Daily Archives: December 29, 2021

Congress authorizes Medal of Honor for 5 soldiers and awards upgrade for 4 Black Hawk Down troops – ArmyTimes.com

Posted: December 29, 2021 at 10:40 am

The nations highest award for valor the Medal of Honor may be given to five soldiers after President Joe Bidens signed the 2021 defense policy bill. And four from the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, known also as the Black Hawk Down incident, could see their awards upgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross.

In the bill, Congress formally waived time limits on presenting the awards a final administrative step necessary for Biden to present them.

Of the five potential Medal of Honor recipients, three fought in the Korean War, and two fought in the Vietnam War. The list of potential upgrades includes:

In addition to the Medals of Honor, Congress also waived time requirements for four soldiers involved in the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu to receive the Distinguished Service Cross. Pending Army Secretary Christine Wormuths approval of the awards, the four soldiers now eligible to receive the Distinguished Service Cross are:

The potential upgrades to the Armys second-highest valor award come on the heels of 58 Silver Star upgrades presented to veterans of the Black Hawk Down engagement after a comprehensive review earlier this year.

All awards authorized by Congress will require final approval from the appropriate authorities.

Davis Winkie is a staff reporter covering the Army. He originally joined Military Times as a reporting intern in 2020. Before journalism, Davis worked as a military historian. He is also a human resources officer in the Army National Guard.

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He wanted to be a soldier. When he failed, he stalked his recruiter – ArmyTimes.com

Posted: at 10:40 am

Twenty-six-year-old Braxton Louis Danley walked into an Army Recruiting Station in Harrisonburg, Virginia, in March of 2018 to take his pre-screening internet-delivered Computer Adaptive Test a precursor to the ASVAB test.

But he failed, and after his recruiters repeatedly denied him the chance retake the test until he agreed to study, he became resentful, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Virginia.

What followed were years of Danley harassing and cyberstalking his main recruiter, identified in court documents as a female with the initials J.J.

I remember every thing you pricks done to me so time to settle the score, the Luray, Virginia, man wrote in a May 14, 2018 email to J.J.s official Army email address, court documents show. The message was the first of many threatening text messages, emails and phone calls.

Danley even called the recruiting station later that day and told a different recruiter that the Army needed to arrest him (Danley) because he was angry.

Following the threatening email and phone call, J.J. contacted local law enforcement, which, on May 18, signed a No Trespass Notice barring Danley from the Harrisonburg recruiting station.

This only angered Danley more, court documents allege.

Two weeks later, on June 1, Danley sent a text message to J.J.s official cell phone, saying, so thats how it is now you f*ck my goddamn record up. Now I cant get a job anywhere ok you want to play.

According to court documents, the recruiter did not in fact, want to play. She chose not to respond, and following a barrage of text messages from Danley, was issued a new official phone.

Nine days later, Danley used one of his parents Facebook accounts to send her more messages.

Hey it Brax, the first of three messages sent on July 10, 2018, read.

Cant under stand why you f*cked me over in that test guess cause I look like a drugy right ?... I try to fix my life and you f*cked it now im hunted by your people f*ck you none of you will walk away if you serve papers on mea fight is here now face me.

Following these messages, the recruiter sought and was granted a Preliminary Protective Order against Danley, which he violated with a Dec 23, 2018 Facebook post. The message was directed at J.J. and two other recruiters, telling them to lock and load f*ckers ima at your doorstep now.

Danley was promptly arrested, and convicted of misdemeanor charges of violation of protective order and sentenced to 12 months in prison in February 2019. However, he was released at the end of June 2019.

A few months after his release, Danley made another Facebook post, this time saying, remember j rj this is to. you im coming to get you.

Along with the threatening message, Danley also posted a link to a sKitz Kraven music video, depicting a brutal home invasion. The film follows a masked man as he ties up, tortures and kills the family who lived there, all to the tune of explicitly violent lyrics.

At one point, Danley was deemed mentally unfit to understand the severity of his actions and was briefly placed in the custody of the states Attorney General to receive treatment for his concerning mental health, documents revealed.

As a result, J.J. continued to seek legal action against Danley, who ultimately pled guilty to cyberstalking Dec. 20, 2021.

Danleys sentencing trial is set for Feb. 1, 2022. He faces up to five years in prison if he receives the maximum sentence.

The case was investigated by the Harrisonburg Police Department and the FBI, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald M. Huber.

Rachel is a Marine Corps veteran, Penn State alumna and Master's candidate at New York University for Business and Economic Reporting.

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Patti LuPone Sets the Record Straight on Missed Company Performances – TheaterMania.com

Posted: at 10:40 am

Tony winner Patti LuPone has taken to social media to reveal the real reason she missed two preview performances the week before the opening night of Company on Broadway.

"I don't normally do this," she writes on her much-followed Twitter account, "but since there are a few little shits out there writing false things about Company, here's the truth: I missed two shows with a rotavirus. My toilet can confirm this." She goes on to praise the stage crew and Covid safety protocols at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre.

You can read the full statement below:

Marianne Elliott's controversial revival production of the 1970 Stephen Sondheim musical recasts 35-year-old bachelor Bobby as "Bobbie," a woman of the same age navigating the single life in Manhattan.

In his review, critic David Gordon highlights the comic acting in the production, stating, "this is the most fun I've ever had at this show." He also has high praise for LuPone, who delivers an unforgettable performance "The Ladies Who Lunch": "I clapped like a trained seal and I'd do it again," he writes. Read his full review here.

Like the vast majority of Broadway shows, Company is still running. The next performance is tonight at 7pm.

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Signs of a Psoriasis Flare up – Lares Home Care LLC

Posted: at 10:39 am

Elder Care Colts Neck, NJ: Signs of a Psoriasis Flare up

Psoriasis is a kind of skin problem thathappens whenskin cellsdevelop more rapidly than they should. It results inskin cells collectingon the surface of the skin, forming scaly patches.The diseasehas no cure and symptoms may come and goover the course of a lifetime.Because of the transient nature of the symptoms, it can be helpful for family caregivers to know what signs to look for that signal a psoriasis flare up.

Flare Up Signs

Not everyonewho has psoriasisexperiences the same symptomsbecause they can vary by the kind of psoriasis the person has.However,experts have identified some of the most common symptoms ofa psoriasis flare up, which are:

Common Causes of Flare Ups

Flare ups are often triggered by something. However, what triggers a flare up in one person may notcause one in the next.It can be helpful to track your aging relatives symptoms as well as activities, foods they eat, and things theyve come in contact with to determine what their triggers are. Somethings that often trigger psoriasis flare ups are:

Elder care can help older adults who suffer from psoriasis todeal withflare ups and help avoid them, too. An elder care provider can help to track symptoms and possible triggers by writing information down in a notebook.Elder care providers can also reduce the stress in a seniors lifesimply byensuring they have the help they need to continue living in their home and knowing theyll have the assistance they need.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Elder Care in Colts Neck, NJ, please contact the caring staff atLaresHome Care888-492-3538or 732-566-1112.

Sources

https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/psoriasis/psoriasis-signs-symptoms

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/psoriasis/symptoms-causes/syc-20355840

https://www.aad.org/psoriasis-symptoms

Roy Kleinert founded Lares Home Care in 2015, when he decided to leave Wall Street and make a shift into the home care industry. During the illness of a family member, he recognized an opportunity to help seniors better age in place with dignity and grace. Roy lives in Marlboro, NJ with his family and his three dogs. Roy is also the certified handler of Lares therapy dogs: Max and Boomer. Together, they visit local hospitals, rehab facilities, and senior living communities, bringing four-legged-cheer wherever they go. Lares Home Care is dedicated to providing the highest quality of client care and customer service.

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Akeso’s IL-17A MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY (GUMOKIMAB) COMPLETION OF PATIENT ENROLLMENT IN PHASE II CLINICAL TRIAL FOR THE TREATMENT OF ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS…

Posted: at 10:39 am

HONG KONG, Dec. 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Akeso, Inc. (09926.HK) announces that Gumokimab (IL-17A monoclonal antibody, AK111), an innovative drug independently developed by the Companyfor the treatment of active ankylosing spondylitis has been completed. Such clinical trialaims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Gumokimab for the treatment of patients withactive ankylosing spondylitis.

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the medial joints and can lead to spinal deformity and loss of function to patients.IL-17, a key inflammatory cytokine in thepathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis, has demonstrated good commercial value with itsunique efficacy and safety advantages, and has become a new therapeutic target.

Secukinumab and Ixekizumab, which have the same drug targets as AK111, have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration of the United States (FDA) for the treatmentof ankylosing spondylitis. The global sales of IL-17A monoclonal antibody drugs amountedto approximately US$5.783 billion in 2020.

At present, there is no independently developed monoclonal antibody drugs against IL-17 approved for marketing in China, resulting in strong clinical demand. Gumokimab, being anindependently developed and innovative drug in China, is expected to bring new hope topatients with ankylosing spondylitis in the future.

INFORMATION ABOUT GUMOKIMAB (IL-17A MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY, AK111)

Gumokimab is a novel drug targeting IL-17A of autoimmune treatment diseasesindependently developed by the Company. Gumokimab is intended to be used for thetreatment of diseases such as psoriasis and ankylosing spondylitis. Through combination ofcompetitive blockers, namely IL-17A and IL-17R, and blocking the biological activities ofIL-17, Gumokimab has reached the efficacy in immune-related diseases in clinical therapies.The clinical trial of Gumokimab, which involves multiple subcutaneous injections ofescalating doses to subjects with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, has completed. Theclinical trial results have shown that Gumokimab can significantly improve the condition ofsubjects with psoriasis, including the proportion of patients with Psoriasis Area and SeverityIndex (PASI) reaching 100, showing Gumokimab is of good safety and tolerability.Currently, the assessment of primary endpoints of Gumokimab for treatment of all subjectswith moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis has been completed, and it is expected to advanceto phase III clinical trial in early 2022.

SOURCE Akeso, Inc.

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Rheumatology and the Things One Needs to Care About – THE WEEK

Posted: at 10:39 am

(Eds: Disclaimer: The following press release comes to you under an arrangement with Business Wire India. PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.)Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India Business Wire India

Rheumatological conditions/autoimmune diseases have been increasing at an alarming rate, early detection can help arrest disease progression and prevent complications. The Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology at Sri Ramakrishna Hospital provides an in-depth look into various rheumatological conditions and the signs to look for to make an early diagnosis.

Rheumatology is a subspeciality of medicine, which involves the study of muscles, tendons and joints. Immunology deals with the immune system, which is the first line of our bodys natural defence system. It plays a vital role in safeguarding us from various illnesses affecting our bodies. However, when this immune system fails to function properly, it leads to many autoimmune diseases.

Rheumatic diseases can affect any part of the body, from head to toes. It may start as simple as a fever or rash, and these signs may only be the beginning of a serious underlying health problem. Rheumatological conditions need to be diagnosed and treated at the earliest to avoid long-term complications, including joint deformities and disabilities. General awareness of rheumatology and immunology is necessary to make an early diagnosis and avoid unwanted long-term sequelae.

Rheumatoid arthritis

The most common form of immune-mediated inflammatory arthritis is Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). It generally affects the joints either on one side or both sides of the body. This condition usually starts as joint pain, swelling and stiffness, and if left ignored, it could progress to deformities and severe restriction in motion. In addition, RA can affect other parts of the body including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and kidneys.

Ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is another form of immune-mediated inflammatory arthritis and is a type of seronegative arthritis. AS typically affects adolescents and young adults, causing back pain and stiffness, more pronounced first thing in the morning and after prolonged rest. It causes spine deformity and a stopped posture if left untreated. AS also affects peripheral joints and cause extra-articular features, commonly affecting eyes (uveitis), skin (psoriasis) and bowel (inflammatory bowel disease).

Psoriatic arthritis and other Seronegative arthritis

Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) is another type of seronegative arthritis which occurs in one-third of patients with skin or scalp psoriasis. It can occur even before or concurrently, or after developing psoriasis. There are also other types of seronegative arthritis such as Reactive Arthritis, Spondyloarthropathy (SpA) and Enteropathic Arthritis (arthritis due to ulcerative colitis and Crohns disease). These conditions are collectively labelled as seronegative arthritis as the blood test for rheumatoid factor (RF) is negative. They share many clinical, radiological and genetic features, different from RA.

Various traditional and contemporary treatments are available for RA, AS, PsA and other seronegative arthritis. Conventional treatments are called disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and modern treatments are constantly evolving to target specific proteins (Cytokines), which perpetuate the disease process. These modern drugs are called Targeted Therapies and Biologics, which have revolutionized the treatment of arthritis. These contemporary treatments are in the form of tablets, injections, and infusions.

Gout and Pseudogout

Gout is the most common form of Inflammatory Monoarthritis (arthritis affecting a single joint), and the great toe is the most common joint affected. It causes sudden onset of excruciating joint pain associated with swelling, redness and heat. It is due to a buildup of high uric acid levels in the body with the deposition of uric acid crystals in the affected joint. It is generally due to the high intake of a purine-rich / high protein diet. Alcohol is another common risk factor for gout, and lifestyle modifications including reducing weight, increasing physical activities, adequate hydration and avoiding a high purine diet and alcohol are crucial in the treatment and prevention of gout. Pseudogout is another form of crystal arthritis that mimics gout, and it is usually secondary to certain medical conditions and not due to dietary risk factors.

Connective tissue diseases and Vasculitis

Connective Tissue Diseases (CTD) and vasculitis are also common rheumatological conditions, and the examples include Lupus (SLE), Sjogrens syndrome, Scleroderma, Mixed Connective Tissue Disorder (MCTD) and Myositis. They can cause many symptoms affecting various organs with or without Arthritis, so patients with these conditions may present to different specialists with diverse symptoms. It is crucial to diagnose these conditions very early and treat them aggressively to prevent major organ or life-threatening complications. Modern treatments including biologics are now available to effectively manage these once dreadful conditions.

Osteoporosis

As the name implies, this condition leads the bones to become porous and weakens the bone to a great extent, resulting in a fracture. Osteoporosis is aptly called a silent disease as the condition may go unnoticed for a long time, and the first presentation may be a fracture without any trauma. It is most common in post-menopausal women, but it can affect young women and men due to some risk factors. It can be effectively treated using both conventional and modern drugs in the form of tablets, subcutaneous injections and intravenous infusions.

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) and other childhood rheumatological conditions

JIA is similar to the adult form of immune-mediated inflammatory arthritis such as RA, AS and PsA that occurs in children aged 16 or younger. Treatment for JIA are similar to the adult form of arthritis, and they include DMARDs, targeted therapies and biologics. A child needs to be diagnosed at the earliest and treated intensively to prevent irreversible joint damage and other unwanted long-term sequelae. Periodic Fever Syndromes (PFS) or Systemic Autoinflammatory Disorders (SAID) are other rare forms of childhood rheumatological conditions that commonly present with fever and rash with or without arthritis. These conditions require careful evaluation and management by experts with modern treatments to stop disease progression and prevent complications.

About The Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology

The Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology Department at Sri Ramakrishna Hospital has an experienced rheumatology team. In addition, it has close links with other medical and surgical specialities, including allied therapies such as physiotherapy and orthotics, to provide an efficient multidisciplinary service.

It has full-fledged laboratory facilities, including immunology, biochemistry, microbiology, haematology, and histopathology, which assist in making a precise diagnosis and starting appropriate treatment as early as possible.

Sri Ramakrishna Hospital (https://www.sriramakrishnahospital.com) also has an excellent radiology & nuclear medicine department with state-of-the-art imaging facilities, including musculoskeletal ultrasound (US), MRI, CT, HRCT, x-rays, bone mineral density (BMD/DEXA), whole body, as well as three-phase isotope bone scan and PET-CT.

About Sri Ramakrishna Hospital

Sri Ramakrishna Hospital has attained an iconic reputation since its inception in 1975. Situated right in the heart of Coimbatore city, this hospital has in many ways become a part of medical history. In fact, it has been an integral part of the healthcare revolution of modern India. Established and run by the SNR Sons Charitable Trust, Sri Ramakrishna Hospital treats thousands upon thousands of patients each year. From the most advanced procedures to treatments for everyday ailments, they bring relief to patients from all walks of life using state-of-the-art technology and cutting-edge surgical and medical techniques to deliver outstanding outcomes.

https://www.youtube.com/c/SriRamakrishnaHospitalhttps://www.facebook.com/SriRamakrishnaHospitalhttps://www.instagram.com/ramakrishnahospitalhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SriRamakrishnaHospital

PWRPWR

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Why You Need To Play Online Casino Games – nativenewsonline.net

Posted: at 10:38 am

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In this article, we will be discussing a few reasons for its immense popularity and why people don't have to book a flight from their country to enjoy playing casino games.

Over the years, the online casino industry's popularity has grown tremendously across the globe. In this article, we will be discussing a few reasons for its immense popularity and why people don't have to book a flight from their country to enjoy playing casino games.

If you are the type that loves the experience of travelling to a popular gambling establishment like Casino de Montreal, Canada, this is not for you. Still, with the current pandemic around, it is risky and dangerous for you to visit the physical casinos to play your favourite games.

Unlike physical casinos, online casinos can be accessed from anywhere in the world as long as you have a good internet connection. Even in remote areas, you can easily get a good internet connection. You can easily play online slots, baccarat, or other casino games you enjoy directly from the comfort of your home. You can play blackjack games for real money as long as you're playing from the right online casino.

One of the reasons for the popularity of online casinos and why people prefer them over land-based casinos is the ability to play casino games at any time of the day. Most online casino sites can be accessed 24 hours a day, this means you can access them even at midnight. They also operate on weekends as well as the holidays. There are no time restrictions on when you can play casino games when it comes to online casino platforms.

Most online casinos have their types of jackpots on display when you visit their homepage. It serves as a form of lure to the new players. In some cases, you will find some sites bringing out articles regarding the previous winners of their jackpots, making you feel you can also do the same.

Progressive jackpots are common in most online casinos. These jackpots increase until a certain amount is reached and won, before returning to its previous level. This is one of the many marketing strategies deployed by online casinos to help the players reduce the house edge in a game, which will encourage them to play more casino games.

Online Casinos Are Fast & EfficientThe games available on online casinos were developed in a way to impress the gamers. The graphics, sound effects and gameplay are always top-notch. But that's not the only thing about them, as players can make fast transfers. Once you spotted the casino game you wish to play, you can easily deposit your cash to the site through the available payment modes.

Due to the advancement of technology, we saw the rise of multiple banking options. Most online casinos have multiple methods of payment available to ensure that their players make efficient and fast deposits and withdrawals. There are multiple options like PayPal, Skrill, E-wallets, credit/debit cards, cryptocurrencies and many more.

Online casinos look for a way to attract players to their sites, and one of the ways is stockpiling their library with different variety of casino games. There can be thousands of games available on a certain casino site, and you can every one of them. Some casino sites even go as far as updating their games every day, with several developers hard at work to create incredible casino games for you.

DISCLAIMER: Branded Voices features paid content from our marketing partners. Articles are not created by Native News Online staff. The views and opinions expressed in the Branded Voices are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Native News Online or its ownership. Any content provided by our bloggers or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything.

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Online Casino Gaming Has Surged In NJ, Which Makes Things Complicated – NJ Online Gambling

Posted: at 10:38 am

In the first full year of online casino play in New Jersey in 2014, the new form of gambling made up 4.5% of the Atlantic City casino industrys gross gaming revenue bottom line.

Just a cherry on the top of the casino balance sheet, really. But the annual growth which eventually became exponential turned online casino dollars into the controversy of the year in the industry in 2021.

Highlighting the controversy, Atlantic County officials recently filed a lawsuit that is headed for a court hearing next month.

The suit stems from passage of a casino tax break bill in the last days of the state legislative session this month. It staggered across the Senate finish line by one vote, then gained immediate signature into law by Gov. Phil Murphy.

The winning gambit may have been outgoing state Senate President Stephen Sweeneys insistence, while speaking before a committee earlier this month, that up to four of the citys nine casinos could close if the tax break wasnt granted. That stirred up nightmarish memories of 2014, when four Atlantic City casinos did close, decimating the regional economy.

The debate over taxation has arisen precisely because of the growth of online casino play and, to a lesser extent, the rise of casino-related mobile sports betting.

That 4.5% of casino revenue from online play in 2014 became 6.2% in 2015, 8.6% in 2016, and 9.3% in 2017.

Sports betting was legalized in New Jersey in mid-2018, and that new revenue stream accounted for 1.7% of the broadening revenue pie that year. Online casino action, meanwhile, reached double digits for the first time, at 10.5%.

The first full year of sports betting in 2019 represented 3.8% of the casinos collective bottom line, while online casino made up 14.6%.

Then came 2020 the first year of COVID-19s impact. Brick-and-mortar casino revenue tumbled to barely half of strong 2019 figures, while online casino revenue not-so-coincidentally doubled. Sports betting most of which takes place online, rather than at on-site casino sportsbooks improved only slightly, as many key sports shortened their schedules while some major events were canceled entirely.

Ultimately, sports betting made up 5.2% of the overall revenue in 2020, while online casino blossomed to represent a remarkable 37%.

Casinos have enjoyed a renaissance in 2021, as the sites have remained open all year and entertainment-starved customers found a way to cope with pandemic restrictions. While Decembers numbers are not yet in, it appears that gross gaming revenue from in-house casino play will land between the $2.51 billion figure of 2018 and the $2.69 billion mark achieved in 2019.

The resumption of mostly full sports schedules has lifted sports betting up to 7.8% of the revenue total in the past 11 months, compared to 32% for online casino play.

An outsider might wonder why the casinos care where the money comes from, if total gross gaming revenue from pandemic-hampered 2020 was on par with 2015-17 numbers and not far off 2018, either.

But what once was a murmur of discontent by casino operators over how the state Division of Gaming Enforcement reports revenue reached full boil during the pandemic, prompting passage of the new tax legislation.

In 2016, casino operators had agreed with city, county, and state officials on a change in how taxes are paid. The new plan set up a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes, or PILOT, that would give more certainty to all parties involved during a tumultuous time for the industry. A series of tax appeals by casino operators had repeatedly gone in their favor, as new assessments brought down the estimated value of the vulnerable properties.

The PILOT deal was reached before sports betting was legalized, and before online casino gaming had reached even 10% of the official bottom line.

Before the bill went up for vote, the gaming industry decided to gamble, former Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian recalled of the 2016 change.

Instead of a locked-in figure of $120 million in annual effective taxes from the industry, the PILOT bill allowed for lower payments if the casinos continued to struggle, but more if they unexpectedly thrived. The surge in online revenue led to the latter.

Now we know that was a bad bet [for casino operators], but we shouldnt be paying for that bad bet, Guardian said recently, referring to rising PILOT payments stemming from the growth of online gambling.

The issue is this: Only about one-third to one-quarter of online gaming revenue actually goes directly to the casino operator. The rest is kept by the online casino and mobile sports betting operators who run the sites through their partnership agreements with the casinos.

So as the revenue pie keeps shifting away from dominance by brick-and-mortar dollars, the casinos have been paying more and more full price on revenue they only partially keep.

Not anymore, as a result of the new legislation. The bill signed into law by Murphy exempts online gambling revenue from the PILOT calculations, which is expected to shave about $55 million off an otherwise-projected $165 million payment in 2022.

And why is the county suing the state to try to void the new tax law? Because, county executive Dennis Levinson says, it violates a settlement agreement from 2018 after a similar lawsuit had been filed. The change in the PILOT formula would cost the county $5 million to $7 million annually, Levinson contends.

A state court judge has scheduled a Jan. 4 conference with attorneys from the relevant parties, with mediation as soon as possible likely to follow.

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Will 2022 be the year cryptocurrency and iGaming combine? – Yahoo Finance

Posted: at 10:38 am

A potential marriage between cryptocurrency and iGaming could be on the cards in 2022.

Cryptocurrency had always played a part in online gaming with fast and secure transactions that crypto can offer, as well as being able to work in countries where they prohibit the use of its fiat currency for online casinos but do not regulate cryptocurrency.

Users are at a disadvantage when transferring money through conventional methods as it requires a processing fee, whereas cryptocurrency does not.

The consistent crossovers between cryptocurrency and iGaming, therefore, make sense but a permanent relationship had been developing with a range 0f big-money moves being made between the two industries.

A group of cryptocurrency investors organised a $1 million poker tournament to take place during Aprils BTC Miami conference, in what could become one of the largest buy-in tournaments of all time, with only the likes of Triton and the World Series of Poker matching the $1 million entry.

A meeting of the two industries occurred in July this year where a crypto poker charity tournament hosted by proprietary trading firm MGNR raised $100,000 for charity.

With entry into the tournament costing $1,000 of stablecoin USDC, 50% of all buy-ins were put aside for the FTX Foundation which has raised more than $10m for charity over the past year.

Online casinos have already created exclusive crypto casinos where fiat currency is not supported and transactions are entirely completed in crypto with Norway being a trendsetter with both an Ethereum and Bitcoin casino.

With Scandinavia being one of the strongest crypto markets in the world, iGaming had become an important cog in the regions digital economy with its people using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Binance Coin to play their favourite online casino games.

Gilfred Helmonsen, a gambling expert from Norway, said iGaming had undoubtedly led to the increase of cryptocurrency popularity in the nation.

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One of the main reasons cryptos gained so much in popularity is the rise of online casinos, as well as restrictions on certain payment methods such as credit cards, he said.

People always find a way to work around governmental restrictions, and discreet and untraceable crypto transactions are perfect for such manoeuvres.

Gambling tokens such as FunFair (FUN) enjoyed a fruitful year with their prices increasing by 156.6% over the past year, according to CoinGecko.

The increasing growth and interest in the iGaming sector led the token to surge by 183% by February of this year, demonstrating the power that could be generated by the alliance of cryptocurrency and the iGaming factions.

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Is Online Gambling Banned in India? – TheNationRoar

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Our world is a very diverse place in a million different ways. From cultures, heritages, and traditions, to everyday life, religion, and standards, you will see it all if you decide to travel the Earth a bit. Diversity is a good thing but it can also be quite confusing and problematic in certain scenarios. What a person is used to doing freely at home may be completely illegal in another country or at least frowned upon. This is why research and education are needed whenever you plan to go somewhere for the first time. The subcontinent of India as it is also known is a place with the largest concentration of people on the planet. Out of the near 8 billion people living on the planet, 1.38 are in India. What this means is that it is a place where people have many differences amongst themselves, let alone with other countries.

India is a fascinating place to be. Although hardly without its struggles and hardships, it is still one of the countries most important for the general history of the world and its current state. But how does it fare with some of the modern laws and regulations when it comes to entertainment and pleasures? For example, what is its outlook on gambling? One can never be too sure how a completely different nation treats fun, leisure, and relaxation. This is important for our article here as we analyze the incredibly lucrative industry of online gambling and whether or not it is banned in the Indian subcontinent. Keep reading to find out more about this and be sure to check out https://sensers.com/ for additional information and to browse online Casinos in India.

India is a vast and diverse country made up of 28 states and 8 union territories, for a total of 36 different entities. Each of them can introduce its own laws and regulations for most things, including gambling activities. In some states, Goa for example, casinos are fully legalized. On the other hand, some states are restricted and/or banned. These are usually lotteries and horse racing, but other common activities could also fall under the category of illegal.

In the 21st century India, more and more people want access to all sorts of gambling opportunities, both online and in the real world. This is prompting the governments to change their laws and give the citizens more freedom. Of course, there are those who claim that gambling leads to corruption, money laundering, and other criminal activities as well as that it is immoral and detrimental to society. The good thing is that there are more those who know it is a huge source for revenue for every state that legalizes it, and therefore for India as a whole.

Unlike in the United States for example where gambling laws are both the matter of federal and state governments, gambling is solely a subject for the state governments. They are at full liberty to treat it as they please, independently from other states. One of the first modern acts was the Public Gambling Act that went into force in 1867. It states that it is illegal to run a public gambling house, penalty for which is either a fine or up to 3 months in prison. Even visiting a gambling house brings similar penalties. It was already mentioned that Goa allows casinos, but it is only one of the three states to do so. Other two are Daman and Sikkim. Goa has 10 casinos, Sikkim has two, and Daman has one. In 1955, the Prize Competition Act was introduced that restricts any activity that involves awarding prizes. This means that games that offer prizes worth over 1,000 Rupees are illegal.

In 2000, The Information Technology was introduced that regulated cyber activities in the country. However, it never touched upon online gambling or betting back then. The courts could basically do what they thought was right if some legal matter arose. For now, only Maharashtra has online gambling banned, under the Bombay Wager Act.

The current situation regarding web-based casinos on the subcontinent is complicated mostly due to it being a rather new addition to the country. Gambling is popular in India, as much as anywhere else on average really, but the online variety is in its infancy. There was an attempt in 2010 by Sikkim to offer online gambling licenses, but the move failed despite great interest. Online lottery is allowed in Sikkim taking bets from all over India, not just this state. Other states were thought to follow suit until there was a large, open online gambling market. However, it will take more time for something like this to happen.

The biggest problem for other casinos, and the states that want to introduce online gambling, is that they cannot promote themselves online or even have websites. Anything related to sports betting, bingo, and casino gambling online is not allowed for promotion, but only for Indian companies. For the offshore companies and non-Indian casinos, this is allowed. The only thing they must do is offer the Indian Rupee as one of the currencies across their payment methods. No other legal requirements exist for foreign casinos to operate in India over the internet.

Some of the latest changes includes two states, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, banning all online gambling for Indians regardless of who the provider is. The penalties are also quite serious. Anyone who is caught breaking the law that became active in January of 2020 receives up to a year in prison, or a hefty fine. In 2021, several states banned online video games that have virtual currencies and money transfers, if the game involves chance.Still, gambling in India is flourishing even with the presence of laws and regulations like this. It is simply a too fun and engaging activity not to be popular, so tons of illegal gambling is present all over. Actually, it is estimated that the worth of the Indian gambling market is over $60 billion dollars annually. It is only a matter of time before the state governments get in on this realizing the revenue they could have from a well-regulated system.

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Is Online Gambling Banned in India? - TheNationRoar

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