Iowa Hot Lotto Fraudster’s Brother Arrested, Brand New Details of $1.2M Scam Emerge

The cousin of Iowa Hot Lotto scammer Eddie Tipton has been charged with ongoing conduct that is criminal thanks up to a new forensic breakthrough into the situation.
Iowa Hot Lotto fraud case: Tommy Tipton, sibling of former lottery security director Eddie Tipton, is currently also accused of being part of a network that is criminal claimed at least six rigged jackpots in five separate states.
Tommy Tipton, 51, a former justice of the peace and reserve police from Flatonia, Texas, was arrested for their part in claiming fixed jackpots in Colorado and Oklahoma that allegedly netted him $1.2 million. He reportedly handed himself in to police and has since been released on bail.
His bro Eddie, the former manager of data security at the Multi-State Lottery Corporation, was convicted a year ago of rigging the $16.5 million Iowa Hot Lotto draw in 2010.
At his test, prosecutors argued that he had set up a hack that is self-destructing to ensure the random number generator (RNG) used into the draw on December 29, 2010 picked their numbers. He also tampered with surveillance cameras so their installation of the program could not be detected.
Eddie Tipton ended up being sentenced to ten years in prison last July, and is now awaiting trial on charges linking him to phony jackpots in Colorado, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Wisconsin.
Three-Day-A-Year Pattern
Papers detailing the criminal grievance against Tommy Tipton state that the brothers had been section of a network that claimed six rigged jackpots in five separate states over a period of time.
They also reveal more details concerning the method utilized by Eddie Tipton to repair the machines.
Investigators examining the Wisconsin RNG found that the device contained two extra bits of coding that directed it to produce predictable figures on just three times of the year. Authorities say that the Wisconsin jackpot ended up being advertised by Eddie Tipton’s friend, Robert Rhodes, in 2008.
All six jackpots for this Tiptons were drawn on either November 23 or December 29, between 2005 and 2011.
Tommy’s Windfall
Tommy Tipton won $568,990 in the Colorado Lottery in November 2005. He had a friend claim the prize on his behalf, in substitution for a portion regarding the winnings, telling authorities which he did not want their wife to learn concerning the windfall, simply because they had been planning to divorce.
Eddie Tipton had been caught after he was acknowledged by fellow lottery workers once the man seen buying the Iowa ticket at A des Moines gas station in surveillance footage released by authorities.
Iowa lottery officials had become suspicious after having a legislation firm that claimed to be performing on behalf of the customer who they said wished to remain anonymous repeatedly attempted to claim the reward.
Casino Catastrophes Around the World Give New Meaning to ‘Being Stuck’
Casino catastrophes are nothing brand new. But lately, they seem in the future in most shapes, sizes, and levels of tragi-comedy.
Let’s start with some intrigue at the Crown Casino in Melbourne, Australia over the week-end. One guest at James Packer’s flagship resort mysteriously was able to wake up wedged into a ventilation shaft, with zero recollection of how this continuing situation had come to pass.
Casino catastrophes galore: Like Bruce Willis crawling through a ventilation shaft in ‘Die Hard,’ a person became stuck at the Crown Casino in Melbourne, over the week-end. (Image: twentieth Century Fox)
Had the man that is unfortunate had a few bars of juice kept on their cellphone, allowing rescuers to trace him through the casino’s labyrinth atmosphere duct ventilation system, things could have quickly taken a grisly turn for the worse.
The guy, whom said he thought his drink may have been spiked, was eventually found behind a fire access panel shaft, into which he previously probably fallen from roughly 10 feet, rescuers said.
Aside from a pounding hassle and a really dry mouth, the person was reported to have no injuries when examined away by paramedics.
Staff and Crew Stuck on Hong Kong Casino Ship
Even though the Crown could boast one trapped man on its premises this weekend, it has nothing on casino ship the brand new Imperial Star, which has had a complete body of gaming staff, and the ship’s crew, stuck on board for the last six months.
Until recently, the Imperial would carry gamblers that are chinese worldwide waters so they could play baccarat without fear of reprisal from authorities. But on October 6, 2015, the ship was impounded in Hong Kong Harbor after a deep failing a safety assessment.
The crew is refusing to budge because the ship’s owner, Arising International Holdings Limited, is refusing to pay their wages. The crew say they truly are owed remuneration including $1,300 to over $6,500 per thirty days for at least five months, and additionally they’re concerned that they won’t ever see a penny if they leave the ship.
Industry insiders told the South China Morning Post that the situation highlighted how the floating casino market has been hit by Beijing’s corruption crackdown in the gambling industry in general.
‘Most associated with cruise passengers were through the mainland, nevertheless now he has trouble getting enough gamblers and spenders that are big’ a source told the newspaper of this ship owner’s financial hardships.
Intimate Enhancement Device ‘Bomb’ Scare in Germany
A german casino had the opposite problem when its staff and patrons were forced to completely evacuate the building due to a bomb scare caused by a penis ring vibrating in a trash bin recently on a lighter note.
According to German media, an employee of the Casino Halberstadt panicked after hearing a ticking and vibrating noise emanating from the trash receptacle in the men’s restroom. The block that is entire cordoned down before the bomb squad was in a position to neutralize the offending article.
Police said that the battery operated sex-toy had been turned to its highest setting.
Wynn Boston Harbor Criminal Land Trial Begins, Proposed Brockton Casino Suffers Setback
The Wynn Boston Harbor, a proposed $2 billion five-star resort positioned just across the Mystic River in Everett, Massachusetts, will soon begin construction on land that is purported to have been partially owned by mobsters.
The previous owners of this land where in fact the Wynn Boston Harbor will be built are suspected to have ties to the mob, and prosecutors will start making their case this week against the 3 defendants in federal court. (Image: focusgn.com)
Previous landowner Anthony Gattineri has repeatedly denied those allegations, but federal prosecutors believe they have significantly more than enough proof to take the estate that is real to test in Massachusetts. And a federal jury that is grand in 2014.
Jury selection commenced on Monday into the case against Gattineri, Dustin DeNunzio, and Charles Lightbody, the latter being a reputed mob associate and a convicted felon.
According to filing documents, prosecutors believe DeNunzio forged records to show that Lightbody sold his interest in the 33 acres of waterfront land, and which he was no longer involved in the property ahead of Wynn’s intended $75 million acreage purchase.
Wynn Witness
Under the 2011 Massachusetts Expanded Gaming Act that cleopatra 3 slot machine legalized gambling for three resort-style casinos in three separately zoned regions, convicted felons are specifically outlawed from profiting down gambling operations. If Lightbody was certainly a shareholder of the Everett land, the purchase of the tract might have been obstructed in those days.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission approved the sale to Wynn before the federal indictment ended up being passed on the three defendants.
Prosecutors are expected to ask billionaire Steve Wynn to testify, as the casino magnate is recognized as a victim in the case, along utilizing the state’s Gaming Commission. But in this instance, being the victim might not have been Wynn’s worst outcome that is possible. That’s because Wynn surely could renegotiate the price down from $75 million to $35 million after Lightbody’s potential part ended up being revealed.
The trial is expected to last weeks that are several. If convicted, the defendants will be looking at twenty years in prison and might be forced to forfeit huge amount of money through the sale.
Brockton Casino Owners Fined
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is authorized to give three resort casino licenses. Wynn has secured Region A and MGM has landed area B in Springfield, but area C, the area southeast section of this state, remains up for grabs.
Chicago-based Rush Street Gaming is considered to be one of many favorites for the third and final commercial gambling license, but this week those chances presumably diminished, after the company consented to a $1.65 million fine with Illinois video gaming regulators.
The Rivers Casino in Diverses Plaines, Illinois, settled with the state for awarding contracts that are no-bid its security and cleaning services, and in addition for ‘inconsistent’ jackpot payouts.
Even though the northeast part of this country certainly doesn’t require any more ‘backroom deals,’ as made evident by the preceding Wynn story, Rush executives say the incident at the Rivers Casino shouldn’t impact the business’s bid in the Bay State.
‘Rivers Casino . . . self-reported this matter. This settlement has no bearing on the Brockton Casino Resort,’ stated Joe Baerlein, a spokesman for Rush.
Of course, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, maybe not Rush, will have the say that is final.
MGM Growth Properties Plans Massive $1.3 Billion IPO, Would Be Double Size of All IPOs Thus Far This 12 Months
MGM Resorts CEO Jim Murren will oversee the latest MGM development Properties’ REIT, that will be the biggest IPO providing of the year definitely. (Image: forbes.com)
MGM Growth qualities, MGM Resorts’ newly developed genuine estate investment trust (REIT), is planning regarding the IPO that is biggest of the year. The new company is reportedly focusing on a float of $1.2 billion, since it begins marketing and advertising its venture that is latest to prospective investors.
MGM Resorts gained approval from regulators to create MGM Growth just last month, and a regulatory filing on Friday reveals the company is trying to sell 50 million shares, priced between $18 and $21.
It would raise nearly twice as much the $626 million amassed collectively by the 35 companies that have offered IPOs in the US so far this year if it reaches its target.
An REIT is a company that purchases property through combined investment. It works like a mutual investment, allowing both large and small investors to own shares of real estate. But because they receive unique tax considerations, REITS can trade at higher stock market prices, and so typically provide investors greater yields.
Who Will Own What Now
The Mirage, Monte Carlo, New York-New York, Luxor, Excalibur, and the brand new Park development on the Las Vegas Strip under the reorganization, MGM Growth now owns ten MGM Resorts properties: Mandalay Bay. It encompasses the MGM Grand Detroit in Michigan, and the Beau Rivage and Gold Strike Tunica in Mississippi.
MGM Resorts itself will continue to retain several key properties, including the MGM Grand, Bellagio, and Circus Circus regarding the vegas Strip, in addition to others jointly owned with separate companies, such as CityCenter while the t-Mobile that is new.
No doubt due to cause uproar that is further MGM’s reviled new no-longer-complimentary parking policy applies to properties owned by the spin-off company as well.
Domino Effect Possible
Funds raised from A ipo that is successful be used by MGM Resorts to reduce financial obligation, the company said Friday.
‘[A REIT] improves the total amount sheet of MGM Resorts, it provides another growth vehicle for the business and it will . . . supply a different investment opportunity, as [Growth Properties] is out and can obtain assets,’ MGM Resorts CEO Jim Murren said of this formation of the new investment endeavor last thirty days.
MGM has followed the lead of Penn National Gaming, which created the casino industry’s first-ever REIT, known as Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. (GLPI), in late 2013. In July of last year, GLPI acquired the entirety of Pinnacle Entertainment’s real-estate assets for $4.74 billion, and the business’s stock happens to be going from strength to strength ever since.
Analysts have speculated that if MGM Growth also proves to be successful, it could prompt an effect that is domino the casino industry, by having a rash of operators reorganizing their property assets into REITS.
Industry analysts think that smaller or regional operators, lacking the assets and scale of businesses like MGM and Penn National, may be walking a very dangerous wire that is high following such a trend, however.