Daily Archives: March 31, 2021

Plutocratic clan offers $1 billion more in bankruptcy bid to end opioid suits – JD Supra

Posted: March 31, 2021 at 6:25 am

Members of the plutocratic Sackler clan have upped the ante yet again in a bankruptcy court bid to settle thousands of lawsuits targeting Purdue Pharmaceutical, the company long in the familys grip and blamed for untold misery in the now-resurgent opioid abuse and drug overdose crisis.

The latest, and perhaps final plan submitted to the courts for approval would oust the family from Purdue, converting it into a public trust company.

The Sacklers say they will add a billion dollars more from the familys formidable fortunes to sums that would be extracted from the company itself.

This would provide $10 billion to be divided among disputing parties to battle the worsening opioid crisis, including more than $4 billion from the family.

The New York Times reported the sums would be divided into three main buckets:

One to compensate individual plaintiffs, like families whose relatives overdosed or guardians of infants born with neonatal abstinence syndrome, as well as hospitals and insurers; another for [Indian] tribes; and the third and largest for state and local governments, which have been devastated by the costs ofa drug epidemic that has only worsened during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In exchange for $10 billion, the Washington Post reported, Purdue and the Sacklers would be released from opioid-related litigation a contentious point as many suing the company blame the Sackler family, in part, for the opioid epidemic that has killed more than 450,000 people in the United States in the past two decades, following Purdues development of OxyContin in 1996.

Purdue advertised and marketed their powerful painkiller in relentless and deceptive fashion, providing a template for others, with Big Pharma, doctors, hospitals, insurers, and others playing various roles in inundating the country with addictive, debilitating, and lethal opioids, notably their synthetic versions. These prescription medications, in turn, opened the door to abuse and overdoses of illicit drugs. Rural and ex-urban areas were slammed by opioid-related problems, with big cities suffering with surging illegal drug overdoses.

Opioid makers, distributors, and others implicated in this public health menace have insisted they followed the law and share no fault for what had been, pre-pandemic, a leading public health crisis for the country.

States, cities, and other local governments, along with Indian tribes, filed thousands of suits against parties they blamed for the mess, with the federal courts consolidating the cases before a judge in Cleveland. Purdue, however, took a different step from other drug companies and cast its fate with the bankruptcy courts.

The plaintiffs in the voluminous cases have split over the settlement offers by Purdue and the Sacklers, with key parties, particularly from bigger and bluer states, denouncing the plans as insufficient. Other jurisdictions, however, say the case has dragged on and the needs are great and growing to attack the opioid crisis with any increased resources to do so highly welcome.

Crisis victims continue to be infuriated that full justice has not been done for the huge harms caused by Purdue and others implicated in the opioid crisis. The Justice Department, under the Trump Administration, raced to conclude a deal in November in which the Purdue company pleaded guilty to criminal charges for defrauding health agencies and violating anti-kickback laws, the New York Times reported.

In that deal, the family whose fortunes have been estimated to run as high as $13 billion faced no criminal charges but agreed to pay $225 million in civil penalties while admitting no wrongdoing. Federal prosecutors said as recently as in November that they still can charge family members.

The absence of charges combined with other family actions to rile critics, who say the Sacklers have plundered Purdue to enrich themselves and keep money away from plaintiffs. As the Washington Post reported:

Members of the family withdrew about $10 billion in profits from 2008 to 2017, according to a forensic audit of their finances filed in the case. The familys attorneys have argued that the distributions complied with a corporate integrity agreement and about half were paid as taxes.

It is up in the air as to whether the bankruptcy court will approve the latest settlement plan. Critics say it is notably stingy to individuals harmed in the opioid crisis, the Washington Post reported:

According to [court documents], about 130,000 personal injury claimants, including family members who lost relatives to overdoses from OxyContin, would receive compensation up to an estimated maximum of $48,000. That dollar amount, to families torn apart by addictive opioids, is insufficient, said Charlotte Bismuth, a former New York assistant district attorney following the bankruptcy case. I am absolutely appalled, disgusted and angered by the paltry payments reserved for personal injury victims, Bismuth wrote in an email. Families were devastated emotionally and financially: $48,000 doesnt even begin to cover funeral costs and lost wages. It is an insult to those families who lost their reason to live overnight.

In my practice, I see not onlythe harms that patients suffer while seeking medical services, but alsothe damages that can be inflicted on them by dangerous drugs, notably opioids.Complex lawsuits involving big numbers of plaintiffs can be difficult to resolve to the satisfaction of all concerned. The individual plaintiffs often deserve great credit for the fortitude it can require to withstand prolonged, withering legal onslaughts from deep-pocketed defendants, whether monied corporations or wealthy individuals who also may be held in high esteem by some for their philanthropy.

It was unacceptable that, among other factors, political and regulatory failures ever allowed the opioid abuse and drug overdose crisis to explode as it did and that it has returned with a vengeance. Stat, the medical and scientific news site, reported that federal authorities recorded 81,003 deaths due to drug overdoses in the 12-month period ending last June. That was a 20% increase and the highest number of fatal overdoses ever recorded in the U.S. in a single year. The drug deaths started spiking last spring, as the coronavirus forced shutdowns, and more recent statistics show the crisis has only deepened.

The Biden Administration may be challenged on many fronts, notably in battling the coronavirus pandemic. It would help in dealing with prescription painkillers and other powerful medications if the administration would nominate a new, permanent chief of the federal Food and Drug Administration. Thats a urgent task for the president and Xavier Becerra, his newly confirmed Health and Human Services chief, We all have much work to do to re-energize the fight against the opioid menace.

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Plutocratic clan offers $1 billion more in bankruptcy bid to end opioid suits - JD Supra

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Black Women Having Been Filing For Bankruptcy At Distressing Rates Since Last Year Heres Why – MadameNoire

Posted: at 6:25 am

MadameNoire Featured Video

Source: Terry Vine / Getty

As per their bankruptcy questionnaire which surveyed over 17,000 Americans in the last year, financial start-up Upsolve found that Black women filed for personal bankruptcies due to the COVID-19 pandemic at a far more distressing rate when in comparison to Black men, white women, and white men.

Essentially, theres a link between the disproportionate job/wage loss Black women faced in 2020 and the groups increased number of citing the pandemic as their reason for filing bankruptcy which has more than doubled within less than the past year. According to Upsolves data, in April 2020, 20.8% of Black women cited the pandemic as the reason for their filing whereas in January 2021, 49.4% did. In comparison, 21.4% of white women cited the pandemic as their reason for filing in April of last year and 34.2% of them did this past January.

Black women fared the worst when compared to other Upsolve users, the nonprofit additionally gathered. Black women were more likely to cite a loss of wages as a reason for their bankruptcy than their male counterparts. On average each month women accounted for 70% of Black Upsolve users citing a loss of wages as a reason for their bankruptcy. In August 2020, that number peaked as Black women comprised 76.3% of Black folks who cited a loss of wages as their motivation for filing for bankruptcy.

Additionally, the report noted that based on their pool of surveyed users, Black communities in general are suffering from high levels of financial distress. As they highlighted, racist policies have made it virtually impossible for Black families to create and build generational wealth such as acquiring assets, and rent is higher for Black Upsolvers in 27 of 42 states. When it comes to work statistics, Black women in particular have suffered wage loss rates at an exponential degree as previously mentioned, but according to Upsolves report, 80% of Black workers hold a position that doesnt allow remote work. The latter was an important mention since Black communities have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and subsequently, many are now facing medical bills and debt that only further their financial issues because they have to work outside the home and have been at a higher risk of getting exposed.

While Upsolve can be useful to low-income Americans in financial distress [who want to] access Chapter 7 bankruptcy even if they cant afford to hire a lawyer, if you are considering filing for the protection, keep in mind that the relief the filing can provide is only available every eight years. While systematic and societal changes need to be made in order to help Black women and communities achieve higher levels of financial freedom and success, doing things like lowering your mortgage, being prepared for financial windfall, and getting vaccinated to avoid COVID-19 related medical expenses are all individual things one might consider to as potential ways of lessening their financial burden.

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Black Women Having Been Filing For Bankruptcy At Distressing Rates Since Last Year Heres Why - MadameNoire

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Tenant bankruptcies in the COVID-19 era: tenant bankruptcy and letters of credit – Lexology

Posted: at 6:25 am

In the face of increased tenant bankruptcies caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, a key question arises for commercial landlords: what protection do I have from the security provided by my tenant? Tenant-supplied security under a lease can take many forms, including a third party guarantee or indemnity, prepaid rent, a cash deposit, and a letter of credit (an LOC). Crucially, certain forms of security will be more beneficial to a landlord in the face of a tenant bankruptcy, especially where the lease has been disclaimed by the tenants trustee in bankruptcy.

What you need to know

Bankruptcy & landlord relief

For a landlord, the primary benefit of an LOC surrounds how this form of security is applied in the face of a bankrupt commercial tenant. Funds previously delivered by a bankrupt tenant as a cash security deposit automatically fall into the pool of property to be distributed amongst the bankrupt tenants creditors.1 This may also be the case for prepaid rent, depending on the wording of the lease.2 Additionally, though a guarantee or an indemnity may survive a tenants bankruptcy and lease disclaimer,3 each is only as good as the financial covenant of the party guaranteeing or indemnifying, and that covenant may have changed since the guarantee or indemnity was first provided.

Canadas Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (the BIA) and Ontarios Commercial Tenancies Act (the CTA) provide certain statutory limits on the preferred (albeit unsecured) claim a landlord has over a bankrupt tenants property, being up to three months of rental arrears, and three months of accelerated rent (providing the lease grants the latter right) (the Preferential Claim).4 Depending on the extent of the bankrupt tenants liabilities and the creditors who rank in priority to the landlord in priority, the landlord may recover little if anything.

It is in this context of legislative creditor hierarchy that the benefits of an LOC, particularly an irrevocable standby LOC, generally outweigh other forms of security.

Common law approach in a commercial leasing context

While jurisprudence has generally held that a landlord is able to receive payment under an LOC without having to compete with the bankrupt tenants other creditors, there is some uncertainty with respect to the extent of an LOCs autonomy, and the amount a landlord would be permitted to draw down where a lease has been disclaimed in bankruptcy.

Historically, the courts have taken two distinct approaches to what effect bankruptcy can have on a landlords ability to benefit from a third partys contractual obligation to make payment relating to a tenants obligations under a lease (e.g., a guarantor, or a third party Issuer). First, a number of decisions following the decision of Cummer-Yonge Investments Ltd. v. Fagot et al. held that, a bankrupt tenants obligations under a lease came to an end once the lease was disclaimed, such that a landlords recovery under a LOC with a third party Issuer was limited to its Preferential Claim.5 Other courts took an alternative approach to the question, following the obiter dicta of the Supreme Court of Canada in Crystalline Investments Ltd. v. Domgroup Ltd., in which the Court held that a third partys obligation to make payment could continue despite the lease being disclaimed, with the result that a landlords draw on an LOC was not necessarily limited to its Preferential Claim.6 While neither Cummer-Yonge nor Crystalline expressly dealt with LOCs, the legal community and subsequent case law applied the principles relating to third party payment obligations and disclaimers to LOCs held as security for commercial lease obligations.

The uncertainty of the extent of a landlords entitlement to draw on an LOC came to a head in 2019 with the Ontario Superior Court decision of 7636156 Canada Inc. v. OMERS Realty Corporation (OMERS).The Court held that the banks obligation to make payment to the landlord under an LOC was wholly dependent on the continued existence of the bankrupt tenants obligations to the landlord under the lease. The Court held that since the tenants trustees disclaimer of the lease extinguishes a bankrupt tenants continued obligations under the lease, the landlords entitlement to recovery under the LOC was limited to the Preferential Claim.7 After being appealed, the Ontario Court of Appeal recently released its decision on OMERS,8 which provides much needed clarity on the extent to which a commercial landlord can draw on an LOC, holding that there is no provision within the BIA, nor principle of bankruptcy law, that overrides the autonomy principle, and barring the existence of an exception to the principle of autonomy, that the landlord was entitled to draw on the full amount of the LOC.9

Recognizing the varied case law that preceded OMERS, the Court engaged in a thorough analysis of the jurisprudence. The Court addressed the different approaches taken at length, ultimately refusing the trustees argument that the principles of insolvency law automatically override the autonomy of LOCs as a result of a trustees disclaimer of a lease, such that a landlord is only entitled to draw on an LOC up to the amount of the Preferential Claim.10 The Court then reiterated the autonomy principle applicable to standby LOCs, being that the obligation of the Issuer to a beneficiary of an LOC must at all times be independent of the actual performance of the underlying contract (i.e., the lease)11. The Court noted that such autonomy of LOCs is essential for their commercial risk-minimization function,12 and proceeded to consider a possible exception to the principal of autonomy, being where the beneficiarys request for a draw is fraudulent.

The Court proceeded to look to the language of the lease and the LOC, both of which contemplated the LOC continuing to stand in the event of bankruptcy and disclaimer, significant factors in the Courts conclusion that the landlords draw on the LOC was not subject to the fraud exception to the autonomy principle13. However, an in-depth discussion of this exception to the autonomy principle is outside of the scope of this article. While the Court has provided guidance on how a tenants bankruptcy impacts a landlords ability to draw on a LOC, ultimately, whether the landlord is entitled to draw on an LOC and the amount of same involves a fact-based analysis, taking into account the language of the lease and of the LOC, as well as the circumstances surrounding the draw.

Notice of intention to make a proposal under the BIA

LOCs should also be considered within the context of a tenant that has filed a Notice of Intention to Make a Proposal under the BIA (a NOI).

Once a commercial tenant files an NOI, the tenant has the right to benefit from:

During the stay, the BIA requires the tenant to prepare and file a formal proposal with its creditors. While bankruptcy can be avoided if the tenant is successful in filing its proposal, and having its creditors approve same, if the tenant fails to file the proposal before the end of the stay, or if the creditors do not approve the proposal, the tenant is automatically deemed bankrupt.

Importantly, creditors, including landlords, may be entitled to challenge the stay. Section 69.4 of the BIA allows a creditor to request relief from the stay by providing evidence to the court demonstrating that the continued operation of the stay is likely to materially prejudice the creditor, or that there are other equitable grounds on which the Court should relieve the creditor from the stay.17 Similarly, Section 50.4(11) of the BIA allows a landlord (as a creditor) to seek a declaration for the earlier termination of the 30 day period for filing a proposal or any extension previously granted by the court, upon satisfying the court that:

A recent decision of the Alberta Queens Bench considered whether a landlords demand for payment under an LOC may not fall within the scope of proceedings that are subject to the stay granted under Section 69.1 of the BIA. In Tri-State Signature Homes Ltd, Re the Court held that drawing down on an LOC is outside of the scope of the actions prohibited by a stay, on the basis that a landlords demand for payment under an LOC relates to an obligation owed by the Issuer to the landlord, rather than an obligation of the tenant.18

Court ordered stays under the CCAA

In addition to NOIs under the BIA, it is necessary to consider the impact on an LOC where a tenant applies for, and the Court subsequently issues, an order under Section 11 of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (the CCAA). While the process of restructuring under the BIA is relatively regimented, the CCAA is more flexible and allows the courts significant discretion in making orders that are appropriate in the circumstances to advance the restructuring.

That said, the CCAA also involves a stay of proceedings which restricts creditors from taking steps against the company or its assets, or from terminating contracts with the company (including based on insolvency clauses). One notable difference is how the CCAA deals with LOCs. Section 11.04 of the CCAA contains language clarifying that no order for a stay granted under Section 11.01 has an affect on any action, suit or proceeding against a person, other than the company in respect of whom the order is made, who is obligated under a letter of credit or guarantee in relation to the company.19 As such, except for exceptional circumstances in which the Court exercises its inherent jurisdiction, drawing down on an LOC issued by a third party Issuer to a landlord would not fall within the scope of the activities prohibited by a stay granted under the CCAA.20 Importantly, there is no equivalent to Section 11.04 within the BIA.

Final thoughts

When entering into a lease, a landlord should consider which form of security best meets its specific needs. If it is an LOC, special attention must be paid to, , the form, terms and conditions as well the creditworthiness of the Issuer, among other things. Where a landlord will prefer an irrevocable standby LOC, a tenant may prefer a conditional revocable LOC. There may be limitations on the amount a landlord is permitted to draw upon, and the timing for same, depending on the facts at hand. This includes whether the LOC is worded such that it intended to provide security for rental arrears or for all of a tenants obligations, whether it is to continue to apply in the event the tenant files for bankruptcy or if the lease has been disclaimed, whether there is a stay of proceedings, and if fraud is suspected.

Any entity (including landlords) considering accepting an LOC as security, or holding an existing LOC as security for another entitys performance under an agreement should carefully consider the optimum time to draw down on that security, especially if there have been one or more defaults under the agreement in question, and the likelihood of future defaults. With the unprecedented economic uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 shutdowns, it remains to be seen whether the courts will distinguish the current law even further, in an effort to provide recourse to the aggrieved party.

Tenant bankruptcies in the COVID-19 era: tenant bankruptcy and letters of credit - Lexology

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Dandy’s commission largest Welsh flag in the UK to fly when Wales can welcome visitors after lockdown – LeaderLive

Posted: at 6:24 am

A SEALAND soil supplier is set to help welcome people back into Wales with a flag there is no chance of people missing!

Dandy's Topsoil and Turf, based on Sealand Road, announced they would be proudly flying what they claim will become the largest Welsh flag to fly in the United Kingdom as a way of greeting visitors crossing the Welsh border once they are allowed back into Wales.

The giant flag is being produced by Flying Colours Flagmakers, a company based in North Yorkshire.

Amanda Arnold, director of marketing at Dandy's, said: We wanted to do something to welcome visitors back to Wales after such a terrible year for the country as a whole once lockdown was lifted, so what better way than by commissioning what will be the largest Welsh flag to be flown anywhere in the UK, on our giant flag pole above the gateway from England in to Wales where our head offices are based.

Due to the sheer size of the flag, we have spent months researching and testing different flag materials, as well as speaking with the owners of the largest flag currently flying in the USA at Acuity Insurance in Wisconsin and adapting stitching patterns to ensure it lasts as long as possible.

The flag will also be lowered during bad weather to help extend its life.

Late last night, on March 25, Welsh Government revealed its next step out of lockdown which included the stay local rule being lifted and the allowance for self-contained accommodation reopening however they may only be used by Welsh residents at this time.

At present, Welsh Government says travel into Wales from other parts of the UK is not allowed without a reasonable excuse, for example, travelling for work purposes.

Taking a holiday is not currently considered a reasonable excuse.

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Dandy's commission largest Welsh flag in the UK to fly when Wales can welcome visitors after lockdown - LeaderLive

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10 Best Gambling Sites to Win At in 2021: A List of the Top Websites for Online Gambling in the UK by Top-BettingSites.co.uk – Yahoo Finance

Posted: at 6:20 am

LONDON, March 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Wondering what the best gambling sites in the UK are? In this guide, Top-BettingSites.co.uk have got gamblers covered. Top-BettingSites.co.uk takes a look at the top gambling sites in the UK for every player.

When gamblers are looking for the best free gambling sites, the most trusted gambling sites, or just want to get the best signup bonus while it's hot, Top-BettingSites.co.uk have been the ones with its 'eyes down' as Top-BettingSites.co.uk have taken a look at the best value for money and FUN gambling sites in the UK.

Luckily, gamblers can now easily take a look through this list, and pick the gambling site that's best.

Benchmarks That Were Used For Evaluating Gambling Sites

The best gambling sites were reviewed based on five main benchmarks required for an ideal gambling experience. These include:

Variety of games

gambling bonus offers and promotions

Payment methods and supported currencies

Website design and navigation

Mobile platform compatibility

The Top 10 Gambling SitesThe top gambling sites were reviewed based on five main benchmarks required for an ideal gambling experience revealed:

1. UNIBETMore about UNIBET UK online gambling can be found over at their website.

Visit UNIBET Website

2. LadbrokesMore about the Ladbrokes UK online gambling can be found over at their website.

Visit Ladbrokes Website

3. CoralMore about the Coral UK online gambling can be found over at their website.

Visit Coral Website

4. 32RedMore about the 32Red UK online gambling can be found over at their website.

Visit 32Red Website

5. BetfredMore about the Betfred UK online gambling can be found over at their website.

Visit Betfred Website

6. BetwayMore about the Betway UK online gambling can be found over at their website.

Visit Betway Website

7. GrosvenorMore about the Grosvenor UK online gambling can be found over at their website.

Visit Grosvenor Website

8. Bet365More about the Bet365 UK online gambling can be found over at their website.

Visit Bet365 Website

Story continues

9. NETBETMore about the NETBET UK online gambling can be found over at their website.

Visit NETBET Website

10. BoylesportsMore about the Boylesports UK online gambling can be found over at their website.

Visit Boylesports Website

What Makes a Gambling Site the Best?

A gambling website is rated as the best if it meets all the needs of its players. For instance, its gaming catalogue needs to have all the major gambling game varieties and side games such as slots and scratch cards.

The fairness, safety, and security of a site are also fundamental. A trustworthy site should have licensing labels clearly displayed on its page, all the pages SSL encrypted, and the payment methods should be secure.

In terms of convenience, the best site should have diverse payment options, enable fast processing of payouts, and have a responsive customer service team.

Ladbrokes and Betfred which are the overall best sites, meet all these requirements. Gamblers get to enjoy major gambling game varieties, a generous deposit bonus, and efficient services.

How To Choose the Best Gambling Site

There are some important factors that Gamblers must consider when picking a site that most suits players' online gaming needs.

Top-BettingSites.co.uk's recommended top gambling sites are designed with features that suit all online gambling players. Some of the important features include:

Generous Bonuses - A good welcome bonus could be given out in the form of free gambling tickets, bonus funds, and free gambling rooms for their beginners.

The top sites also have fair terms such as wagering requirements and withdrawal restrictions applied on the welcome bonuses.

Promotions and Loyalty Rewards - The best UK gambling sites give their players a chance to earn bonuses in the daily, weekly, and monthly promotions. Players can also collect points and loyalty rewards such as extra gambling tickets when they play at the site.

Top Game Varieties - The best sites offer gamblers a chance to choose the variant gamblers most prefer, such as sports betting, slots, bingo, and casino.

Secure and Fast Payment Services - Always choose a site that offers convenient payment options. Don't forget to check how fast the payments are processed when funding gambling site accounts and making withdrawals at the gambling site.

Legitimacy, Fairness, and Security Standards - All the top gambling sites are legitimate and licensed to operate by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission and other regulatory bodies.

The top sites also uphold high security and fairness standards by using SSL encryption software for data privacy and tested RNG software for the generation of random game results.

Mobile Platform Compatibility - Most players prefer playing games on their mobile devices. gamblers should consider whether the site supports mobile gaming, the user experience on a mobile device, and if the site has a mobile app.

Entertainment and Fun - Some gambling rooms offer gamblers chat service, chat games, and quizzes that make the game enjoyable. A site should be appealing in its color scheme, language, games, and promotions.

What Are the Popular Gambling Bonuses?

Deposit bonuses

New players at most sites are welcomed with a bonus upon making the first deposit at the site. The deposit is matched to a player's initial deposit amount such that the higher the deposit amount, the larger the bonus.

For instance, one may be given a 30 gambling bonus after depositing 10.

No deposit bonuses

Players are rewarded for signing up at the site with free tickets or free funds to explore the games at the site. One doesn't have to deposit to get the gambling tickets or the gambling bonus.

What Is the Best Gambling Site for Winning?

Gamblers can win while playing at any legitimate gambling site; including the ones Top-BettingSites.co.uk recommended in the above list such as Coral, Boylesports, and Betway.

The ideal site for winning should provide gamblers with a beginner room to practice the game if gamblers are just starting out. Gamblers can also get more winnings by playing at a site with low wagering requirements and fair withdrawal restrictions on its bonuses.

What Are the Popular gambling Software Providers?

Gambling operators have partnered with the best software providers to ensure that their players get the best gaming experience. Most of the gambling sites operate with proprietary software or under one network, allowing players to enjoy networked games and jackpot prizes

Different software providers have unique themes, exclusive gambling offerings and varieties.

Some of the major software providers include:

KAMBI SBTech FSBTechPlaytechBetConstruct

Are Gambling Sites Safe?

UK gambing sites must be licensed to operate by the UK Gambling Commission, Malta Gaming Authority, or any other relevant licensing body. Before any online gambling site is licensed, it must have demonstrated its dedication to providing players with a safe and secure gaming platform.

The site must ensure that players gamble responsibly, and bar any underage gamblers from signing up at the sites. Gambling sites also perform proper KYC to discourage fraudsters and money launderers from joining the sites.

Is Gambling Truly Random?

Random number generators govern online games, and it is not possible to predict the game outcome. Online gaming sites have invested in RNG software, which ensures the game results are entirely random.

There is no chance of the operator or any players being able to guess the game results or have an unfair advantage over other players.

Best Gambling Sites UK: Which Site Suits Players' Style?

Top-BettingSites.co.uk have carefully reviewed all the sites on its list of gambling sites to provide gamblers with the most trustworthy sites to choose from. All the sites Top-BettingSites.co.uk have recommended are licensed, and players never have to worry about security and safety when joining.

Top-BettingSites.co.uk's top picks, Unibet, Coral, and Ladbrokes online gambling sites.

The other top sites are equally worthwhile; gamblers only need to pick ones that best suit gaming needs for a fun and rewarding gambling gaming experience.

Gamblers probably don't need us to tell them that any form of gambling comes with risks and should not be undertaken as a solution to solve financial troubles. It's worth remembering the phrasethe house always wins!

If gamblers suffer from a gambling problem or suspect somebody does, then Top-BettingSites.co.uk strongly suggests that Gamblers call the National Problem Gambling to talk with an advisor for help and to make gambling safer.

Gambling sites listed on Top-BettingSites.co.uk's site may not be available in certain regions. Check with local laws to ensure online gambling sites are available and legal. top-bettingsites.co.uk is an independent and reader-supported review site and may receive commissions for recommendations made in Top-BettingSites.co.uk's website's guides.

Remember gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. Visit these organizations for free gambling addiction resources:

How to deal with and recognizing gambling addiction – KCAU 9

Posted: at 6:20 am

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) Since 2019, Iowans have been legally placing bets on sporting events, but 2021 marks the first time March Madness has been on the board.

Since sportsbooks became legal almost two years ago, the advent of mobile betting apps has made the activity even more accessible.

Ive been in the gambling industry for about a decade, experienced sports better William Reynolds said.

Reynolds says hes been sports betting most of his adult life.

Ive seen both sides of gambling. Ive seen the winners and Ive seen the losers. Ive been on both sides as well, Reynolds said.

Reynolds said betting and honesty, should go hand in hand.

If you have delusions of grandeur and think youre going to be the next Vegas sports betting superstar youre probably not. With gambling, you need to have your expectations in line. Some gambling is for entertainment. Some gambling is to find an edge. But at the end of the day, most gambling is going to result in a loss so you have to be honest with yourself, Reynolds added.

Thats something a therapist with Heartland Counseling Services knows plenty about. She said there are a few key signs to recognize gambling addictions.

If theyre chasing their bets, what happens is they may lose at the casino and they keep going back to try and win back what they lost. Are they spending money thats needed for like bills to try to win big? Are they borrowing money? Are they hiding their activity? Cindi Prather said.

Thats when experienced gambler Charlie Franklin III said its time for friends to step in.

Help them out. Tell them Hey, dont do that or youre going to be borrowing money from me tomorrow. Play with them, joke around with them but ultimately get them away from what theyre doing. Take them out of the setting. Get them away from the casino, Franklin said.

Franklin said some easy-to-follow guidelines can help keep gamblers out of trouble like budgeting your money and having strict boundaries.

Thats probably where I see most people mess up. They say Im only going to do this. Then they start doing a little too much and then all of a sudden theyre going to the ATM or theyre thinking about other money they can use, Franklin said.

If you like to play the odds, both Reynolds and Franklin say when betting, if you find yourself getting upset about the outcome of a game it may be time to take a step back.

If you or someone you know may have a problem gambling, here is a link to resources.

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How to deal with and recognizing gambling addiction - KCAU 9

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Victoria invests $600000 to examine the impacts of COVID-19 on gambling – Casino Beats

Posted: at 6:20 am

The government of Dan Andrews, the premier of Victoria, has unveiled plans to invest AU$600,000, via the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, to investigate the impacts of COVID-19 on gambling harm.

The research aims to examine the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the gambling environment, as well as the implications for associated behaviours and harm.

The Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation will provide the funding through round 11 of its annual Grants for Gambling Research Program, which is centred around the theme of Gambling in Victoria in 2020 COVID-19 and beyond.

Melissa Horne, minister for consumer affairs, gaming and liquor regulation, commented: We know that throughout the pandemic and the associated lockdown, some Victorians benefitted from an enforced break from in-venue gambling, while others found it incredibly challenging.

To be able to plan and respond to gambling harm effectively, we need to know how COVID-19 affected gambling behaviours. This funding will be incredibly beneficial in understanding how those vulnerable to gambling were impacted by the pandemic.

Research projects receiving investigative grants of up to $150,000 over three years are:

Mid-career Researcher grants of up to $100,000 over two years have been awarded to:

An Early Career Researcher grant of up to $50,000 over 18 months has been awarded to Focus on families: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the harms and support needs of families and friends of gamblers by Dr Stephanie Merkouris of the Deakin University.

The findings of the six projects is intended to help the Foundation shape future initiatives and activities to prevent and reduce gambling harm in the Victorian community.

Shane Lucas, Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation CEO, noted: The most recent publicly available data shows online race and sports betting increased by 30 per cent compared to the same period the year before. Its critical we understand and learn from these changes in gambling behaviour.

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Victoria invests $600000 to examine the impacts of COVID-19 on gambling - Casino Beats

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One organization says it’s crucial to promote gambling resources, as it becomes easier to place sports bets in Iowa – kwwl.com

Posted: at 6:20 am

WATERLOO, Iowa (KWWL) - From March Madness to spring baseball, sports are in full swing this season, including sports betting.

Ever since sports betting became legal in the Hawkeye state, betting outlets are available at people's fingertips. Now having that easy access, Pathways Behavioral Services said it's also easy to develop an addiction.

Therefore, like all the apps and websites, Pathways also has easy access to help through its sports betting hotline.

By either calling 1-800-BETS OFF or going to yourlifeiowa.org, you can find instant resources to help.

Pathways prevention specialist, Erika Lippman, said the website also provides resources for early detection.

"There's like a self-assessment quiz, or educational resources, for things to maybe look for, or warning signs, um so it's a really good resource if people are having problems with gambling," Lippmans said.

Lippman told KWWL Pathways knows this is not an easy thing to deal with, and want to assure people these resources are a safe space.

"Promoting this gives someone outlet and not something you know everyone needs to know about they can just go and do this on their own without having to you know tell everybody about their problem if they do have a problem with gambling," Lippman said.

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One organization says it's crucial to promote gambling resources, as it becomes easier to place sports bets in Iowa - kwwl.com

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Sports gambling has soared during the pandemic and continues to climb – CBS News

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A growing number of Americans are trying their luck at online sports gambling this year, with the 2021 Super Bowl and NCAA March Madness drawing billions more dollars in wagers than last year's games.

Gamblers placed $4.3 billion in bets on Super Bowl LV, marking "the largest single-event legal handle in American sports betting history," the American Gaming Associationestimated. In sports betting, a "handle" refers to the total amount of money wagered by bettors. About 7.6 million people placed bets on the game through platforms like FanDuel and DraftKings, a 63% increase from 2020.

Meanwhile, more than 47 million Americans have placedbetson March Madness, the association said. The number of online bets on the tournament has tripled since 2019.

Two trends are driving this growth, experts say. First, more states are legalizing sports betting. Second, online sportsbooks have become more popular during thecoronavirus pandemic which has forced hundreds of millions of people to remain at home.

"The pandemic had a lot to do with Americans not going to physical locations anymore," said Casey Clark, a senior vice president at the gaming association. "You weren't going to in-person sporting events and you weren't going to brick-and-mortar sportsbooks [where gamblers can wager on various competitions]"

Another game changer was a U.S.Supreme Court rulingfrom 2018 that struck down a federal law barring gambling on football, basketball, baseball and other sports. The decision gave states the go-ahead to legalize betting on sports. Many jurisdictions were quick to take advantage.

Lawmakers in Arkansas, New Hampshire, Indiana and elsewhere spent 2019 crafting and passing sports betting laws. Those laws took effect in 2020, Clark said, launching the sports gambling explosion playing out today. All told, sports betting is now legal in 25 states, while another 16 including California, Massachusetts and Ohio are considering similar legislation.

"More than 100 million people live in a state where gambling is now legal," Clark said. "Less than three years ago, that was only in Nevada."

DraftKings, FanDuel and other online betting platforms have become some of the biggest winners in the sports-betting explosion. DraftKings generated $614 million in revenue in 2020 and expects to cash in a cool $1 billion this year. FanDuel's parent company Flutter Entertainment said its 2020 betting revenue was $896 million, an 81% spike from 2019.

"This momentum has continued into 2021, including an exceptional performance during Super Bowl week that included FanDuel's sportsbook app being the third most downloaded app in the United States on game day, behind just TikTok and Robinhood," FanDuel CEO Matt King said in a statement earlier this month.

Sports leagues are also capitalizing on the sports betting explosion byselling official team datato betting companies. The NBA for example has a six-year contract with Sportradar that isreportedlyworth more than $250 million. Such contracts could easily swell to billions once more states legalize sports gambling.

If more states legalize sports betting, the potential for people to become compulsive gamblers could grow as well. There's a wide effort across the sports gambling industry to promote responsible gaming, Clark said, including the association's Have a Game Plan campaign that encourages bettors to set a budget.

Likewise, some sports betting companies areoffering tools that automatically block gamblers from using their sites too often. Online gambling platform Unibet has teamed up with U.K.-based Gamban to offer blocking software that allows users to effectively ban themselves from gambling sites across multiple devices, to help curb compulsive behavior. The software bars thousands of licensed and unlicensed gambling sites and is constantly updated to add new ones as they appear.

Any danger of addiction doesn't worry Indiana resident Isaac Puff, however, who began sports betting on DraftKings just before the pandemic started. The 36-year-old Puff said he budgets $200 a month for sports gambling and only bets more if he wins money from previous wagers.

Puff said his new sports gambling hobby has been thrilling so far, noting that he won $10,000 this year after betting $2,000 on the less-favored Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Super Bowl. Puff said he tried betting on a whim last year just to see if he could win and has been surprised at the outcome.

"Last year, I put in total about $2,000 and I walked away with $20,000," he said.

Puff said the secret to his gambling wins has been heavy research and not always picking the obvious choice.

"I have the tendency to bet on the underdog if I think they have a chance," Puff said. "To me, betting is all about data. It's all about analyzing numbers and trends."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Sports gambling has soared during the pandemic and continues to climb - CBS News

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The Dangers And Downsides Of Gambling Trap – LA Canyon News

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UNITED STATESOne of the statistics published a couple of years ago by a renowned website Overcoming Gambling reveals about fifteen million Americans display signs of gambling addiction, with the average debt incurred by a male pathological gambler being as high as $90,000. With figures such as this it is clear that millions of people find themselves sucked into the gambling trap. In fact, they are sucked into one of the biggest traps or deepest pitfalls. However, what is the mentality behind such compulsive behavior, and what is it about the pursuit of easy money that leads so many into financial woe and ruin?

Before I knew it I was taking ridiculous chances just to try and win back what Id lost.

The Trap, The Pitfall and The Risk

It is often the case that addicts of any nature claim that nobody can truly understand the nature of addiction until they have experienced it firsthand. This is certainly true in the case of Henry (whose name has been altered for legal reasons), who has spoken of his gambling experience,

I never used to understand the draws of gambling. In fact, I used to think that people who had such issues were mere idiots. Then, one day I found myself 2,000 in debt through gambling, and in serious danger if I didnt pay up, which I couldnt.

On how the situation escalated into such a serious debt, Henry said, It started out with just online betting with just five-pound notes or five dollars and it just spiraled from there. Before I knew it I was taking ridiculous chances just to try and win back what Id lost. I was lucky in the sense that I had a friend who agreed to bail me out, otherwise goodness only knows what might have happened.

Knowing When To Cut Ones Losses

With real life accounts such as this it is difficult to dispute the potential dangers and pitfalls of gambling. However, Katie Newsom, an occasional gambler based in Yorkshire, England takes a different view of the pastime:

Not everybody who partakes in gambling has a problem with it. I usually buy a lottery ticket and bet on the occasional horse race, but Im not up to my eyeballs in debt. Its all about knowing when to cut your losses. Most people who make bets realize this. Its only the minority who do not.

Perhaps then the only conclusion that can be drawn is that gambling, much like alcohol, can be enjoyed responsibly. However, also like with alcohol, the trap of addiction looms large for anyone who is susceptible to addiction.

Help for Those Addicted to Gambling

Gamblers go through the stages of victory, loss and despair. As the cycle repeats itself, the person normally gets deeper and deeper into debt. It is a natural phenomenon in human behavior.

In her book, Head Case: Treat yourself to Better Mental Health, (Headline Publishing Group, 2007) Dr Pamela Stephenson Connolly points out that while gambling affects both sexes and people from every walk of life, it may be more pronounced in young men and in individuals from lower socio-economic groups.

Signs That Gambling is Out of Control

Many people gamble but know when to stop. Here are the signs that gambling is out of control and the person addicted:

High motivation to gamble

A lot of time spent thinking about gambling

Attempts to stop have always failed

Gambling is treated as an escape from problems

Lying about the extent of the gambling

If money runs out, the gambler may commit fraud, steal, embezzle or forge money

Gambling has caused problems with relationships

Gamblers keep on chasing the losses

What Causes a Gambling Disorder

Gambling disorder has similarities to substance abuse disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Some minority groups are more likely to become involved in gambling and some people have a firm belief that they are lucky.

Dr. Pamela Stephenson Connolly says that certain biological abnormalities may be present in a person who develops an addiction to gambling. She also says that the role of the neurotransmitters in impulse-control seems to be associated with the processing of emotional information. If these are not functioning properly, the person will be unable to stop and make a wise decision over whether they should gamble.

How is Gambling Disorder Treated

The following are recommended treatments for gambling disorder even though there are several options harm Reduction programmes, psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive-behavior therapy and family therapy.

Medication can also be prescribed especially if the person suffers from a related disorder such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder or depression.

Self-Help for People with Gambling Disorder

Dr. Pamela Stephenson Connolly says there are many ways for a gambling addict to help himself. A combination of these along with conventional treatments can produce very good results. These approaches for self-help include the following measures:

Read and research and learn about what constitutes a gambling disorder;

Write a gambling history so that behavior, events and consequences are recorded;

Make a list of what triggered gambling episodes. Was it feelings of hurt, helplessness, anger or something else;

Keep a diary of the desire to gamble and rate the urge on a scale of 1 to 10;

Learn to be self-assertive;

Plan appropriate changes of behavior and new activities;

Throw out reminders of gambling such as cards, dice and books;

Block gambling websites; and

Join Gamblers Anonymous.

Gambling disorder can be defined as a crippling addiction to gambling. It helps to have family members who are willing to stand by sufferers and encourage them as they break away from the urge to gamble. Gambling addiction can be overcome but it is generally a process that has to be lived through one day at a time.

It is important to help such gamblers more who have just started to gamble and are still not in great debt or addiction. It is easy to withdraw the person from wrong doing at initial stage. It may become tough while years pass on and the person completely ruins himself.

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The Dangers And Downsides Of Gambling Trap - LA Canyon News

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Daily Archives: March 31, 2021

Plutocratic clan offers $1 billion more in bankruptcy bid to end opioid suits – JD Supra

Black Women Having Been Filing For Bankruptcy At Distressing Rates Since Last Year Heres Why – MadameNoire

Tenant bankruptcies in the COVID-19 era: tenant bankruptcy and letters of credit – Lexology

Dandy’s commission largest Welsh flag in the UK to fly when Wales can welcome visitors after lockdown – LeaderLive

10 Best Gambling Sites to Win At in 2021: A List of the Top Websites for Online Gambling in the UK by Top-BettingSites.co.uk – Yahoo Finance

How to deal with and recognizing gambling addiction – KCAU 9

Victoria invests $600000 to examine the impacts of COVID-19 on gambling – Casino Beats

One organization says it’s crucial to promote gambling resources, as it becomes easier to place sports bets in Iowa – kwwl.com

Sports gambling has soared during the pandemic and continues to climb – CBS News

The Dangers And Downsides Of Gambling Trap – LA Canyon News

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