorously challenge the trial court’s order”. “In late January, pursuant to and in accordance with the procedures set forth in the merger agreement governing the acquisition of the PokerStars business, a subsidiary…

Breaking reports from Kentucky-based news outlets have revealed that a county-level circuit judge issued a massive $290 million judgment last month against PokerStars and its current parent, Canada-based Amaya Gaming, as part of an ongoing case brought by a private firm representing the state’s interests against PokerStars and other offshore sites who once serviced Kentucky players. Local news reports confirm that Franklin Circuit Court Judge Thomas Wingate awarded the $290 million judgment against several defendants, including Amaya Group Holdings and a subsidiary connected to Stars or Full Tilt operations on Nov. 20.  The state brought its action against the original Full Tilt, PokerStars,…

Canadian online gambling operator Amaya Gaming has withdrawn its StarsDraft daily fantasy sports operation from all but four US states, citing regulatory developments. On Monday, Amaya issued a statement saying StarsDraft would restrict its real-money DFS contests to US customers located in New Jersey, Massachusetts, Kansas and Maryland, the four states Amaya says have “favorable existing daily fantasy sports guidance.” The move follows StarsDraft’s recent exits from both Florida and Nevada, which were prompted by a federal grand jury investigation and state regulators declaring that DFS operators needed gambling licenses, respectively. Amaya says the exit wouldn’t have a negative financial…

Amaya has stepped into the DFS ‘data leak scandal’ by calling on regulators in the US to take a tougher stance on daily fantasy sports (DFS) in order to better protect consumers and players. DFS has come under fire in the US this week after it was revealed that a DraftKings manager inadvertently released data showing he knew which players were most picked prior as part of American football fantasy teams. He then went on to win US$350,000 (€312,800) betting on NFL games through rival operator FanDuel. DraftKings and FanDuel in a statement defended the integrity of their businesses and…

Canadian online gambling operator Amaya Gaming has officially launched its new daily fantasy sports site StarsDraft.com. Amaya acquired DFS operator Victiv last month and previewed its intention to eventually rebrand the outfit as StarsDraft. Now, on the same day that Tom Brady learned he’d be suiting up for the Patriots when the NFL season kicks off next Thursday, Victiv players learned they’d now be picking NFL lineups on StarsDraft. StarsDraft has reassured players that Victiv’s original management will continue to operate the site but the site is “in the process of integrating the operational expertise of Amaya/PokerStars through many areas…