Category Archives: Gambling

The Euros caused a spike in gambling problems, a charity has said.

Calls to the National Gambling Helpline went up by 28% during the tournament, compared to the same time period last year.

Gamcare, the charity that runs the service, says the return of live sports this summer is leading to a rise in dangerous gambling behaviour.

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The charity's chief executive, Anna Hemmings, said: "Certainly people who've had gambling issues in the past tell us that it really impacts on their ability to watch sport. Partly because it's triggering and partly because of (gambling companies') sponsorship and advertising."

Over half of the helpline's advisers say they've spoken to a recovered gambler who relapsed during the Euros, with some saying people reported going to extreme lengths to gamble again.

Some callers said they had been to place a bet on the football in disguise because they had previously asked bookmakers to ban them.

Other callers spoke about using their children's phones to avoid gambling blocks they have placed on their own devices.

"If you've got a consistent run of matches and different sporting activities going on, that's a risky time in terms of gambling escalation. It's easy for gambling to get more frequent and for longer sessions," added Ms Hemmings.

Matt Burgiss is a recovered gambling addict. He tried to kill himself after spending all his savings and getting into debt.

He said: "There was a lot of guilt and shame. Ultimately, I believe that's why I then attempted. I felt the only way to get out of it was to kind of stop myself."

Mr Burgiss managed to get the help he needed to stop gambling through therapy but said he worries about relapsing when football games are on TV.

"There might be the odd time I avoid watching a match because I know that day particularly it might just trigger me. It might put me in a place where I want to gamble again," he added.

Ms Hemmings said lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic have accelerated an online gambling crisis and she worries that the return of the Premier League season and a summer of live sports will be a catalyst for more people's gambling to get out of control.

She advises using blocking software to stop access to certain websites and also suggests that people with addictions ask betting shops to prevent them from entering.

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Euro 2020: Tournament caused spike in gambling problems, says charity, which warns of return of live sports - Sky News

Minnesota United attacker Robin Lod leads his team with six goals, but was a late injury scratch in ... [+] Saturday's loss to the Galaxy. His absence was the latest in a string of high profile players missing games after not being listed on team injury reports.

Minnesota United leading scorer Robin Lod sustained a calf injury in training last Friday morning, one that wasnt reported until 30 minutes before Minnesota kicked off a nationally televised match against the LA Galaxy on Saturday.

Some 10 days earlier, MLS assist leader Carles Gil was ruled out of the New England Revolutions home game against Nashville SC with an injury reported late the night before via anonymous sourcing by the SB Nation site that covers the team.

A few days before that, reigning MLS MVP Alejandro Pozuelo missed Toronto FCs gameday roster against Nashville with a leg injury revealed only in pregame comments manager Javier Perez to Canadian broadcasters TSN.

None of the three players were listed on the clubs official injury reports prior to those games. And while last-minute injuries happen in pro sports, these recent ones shine a light on an injury reporting system that is in drastic need of improvement as Major League Soccer continues wooing the American sports betting public.

(Full disclosure: In addition to my MLS writing for Forbes.com, I am an active MLS bettor and handicapper for ActionNetwork.)

Sports gambling has become a major part of MLS strategy to make inroads with new fans. Last year, MLS became the first major American sports league to list gambling odds for games on its official league website. The year before, it became the first American league to allow individual clubs to pursue jersey sponsorship agreements with domestic gambling firms.

It was a sensible decision following a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that paved the way for individual states to legalize sports betting.

Because betting is already legal throughout much of the world, soccer already has more of an established legalized betting culture than most American sports. And for a league that struggles at times for exposure, getting odds prominently displayed on popular gambling websites is essentially free advertisement.

But if MLS wants to retain interest among bettors, it needs to fall in line with other North American leagues in terms of how strictly injuries and other availability issues are monitored. Because between the nature of soccer overall and the lack of depth on MLS rosters, a star injury can have as much impact on the potential outcome for a game as that of a starting pitcher in baseball or a starting quarterback in football.

Like the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB, Major League Soccer requires does clubs to disclose player availability status. But there are obvious cracks in the system.

Generally, teams are expected to file their availability report 48 hours before each game, which is usually before their final training session ahead of the match. The league only requires players be listed as questionable or out. And teams arent required to list the kind of injury or availability issue a player is dealing with.

That alone is less transparent than the other North American leagues. But the real problem is what happens after: essentially, nothing.

Compare it to the other popular American pro sports.

In the NFL, there is no update to the injury report following Friday until inactives are announced 90 minutes before kickoff. But reporters have access to locker rooms and the first 15 minutes of practice every day but the day before gameday, making it hard to miss if an important player is nursing even something minor.

Coaches disclose if players are limited in their practice activities. And practice the day before a game is normally a walk-through, which makes injuries in those sessions exceptionally rare.

In the NBA and NHL, unless a team is playing on back-to-back days or an afternoon game, reporters have access to a morning shoot-arounds or morning skates on the day of a game. Coaches address the media at morning skate in the NHL, and 90 minutes before tip-off in the NBA.

In MLB, managers meet with reporters twice daily once several hours before a game and once immediately after except on rare occasions.

In every case, its far harder for a crucial injury to go undetected.

To be fair, these leagues dont have to fight the same cultural battle as MLS, which is often working with coaches and players from other countries with far more restrictive media environments.

The amount of information and access MLS teams freely give is greater than most leagues on the planet.

Theres also the fact that MLS media coverage lags those other major U.S. sports. Say the league required managers to have a pregame media session 90 minutes before kickoff. Its not a guarantee anyone would show up particularly for the manager who is on the road.

Even so, the lack of injury disclosure is a problem that is in the leagues best interest to solve, and its not a difficult one.

The easiest fix is to change the injury reporting deadline to 24 hours and separate it from the rest of the media information process. This would take more resources, but only marginally so, and could be something the leagues gambling partners could even help fund.

And if teams are submitting their injury reports after their final training sessions, theres no reason to leave out situations like Lod or Pozuelo from the questionable category, even if you dont disclose exactly the kind of injury. If teams arent truthful, its easy enough to make them pay with their wallet.

No system is perfect. There will always be the sneaky injuries that pop up in pregame warm-ups, and there will always be managers who simply decide to give a veteran the night off during a busy stretch. But it can easily be a lot better.

With 14 states now offering sports betting, and nine more set to do so in the near future (According to ActionNetwork), MLS is making a first impression on a lot of new potential consumers. It would be a shame to do so as the league you shouldnt bet on because of dodgy injury reporting.

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As MLS Courts Gamblers, Its Injury Reports Arent Worth Betting On - Forbes

The nations best-known online sports-betting platforms are wagering heavily on their ability to convince Florida voters to expand the gambling market in 2022.

Florida Education Champions, a political action committee backed almost exclusively by the betting sites FanDuel and DraftKings, has raised more than $20 million to get on the ballot next year a constitutional amendment permitting organized sports betting.

The crux of the PACs pitch is the same used by lottery fans: education.

The proposed amendment would allow the Legislature to tax gambling revenues, with all proceeds funneled to the state Educational Enhancement Trust Fund.

According to state election records as of July 31, FanDuel and DraftKings each put up $10 million for the cause.

A total of six other donors have chipped in a combined $87.

So far, the PAC has spent about $3.6 million, records indicate. Florida Education champions has doled that out for legal advice, mailing expenses, research, with the bulk of the spending so far going to Dallas-based Advanced Micro Targeting for voter outreach.

Floridians love their sports. The thrill of a buzzer-beater victory or the agony of a hard-fought loss, we love it all, the group says on its website, fledchampions.com.

Many Floridians also enjoy betting on sports its a fun way to participate in the excitement of the game. By signing the Florida Education Champions petition, you can allow Floridians, 21 and older, to use their favorite online sports betting platform and ensure any new revenue MUST go to increase education funding in Florida.

The group maintains that the amendment, if approved, could generate hundreds of millions of dollars for Florida, based on the action in comparably sized states like New York and Illinois.

The amendment itself would authorize sports and event betting at professional sports venues, pari-mutuel facilities and online sports-betting platforms for people 21 or older.

It restricts the online action to gaming house that have operated in at least 10 states for at least a year, and by Native American tribes holding a gaming compact with the state of Florida. Other firms could enter the market after 20 months.

The amendment defines betting as wagering on any sporting event or portion of a sporting event, or even the individual performance or statistics of any athlete or participant in a sporting event, or any combination thereof in any one of several methods.

It would not include any other casino gambling now specifically listed in the state Constitution, nor fantasy sports contests. Qualified events include pros, amateurs, colleges, the Olympics or other international sports, motor sports and any other competition, contest or event in accordance with implementing legislation or agency rule.

Back in the spring, Gov. Ron DeSantis, with the overwhelming approval of state lawmakers, endorsed a new gambling pact that permits sports betting. Because the deal involved the Seminole tribe, it needed federal approval, which was granted two weeks ago.

Florida Education Champions note their measure will allow more competition and enable Floridians to use their favorite sports betting platform.

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Sports Biggest Online Gambling Sites Betting Big They Can Get Floridians To Authorize Constitutional Protection - The Free Press

Phnom Penh municipal Military Police are questioning more than 100 suspects involved in a covert online gambling operation in violation of the governments ban on gatherings and gambling regulations.

Their arrests followed a raid on a condominium building on street 508 in Chamkarmon districts Phsar Doeum Thkov commune.

National Military police spokesman Eng Hy told The Post that the suspects gathered for online gambling. He said those found to be involved in the operation would be referred to court on gambling charges.

A Phnom Penh Military Police official who asked not to be named told The Post on August 22 that most of the suspects were Chinese, and officials were still searching for other suspects.

The source said those not directly involved in the offences would likely only receive a warning and be released.

We will send all those involved in the gambling operation to court. As for those who were not involved in the crime, like cooks, security guards and vendors, we will not prosecute them, he said.

He said the suspects, including some Vietnamese nationals, were being questioned but those found to be behind the crime would be sent to court within 48 hours of their arrest.

The prosecutor has temporarily closed the condominium, pending further court proceedings, he said.

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Police bust gambling operation, nab over 100 - The Phnom Penh Post

Legal betting on sports in North Carolina is closer to reality.

ACC POLICY >>> AT THAT POINT, IT WAS A HUGE POLITICAL CONTROVERSY AND FAIRLY PASSED. TODAY IT DID NOT GET DEBATE. WHAT CHANGED IN THE MEANTIME? IN 2018, THE U.S. SUPREME COURT RULED STATES HAVE THE RIGHT TO LEGALIZE GAMBLING. SINCE THEN, ONLINE SPORTS BETTING SITES PROLIFERATED AND MORE THAN 20 STATES LEGALIZED IT. NORTH CAROLINA COULD BE NEXT. >> PROHIBITION DOES NOT WORK. >> Reporter: SENATOR JIM PERRY SAYS PEOPLE ARE ALREADY DOING AND HE THINKS IT COULD BE A NEW REVENUE SOURCE. >> IT IS A VOLUNTARY TAX FROM PEOPLE ALREADY TAKING PLACE IN THAT MARKET. CHOOSING TO SPEND MONEY THAT WAY. I BELIEVE I OWE IT TO THE PEOPLE I REPRESENT TO FIND ALTERNATIVE MEANS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. >> Reporter: THE FAMILY POLICY COUNCIL THINK THAT IS A BIG MISTAKE. THE BILL WOULD MAKE ONLINE BETTING AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE IN THE STATE. >> CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS AND OVERALL POPULATION WOULD BE OVERCOME WITH ADVERTISEMENTS AND PROMOTIONS THAT ARE PUSHING GAMBLING ON OUR CITIZENRY AND WE DON'T BELIEVE THAT IS A GOOD IDEA. >> Reporter: 16 SENATE REPUBLICANS VOTED AGAINST THE BILL, MORE THAN HALF. SENATE LEADER PHIL BERGER USUALLY DOES NOT ALLOW A VOTE ON A BILL UNLESS THE MAJORITY OF HIS CAUCUS SUPPORTED BUT HE MADE AN EXCEPTION THIS TIME. >> THE CHAMBER, GOOD MAJORITY OF FOLKS IN FAVOR OF IT, SOMETHING TALKED ABOUT FOR A WHILE. FELT LIKE IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR US TO GO AHEAD AND ALLOW THE CHAMBER TO WORK ITS WILL. >> Reporter: HE WAS SURPRISED BY THE DECISION BUT SAYS THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY AND POWER BEHIND THE BILL. >> I DON'T CALL INTO QUESTION THE INTEGRITY OF ANY OF OUR LEGISLATORS. BUT THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT INTERESTS AT HAND HERE. >> Reporter: THE BELL HAS A LONG WAY TO GO. HOUSE LAWMAKERS HAVE NOT TAKEN IT UP YET. THEY TALK ABOUT CHANGES THEY WANT TO MAKE TO MAKE SURE THE STATE GETS A BIGGER CUT OF THE MONEY.

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Supporters of legalized gambling say NC residents already bet on games :: WRAL.com - WRAL.com

At this weeks Northern Trust at Liberty National Golf Club, whom do the journalists and betting analysts like? Or the caddie? Or the old-school gambler? Gimme the facts, storylines and trends. Gimme that inside-the-ropes look. Gimme your gut feeling.

You bet, bettor.

Welcome to GOLF.coms gambling advice column, where weve assembled a panel of those aforementioned experts to make three best bets. A real-life professional bettor here will then heed that advice, add his acumen and wager his own cash. Its not unlike what you do through texts and Google searches except now its all in one place.

Now, on to information on where to bet, some facts, the expert picks and the bettors best bets.

Looking to make a (legal!) wager yourself? We teamed with the online sportsbook BetMGM for this great offer: Get a Risk Free First Bet up to $1000, plus players who opt in and place a bet on any golfer to win the Northern Trust can get their stake back up to $25 if their golfer doesnt win, but places in the top 5.

This weeks tournament: 2021 Northern Trust at Liberty National Golf Club, Jersey City, N.J.

TV (all times Eastern): Thursday, 2-6 p.m., Golf Channel; Friday, 2-6 p.m., Golf Channel; Saturday, 1-3 p.m., Golf Channel, 3-6 p.m., CBS; Sunday, noon-2 p.m., Golf Channel, 2-6 p.m., CBS

Weather (weather.com): Thursday, scattered thunderstorms, 81 degrees, 10 mph SSE wind; Friday, isolated thunderstorms, 86 degrees, 7 mph NW wind; Saturday, scattered thunderstorms, 84 degrees, 7 mph E wind; Sunday, isolated thunderstorms, 84 degrees, 7 mph E wind

Defending champion: Dustin Johnson (at TPC Boston)

Top 10 in odds (via BetMGM): Jon Rahm, +900; Jordan Spieth, +1,600; Collin Morikawa, +1,800; Dustin Johnson, +1,800; Xander Schauffele, +2,000; Brooks Koepka, +2,200; Bryson DeChambeau, +2,200; Rory McIlroy, +2,200; Justin Thomas, +2,500; Abraham Ancer, +2,800; Daniel Berger, +2,800; Patrick Cantlay, +2,800.

Nick Piastowski, GOLF.com, @nickpia

Bet 1: Ian Poulter, to-win, +6,600. I think Kis won with the Ryder Cup on his mind last week. Lets go with a similar thought this week.

Bet 2: Adam Scott, to-win, +4,000. The odds are a bit down here after last week, but Im going to go with the hot hand. Finished fifth here in 2019.

Bet 3: Andrew Putnam, top 5, +4,000. Lets give this underdog a shot. Finished tied for 12th here in 2019.

Jessica Marksbury, GOLF.com, @Jess_Marksbury

Bet 1: Dustin Johnson, to-win, +1,800. Theres just something about DJ at the FedEx Cup playoffs he seems to summon his best stuff! Not only is he a three-time winner of this event at various courses, these are also nice odds for the world No. 2.

Bet 2: Xander Schauffele, top 10, +180. A gold medal, seven top 10s this season bringing the tally to eight this week doesnt seem like much of a stretch!

Bet 3: Adam Scott, top 20, +150. Im totally digging Adam Scotts resurgent play. Hes also a former winner at Liberty (2013). A mere top 20 this week? Im sold.

Brady Kannon, host, Vegas Stats and Information Network (VSiN), @lasvegasgolfer

Bet 1: Jon Rahm, top 5, +175. Rahm is the best golfer in the world, and it feels like the gap has been increased. Three of the courses that I see as similar tests are Pebble Beach, Royal St. Georges and Olympia Fields. Rahm won at OF last year, finished third at RSG at the Open Championship in July and took third at Pebble Beach at the U.S. Open in 2019. There could be some rust since pulling out of the Olympics with Covid, but I think he finds a way to a high finish once again.

Bet 2: Daniel Berger, top 10, +275. Berger has been a consistent top 10 finisher all summer. Using the correlated courses mentioned above, he took eighth at RSG in the Open Championship and has finished 1-5-10 in his past three trips to Pebble Beach. He also fared very well at this course in 2017 as a member of the Presidents Cup team. Berger is third best in the field in SG: Approach.

Bet 3: Scottie Scheffler, top 20, +120. Scheffler has been consistently knocking on the door. With the majority of the par-4s on this course measuring between 450 and 500 yards, Scheffler ought to flourish, as he ranks eighth on Tour on par-4s of that distance. Like Berger, he, too, finished eighth at the Open Championship and recorded a top 20 last year at Olympia Fields.

Wes Reynolds, host, Vegas Stats and Information Network (VSiN), @WesReynolds1

Bet 1: Rory McIlroy, to-win, +2,000. Even with a win earlier this season at the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow, this has clearly been a down year for McIlroy as he continues to work on swing changes with Pete Cowen. However, he seemed to show the most progress in his past start, where he opened with a two-over 72 before closing with three-straight 66s to finish 12th at the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational. McIlroy also led the field in Memphis for SG: Off the Tee and was second in driving accuracy, second for SG: Tee to Green and third for SG: Approach. He was also first in both total driving and ball striking at St. Jude. McIlroy finished T-6 at Liberty National in 2019.

Bet 2: Patrick Cantlay, top 10, +250. Cantlay rates fourth on Tour in SG: Total and third for SG: Tee to Green. He is also first for scrambling and fourth in bogey avoidance. Furthermore, all four of his wins have come on bent grass greens, with three of them coming on pure bent grass. Cantlays short game has been a bit out of sorts lately, but he did gain 4.5 strokes on the greens last time at Liberty National, in 2019.

Bet 3: Daniel Berger, top 10, +250. Berger has three top 10s in his past four starts, including a tie for fifth two weeks ago in Memphis, where he ranked first for SG: Approach and third for SG: Tee to Green. While this is Bergers first appearance at Liberty National in a stroke-play event, he was part of the Presidents Cup team in 2017 here and made the clinching putt for Team USA on Sunday.

John Rathouz, PGA Tour caddie and Caddie Network contributor, @rathouz

Bet 1: Jason Kokrak, top 20, +240. Kokrak finished 12th (19) and ninth (13) the past two times the event was held at Liberty National. This time, hes coming in with two wins on the season and is ranked 12th in the FedEx Cup and 25th in the world. Skyline Chili meat New York City skyline.

Bet 2: Rory McIlroy, top 20, -110. McIlroy finished sixth (19) and 19th (13) the past two editions. Feels like hes gaining consistency, having finished in the top 20 five of the past seven times hes teed it up. Granted, a few of those were no-cut events, but this is a good course to show off his ball-striking and run near the top.

Bet 3: Kevin Kisner, top 20, +250. Nice call by our man Nick last week, and I had him picked on The Caddie Line podcast as well ;). Two good memories at Liberty National for Kisner: He was a member of a winning Presidents Cup team (17) and finished 12th two years ago. Its a longer course for him, no doubt, and the debates on Kizs Ryder Cup merits are running rampant at the moment, but I like him as a guy to channel confidence and capture momentum.

The old-school gambler, an old-school gambler, @notthefakeW

Bet 1: Daniel Berger, to win, +2,800. With apologies to Homer Simpson, Mmmmmm, Berger.

Bet 2: Dustin Johnson, to-win, +1,800. If ever the No. 2-ranked player in the world could be considered a sleeper, this is the week.

Bet 3: Collin Morikawa, top 5, +350. The man wins in nearly a quarter of his starts. Is a top 5 too much to ask? It is not.

Erick Lindgren. Lindgren, the 2008 World Series of Poker Player of the Year, has won more than $10.5 million in poker tournament earnings and is an avid sports bettor. @EdogPoker

Bet 1: Hideki Matsuyama, to-win. +3,300. The public jumped off Hideki after his missed cut last week. Time to jump in on this great value play.

Bet 2: Jordan Spieth, to-win, +1,600. Hard to find a more consistent player these days. If he putts well, hell win.

Bet 3: Cameron Champ, to-win, +12,500. When hes on, hes on and very tough to beat. At these long odds, I love a guy with such a high ceiling.

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Northern Trust picks to win: Who the experts and a pro gambler are betting on - Golf.com

ZenSports has a dream. It foresees a different gaming model in Nevada possibly one that wont be realized for several years and wants to help set the pace of the transformation. It has now made a small step toward the completion of that goal, with the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) approving the California-based companys entry into the state.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) recently approved a request by ZenSports to take over the Big Wheel Casino in Lovelock, as well as to operate a sportsbook at Baldinis Sports Casino in Sparks (both are owned by Strategic Gaming Management). That approval came with unanimous support from the board, but the company still needed to overcome the NGC before it could truly celebrate its victory. The commission has now made its decision, approving ZenSports request by a narrow, two-to-one margin.

The NGC may have been a little more hesitant because of ZenSports lack of experience in operating a land-based casino. However, it could have also been impressed by what ZenSports is going to bring to the table. Nevada has begun considering expanded gaming options in the state, and there has been talk about the possibility of peer-to-peer sports wagering, online gaming and cryptocurrency eventually being found. While theres no guarantee that any of that will happen, ZenSports, which eventually could be able to offer its sportsbook across the state, has a strong lock on peer-to-peer wagering and cryptocurrency, both of which it wants to bring to Nevada by next year.

ZenSports narrow acceptance was possible because commissioners decided to keep an open mind. The one rejection came from Commissioner Rosa Solis-Rainey, who indicated that she wasnt sure the companys financial situation warranted approval. However, with Commissioner Steven Cohen pointing out that the company has no debt, ZenSports is more stable than most. In addition, because it has been approved for launch in the state, its a safe bet that the company wont have any problems finding backers.

Cohen poignantly stated in conjunction with his decision, I cant decide whether youre dreamers or geniuses. After hearing what you said today, I still dont know what the answer is. Im still concerned about your financing. One thing that gives me comfort is you have no debt. Youve got two years to get this done right shore it up, get a compliance committee, and get your financing.

ZenSports is a small company with a strong background in gaming. It previously had operations set up throughout Europe before exiting to focus on the US market. With only 15 employees, it may be small, but it has huge dreams. NGC Commissioner John Moran asked Mark Thomas, the companys founder and CEO, how ZenSports can build a better mousetrap when people have been doing it for years and years, but building a better mousetrap is exactly what gives companies the ability to succeed as others fall off the grid.

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ZenSports Just Changed the Future of Nevada Gambling - GamblingNews.com

Q: For years my husband has enjoyed a weekly poker night with his friends.

During the pandemic he got into online betting; now Im concerned that hes turning into a compulsive gambler. He says Im worried about nothing. How can I be sure?

Jim: While it sounds trite to say it, your husband may be in denial. Dr. Robert Custer, a trailblazer in the field of gambling addiction treatment, identifies denial as refusing to acknowledge something to oneself (leading) to actually believing that there is no danger at all. Its a common mindset among those who struggle with gambling addiction.

Unfortunately, denial can affect others around the addict. Loved ones may subconsciously use it to explain away, minimize or rationalize destructive behavior.

This being the case, Id recommend that you first take an honest look at yourself.

If you have been enabling a troublesome pattern in some way, youre going to have to change your approach in order to help your spouse.

If, upon reflection, youre convinced that your husbands gambling is compulsive, sit down with him and confront the issue head-on.

Has he placed any limits on his gambling activity, either in terms of money wagered or time invested? Does he gamble as a way to escape from problems? Has he lied to others to conceal the extent of his gambling or worse, committed any illegal acts to finance the habit?

Depending on the answers to those questions, insist that he consider the possibility that he has a serious problem. Suggest that he seek professional assistance.

If hes unwilling to listen, enlist the help of an objective third party a pastor, a relative or a male friend who agrees with your assessment.

2021 Focus on the Family

Distributed by Andrews McMeel Syndication

Q: How can I begin to help my kids break some of the bad screen-time habits that have set in during the COVID-19 lockdowns?

Adam Holz, director, Plugged In: Screen time. Is there a bigger issue that parents are facing these days? My wife and I are dealing with it in our family. And most other families are too.

Screen time was a big issue before the coronavirus. And studies suggest that the amount of time we spend on screens now has perhaps doubled in the last year. Thats a result of many factors: remote learning, being able to connect with friends almost exclusively through screen-based devices, and parents working from home themselves while not having the mental bandwidth to exercise discipline in this area 24/7.

So, what do we do? Before we deal with our kids habits, we need to look at our own. Our children will naturally imitate what we model; thus, we may need to make screen-time adjustments ourselves before taking the next step.

With our kids, that next step should be a concrete and specific one that begins to reclaim lost ground. It might be as simple as no phones at the dinner table. Other suggestions include a tech-free night when the whole family engages in non-screen-related activities. We may also want to re-establish basic boundaries regarding where and when phones can be used, such as limiting use in bedrooms at night. The goal here is to set measurable, achievable goals as a family.

Habits take time to form and time to reshape. A reset in this area wont happen overnight, and it likely wont be without setbacks and moments of discouragement as you strive to break some unhealthy patterns and reestablish new ones. But by gradually establishing concrete, specific changes, you can successfully pull back from screen overuse as a family.

2021 Focus on the Family

Distributed by Andrews McMeel Syndication

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Focus on the Family: Husband may have gambling issue - Watertown Daily Times

In this episode of theGolf Gambling Podcaston the Sports Gambling Podcast Network, Boston Capper (@boston_capper) and Steve Schirmer start the show with a bit of touting! Boston Capper gave out Kevin Kisner pre-tournament and cashed in big. Steve also followed through on saving bullets to live bet, and used one of them on Kisner on Thursday evening. They recap Kisners big win along with other notes from the Wyndham Championship. They also give an update on the Ryder Cup standings and give their takes on who should and shouldnt make the team.

Then they move on to preview The Northern Trust from Liberty National Golf Course in Jersey City, New Jersey. Steve and Boston Capper have a quick funeral for some big names who didnt make the cut for the playoffs. Steve then goes in depth into the history and design of Liberty National Golf Course. They end the show with a recap of the 2019 tournament at Liberty National, and any preview that may have to this years Northern Trust.

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The Northern Trust Preview | Golf Gambling Podcast (Ep. 81) - The Sports Gambling Podcast

(This story is one of six serialized highlights from the Ken Mink book Big Blue Blues: The Inside Story of Kentuckys Involvement in the Point-Shaving Scandal of the 1940s-50s. The complete book is on sale on the Internet through Amazon Books, Smashwords Books and Barnes and Noble. Mink is a former Herald-Leader sportswriter who spent many hours with the late UK basketball Coach Adolph Rupp and other coaches and journalists researching data for the book. He is a native of Vicco, near Hazard, in Perry County.)

Following Kentuckys college basketball domination of the 1945-46, 1946-47 and 1947-48 era Coach Rupp found himself with several thousand dollars left over from the Olympics exhibition games with the Phillips Oilers and UK fan donations to help pay for the team sending extra players to the Olympics.

Coach Rupp met with Coach Lancaster to talk about what to do with the leftover funds.

Harry, the fans sent this in for the boys, and I think it should go to the boys, Rupp said.

I agree, Coach, but I dont know how we can do it legally, within the rules, I mean, said Lancaster.

Why dont we just dole it out throughout the season, giving the boys $20 here and there, and maybe $50 if they had played well? said Rupp.

Well, a lot of the guys like Beak and Beard could sure use the dough, with their family situations and all, said Lancaster.

Lets do it that way, then, said Rupp. But I will check with (UK) President (Herman) Donovan to make sure its legal before we do it.

Donovan gave Rupp and Lancaster the OK to distribute the money to the players. Donovan compared UKs trip to the Sugar Bowl hoops tournament in New Orleans like a football trip to a bowl game, where football players were given extra spending money. UK basketball players received up to $50 each spending money a decision that would come back to haunt UK.

As the season progressed several players, including Beard and Groza, found themselves handed $20 bills by Rupp and Lancaster from the leftover Olympics cash. As the 1948-49 season progressed, college basketball betting became a million dollar business, with UK games regularly featured.

UK did not have strong security for its players and gamblers managed to make their way into the locker room, often approaching UK players.

After a home game against Arkansas, Beard found himself shaking hands with Nick (the Greek) Englisis, a New York guy who came to UK to play football but soon found Coach Bryant had upgraded the football talent and he had lost his scholarship and became a UK assistant basketball team

Great game, Ralph, said Englisis, handing Beard a $20 bill.

What the hell is this all about? said a puzzled Beard.

Just a little token of gratitude from Ed Curd and the boys downtown, said Englisis.

Gratitide for w-w-what? said Beard.

Well, you guys more than upheld the point spread and Ed and his friends made quite a few bucks on the game, said Englisis.

Beard was still puzzled. Thanks, I guess, b-b-but I still dont understand.

Just relax and enjoy it. Buy yourself sumpn nice, said Englisis, moving away to Grozas locker, shaking his hand and giving him a 20-dollar bill.

Hey, thanks, Greek, said Groza. You hit a winner at the race track?

Englisis game Groza the same spiel and moved over to Barnstables locker, where he did the same thing.

After Englisis left Beard, Groza and Barnstable huddled quietly near Beards locker.

Looks like we made some people happy, huh, guys, said Groza.

Yeah, without even trying, said Barnstable. Guess theres nothing wrong if somebody wants to give us money for no reason. And Coach Rupp and Coach Lancaster have rewarded us with a little money from time to time, so I guess we ought to just relax and enjoy it.

Still, I dont think w-w-we ought to be talking about this with the other fellows, since we dont k-k-know if Greek gave them some money, too, said Beard.

Yeah, youre right, Ralph, no point in getting things stirred up, said Groza.

After handing out $20 and $50 bills to Beard, Groza and Barnstable as the 1948-49 season progressed, Curd and Englisis approached the trio about making even more money.

The gamblers met with the trio in the dining room of the Phoenix Hotel in downtown Lexington in January of 1949.

You boys have been real good at beating the point spread, said Curd. Dinner is on me. . . dessert, too.

The players took advantage as they all ordered steak.

Curd got down to business.

Boys, you may not know, but I work with some big-time gamblers out of New York City, including Frankie Costello. These guys use me to make basketball bets for them. You guys have been good at winning games over the point spread. Now, we are asking that you not beat the point spread but win for what the point spread calls for. For example, if you are favored to win by 12, you win by 11 or less.

So, you are asking that we dont run away from teams said Groza.

Exactly. We stand to win more money by you winning under the point spread than by going over the spread, said Englisis.

We are not asking you to throw games, said Curd. I know you guys would never do that. We are just asking that you control the winning margin.

B-b-but wouldnt that hurt some of our fans who bet on us to beat t-t-teams more than the point spread, said Beard.

Maybe a few, said Curd. But the big-time betting is done in the larger cities, particularly New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago. I dont think we have many big betters in Lexington, Louisville or the rest of the state. Besides, we dont want you to hold down the score for every game just a few here and there. Im a friend of Coach Rupp . . . I wouldnt want anything bad to happen to him or you guys.

So, what kind of money are we talking about I mean for us, said Groza.

Anywhere from a couple hundred to a couple thousand each,

Are you talking to any other UK players, Wah Wah in particular, said Groza.

No, said Curd. I think you three are enough to control things. And we feel Wah Wah would just not be cooperative.

I think we n-n-need to talk about this among ourselves, said Beard.

I agree, said Groza. Give us a day or two and we will let you know what we decide.

The next day the trio met at their dorm.

I dont know what you guys think, said Beard. But I d-d-dont want to do anything that would hurt UK fans. They have been very loyal to us and I dont want to do anything that would cost them m-m-money. I dont mind so much getting money for winning games over the point spread. That is just getting paid to play good ball. But its a d-d-different deal trying to hold the score under the point spread. That means that sometimes we would have to deliberately play bad and I dont l-l-like that at all. I have too much pride to deliberately screw up.

I agree, said Groza. But its like Mr, Curd said, we are talking about a small amount of betting money by UK fans and it would involve only a few games. Its not like we were actually throwing games. We would still win and thats the main thing.

No real harm the way I see it, said Barnstable. Its not like were doing something illegal. People who bet are the ones breaking the law. The only ones who stand a chance of getting hurt are the gamblers.

And I guess its not so bad, said Groza. Coach Rupp has been giving us some money, too, for playing good.

The trio agreed to hold the score under the spread in some games and on Feb. 8, 1949, the players agreed to hold the final score under the point spread against Tennessee. UK was favored to win by 18 points, but won 71-56, three points under the point spread. Groza scored 34 in that game.

After one home game, Coach Rupp saw Curd in the UK dressing room, talking to some of his players.

Whats that guy doing in here? Rupp said to Lancaster. Get him outta here I dont want bookies in our locker room!

I let him in when Beak told me that Curd told him he was a friend of yours, said Lancaster.

Hes no friend of mine, said Rupp. I have seen him a few times at parties, and he made a donation to our Shriners Foundation fund drive, but you know how I feel about gamblers. Make sure he does not get in here again.

Rupp had been adamantly opposed to the idea of gambling on sports events and had criticized newspapers for printing point spread information.

The players had each received about $700 from Curd as the 1948-49 season progressed.

Beard kept visiting his mother often and kept giving her all the money he received from the point-shaving.

His mother became suspicious on one of Ralphs visits.

I dont understand how you can get this much money, Ralph. You are not stealing it, are you? You know I would never stand for that! I would rather starve to death than steal from another person!

No, m-m-mom I am not stealing it. I am earning it.

How are you earning it . . . do you have a job at school?

Yeah, sort of. I help manage the basketball team yknow, just help take care of little things.

Well, just make sure you stay out of trouble. I raised you to be an honest boy and I want you to stay that way.

Beard swallowed hard when confronted by his moms statement.

He, too, detested the idea of helping gamblers make money by using the players, but times were hard and he felt being able to help his mother overrode his concerns.

The teams only loss heading into the NIT was a 42-40 upset loss to St. Louis, a game the players felt they could win 99 of 100 times. But there was no point-shaving in that game, just an improbable loss.

Before leaving for New York to face Loyola of Chicago in the NIT Curd met with the UK trio at the Phoenix Hotel in Lexington.

Boys, since this game is going to be played in New York City, Costello is going to be laying down some big money, said Curd. We need your help. You are 11-point favorites. We are going to give each of you $2,000 if you hold the game down to no more than 10 points. We are laying a lot of dough on you winning by 10 or less.

Groza whistled. Wow, two grand. Thats our biggest payday ever!

Yeah, but we dont want to make it look too obvious, said Barnstable. The best way to keep the score down is to play poor defense.

Damn! I really hate doing this, said Beard. I dont think I can force myself to deliberately screw up. Its just not in my nature. If we get too far ahead you guys will just have to bring the score back down.

Well, if we only have a few minutes left and we need to cut the score back down, you just kinda stay out of the offense, Ralph, and kinda ease up on defense, said Barnstable.

But Loyola was not a top 20 team, the tournaments lowest seed (16th) and the Cats were very much overconfident.

The game got underway the afternoon of March 14 before 12,592 fans at Madison Square Garden.

The teams played evenly for the first 32 minutes.

But the game was tightly called by the refs and UK had three starters (Groza, Jones and Hirsh on the bench with five fouls. UK played the final four-plus minutes shorthanded and Loyola scored the last 9 points and pulled away to win a big upset 67-56.

Rupp brought the team back to Lexington right after the game to get ready for their NCAA Tournament opener at Madison Square Garden against 14th-ranked Villanova.

NEXT: Wildcats Turn Down Lucrative Gambling Offer

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