Daily Archives: April 6, 2021

The NBA had a small slate Monday when the NCAA Championship was on TV, so the rest of the week will be packed with action from the association to make up for it, and Wednesday is no exception. Much of the slate has boring matchups between a potential playoff contender and a future lottery pick-holding team, but we do have one game that stands out for stat nerds and bettors everywhere. The Utah Jazz and the Phoenix Suns will be facing off in the late game on ESPN. Here is why this game is sports porn for bettors and fans of NBA analytics.

The Jazz and Suns are the teams with the best statistical rankings in the most predictive stat categories. NBA teams play at different paces and against different opponents, so the way to measure performance on a relative baseline is by using their production on a per-100-possession basis. Most NBA games feature slightly over 100 possessions per team, so this is a way to normalize outputs despite differences in pace and possessions that could skew averages. A team that plays at a league-average pace should outperform its scoring numbers against a faster-paced team due to having more possessions. The opposite would be true against slower-paced teams.

Therefore, the measure of how good a team is against a baseline NBA average gives you a glimpse into how well they should perform moving forward. Last year, the Miami Heat were a dual qualifier with a top-10 rank both offensively and defensively and look what they were able to accomplish.

The Suns would be having a year everyone would gush about if not for the Jazz. Phoenix is one of only three teams that qualifies with a top-10 ranking in points scored and fewest points allowed per 100 possessions. Their differential between what they score per 100 and what they allow is +7.7, more than a point ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks in third. This performance has translated into cash for their backers as the Suns own the best against-the-spread win percentage in the NBA at 65.3%. The only team to have a better differential last year was the Bucks, just to give you a point of reference.

As good as the Suns have been statistically, the Jazz are light years better. The Suns are a dual qualifier with a respectable offensive efficiency rank of fifth and defensive rank of seventh. The Jazz qualify with the top-scoring offense per 100 possessions at 119.5 and also the second-lowest points allowed per 100 at 107.7. This gives them a point differential of +11.8, almost two full points ahead of the 56-17 Bucks from last season. The Jazz are second only to the Suns in coverage percentage at 62% ATS this season. They rank first in points per 100 and point differential per 100, as well as second in points allowed and ATS coverage percentage. The Jazz have not just been good this year; they have been statistically great.

The average basketball fan might not understand how good this matchup actually is. These two teams have the best records in the NBA. Both are winning over 70% of their games. The Jazz project to be a four-point favorite on a neutral court, meaning they should end up around a two-point road favorite in Phoenix. These teams are both deep and play well on both ends.

It might be early to say this is a potential Western Conference final preview, especially if some injured players like LeBron James and Anthony Davis have anything to say about it. These teams are standing out from the rest of the league and have the statistics backing them to prove it is no fluke. If the Jazz end up being favored by anything less than -2.5, the value is there to bet on them. If at any point you can get plus money on the Jazz, back up the truck and make that bet as they are better than a coin flip to win this game.

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Gambling: A great matchup looms between Jazz and Suns, leaders of the West - Colorado Springs Gazette

The past year has been particularly tough for gambling addicts wrestling with their habit.

High street bookmakers have been closed for much of the year, but online sports betting and casinos have done a roaring trade.

During the first lockdown, gambling firms agreed to stop advertising, in recognition of the potential dangers to vulnerable people cooped up at home. That pledge hasnt been repeated in subsequent lockdowns.

Alex, 41, a company director from Lancashire, sought help from the NHS Northern Gambling Service one of only three in the country after struggling to find treatment in his area.

He has suffered from alcohol and drug addiction but said escaping gambling has been harder.

Gambling is unique. There are ways of avoiding drinking and drugs. When Im sat at home now, every other advert will be for gambling, its just everywhere during lockdown.

Theres nothing positive to look to right now and my go-to is just to escape, to get into the casino, into my little gambling world.

I live on my own with my dog and going through [the pandemic] is already difficult. To just have the odd conversation with a family member, rather than see people and get a hug, has left me feeling isolated and alone, he said.

Last year, Alex resorted to a private rehab centre in Spain but again found that his gambling problem wasnt well understood.

He said: When I returned to the UK, it was just a matter of time and it happened quickly.

I was straight back into the horses and sports [betting]. It soon turned into casinos because its just one push of the button. Id start off with a 50p each way bet on the horses and before I know it Id lost 2,000 on the casino.

Jordan from Cheshire, whose name has been changed at his request, tried various methods to give up gambling, without success.

In the bookies they have signs up [for industry-funded treatment services] but it was always just a leaflet and while youre in there, youre not looking to stop.

Lockdown made it worse because during those times some of the shops were shut so Id go online more than I would have done. You can do a lot of damage in the shops but its not like what you can do online, with 500 spins in seconds.

Jordan has attended sessions at the NHS Northern Gambling Service, which offers cognitive behavioural therapy favoured by many gambling addiction experts, and he has been bet-free for nearly eight months.

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Every other advert will be for gambling: addicts tell of lockdown struggle - The Guardian

UNITED STATESFor many individuals, gambling is a past time, a fun way to spend a small budget a month and get a good run for your money in return. Other players, have a much worse experience than others and fall down the rabbit hole of gambling addictions.

We can still recall the story of a humble gambler, an average 30-year-old shop worker that let gambling take over his life. Unfortunately, this individual spent all his well-earned money on casino fun, as gambling addictions took over his life and his pockets. This is when there was no food left on the table, and no money to buy any food to keep living a healthy life.

Gambling addicts always try and find a way to fund their gambling addictions and this is why some of them revert to credit cards. Mounting debts on credit cards is very very common, unfortunately. They are normally isolated from friends and family and gambling becomes the center of their universe just like what happened here. This is when the gambler looked himself in the mirror and admitted that he has a problem, and his future is being impacted negatively. He took control of his life and decided that a change is needed and quickly.

When we talk about gambling and players visiting new sportsbook sites, we cannot shy away from looking at the figures of gambling addictions across the US and beyond. A whopping 5 million Americans are addicted to gambling and only a mere 8% of this figure will seek help and assistance to recover from addictions. This data is derived from the National Council of Problem Gambling, an NGO that was set up in 2015.

One of the growing minorities that are facing massive gambling addictions is the Asian American community. Addictions have been the reason why people are losing their jobs, their careers, their family and overall life. Some gamblers feel that they lose so much that they are even faced with the daunting thought of suicide. Is America doing enough to target problem gambling and halt gambling addictions?

One of the main things to target gambling is starting by dividing down the figures by ethnicities. This would be a good start to try and establish where the problem lies.

Are Asian American communities more at risk than other ethnicities?

How many times do we visit a favorite online casino site and see an Asian themes slot game? Many times. The fact is that when the Lunar New Year kicks off, there is always a rise in gambling amongst the Asian American community. Another rise in gambling was also recorded with the COVID-19 pandemic and also the ample lockdowns that it brought with it.

Many Asian American Academics have come out and said that gambling activities are on the rise amongst the community. With a special focus on the Lunar New Year, gamblers are testing their luck, even more, pushing the boundaries even further and hoping to kick off the new year with a bag of gambling winnings.

Apart from the online gambling niche, Asian Americans are also being targeted to attend land-based casinos via various promotions. The adverts say that Asian Americans will be awarded free transports and other freebies, ways to swoop the gambler off their feet. This is the way that the working-class community is being targeted. The lower working class that have jobs in Chinese restaurants are being targeted, with a promise of wins being landed. The minorities being targeted include the Chinese. Filipinos, Vietnamese and also Korean American citizens.

The issue is the support that these people get. Is it enough that in California there are 206 board-certified gambling counsellors but only about 12 that speak Asian American languages? Is this enough what America is doing to mitigate the risk of risking gambling addictions amongst Asian American communities?

Can we talk about what needs to be done?

To address gambling addictions in America, one needs to draw up reports that target and highlight where the gambling addictions are stemming from. If there is an emerging issue with the Asian American community, help needs to be provided in terms of offering support targeting different languages.

Campaigns against problem gambling should be addressed and launched nationwide and there should be incentives for Asian American counselors to start operating, hence reaching more gamblers that are facing gambling addictions. This will also target the cultural backgrounds that people are raised in. Being Bilingual and also Bicultural is an important aspect to tackle and deal with gambling addictions from different ethnicities

We can all agree that gambling addictions do not just target the gambler, they also reach the families of gamblers. These also need all the support that is available. In the UK many gambling charities assist gamblers and their families, this has seen families reunited, go through problem gambling together and emerge victoriously. This is something that America would need to implement and fast, especially now that many states are looking at legalizing gambling at their respective spates.

What are the current issues?

The current issues are many and the world pandemic of COVID-19 is not helping much. Many people are staying home, and many Asian Americans are resorting to gambling. We spoke to an individual that has opted to remain anonymous. This colleague student explained that his mother has always been a gambler, a problematic one, and when the COVID pandemic started his mother started gambling more and more.

The Asian American student had to take up a job at college to start sending money home to his mother. Basic necessities started to become a burden, and so did having food on the table. The last straw was when the student had to ask for money for himself to continue living a healthy lifestyle. This is when the whole family, reunited, staged an intervention and made sure that they sought help for the mother. In the process, many money was lost. Unfortunately, many gambling addictions tend to hide their addictions, this could be due to shame, and hence once does not ask for help.

The California Gambling and Education Treatment Services provided and continue to provide ongoing free support to many people who are facing gambling addictions in California. The support services have assisted around 16 thousand people who have asked for gambling addiction treatment. A hefty 11% of that figure is the Asian American community. Part of the ongoing treatment is to allow the gamblers to be vulnerable about their addictions, talk about it in a safe space and feel supported throughout. Accepting that the addiction is present is imperative to move forward as a family unit. The treatment empowers gambling addicts to be open about their addictions, come to term with them and not shy away from the problem. Talking and sharing are all key to a healthy lifestyle and a way forward.

Studies and data show that Vietnamese and also Cambodian ethnicities in the US also need to be supported further. There is a lack of support, and these gambling addicts do need to get the help they deserve if they seek help. The needs for gambling counselors is rising and the US needs to make sure that players visiting new sportsbook sites are not doing so for the wrong reasons and just entertainment purposes.

As gambling addictions rise in the US, the best approach and a way forward would include making sure that the support is available. For the problem gambler, for the family and for anyone who seeks assistance in tackling addictions.

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Gambling Addictions In Various Ethnicities Across The US - LA Canyon News

UNITED STATESHow many times did we watch a movie and see the street of San Francisco in the background? The idyllic city is drawings many visitors on an annual basis to the picturesque setting. This is the city that hosts Alcatraz, The Golden Gate, Pier 39 and much more stuff that makes San Francisco the true gem that it is.

Whilst there is much stuff to do, see and discover in San Francisco, the land of gambling is almost non-existent. Whilst other states such as New Jersey and Las Vegas host a good amount of gambling sites for gamblers to enjoy, San Francisco is another story. Many people argue that we need to look at the quality and not quantity, and as we bring you this review about gambling in San Francisco, punters can enjoy horse racing, many card games and some very notable and worthy of a visit to gambling sites.

We all know that the American gambling scene is all about resorts. You make a trip at a gambling site resort and can enjoy top range gaming tables, a nice cocktail and even a top singer at the lobby. The Graton Resort, located in the Northern part of San Francisco delivers just that. The casino excels in poker rooms, high limit tables and also the occasional Baccarat table. Punters looking to make a weekend out of their visit will also enjoy exquisite food, spas, door service and top-notch hotel suites.

With also paying a visit to the Thunder Valley Casino and Resort that is regarded as one of the largest land-based casinos in California, down in the Sacramento area. The casino hosts slots, video games, bingo rooms, poker and other live dealer tables. Apart from this, staying at the Thunder Valley Casino, one can indulge in Spa services, buffet food, and an awesome Coconut Bar by the massive food.

Other Gambling Activities

You can stay at a resort or a hotel and choose to hit a live poker table. Alternatively, San Francisco also offers an alternative way of seeking fun: Horse racing. The Golden Gate Fields are a 140 acres track, that hosts some of the most sought after racing events in the USA. Famous events that happen here include the California Annual Derby, the Berkeley Handicap and also the San Francisco annual Miles Stakes. Needless to say, the field is packed with punters hoping for a win, and after that, you can see everyone heading over back to the gambling resorts, or enjoying a drink at the famous Turf Club.

Forget entering the Golden Gate Fields with your converse ad tattered jeans, visiting here as a top affair. Hats, suits, champagne in flutes and frilly dresses is what a day at the Fields consists of. Having held the reputation as one of the most prominent and primitive forms of gambling across the US since the 1800s, horse racing is a multi-million dollar business and gamblers and fans seek the grills of visiting on an annual basis.

The rise of Card Rooms

Whilst the US, specifically California has many laws and regulations when it comes to online and land-based gambling, the world of card rooms says a much different story. Whilst Indigenous People can operate card rooms and casinos, the 2 offer a much different experience to the player. Card Rooms offers games such as Texas Hold Em, Pai Gow, Baccarat and more card games, casinos offer you a better games variety, that goes above and beyond the standard card games in Card Rooms.

Is wagering on sports allowed?

So far in this review of gambling in San Francisco, we discussed land-based casinos, card rooms and even horse racing tracks and events, yet we never discussed the fact that some gamblers enjoy a sports bet. There are different types of punters looking for different types of bets, and to be fair, were sad to report that if you happen to be in the San Francisco area in California, you will not be allowed a sports wager. Legally that is.

There is always talk in the pipeline that sports wagering in California will be allowed soon, but how soon is the question. Nobody knows the real answer to that. In the meantime, players can also head over to a new casino site that offers sports wagering and betting. Playing online has its real benefits, one can scoop a welcome offer upon registering, start climbing the loyalty ladder, and also compete with other players via promotions and tournaments.

Whilst lawmakers are regulators work together to bring sports betting legally to California gamblers can still enjoy a bet on their favorite athlete or sporting event. And new casino sites compete to bring the best odds out there. The only issue is the choice!

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Gambling In San Francisco Is It Worth To Pay Them A Visit? - LA Canyon News

The Japan Motor Boat Racing Association has announced increased sales and users in 2020, with its Annual Report showing sales for the year topped JPY2.09 trillion (US$19 billion), an increase of 35.7% from the previous year.

The JPY500 billion (US$4.5 billion) year-on-year increase meant 2020 was the first time annual sales for boat races have broken the JPY2 trillion barrier in 28 years the last coming in 1992 when sales were JPY 2.08 trillion (US$18.9 billion).

The total number of user transactions in 2020 was 378.2 million, an increase of 8.2%.

The record high stands at JPY 2.2 trillion (US$19.9 billion), achieved in 1991, however 2020 sales figures threatened that figure for the first time in years.

Officials cited the spread of internet betting in the COVID-19 pandemic and inflow from the pachinko/pachislot industry as reasons for the strong performance, adding that 2021 has started off in a similarly impressive fashion.

The Japan Racing Association also recently announced a 3.5% increase in sales in 2020 to JPY2.9 trillion (US$26.3 billion).

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Japan's public gambling on the rise with boat racing sales up 36% in 2020 - IAG - Inside Asian Gaming

A Chicago police officer pleaded guilty Monday to his role in a multi-million dollar gambling ring in the case that led to Januarys pardon of Mettawa Mayor Casey Urlacher by then-President Donald Trump.

Nicholas Stella, 43, pleaded guilty to conspiring to conduct an illegal gambling business. He is the fifth defendant in the case to plead guilty, and the fourth since Trump pardoned Urlacher, the brother of Chicago Bears great Brian Urlacher. A CPD spokesperson said Monday that Stellas status with the department was inactive.

Back in January, U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall ordered Stella into the downtown Metropolitan Correctional Center after prosecutors alleged that he violently assaulted his girlfriend during an incident at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Rosemont.

Kendall set Stellas sentencing hearing for June 22.

A February 2020 indictment filed against Stella, Vincent Uncle Mick DelGiudice, Casey Urlacher and seven others alleged that Stella was among the agents recruited by DelGiudice, who has since admitted running a gambling ring around Chicago from 2016 until 2019.

The indictment alleged that Stella spoke to DelGiudice by phone in December 2018 to complain that a Costa Rican company paid by DelGiudice for the use of a gambling website had taken down a game. It also alleged that Stella texted DelGiudice on Jan. 22, 2019, asking him to send a message telling gamblers to settle up after the Super Bowl.

Stella shared winnings and losses with DelGiudice on a 50% basis, according to Stellas 15-page plea agreement. He also swapped text messages about gamblers with DelGiudice in December 2018, stating, Between my two big losers in Minnesota, theyve dumped 73k, according to the document.

In January, prosecutors also alleged that, after a judge issued a search warrant for Stellas phone, Stella destroyed it before we were able to execute the search warrant.

He was the only [defendant] who destroyed his phone and did not surrender it, Assistant U.S. Attorney Terry Kinney told Kendall at the time.

Kinney revealed that detail as he argued that Stella should remain behind bars following the alleged assault on Stellas girlfriend. During that hearing, Kinney also played a recording of a 911 call placed by the girlfriend after the alleged attack.

During the call, the woman sounded distraught and out of breath. She said her boyfriend had tried or threatened to kill her, choked her, stole her phone and ripped her clothes. She told the 911 operator, hes a cop, and she identified Stella by name.

Kinney said that Stella had committed repeated domestic batteries, including one in which he allegedly pulled out his gun in his girlfriends presence. After the alleged assault in Rosemont, Kinney said Stella took his girlfriends phone, accessed her text messages and posted them online so people could read them.

Though a defense attorney argued in January that Stellas girlfriend had been drinking and was on medication at the time of the alleged attack, Kendall pushed back. She called the allegations against Stella illegal, horrible and inappropriate, and she said authorities had laid out to her a pattern of three incidents of violence over a very short period of time by someone who has power and control over a vulnerable woman.

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Chicago police officer pleads guilty in sports gambling case that involved Casey Urlacher - Chicago Sun-Times

Two Alabama senators said they expect the Senate to consider a lottery bill on Wednesday, while Gov. Kay Ivey today reiterated her position that she wants Alabama voters to have their say on a lottery and other possible ways to expand and better regulate gambling.

It is clear that the people of Alabama want the opportunity to vote on the issue of gaming one way or the other, and Governor Ivey has committed to them that she is ready to dig her heels in and work with the Legislature to get that accomplished, Ivey Press Secretary Gina Maiola said in an email this morning.

Like we have shared often, Governor Ivey is actively having conversations with the Legislature and others to determine our next steps. There is gambling already happening in our state. In fact, it is rampant, and much of it is illegal. The governor feels strongly that we need to shine a bright light on these activities, control and regulate it and make sure the people of Alabama are the beneficiaries.

Maiola sent the statement in response to a question about whether the governor was developing her own gambling legislation. A bill by Sen. Del Marsh to allow voters to decide whether to allow a lottery, casinos, and sports betting fell two votes short in the Senate on March 9. Maiola mentioned that bill, SB 214, in her statement today.

Gambling is complex, and we have learned a lot, even since SB 214, Maiola said. She looks forward to engaging with the legislators on this issue. Governor Ivey ultimately supports getting solid, comprehensive gaming legislation, worthy of the voters.

Sen. Jim McClendon, R-Springville, said he expects the Senate to vote on his lottery bill on Wednesday. Marsh also said he expected McClendons bill to be on the Senate floor Wednesday.

McClendons bill would allow voters to decide whether to establish a lottery that would that would include the multi-state games like Mega Millions and Powerball, as well as an Alabama lottery. People would be able to play it on their phones.

Alabama voters last had their say on a lottery in 1999, when they rejected a plan by Gov. Don Siegelman.

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Kay Ivey ready to dig her heels in to give Alabama voters their say on gambling bill - AL.com

Esports and gambling have become the latest headline makers in Canada and the rest of the world. Every country understands that the rise of these two means great to their economy. The gaming industry is currently a vibrant niche for most investors if esports growth statistics are anything to go byas its annual gross revenues keep increasing.

It also attracts new companies from time to time hence growing into a big industry that was never thought of. Fortunately, the trends that make it better keep rising, signifying much to expect from it in the future.

Our gaming expert Michelle Thomas (check her profilehere), will help you understand these critical concepts and esports trends 2021. She will also elaborate on how they impact the industries growth. Read on to find out.

The recent years have been remarkable, considering the progress various industries have experienced. But we cant forget about the progress witnessed in the gambling industry. Player Unknown Battle Ground (PUBG), an engaging and popular game, is currently known for offering a fantastic gaming experience. It was launched into the gaming arena in 2017.

Since then, many players have joined various platforms just to play it and get the raw fun. It has outstanding graphics and requires you to fight other online players to win the game. Its a game that any Canadian player would not wish to miss on any reputable site such as Casumo.

The 12-year-old game is similar to the League of Legends, considering that it follows a similar game principle. It focuses on the gameplay rather than the game tactics, making it rank among the top easy games to play.

Even though some Canadians argue that it has a smaller number of tournaments, they like it because of the massive prizes they win from it. The money won is mostly paid out at The Annual International Championships, making it a unique game.

Minecraft is among the incredible games with more than 90 million players and an active following in Canada and globally. The game developer, Mojang, was keen on what would excite the players.

Creating Minecraft was the solution after a well-thought process. The best aspect about it is that you get different modes when playing the game, enabling you to do whatever you want.

League of Legends is undeniably one of the most exciting and fantastic games to play. Playing it will allow you to yearn for more playtime, considering how it exposes you to a world full of fun.

Its among the RPG games that will allow you to fight from the lowest level all your way up to the highest. It not only has stunning graphics but intense gameplay that will make your gaming journey worth pursuing.

When you visit the EPIC Games library, you will be astonished by the games you will find there. But there is one game that will always stand out, considering its amazing features thatsFortnite.

The game was launched in 2017, and since then, it has been giving the players a thrilling experience when they play. The best aspect is that its playable on android smartphones, Xbox One, and other fantastic gaming consoles. It is easy to play for anyone, regardless of the gaming experience. It only requires them to have some survival tactics and be good at building stuff.

At first, it didnt sound realistic to some Canadians to play their favourite games online via their smartphones. However, after some time, mobile gaming became the new norm. Today there are numerous mobile games that everyone has access to whenever they feel the urge to play.

The emergence of cryptocurrencyhas led to improved service delivery of various sectors hence leading to their prosperity. The Canadian gambling companies are ever keen on the rising trends.

Additionally, the adoption of cryptocurrency into their platforms remains their key priority moving into the future. Those that have adopted it are ahead at making transactions safer and convenient for their customers.

Other esports market trendsinclude an increase in live dealer games in most Canadian online gambling platforms. Virtual reality and Augmented reality are also becoming a new normal in gambling.

The trends alongside the fantastic games keep rising to signify that the esports market sizewill continue growing.

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The Esports and Gambling Industries in 2021: Popular Games & Continuing Trends - The Game Haus

I think the dollar signs popping up around the country, and the amount of money it brings a state, and goes into a state, he said the other day, I just think its too tough to ignore.

Uh, bingo. Like the casino business, theres just too much dough to be had, and its too painful to watch it bleed out to neighboring states such as New York, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.

Sammy P., who came aboard at NESN at the start of the year, is the first person to be placed full time in a gaming/entertainment role by a local television/cable entity. He is the space holder for what portends to be a whopping industry and potentially humongous media play.

NESN jumped out front on this one, and Sammys its guy, though for now the Red Sox/Bruins-owned network has fashioned his role, be it on air or online, as free to play and predictive rather than gambling. Its a fine line, and one that promises to vanish quickly when the gambling talk at the State House moves from in committee to real-life betting.

A quick Sam Panayotovich primer: age 32, a Chicago South Sider of Serbian descent, attended Catholic high school (Mount Carmel), then the University of Illinois before getting his undergraduate degree from Columbia College Chicago. They had a radio department, which I didnt know was a thing, he said of his switch to Columbia. I started as a radio guy.

Panayotovich began as a WGN intern in 2012, worked his way up to producing and reporting and anchoring, a run that included a five-year stint producing the Blackhawks pregame show hosted by Judd Sirott, now the Bruins play-by-play voice on 98.5 The Sports Hub.

He gets it, said Sirott. Shrewd. Big personality. Bright. And fun to hang out with. Sammys good people.

Panayotovich waded full time in the gambling pool upon leaving WGN about three years ago when he moved to Las Vegas, enticed by an offer to host a sports betting radio show.

I thought, Well, I know what Im doing on the radio, and I think I can figure the gambling thing out, he recalled. And two and two equaled four, at least at that point.

It was Rick Jaffe, briefly NESNs vice president of programming and production, who hired Panayotovich here. They had worked together in Las Vegas and it was Jaffe, who left in March to join the Sinclair Broadcast Group, who positioned him essentially as the networks betting guru in waiting.

With the Red Sox season underway, NESN viewers will see more and more of Panayotovich, building on his weekly, engaging, informative appearances during Bruins broadcasts. How much of a household name he becomes, and ultimately his length of stay, will depend on the quality of his information and where he steers those viewers who are seeking real bets.

The betting universe is packed chip-to-jowl with carnival barkers promising sure winners and endless profits. In the end, its a wins-and-losses business. If hes to have a substantial run here, Sammy P. will have to win both on the strength of personality and whether his wins outrun his losses.

As of right now, theres only one person who has a full-time sports betting job at NESN, he noted. Its exciting, but its also terrifying. In this city, if you start losing out of the gate, youre in trouble, man.

The sports industry is ever-changing. In recent decades, the major entities of free agency, billions of dollars in TV rights fees, and the evolution of analytics have been driving, transformative forces. All of these leagues today barely resemble, other than in acronym, what some of us grew up loving about sports during the quarter-century that followed World War II.

Now its legalized gamblings turn to make a profound impact, one that, as a Baby Boomer, brings me no joy. Gambling opens the door to addiction among the fan base and the possibility of corruption within the playing, officiating, and management ranks. It is kicking its way through the gate as a means of enhanced fan engagement, a way to entice more people to watch, to spend, to bet, with endless betting action that can be placed right down to the final shot, out, or tick of the clock.

Its easy to understand the seduction, because even $5 worth of skin in the game can make even a blowout a thing of beauty. Your favorite pitcher who gives up three home runs in an 8-2 loss? Fine by you if your bet was hed yield three dingers. Hes still your guy even if he finishes 2-18, provided he got jacked for two or three homers every time out. Betting changes everything.

NESN wont be alone. Its only the first, and it looks like it made a smart, engaging choice in Sammy P. Other media outlets will follow, and quickly, to feed from the advertising trough.

To ignore the change at hand would be as dunderheaded as those who felt no one would pay to watch cable TV or that the Internet never could disrupt the newspaper business.

Nope, like it or not, Massachusetts one day soon will be all in, with Gillette Stadium, TD Garden, and Fenway Park the emerald gaming tables of our sports entertainment.

When I talked to Sammy P., he was motoring along Storrow Drive, making his way downtown in a city he says he likes more each day. Hes embraced the charm of the North End, the brick, the cobblestone, all an easy walk from his apartment.

Hold on, he said over the phone, Ive hit some traffic here at Cambridge Street . . . and, uh-oh, Im doing it without GPS.

Sammy P., folks, the guy at the steering wheel of a whole new world.

Kevin Paul Dupont can be reached at kevin.dupont@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @GlobeKPD.

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Is this the future face of legalized sports gambling in Massachusetts? - The Boston Globe

The State government has decided to enact new legislation for curbing online gambling, Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai has said.

Speaking to media representatives at Kalaburagi Airport on Tuesday, he said that Home Department officials were studying laws in force for the purpose.

Online gambling is on the rise everywhere and people are increasingly falling prey to it. We need a stringent law to curb it. Some States have already taken steps to address the problem. Our officers in the Home Department are studying the laws in force there and the measures taken. They will visit a couple of more States shortly. Incorporating the best things in practice, we will prepare a draft bill and present it in the legislature, Mr. Bommai said.

To a question on the criticism that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) was trying to protect the former Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi in the CD scandal, the Home Minister said that there was no question of protecting anybody.

SIT is working impartially. It has been given a free hand to investigate the case. I have personally directed SIT to be impartial and legitimate in its task. Everything is going on as per law. There is no question of protecting anybody in the case. Investigation is moving in the right direction to unearth the truth. There is no need to be apprehensive. Those who have committed crime would go to jail. The High Court of Karnataka has also sought a report on the progress of investigation and the SIT would soon submit it, he said.

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New law to curb online gambling in the offing in Karnataka - The Hindu