Daily Archives: February 5, 2022

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) The states general fund has already benefited since the debut of online gaming and sports betting last October. The state collected nearly $2 million in the first month alone, but it comes with a price.

A growing number of Connecticut residents are seeking help for gambling addiction. This includes the number of younger people reaching out, according to the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling (CCPG).

On the chat page on their homepage in January alone, they had as many people visit as all of 2021.

CCPG is neither for or against gambling. Their role is to help connect people to treatment.

This is still relatively early. Were still seeing cases where were hearing about people who have lost their tuition money and theyre afraid to call their parents. Weve heard about people that have lost their entire life savings and they dont know how to tell their spouses, said Paul Tarbox, manager of public policy and communications at CCPG. Theres the treatment side of it and actually having the clinicians and the programs to do it, and theres the prevention side.

Calls to the help line, which Tarbox said have doubled, act as a conduit to get people in.

If you or someone you know needs help, call (888) 789-7777 or text CTGAMB to 53342. You can also click here for more resources.

Originally posted here:

Growing number of Connecticut residents seek gambling addiction help - WTNH.com

Known for its diverse population and unmatched geography, California is an appealing gambling spot because of its hugely untapped market. Gambling activities started to grow in popularity almost immediately after the state was founded, and today, it has the third-most casinos of any other US state.

Considering that Californias population has almost reached 40 million people and most of them are rather open-minded when it comes to gambling activities, it makes sense that the state enjoys quite a bit of interest from gaming operators. Yet, under the current gambling regulations and legislation, citizens of the state are given access to a very limited range of such activities.

Read ahead to find out more about the most recent changes in gambling-related legislation and the way they affect Pasadena.

Gambling Activities Available in Pasadena

Gambling activities are exceptionally widespread in the USA, and they are regulated on a federal and state level. The question we need to address now is whether gambling is legal in California? Under the current legal regime, gambling activities are hugely restricted not only in Pasadena but in California as a whole. This is so because The California State Constitution prohibits gambling activities.

However, the ban does not apply to all forms of gambling, and Californias citizens can bet on horse races, visit the tribal casinos, enjoy bingo, play the lottery, and visit player-banked card rooms.

The Gambling Control Act (GCA) is the states main legislation, and it sets out the rules according to which gambling activities are offered. After the enactment of the GCA, the California Gambling Control Commission was established. It is also important to note that under the provisions of the Act, tribal casinos are allowed to offer slots and card games with certain limitations. This was made possible back in 2000 when the states Constitution was amended through the passage of Proposition 1A.

The rules according to which the states Native American tribes are allowed to provide such casino games are discussed and set out in compacts that are signed by the state and the tribe which operates the brick-and-mortar casino. An important thing to note is that no commercial casinos can be found in Pasadena or throughout California in general.

Playing the lottery is also a hugely enjoyed activity in Pasadena. The history of the State Lottery in California dates back to 1984, and it was established in order to raise funds for public schools. California has the potential to evolve into a sports betting hotbed as the state has a long history when it comes to collegiate sports and prides itself over 19 sports franchises.

Online Gambling in California

In spite of the fact that online gambling has started to become a hot topic in California, the state is yet to introduce legislation, which addresses such activities. That being said, throughout the years, there have been multiple attempts to decriminalize online casino games and poker, which can be done only after the regulatory framework of the industry in California is changed.

In fact, the untapped online gambling industry has been a major area of legislative activity for quite a while. Back in 2016, the state came close to legalizing online gambling or at least poker, but these attempts failed.

As it turns out, California is of also in two minds whether sports betting should be legalized. It is important to note that betting on sports cannot be authorized before this matter makes it to the ballot. Californians expected to get the opportunity to go to the ballot back in 2020, but the contention from tribes was the hurdle that brought the idea of legalizing retail and online betting on sports to a standstill.

It turns out that tribal gaming leaders altered their position and collected the signatures that are needed in order for the matter to make it to the ballot this year. It makes sense that tribes want to control the untapped industry, and they insist on a referendum to be held in order for betting on sports to be legalized on racebooks and exclusively across tribal casinos.

A lawsuit over the sports betting measures began almost at the end of 2021, and the chief argument is that ballot measures cannot address just one subject. The California Sports Wagering Regulation and Unlawful Gambling Enforcement Act is the current ballot measure, which does not only deal with in-person betting on sports but presents new rules according to which roulette and dice games can be offered at tribal casinos. The current ballot measure is supported by most indigenous groups, but considering the situation, it makes sense that they are already working on a new measure.

In spite of all the legal wrangling, voters have the final say whether the proposed measures will be passed and, most importantly, whether betting on sports will be finally authorized or will remain illegal.

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Latest Gambling Regulations in California: How They Affect Pasadena, CA - Pasadena Now

What is an Ethereum casino?

With the rise of cryptocurrency as the most widely used and accepted method of money transfer for online gambling, virtual casinos are rapidly adopting the worlds second largest coinEthereumas not only a standard, but a preferred method of payment. An Ethereum casino is an online gaming platform that accepts the popular altcoin as a method of exchange. These casinos offer the same games as other online casinos, from poker and sports betting to table games to Super Slot Machines. For information on Ethereum itself, check out their site at What is Ethereum?

Most virtual casinos that accept Bitcoin will also accept Ethereum, and virtual gamblers tend to prefer this method over the traditional ones, such as credit cards, bank transfers, echecks, e-wallets, PayPal, Poli, and others. For a list of Ethereum casino reviews, check out this article on the Best Ethereum Betting Sites. The list not only reviews the top Ethereum casinos, but also offers a comparison of welcome bonuses and promotions for using it. BetOnline and Bovada are consistently listed at the top of reviews, and both have been running for over a decade.

How do Ethereum casinos work?

The short answer is, the same way as any other casinos, but they use Ethereum. The main difference with the use of Ethereum is that transaction speed is far quicker, fees are significantly lower, and the exchange itself is far more secure than traditional methods, such as credit cards and bank transfers. Once Bitcoin rose to fame, online casinos began to adopt other cryptos, and Ethereum was the natural next choice for several reasons. It offers the most secure platform, and is the 2nd largest and 2nd most valuable cryptocurrency in the world (trading at just over $2500 today). Its unique method of computing transactions is a major industry innovation.

Ethereum is also a preferred method of exchange on nearly every online gambling site, which leads to bigger welcome bonuses and better promotions, as well as lower transaction fees for both deposit and withdrawal. Most online casinos also allow lowerand higherdeposit limits when using Ethereum (ranging from $20 to as high as $100,000!). Most bank transfer and credit card transaction limits are between $50 minimum and $5,000 maximum, depending on the site.

Ethereum Gambling vs Other Cryptocurrencies

One major advantage to cashing out in Ethereum is that payouts are free, where most casinos charge as high as 7.5% for other methods of transfer. Other than very low fees for third parties and the miners who facilitate the process, there is usually no fee at all for Ethereum transactions.

Compared with Bitcoin, which can take up to 30 minutes per transaction, Ethereum transactions are virtually instantaneous, most often complete in less than 15 seconds. Most other methods can take anywhere between a few minutes and an hour, sometimes even longer, and always have a higher fee than Ethereum. Some fees are charged at a percent rate, so a high-rollers deposit can become pretty pricey for just a quick transaction.

Additionally, Ethereum is attractive because it uses smart contracts where both parties use signatures, locking the transaction into place. So when a bet is placed, it is set in stone. No party has any option to leave before the transaction is complete, as the end of the session will result in an automatic transaction. This helps build trust between users, and also in the online casino itself. Lastly, Ethereum is a volatile but constantly-rising altcoin, so cashing out in Ethereum can provide further value as the price of Ethereum rises. Many gamblers consider this to be a form of investment strategy. These smart contracts are unique to Ethereum.

Will Ethereum Make the Future of Gambling?

Yes. Yes it will. There is no longer any doubt that cryptocurrency is the wave of the future for online gambling, and Ethereumalong with its predecessor Bitcoinhas paved the way. Comprising all the advantages, and few, if any, disadvantages, to online transactions, Ethereum is certain to continue to rise in popularity.

For a multitude of reasons, Ethereum is among the safest, fastest, and most secure ways to transfer money online. Ethereum is completely anonymous and completely decentralized, meaning that banks and governments are not involved, and there is no digital record of the transaction after it closes. The use of blockchain technology renders it among the most user-friendly and cost effective ways to exchange money in online casinos.

The security of smart contracts is attractive to sports bettors, poker players, table gamers, slots players, and the house itself, because it builds an obvious trust among all parties. The transaction cannot be hacked, tracked, or defrauded by any involved party, and players can know they are anonymous to everyone, including even the site itself.

Ethereum is the most decentralized and secure method of exchange, and that is unlikely to change anytime soon. Further, the use of smart contracts allows players to limit the amount they spend, the amount of time they play, and even the number of bets they are allowed to place. Those of us who have ever spent a little too much time or money in an online casino can surely see the advantages such limits might provide.

Key Takeaways

Ethereum offers bigger bonuses and promotions than other methods.

Lower and higher deposit and withdrawal limits for using Ethereum.

Faster transaction speed, lower fees, and completely anonymous.

The safest, most secure, and most user-friendly transaction possible.

Smart contracts make this method attractive, and are exclusive to Ethereum.

Players can limit their time, spending, and number of bets placed.

The use of Ethereumand all cryptocurrencycontinues to gain traction.

The rising price of Ethereum can be a sound investment in and of itself.

See the article here:

Online Gambling: Why you should consider gambling with Ethereum over Bitcoin - Bettors Insider

A proposal to expand the legalization of gambling in Georgia appears to be gaining traction at the capitol.Rep. Ron Stephens told WJCL on Friday that he feels hopeful that lawmakers will get a bill passed this session to get sports betting on the ballot, but not everyone is happy about this.Public Affairs Representative at Georgia Baptist Mission Board Mike Griffin has been fighting gambling legislation for eight years. "It's been a lot more intense here lately," he said.Griffin told WJCL he feels putting the decision on whether or not to legalize sports gambling on the shoulders of Georgians isn't right."Studies have shown, for example from Stock Predatory Gambling, a national organization, that for every dollar we spend to promote not gambling, theyll spend $250. I'm just saying, it will not be a fair fight," he said.Rep. Stephens said they've been speaking about this at the state level for years, and that's why he feels the best thing they can do is bring the decision to the public. He wanted to note that in the end, it would really be up to individual counties on whether or not to expand gambling.Regardless, Griffin worries the legalization of sports betting would lead to more addictions, and therefore, more mental health issues in the state. "I was just in a webinar a couple days ago and there's some data from a study called Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and in it, it puts the addiction to sports betting and casino gambling in the same category as heroin, opioids, tobacco alcohol and cocaine," Griffin said. "I think an ounce of prevention is always worth a pound of cure."Supporters of the legislation, however, argue that it would benefit Georgia, especially from an economic standpoint. They add that at this point, most states in the country have legalized sports betting.It's important to note that if this legislation passes, it would essentially open the door for other things like casino gambling and horse racing to get the green light in counties that want it.The senate passed this legislation last year, but it did not pass the house.

A proposal to expand the legalization of gambling in Georgia appears to be gaining traction at the capitol.

Rep. Ron Stephens told WJCL on Friday that he feels hopeful that lawmakers will get a bill passed this session to get sports betting on the ballot, but not everyone is happy about this.

Public Affairs Representative at Georgia Baptist Mission Board Mike Griffin has been fighting gambling legislation for eight years.

"It's been a lot more intense here lately," he said.

Griffin told WJCL he feels putting the decision on whether or not to legalize sports gambling on the shoulders of Georgians isn't right.

"Studies have shown, for example from Stock Predatory Gambling, a national organization, that for every dollar we spend to promote not gambling, theyll spend $250. I'm just saying, it will not be a fair fight," he said.

Rep. Stephens said they've been speaking about this at the state level for years, and that's why he feels the best thing they can do is bring the decision to the public. He wanted to note that in the end, it would really be up to individual counties on whether or not to expand gambling.

Regardless, Griffin worries the legalization of sports betting would lead to more addictions, and therefore, more mental health issues in the state.

"I was just in a webinar a couple days ago and there's some data from a study called Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and in it, it puts the addiction to sports betting and casino gambling in the same category as heroin, opioids, tobacco alcohol and cocaine," Griffin said. "I think an ounce of prevention is always worth a pound of cure."

Supporters of the legislation, however, argue that it would benefit Georgia, especially from an economic standpoint. They add that at this point, most states in the country have legalized sports betting.

It's important to note that if this legislation passes, it would essentially open the door for other things like casino gambling and horse racing to get the green light in counties that want it.

The senate passed this legislation last year, but it did not pass the house.

Link:

Georgia representative: Sports betting legislation shows promise of passing this year - WJCL News Savannah

KUALA LUMPUR: A online gambling call centre in a serviced apartment here has been busted, after operating for about two months, say police.

City police Criminal Investigation Department chief Senior Asst Comm Habibi Majinji, when met at the scene in Old Klang Road, said five suspects were arrested during the 3pm raid on Friday (Feb 4).

"They operate an online gambling website, targeting players in Bangladesh. From what we can see, they have around RM40,000 in transactions per day.

"The suspects will be remanded and investigations are ongoing," he said.

SAC Habibi added that the police would be cross-referencing the suspects' travel documents with the Immigration Department.

"Their operation is slick. They rented an apartment unit on the 40th floor here so it would be hard to act," he said.

Each member is believed to have been paid around RM1,500 to RM2,000 monthly.

One of the suspects told The Star however, that he did not know that he was an operator for an online gambling syndicate.

"I was told this was a customer service job," he claimed.

On statistics for the Ops Dadu anti-gambling operation, he said police have conducted 110 raids between Jan 1 and Feb 3.

A total of 306 suspects have been arrested, with 156 charged in court.

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Cops bust online gambling centre operating out of KL serviced apartment - The Star Online