Daily Archives: June 20, 2021

We live in an increasingly interconnected world, which is why a growing number of US citizens are now choosing to live and work in neighbouring Canada.

In total, approximately 660,935 eligible US voters currently live in Canada, accounting for a quarter of the 2.56 million Americans residing overseas across the world. Incredibly, there are 78,371 US citizens living in Toronto alone, which is currently more than the number who reside in Albany, New York.

Of course, Americans who are living in Canada may be unsure about whether theyre allowed to gamble online, while also being unclear about the most reputable iGaming sites in the country. Weve answered these questions below, so that you can continue to enjoy your favourites games even while overseas!

Is Online Gambling Legal in Canada?

We all know about the online gambling laws in the US, which are incredibly complex and subject to constant tweaks and changes at both individual state and federal level.

To date, online casino gambling has been legalised in five different states, namely New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Michigan and West Virginia. Its unclear how many states are likely to follow suit in the near-term, although New York and California have been attempting to push through iGaming bills for years without success.

The outlook is slightly different for corporeal, online and mobile sports betting in the states, with more than 20 local authorities having legalised this practice since the PAPSA legislation was struck down by the Supreme Court in May 2018.

This law had previously prohibited sports betting at federal level, so the decision to reverse it was seen as a huge victory for pro-gambling lobbyists nationwide.

While the regulatory outlook in Canada may feature one or two grey areas, its considerably easier to understand than the US alternative. In fact, the iGaming laws in Canada mirror those that are prevalent across much of the western world, apart from particularly mature markets such as the UK.

More specifically, Canadas online gambling laws dont specifically prohibit the practice of wagering via the Internet, enabling natives and US ex-pats to gamble freely at a site thats owned and licensed by a provincial government authority.

However, the lack of specific legislation that prohibits individual players from gambling online has also opened the market to offshore operators from well-regulated jurisdictions across the globe, with more than 1,000 such sites currently offering their services to Canadian residents.

For example, theres a large number of Malta-based operators currently offering slots and similar casino games to Canadian residents, while UK brands have also continued to claim a viable share of this burgeoning market in recent times.

So, Americans are perfectly free to wager their hard-earned cash and gamble at online casinos when residing north of the border, so long as they focus on reputable oversees operators and avoid domestic gambling sites.

How to Find a Reputable and Licensed Casino as an American in Canada

Of course, identifying reputable international operators represents the first stage of finding the best online casino in Canada, as you also need to compare the market in greater detail in order to ensure that you achieve the best possible value for your money.

Fortunately, independent comparison sites such as Casimoose offer a comprehensive insight into the Canadian iGaming market, enabling you to identify operators that are both licensed to operate within the space and capable of offering an enhanced online gambling experience.

The site provides comprehensive and balanced reviews of the best online casinos in Canada, based on various factors from live welcome offers and security to the quality of customer service providers (well have a little more on this later in the piece).

Not only this, but youll also find independent user reviews and an overall rating for each operator, while the platform promotes market-leading casinos each and every month.

What really sets this site apart is the way in which it aggregates information and standardises its reviews, so that you can easily compare different operators and make an informed decision.

This translates into more informed and assured decisions, ensuring that Americans can make the most of their iGaming experience despite being relatively new to the Canadian market.

What to Look for in an Online Casino in Canada?

While you can utilise sites such as Casimoose to compare Canadian casinos and collate important information, its important to prioritise this data and base your final decision on the factors that are most relevant to you.

In general terms, however, wed argue that one of the most important considerations is the level of security offered by each individual site.

For example, all licensed casino sites should feature 128-bit SSL encryption as a way of protecting each customers financial information. However, the very best sites in Canada should also have been independently certified by eCOGRA, which means that theyre proven to provide fair, transparent and safe gaming to customers across all verticals.

Another important consideration is the welcome bonus on offer, as this can vary wildly in terms of structure and value. Typically, most offers of this type take the form of a deposit match up to a predetermined value, while it may also be augmented by a finite number of free spins.

The key is to compare real-time welcome offers through the Casimoose site, paying particular attention to the total value of the bonus and the wagering requirements in place.

These requirements create an amount of cash that youll have to play through before unlocking any potential winnings, while theyre usually expressed as a multiplier of the total bonus value. So, be sure to calculate this cost ahead of time while appraising the precise timeframe in which the wagering requirements must be met.

The Last Word

In many ways, the Canadian iGaming market is more favourable than the US alternative from a player perspective, especially in terms of clarity and the range of international operators on offer.

Not only this, but online winnings are completely tax-free in Canada, while theres a 25% levy applied to earnings accrued in the US.

To fully capitalise on these advantages as an American ex-pat, however, youll need to objectively identify the best casino operators, using independent data and authentic player reviews.

Youll also have to compare the metrics that are most relevant to you, while paying particular attention to welcome bonuses and the security measures deployed by operators.

Read more:

Gambling as a US Citizen in Canada What do You Need to Know? - Santa Clarita Valley Signal

While Massachusetts lawmakers have been slow-walking proposals to legalize sports betting over the last three years, the revenue and jobs that the activity could provide have passed Massachusetts by, supporters told the Joint Committee on Economic Development on Thursday.

Legal sports betting has proliferated around the country, including in nearby states like Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire and New York.

"This is something that's already happening in our state illegally or it's something that residents of our state are just going just over the border and taking care of and are participating in," said Plainville Select Board Chair Brian Kelly, whose town borders Rhode Island. "And it's nothing but a loss to our communities and our state in terms of revenue and job opportunities."

Up north, near the New Hampshire border, the story is the same, Ipswich Rep. Brad Hill said. For DraftKings, 30% of the company's sports bettors in New Hampshire over the last year have had Massachusetts addresses, a company official said.

"They're going right by our mom and pop stores, our restaurants, and they're staying in New Hampshire. They're shopping in New Hampshire and all that revenue, unfortunately, is going to New Hampshire, not Massachusetts," Hill said.

While 30 states have authorized gamblers to place legal bets on sports in some fashion, Massachusetts has been considering whether to similarly expand gambling here since the U.S. Supreme Court in May 2018 ruled that the nearly nationwide prohibition on sports wagering was unconstitutional and gave states the ability to legalize the activity. Meanwhile, illicit gambling continues to attract bettors in Massachusetts as well.

Sue O'Connell sat down with State Sen. Brendan Crighton, who is refiling a bill on Beacon Hill to legalize sports betting.

Massachusetts also has the DraftKings factor to consider -- the daily fantasy sports-turned-sports betting giant was founded in Watertown and keeps a headquarters in Boston. In his testimony Thursday, co-founder and CEO Jason Robins told the committee that he would like to expand his company in Massachusetts, but legally cannot base certain sports-betting employees here unless the activity is legal.

"We are hopeful to have the opportunity to operate in every state and, in order to do so, until Massachusetts authorizes sports betting, we will continue to locate certain teams and functions outside of the Commonwealth," he wrote in his prepared remarks. "We urge the legislature to move swiftly so that the Commonwealth can more quickly realize the economic benefits -- and consumers can realize the safeguards and protections -- of a robust, legal sports wagering market."

Supporters of legalizing sports betting are vocal about it and outright opposition to the idea is much more rare. Plenty of people and groups, though, oppose some sports betting -- like wagers on collegiate contests -- and others focus more on ensuring measures would be in place to mitigate the social and public health impacts of legal wagering without explicitly supporting or opposing its legalization.

Sports betting giant Draftkings unveiled its new headquarters Tuesday in Bostons Copley Square.

The overwhelming majority of the testimony heard during Thursday's committee hearing was in support of sports betting in one form or another, though not all supporters agreed on the fine details of their preferred bills. The first testimony from someone in direct opposition to sports betting did not come until the hearing was already five hours old.

Les Bernal, a former aide to former Massachusetts state senator and expanded gambling opponent Susan Tucker who now leads the national nonprofit Stop Predatory Gambling, told the committee that commercialized sports betting "would further extend the institutionalized racism of state-sanctioned gambling and how it has reconfigured Massachusetts's tax code to benefit whites at the expense of black and brown people."

Between the Massachusetts Lottery and legal casino gambling in the Bay State, players already lose $2 billion worth of personal wealth to state-sanctioned gambling each year, Bernal said. That works out to $5.5 million each day or $3,805 every minute. In the next five years, Massachusetts gamblers are on track to lose more than $10 billion on just the gambling opportunities that are currently available.

"A disproportionate amount of that $10 billion will be lost by the state's black and brown citizens, further intensifying the outflow of personal wealth from these communities who are already the most targeted by gambling operators," he wrote in his testimony.

The issue of racial equity in sports betting came up earlier in Thursday's hearing when Sen. Adam Gomez and Rep. Orlando Ramos pitched their bill, which would allow bars, restaurants and establishments like American Legion or VFW halls to offer sports betting to their customers via kiosks managed by licensed operators.

Ramos also likened the possible legalization of sports betting to the state's recent legalizations of casino gambling and non-medical marijuana and said Massachusetts "may have missed the boat" on ensuring those industries are diverse and inclusive.

"There are no Black- and brown-owned casinos in the commonwealth. And, despite the effort of many legislators, there are very few Black- and brown-owned marijuana businesses. That tells us that we have to be intentional in allowing Black and brown businesses a fair opportunity to benefit from this new multi-billion dollar industry," Ramos said. "Our bill allows for bars and restaurants to offer in-person betting. If we do not allow this provision into the final bill, it would monopolize sports betting to casinos and online apps, none of which, to my knowledge, are owned by Black and brown owners."

Thursday's hearing also brought back to the forefront an issue that was first debated more than two years ago -- whether Massachusetts should allow betting on college sports.

Among those who told the committee to shield college athletics from legal sports betting Thursday was Jerry York, the legendary Boston College men's ice hockey coach. York testified on behalf of the college, which strongly opposes collegiate betting.

"The players we work with are 18 to 22 and there's no benefit at all to them if this passes for colleges. I would strongly hope that, like Connecticut and Rhode Island and some of our neighboring states, that the colleges will be excluded from this bill," York said. "I think it'd be a huge Pandora's box of problems for us."

Sen. Brendan Crighton, who has filed sports betting bills this session and last, said it is imperative to allow collegiate betting -- though his own bill would not allow bets on Massachusetts colleges or universities "out of deference for our higher education institutions" -- if Massachusetts is truly going to lure people away from the existing illicit market.

"If we do not include college sports we will not be able to bring folks into the regulated market and away from their current platforms," he said.

Though there were 19 sports betting bills on the committee's agenda Thursday, it's very unlikely that any single one of them will advance in its current form as the vehicle of choice if or when the Legislature considers sports betting. Instead, the Economic Development Committee is more likely to assemble its own omnibus sports betting bill drawing aspects from the various different proposals, members said Thursday.

The bills differ when it comes to details like the tax rate, licensing fees and the number of possible betting licenses, but nearly all of the bills filed in Massachusetts would put sports betting under the auspices of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, require bettors be at least 21 years old and be physically present in Massachusetts, allow both in-person and mobile betting, and would include consumer safeguards to protect against problem gambling similar to those provisions put in place for casinos when Massachusetts expanded gaming in 2011.

On Wednesday, the Mass. Gaming Commission's Office of Research and Responsible Gaming published a white paper outlining its responsible gaming framework and mapping out how it could apply to sports wagering. The policy paper found that there was "no significant change in gambling participation on sports wagering from 2013 to 2019" in Massachusetts but noted an uptick in online gambling participation in 2016, when daily fantasy sports first became legal here.

The paper recommends that any sports betting legislation include "positive play" supports like automated budget alerts and "cool off" periods, restrict the use of multiple accounts and prohibit credit card use, limit where and how betting firms can advertise and commit to data reporting and research.

"Because sports wagering is predictive of concurrent and future problem gambling behavior, it is crucial for there to be measures to support safer levels of play and mitigate gambling-related harm," MGC Director of Research and Responsible Gaming Mark Vander Linden said.

Vander Linden's report also keyed off a study that was presented to gaming regulators earlier this year, which found that Massachusetts gamblers mostly know how and when to control their betting, but they generally have a medium or low level of understanding of the games they play and the risks that are inherent to them.

The study of 1,512 Massachusetts gamblers found two particular areas of focus for Massachusetts regulators and responsible gaming advocates: young players and people who play several types of games regularly.

Auditor Suzanne Bump also submitted testimony Thursday in which she did not take a position on the issue but encouraged lawmakers "to keep in mind the accountability mechanisms necessary to ensure integrity, security and consumer protection, and their cost, should you decide to move forward in this area."

The gaming commission itself remains neutral in the sports betting debate, but Executive Director Karen Wells told the committee Thursday that the commission is doing what it can now to prepare for the possibility that it is charged with regulating sports betting and to get ready to make betting a reality if or when it is legalized.

"We recognize that there is a significant interest in getting this going. I hear these representatives and senators talking about the finances and the money to the commonwealth, so we recognize there's a public interest in us getting going as soon as we can," she said.

Read the original here:

Lawmakers Hear Hours of Testimony on Legalized Sports Betting in Mass. - NBC10 Boston

Twitch streamer Ludwig has revealed what he thinks one of the problematic parts of sponsored gambling streams is after Adin Ross accidentally leaked his earnings while live on stream.

Adin Ross and Ludwig bumped heads in May when Adin slammed Ludwig and his friends for disrespecting his viewers during a live stream, calling them unfunny streamers and claiming that only fat, pimple-faced four-eyed people with social problems watched them.

Although Ludwig reached out privately to try and diffuse the situation, the drama continued after many claimed Adin almost called him a homophobic slur, and floods of hate started to pour into Ludwigs stream.

In a June 9 Twitch stream, Adin managed to accidentally leak some private messages with Duelbits that suggested his group was getting paid around $1.6 million for gambling streams, which stunned many fans.

Now in his June 18 stream, Ludwig has shared what he thinks one of the key issues with some gambling streams are.

I think gambling as a whole is fine, he said, I think what can be problematic is sponsored gambling streams where its perceived that the person is gambling their own money, but theyre instead gambling money they were paid for.

Didnt Adin Rosss contract get leaked and he was said to have been paid like $1.6 million across all of his friends to gamble? Which is crazy, thats f**king nuts that hes making that amount of money, and the reason hes making that amount of money is one, because he has a giant user base, but two, because the casinos plan to make it back.

Ludwig then reminded viewers that he himself is also sponsored by Americas Cardroom for poker, and that hes sponsored to gamble on stream, but that any blackjack he does is always his own money.

Its not beef, I mean I think its fine, I am literally also sponsored to gamble on stream, I play poker for money, he said.

It doesnt seem as though Ludwig is looking to reignite any drama with Adin, but it goes to show how many streamers are getting sponsored to gamble while live on stream.

Original post:

Ludwig explains the problem with sponsored gambling streams after Adin Ross leaks deal - Dexerto

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO, or CS:GO) has become one of the most popular esports in the world. It has been around since 2012, and continues to receive regular updates from Valve. According to Statista, the number of concurrent players of CSGO on Steam in 2020 peaked at 1.3 million. Skins and coins in the game have gained significant economic value, to the point where you can wager them on CSGO gambling websites. How does it all work? Well break it down for you in this 101 guide.

The update that led to the CSGO skins economy was introduced in August 2013, and was called Arms Deal. Ever since its inception, that economy has continued to grow.

Steam runs on an open application program interface (API). As a result, it is possible for players to open accounts on third-party sites, link up those accounts to their Steam accounts, and access their skins and coins.

That means that it is possible to sign up on online betting sites that let you gamble with your skins and coins.

Here are a few reasons to give this type of wagering a try:

CSGO gambling sites bring together the worlds of video games, esports betting, and casino games. Here are some of the games and activities you can participate in while wagering your CSGO skins and coins:

Those are just a few examples. Some other types of games you can wager on include CSGO crash, CSGO raffle, CSGO minesweep, and CSGO low betting jackpots. With so much variety, there is something for everyone.

There are numerous websites now offering various CSGO gambling games, including CSGO 500, CSGO Empire, and Duelbits.

You will want to be selective about the sites you join. They accept different deposit and withdrawal methods, so you will need to choose one that offers payment methods that work for you. Plus, as mentioned previously, sites take commission for some games, like coinflip. Ideally, you want to pick sites that take the lowest commissions.

But signing up on multiple sites is a great way to get access to more games and bonuses (including free spins, free bonus cash, and more).

Also, keep in mind that not every CSGO betting site accepts customers from every region. You will need to find one that accepts players from your country. You can attempt to use a VPN as well, but some sites may catch onto this.

Once you find a site where you want to wager, getting started is simple:

1. Navigate to the betting site you want to use.

2. Sign in using your Steam account.

3. Start playing using your skins and coins.

That wraps up our guide to CSGO betting. Consider giving fun games like CSGO roulette and CSGO crash a try. No matter what, you will have a fun time, and who knows? Maybe you will get lucky.

Read the original:

CSGO Gambling 101: How to Wager CSGO Coins and Skins - VGR.com

The return of international football tournaments in front of a live crowd is worth cheering, with the star power of Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe bringing fans out in droves tobars and pubs eagerto make up for a lost pandemic year.

Less cheerful is the fact many fans remain glued to their screens wherever they are judging by the boomin online gambling fueled by the easy smartphone betting and seductive advertising that captivated manyduring lockdown. With awareness of mental health, stress and thepublic-health costs of gambling addictionon the rise amid Covid-19, its a cue to consider whether current rules are tough enough.

Having a captive audience with cash to spare has been good for business: France, whose national team is the bookmakers favourite to win the UEFA European Football Championship, posted a record 2.2 billion euros ($2.6 billion) inonline sporting bets in the first three months of the year. The U.K., Europes top online gambling market, is also breaking records with events like the Grand National horserace. Shares ofLadbrokes owner Entain Plc and lottery operator La Francaise des Jeux have soared on rising profits.

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Yet if the camaraderie of a tentpole sports event is increasingly linked to quick-firebets everywhere, its also thanks to a flood of breezy promotions, ads, time-limited bets and celebrity sponsorships thatincitepeople to bet with few reminders of the risks. While amix ofrules and voluntary restraint from the operators themselves are supposed to keep things in check, its time to heed persistent warnings from public-health experts that children and problem gamblers arent being protected enough.

The content of these ads can cross the line: One recently-scrapped betting campaign in France depicted a young winner carried aloft through his neighbourhood as his elders respectfully kneeled before him. But even less egregious ads give off unrealistic vibes of skills-based windfalls thathardly reflect reality. Industry heavyweights gross margins of more than40% show the house has a tendency to win.If youre playing more, youre losing more, Ladbrokess former boss said last year, adding that 99% of his customers lost.

Branding and advertising that aim to normalize gambling and sports betting have succeeded through ubiquitous logos and tweets. Measures like a voluntary whistle-to-whistle ban on in-match television advertising in the U.K.,where the industry spends 1.5 billion pounds ($2 billion) a year,mean little next to social media and team sponsorships.Top psychiatrists have warned its a public-health risk reminiscent oftobacco ads.

Operators are keen to promote what their business gives back to the economy: The European Gaming and Betting Association says its members in 2019 held 145 licenses across the continent andinvested 107.1 million euros in sport sponsorships. That wont go unnoticedpost Covid-19. New York GovernorAndrew Cuomo sees sports betting as a way to boosttax, while huge losses racked up by the likes of the U.K.s Premier League will need filling.

But at a time when athletes are becoming more outspoken over the products they sponsor, and as social attitudes even in bet-friendly Britain are hardening against glitzy gambling promotions, momentum is likely tobuild behind tougher rules. Focusing solely on education and research to preserve individual responsibility isnt going to cut it when data suggeststhe problem gamblingcouldaffect almost 1.4 million Brits.

An outright ban on gambling advertising, as seen in Italy, isnt likely to see wide take-up and might work better as a threat than reality. But a ban ongamblingsponsorships ofsports teams, approved in Spain and under review in the U.K., could gain traction. Right now, too much responsibility lies in the hands of individual clubs that cant easily afford to turn down 5 to 10 million pounds.Norwich City recently ended its deal with online casino BK8 after fan uproarover the companys sexualized marketing materials.

Gambling companies might protest, but they may also appreciatea releveling of the marketing playing field against rivals. But the real pressure, as sports-marketing expert Richard Dentonof the Johan Cruyff Institute points out, will be onthe soccer teams whose attempts at pulling other revenue levers (such as the Super League) havent always worked.When Formula 1s tobacco sponsorship ended in2005, it sparked a business-model revamp to make up for the shortfall. Other sports will need time and support to make similar changes.

Any new rules should be imposed carefully, and fairly,but given the social harms at stake, theyre worth a punt.

Read more:

The house always wins in online gambling - HT Tech

SINGAPORE: Youre a teenager with S$50 to spare, and rather than clothes or gadgets for yourself, you decide to spend on your favourite online game specifically, your character or avatar.

You could buy a fancy costume or sword. But you choose loot boxes instead, which contain random items of varying rarity depending on your luck.

You might get something worth, say, 10 times more than the few dollars you paid. But most boxes come up empty or contain common items and you buy one after another, until finally you win something.Your screen explodes with virtual fireworks. It feels like winning the lottery.

So you do it again and again hooked on the pursuit of big prizes. Its an all-too-familiar scenario for gamers like Jasman Choo.

At 15, he started playing Team Fortress 2 every day. The game rewarded him with mystery crates as he played, and he bought keys worth US$2.49 (S$3.35) from the in-game store to open them.

He estimates he must have opened over 250 crates, each time finding items inside that were worth around US$3 to US$5 meagre by gamers standards.

I kept thinking the next one would be the one, since I did not get anything (valuable) in the previous 50 crates, 100 crates, 150 crates, he said. But it never happened.

Then he chanced upon a third-party website one that let him bet his in-game items on games like roulette, with a chance to double or triple the items value.

I started off with (putting in) a S$5 item, then after about 30 minutes it became S$200, Jasman said. I kept winning, winning, winning.

What made it easier to throw caution to the wind was that these games didnt involve actual cash, just pixels on the screen.

GONE IN 30 SECONDS

But then came the time he lost real-world money.

He had moved on to playing Dota 2 by then, and had just bought a S$200 skin (the term for a cosmetic item like a characters costume) from a friend. The first thing I thought of was the third-party website, he said. All I remembered was how easy it was to double whatever I put in.

Indeed, he won at first that S$200 value became S$1,800 that he could trade for game items.

The one item he really wanted, however, cost S$2,000. So he came up with a plan to reach that target instead of betting everything on one roll of the dice so to speak, he thought hed be smart and trade in for four items of smaller value, that he could bet one by one.

But, I lost on the first three, recounted Jasman, now 24. When it came down to the final item, I thought: Theres no way I can lose four times in a row. So I put it in and it was gone.

He could have stopped there, with only virtual losses. But I was so triggered, I went to buy an item that cost S$1,000, and I gambled it all in one shot. It was gone in 30 seconds.

In one night, hed lost a small fortune in real, hard cash.

Jasmans story is just the tip of the iceberg. Another Singaporean young gamer, who spoke to CNA Insider on condition of anonymity, told of how hed racked up some S$20,000 on his parents mobile phone bills mostly from buying loot boxes.

WATCH: How loot boxes can turn gamers into gamblers (11:47)

The addiction got so bad that he once even stole money to help pay for the bills. He eventually stopped cold turkey and sold off his three gaming accounts for about US$100 each less than 5 per cent of the actual total Id spent gaming, he said.

IT SEEMS SO INNOCENT

The insidious dangers of loot boxes and the link to gambling addiction has been a growing worry worldwide, with Belgium outlawing loot boxes altogether, the Netherlands banning some types, and others like China and Japan enacting regulation.

But few gamers start off opening loot boxes aware of the rabbit hole they could fall into.

The opening of loot boxes seems so innocent. It doesnt look like gambling at all, said Jasman. It looks like opening a present.

Game-makers incorporate concepts from the gambling world to make their games addictive they condition gamers the same way that a jackpot machine prize evokes a sense of excitement, said Yeo Hui Teng, a social worker with Fei Yue Community Services.

She pointed out that the use of in-game currency is also a psychological trick that game-makers use to create a buffer, so that you dont realise how much money you are actually spending.

There are other mindgames at play.

Raja Khairulanwar, 29, used to play a Genshin Impact, a gacha game (another term for games with loot box features) that encourages you to keep gacha-ing for a chance to get rare and powerful characters.

The base odds of getting a super-rare box are 0.6 per cent, but this does not deter players. And many gacha games purposely offer limited-time-only items to work on your fear of missing out, he added.

Then there is the peer pressure cited by several gamers when playing with friends, to try to obtain a certain skin for ones character to fit in with how everyone else looks.

Thats when one might turn to the third-party websites that entice gamers to trade in skins, wager them on esports, or gamble them on casino-type games.

Because players draw their earnings as virtual game items rather than cash at many of these websites, they fall in a grey area not covered by anti-gambling laws.

But what starts out seeming relatively harmless could lead to something that is not.

Our concern is that these gamers are very young, and this might end up normalising gambling for them, said Nicholas Khoo, founder of the Singapore Cybersports and Online Gaming Association and a member of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG).

And the more favourable odds offered in some of these social casino games may give the false perception that if you took part in real gambling, you might end up winning.

THE LINE BETWEEN LOVE AND ADDICTION

One warning sign that gambling within a game could become a larger, uncontrollable problem like addiction, is when one loses control of how much time and money one spends on games at the expense of other things such as eating, sleeping and studying, said Hui Teng.

Developing strong feelings for ones in-game characters is another warning sign. In Genshin Impact, said Raja, they make you feel for the characters by making you part of the story, then they slowly push you to the gacha mechanics.

These games have very cute or handsome characters. By getting you so invested, youre willing to spend your money just for a chance to build the image of your perfect guy or girl, he added.

A third warning sign is when chasing the endorphin thrill of finding out whats inside a loot box supersedes the reward itself.

Ryan Tan, 19, whose first encounter with loot boxes was in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive seven years ago, reckons: I would have spent more than S$1,000 (on them). Maybe I only got back S$200 worth of skins? Thats a net loss of about S$800.

The chances of getting a good skin or making a profit are low but the thrill makes me want to try again.

One explanation for this is selective amnesia, noted Raja. The feeling of being at your lowest low when youve lost is usually temporary, he said; once you recover, youre ready and raring to go again.

REAL-WORLD CONSEQUENCES

For undergraduate Jen Tan, 23, an online role-playing game became her escape from real life, including when she had depression. I would just play MapleStory instead of going to school, she said.

My daily tasks were things I needed to do in the game. And when I talked to people in the game, that was my social interaction. You get all your fulfilment online.

That fulfilment included gacha rewards. In the game, players buy gachapon tickets to exchange for randomised items. Jen once spent so much on these that she had zero dollars in her bank account I had to borrow money from my boyfriend to eat.

Once gamers find themselves trapped in a compulsive cycle of opening mystery boxes, some might even land themselves in debt. As Hui Teng noted: Youve already spent so much time and energy on this game. You dont want to give it up, even though it might be causing you harm.

The long-term effects are harder to pin down. A number of gamers told CNA they had not gone on to try real-world gambling. But Jasman says his wagering habit has carried over to other areas of his life as hes grown up.

Now its reached a point where I just love taking monetary risks. Having money and not doing anything is so stagnant. I just have this need to do something with it, be it gambling or buying bitcoin, he said.

Its hard to blame the game, but it kind of started the habit.

CURBING THE ADDICTION

What can parents do if they recognise any of the signs above in their teenagers who are into online games?

First take time to understand why their child loves the game and how it works, even if parents might not agree with it, says Hui Teng, rather than just tell them to stop.

Having that understanding will open up conversations and allow them to work something out with the child, such as setting reasonable time or spending limits, she said. Gaming and spending money in games in itself isnt a bad thing Where we draw the line is when it gets out of control.

Nicholas, a father of four, likewise urges parents to play the games with their child.

If these advocate a certain activity that you may not agree with, youre there to see it for yourself, and to point it out and help your kid along, he said. Parents can also use filter software tools, he added.

Secondly, parents should identify if their child is using games to meet some real-life need then help them with that. Parents, teachers, they are all the first line of defence, said Hui Teng.

Youths who need help can also be referred to eC2, a text-based online counselling platform run by para-counsellors from Fei Yue Community Services.

At a national level, said Nicholas, NCPG has observed a number of countries strengthening their industry regulation such as South Korea and China, which have made game developers disclose the odds in their loot boxes.

One game developer believes that industry players can work with their community to ensure loot boxes arent predatory.

What makes a loot box predatory is when theres no end in sight to how much the player spends to get the desired item, said Justin Hulog, Riot Games Southeast Asias general manager.

The counter to that is an option for players to buy a loot box item outright an idea that was, in fact, suggested to the company by gamers; or to set a time limit by which players will definitely get the sought-after item.

He also noted: Riot Games works to collectively implement things like anti-addiction timers in the games all over Southeast Asia in high-regulation environments such as Korea, China and Vietnam, which have strict anti-addiction laws.

Still, some gamers believe that kicking the addiction has to boil down to ones own self-control and discipline.

If you just take down this website, another website will come out. You need to change your own habits, said Ryan, who picked up regular exercise to curb his gaming addiction. People say to cut off bad habits, you need to replace them with a good habit.

As Jasman put it: Its so easy to fall into the trap of putting in a bit more money to try to get back what you lost. Its not easy to quit.

On the other hand, who will stop when theyre winning? So if you dont stop when youre winning, and you dont stop when youre losing when do you stop?

Where to get help:

ec2.sgFei Yue Community Services online counselling

1800-377-2252 and touch.org.sgTOUCHLine (Counselling)

betterinternet.sgMedia Literacy Council

This article by CNA Insider was done in collaboration with the National Council on Problem Gambling.

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'I spent $20000 of my parents' money on mystery boxes': When lines between gaming and gambling are blurred - CNA

The return of international football tournaments in front of a live crowd is worth cheering, with the star power of Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe bringing fans out in droves tobars and pubs eagerto make up for a lost pandemic year.

Less cheerful is the fact many fans remain glued to their screens wherever they are judging by the boomin online gambling fueled by the easy smartphone betting and seductive advertising that captivated manyduring lockdown. With awareness of mental health, stress and thepublic-health costs of gambling addictionon the rise amid Covid-19, its a cue to consider whether current rules are tough enough.

Having a captive audience with cash to spare has been good for business: France, whose national team is the bookmakers favorite to win the UEFA European Football Championship, posted a record 2.2 billion euros ($2.6 billion) inonline sporting bets in the first three months of the year. The U.K., Europes top online gambling market, is also breaking records with events like the Grand National horserace. Shares ofLadbrokes owner Entain Plc and lottery operator La Francaise des Jeux have soared on rising profits.

Yet if the camaraderie of a tentpole sports event is increasingly linked to quick-firebets everywhere, its also thanks to a flood of breezy promotions, ads, time-limited bets and celebrity sponsorships thatincitepeople to bet with few reminders of the risks. While amix ofrules and voluntary restraint from the operators themselves are supposed to keep things in check, its time to heed persistent warnings from public-health experts that children and problem gamblers arent being protected enough.

Shares of Ladbrokes owner Entain and France's lottery operator have soared

Source: Bloomberg

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The content of these ads can cross the line: One recently-scrapped betting campaign in France depicted a young winner carried aloft through his neighborhood as his elders respectfully kneeled before him. But even less egregious ads give off unrealistic vibes of skills-based windfalls thathardly reflect reality. Industry heavyweights gross margins of more than40% show the house has a tendency to win.If youre playing more, youre losing more, Ladbrokess former boss said last year, adding that 99% of his customers lost.

Branding and advertising that aim to normalize gambling and sports betting have succeeded through ubiquitous logos and tweets. Measures like a voluntary whistle-to-whistle ban on in-match television advertising in the U.K.,where the industry spends 1.5 billion pounds ($2 billion) a year,mean little next to social media and team sponsorships.Top psychiatrists have warned its a public-health risk reminiscent oftobacco ads.

Operators are keen to promote what their business gives back to the economy: The European Gaming and Betting Association says its members in 2019 held 145 licenses across the continent andinvested 107.1 million euros in sport sponsorships. That wont go unnoticedpost Covid-19. New York GovernorAndrew Cuomo sees sports betting as a way to boosttax, while huge losses racked up by the likes of the U.K.s Premier League will need filling.

But at a time when athletes are becoming more outspoken over the products they sponsor, and as social attitudes even in bet-friendly Britain are hardening against glitzy gambling promotions, momentum is likely tobuild behind tougher rules. Focusing solely on education and research to preserve individual responsibility isnt going to cut it when data suggeststhe problem gamblingcouldaffect almost 1.4 million Brits.

Andrea Felsted: BottlegateShows Limit of Sports Influencers

An outright ban on gambling advertising, as seen in Italy, isnt likely to see wide take-up and might work better as a threat than reality. But a ban ongamblingsponsorships ofsports teams, approved in Spain and under review in the U.K., could gain traction. Right now, too much responsibility lies in the hands of individual clubs that cant easily afford to turn down 5 to 10 million pounds.Norwich City recently ended its deal with online casino BK8 after fan uproarover the companys sexualized marketing materials.

Gambling companies might protest, but they may also appreciatea releveling of the marketing playing field against rivals. But the real pressure, as sports-marketing expert Richard Dentonof the Johan Cruyff Institute points out, will be onthe soccer teams whose attempts at pulling other revenue levers (such as the Super League) havent always worked.When theFormula 1s tobacco sponsorship ended in2005, it sparked a business-model revamp to make up for the shortfall. Other sports will need time and support to make similar changes.

Any new rules should be imposed carefully, and fairly,but given the social harms at stake, theyre worth a punt.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

To contact the author of this story:Lionel Laurent at llaurent2@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story:Melissa Pozsgay at mpozsgay@bloomberg.net

Before it's here, it's on the Bloomberg Terminal.

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Euro 2020 Betting Tip: The Odds Are in Favor of the House - Bloomberg

Opening day for sports betting in Washington tribal casinos edged closer June 10 when state regulators approved critical agreements with 15 tribes.

Without debate, the Washington State Gambling Commission backed amendments to each of the tribes gambling compacts, which spell out how wagering can be conducted in casinos as well as in adjacent hotels, conference centers and entertainment venues.

Those agreements still need approval from the governor and federal authorities, but odds are you will be able to place bets on most college and professional sporting events before the Seattle Seahawks begin the NFL regular season in September.

The 15 federally recognized tribes whose compact amendments were approved June 10 by the commission are the Tulalips, Stillaguamish, Suquamish, Snoqualmie, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Cowlitz, Jamestown SKlallam, Kalispel, Lummi, Muckleshoot, Puyallup, Shoalwater Bay, Spokane, Squaxin, and Swinomish.

The Commissions action is a big win, not just for tribal communities but for all Washington state residents, Rebecca George, executive director of the Washington Indian Gaming Association, said in a statement.

By fitting sports betting into the existing and proven tribal gaming system, the state has ensured that sports betting revenues will stay in Washington and will go towards uplifting historically marginalized communities, while creating local jobs, boosting the state economy and funding critical services for those in need, George said.

Washington passed a sports wagering law in 2020. It allows wagering on professional, collegiate, international and Olympic sports, as well as e-sports. It bars bets on in-state college teams, minor league sports and high school or youth sports.

Under the proposed agreements, bets will be allowed in a sports book environment similar to what one might see in a Las Vegas casino as well as at kiosks on a gaming floor. Also, gamblers will be able to set up accounts so they can place bets from a mobile device.

The device would allow wagers elsewhere on the premises of casino properties. That could extend wagering options into hotels, conference rooms and entertainment spaces attached to a casino. But wagers would not be allowed on golf courses and in convenience stores that are not directly attached to a casino.

The proposed compact amendments must now be signed by Gov. Jay Inslee and the leader of each tribe. After that, they go to the secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior.

A compact amendment is not final, and sports wagering cannot begin until it is published by the agency in the Federal Register. The federal agency has 45 days to act. If no action is taken, a compact amendment is considered approved and published on the 46th day.

The Tulalip Tribes reached agreement with the state gambling agency in April to allow sports-betting facilities at the Tulalip Resort Casino and Quil Ceda Creek Casino. It was the first of the proposed compact amendments to be completed.

The Suquamish Tribe, which operates the Clearwater Casino in Kitsap County, was the second to secure an accord. Its provisions served as a template for pacts with most of the other tribes.

While sports betting is a growing enterprise around the nation, tribal leaders told commissioners that it is viewed as an additional game and not a major expansion of gambling.

A small revenue stream (is) anticipated, but it all adds to benefit the tribe and local community, said Shawn Yanity, chairman of the Stillaguamish Tribe, owners of the Angel of the Winds casino.

Glen Gobin, vice chairman of the Tulalip Tribes, told commissioners that through the years gaming revenue has yielded substantial economic gains for tribes and the state of Washington. Collectively, tribal businesses are the seventh-largest employer in the state, he said.

Sports betting will create additional jobs, generate added revenue and enhance the experience of customers, Gobin said.

Regulation poses a new challenge, but tribes are confident they can keep out criminal elements.

We have regulated this industry very well, Gobin told commissioners.

Some commissioners expressed concern that the ease of placing wagers outside traditional gaming areas such as hotel rooms, potentially could abet those with a gambling addiction.

It is not in our best interests to take bets from someone who has a gambling problem, Gobin said.

At June 10s hearing, tribal representatives tribes addressed commissioners either in the virtual meeting or in writing. Almost to a person they praised the commissions staff for working collaboratively to craft sturdy sideboards to the new undertaking.

Washingtons deliberate and cautious entry into the field not only protects the citizens of the state and provides a relief valve for betting in the illicit market, but also continues Washingtons policy of limited gaming with strong oversight, wrote Bill Sterud, chairman of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians.

Also June 10, commissioners set a July 28 date to enact a number of new or revised rules to regulate sports betting. If action is taken on that date, the rule changes will go into effect around Aug. 30, two weeks before the Seahawks season opener Sept. 12.

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Gambling Commission OKs pacts with tribes for sports betting - Enumclaw Courier-Herald

THE FIRST FULL FISCAL YEAR OF SPORTS GAMBLING IN IOWA WILL WRAP UP AT THE END OF JUNE WITH NO REAL GAUGE YET ON HOW MUCH MONEY IT WILL BRING IN.

IOWA RACING AND GAMING ADMINISTRATOR, BRIAN OHORILKO SAYS JANUARY, FEBRUARY AND MARCH SAW A LOT OF ACTIVITY.

BETME1 OC.VERY, VERY, GOOD :17

THOSE MONTHS CAME AS THINGS WERE OPENING BACK UP FOLLOWING THE PANDEMIC AND AFTER THE RULE REQUIRING GAMBLERS TO SIGN UP AT A CASINO WERE LIFTED.

WAGERING DROPPED IN APRIL BY SOME 53 MILLION DOLLARS COMPARED TO MARCH AND MAY WAS DOWN AROUND FOUR-AND-A-HALF MILLION FROM APRIL.

BETME2 OC.SLOW PERIOD :13

OHORILKO SAYS LAST FALL WASNT A GOOD GAUGE OF SPORTS BETTING AS FOOTBALL TEAMS CUT BACK GAMES DUE TO COVID. THAT WILL LIKELY CHANGE THIS YEAR.

BETME3 OC.INCREASE :19

SPORTS GAMBLING STARTED IN IOWA OF AUGUST OF 2019.

RADIO IOWA

Visit link:

IOWA SPORTS GAMBLING HAD UP & DOWN 1ST YEAR REVENUES - KSCJ

Any day now, a bill that has been the subject of especially heavy lobbying will become law, legalizing betting on a sports game. Sports leagues pushed politicians for it, because they think it means big money for professional teams. Last fall, in the midst of the pandemic, the Liberal government decided to back it, too.

But do we know everyone who lobbied the government to get it done? Did Larry Tanenbaum, the individual with the biggest interest in Canadas biggest teams including the Toronto Raptors, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Toronto FC speak to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, or his aides, to advocate for the bill?

We dont know. They wont say. Neither Mr. Trudeaus press secretary nor the spokesperson for Maple Leaf Sports the sports powerhouse of which Mr. Tanenbaum is chair and 25-per-cent shareholder will answer the question.

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That underlines a major loophole in Canadas lobbying laws. Theyre supposed to require moneyed interests to report when they are lobbying to change Canadas laws or policies. But theres a big loophole.

Companies dont have to register in-house lobbying unless it takes up more than 20 per cent of an employees time. Below that threshold, they dont have to report their lobbying contacts.

Successive lobbying commissioners have called for governments to fix that. Current commissioner Nancy Blanger did so this month, when she concluded the unregistered lobbying activities of Rob Silver, husband of Mr. Trudeaus chief of staff Katie Telford, didnt break the rules. The loophole, Ms. Blanger wrote, allows for a substantial volume of in-house lobbying activity to go unreported.

There was a lot of registered lobbying, and public advocacy, for the sports betting bill, by gambling business, sports apps, provincial lottery authorities, and by pro sports representatives, who see it as leading to new revenues from sponsorships, marketing partnerships, and data sales. Canadian Football League Commissioner Randy Ambrosie told a Senate committee legalized sports betting might be the biggest opportunity the CFL has ever had.

So its not ridiculous to wonder if Mr. Tanenbaum, with his sizeable sports interests, spoke to Mr. Trudeau, or his staff, about it. The two know each other. Mr. Tanenbaum has Liberal history, having served as the partys chief fundraiser under Paul Martin, and he has been a reguar donor to the party.

A spokesman for the PMO, Alex Wellstead, would not say if they discussed it. In an e-mail, he said PMO staff meet regularly with stakeholders and organizations and lobbyists are expected to report as the law requires. But again, the law has a big hole.

David Haggith, a spokesman for Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, said in an e-mail that MLSE executives did not make representations to the government on the bill, but as for Mr. Tanenbaum, he is a supporter of single sports betting, and we are not at liberty to share the scope of private conversations.

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He noted Mr. Tanenbaums support for single sports betting is shared by commissioners of six sports leagues.

Thats true. Lots of folks have backed the legalization of single sports betting betting on a single game rather than a parlay. There are critics who fear it will promote more gambling or lead to match fixing, but the gaming industry makes a pretty good argument that Canadians already spending billions on offshore online gambling.

But that doesnt mean we should have to guess who was lobbying for it, or who called whom.

There have been bills to legalize sports betting banging around for a decade, proposed by backbench MPs from various parties. They languished because governments never made them a top priority.

But last November, Mr. Trudeaus government tabled their own bill to legalize it. In February, they made a deal to support Conservative backbencher Kevin Waughs similar bill, because it could be passed more quickly.

MPs from all parties supported it, especially those from cities with casinos, such as Windsor. But the pandemic added urgency. Stadiums were empty, and teams were losing revenue. They wanted the gambling bill done. After years, it is being pushed into law.

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A lot of people will like that. Some wont. But we should all know which powerful business figures, if any, had called Mr. Trudeau to ask for it.

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Did a mogul ask the prime minister to change the gambling law? None of your business - The Globe and Mail