Category Archives: Gambling

Every U.S. state has been allowed to decide its own laws on sports betting since May 2018, when the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, known as PASPA, was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. Passed by Congress in 1992, PASPA had blocked state expansion of sports betting, which the high court decided was unconstitutional.

The challenge to PASPA was led by the state of New Jersey, where former Gov. Chris Christie and lawmakers wanted to legalize sports betting at casinos and racetracks. Professional basketball, football, hockey, and baseball leagues as well as college athletics all fought back, claiming sports betting threatened the integrity of their competitions. Eventually, however, the leagues began to acknowledge that rather than PASPA putting a stop to sports betting, it had, in fact, forced it underground where the lucrative trade was dangerously unregulated.

In the year following the Supreme Court decision to overturn PASPA, the states of Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Rhode Island, Mississippi, and Arkansas all kicked off legal sports betting.

In 2021, U.S. sports betting revenue is predicted to hit $2.5 billion and grow to $8 billion by 2025. Today, more than a dozen states allow sports betting.

To find the states with the most sports betting jobs, BestOdds analyzed the Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2020 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Report. The report, which contains an exhaustive list that categorizes nearly every job in the United States, was released in Spring 2021. States were ranked by the total number of gambling and sportsbook writers and runners.

#14. Alabama (tie)

Total employment: 150

Employment per thousand jobs: 0.08

Annual mean wage: $24,530

Sports betting is not legal in Alabama, although the states Senate in 2021 advanced a package of measures aimed at legalization that failed to reach the floor of the House for a vote. It was the closest the state has come to legalizing gambling: The proposals included establishing a state lottery and turning racetracks into casinos, with mobile and retail sports betting. Two of Alabamas neighboring states, Mississippi and Tennessee, allow casino and mobile-only sports betting, respectively. Three tribal casinos in Alabama are run by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.

Meanwhile, supporters of gambling legislation have their sights set on 2022.

#14. New Jersey (tie)

Total employment: 150

Employment per thousand jobs: 0.04

Annual mean wage: $36,840

Bettors in New Jersey, a leader in sports betting in the United States, wagered $6 billion in 2020, beating out an earlier record of $5.4 billion set by Nevada. It included $4.1 billion in bets made in the last five months of 2020, and betting for the year was topped off by an all-time high of $996.3 million in wagers in December. New Jersey bettors can register for more than 20 mobile sportsbooks, and in December, more than 93% of the money was bet online.

#13. Mississippi

Total employment: 160

Employment per thousand jobs: 0.15

Annual mean wage: $24,320

Mississippi repealed its ban on sports betting in 2017, and retail betting went into effect in August of the following year. Legal betting takes place only at the states 26 casinos, although there have been efforts to legalize mobile sports betting as well. In 2021, three bills that would have expanded the states betting to online platforms failed to make much progress with lawmakers.

#12. Oklahoma

Total employment: 170

Employment per thousand jobs: 0.11

Annual mean wage: $21,260

The governor and legislature of Oklahoma and two federally recognized tribes reached a deal in April 2020 on new gaming agreements that included sports betting at their casino properties. But the future of play has been put in question by a group of state lawmakers and the states attorney general who oppose the betting measure. Given that Oklahoma has more than 100 casinos, pressure to approve sports betting is likely to grow from the other 33 tribes that operate the gaming venues.

#11. Arizona

Total employment: 180

Employment per thousand jobs: 0.06

Annual mean wage: data not available

Legal in Arizona as of April 2021, sports betting with statewide mobile wagering is expected to kick off in September with the start of the NFL pro football season. The measure was approved by the state House in March and the Senate in April after Gov. Doug Ducey argued for the need for sports betting in his State of the State address in January. Legalizing sports betting entailed negotiating a new compact with the 16 tribes in Arizona, members of whom operate 24 casinos. Mobile sports betting has yet to be legalized in the state, but legislators are expected to approve it later in 2021.

#10. Alaska

Total employment: 190

Employment per thousand jobs: 0.64

Annual mean wage: $31,630

Alaskans are only allowed to bet legally on fantasy sports, and on bingo and dogsledding if run by a charitable organization. Efforts to win approval from lawmakers for sports betting have been made every few years with no success. But sports betting does have the support of Gov. Mike Dunleavy, who proposed two bills in 2020 to allow for legal gambling and sports betting. The bills expired, however, when the state legislature curtailed its session due to the coronavirus. Supporters say Alaskans spend an estimated $348 million a year on out-of-state sports betting and say that revenue would be welcome in the state.

#9. New York

Total employment: 270

Employment per thousand jobs: 0.03

Annual mean wage: data not available

This year, lawmakers in New York agreed to allow online sports betting; Gov. Andrew Cuomo provided his signature on the budget and revenue measures to launch the approval process. The state set a minimum tax rate of 13% for providers to pay, but that rate is expected to be driven higher in negotiations during a competitive bidding process.

Two chosen platform providers will pay a fee of $25 million to the state to operate sports betting, and they will pay casinos $5 million a year to host their mobile betting servers. Lawmakers have eyed the 2022 Super Bowl as a target date for launching online betting.

#8. Florida

Total employment: 300

Employment per thousand jobs: 0.04

Annual mean wage: $27,550

Sports betting could become legal this year in Florida. A new compact signed in May by the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, which wields considerable political clout, to allow mobile wagering may have laid the groundwork for more expanded betting in the Sunshine State. Questions that may slow the process have arisen about aspects of mobile sports betting under tribal gaming law. Other opposition has come from critics who say the legalization of sports betting should require voter approval.

#7. Nebraska

Total employment: 330

Employment per thousand jobs: 0.35

Annual mean wage: $25,080

In Nebraska, limited sports betting became legal in May 2021 when Gov. Pete Ricketts signed the states first commercial casino gaming bill into law. It allows for retail sportsbooks at pari-mutuel race tracks that can offer casino gaming, but it prohibits wagers on college games played in the state. Observers say ongoing limitations on betting in Nebraska benefit neighboring Iowa, where commercial casino gambling has been legal for decades and online sportsbooks are permitted as well.

#6. Montana

Total employment: 340

Employment per thousand jobs: 0.74

Annual mean wage: $23,290

Montana legalized sports betting in May 2019. The state already had legal charitable gaming, a lottery, video and live poker, and off-track horse betting. Sports bettors must be present at authorized retailers to place in-person and online bets, and the state allows the betting at any of its roughly 1,400 locations that have a liquor license. Bets are capped at $250 at kiosks and $1,000 online. While any place with a liquor license can offer gambling, casino-style table games are not allowed at any of Montanas 10 tribal casinos.

#5. Louisiana

Total employment: 380

Employment per thousand jobs: 0.21

Annual mean wage: $22,000

Louisiana voters approved sports betting in the November 2020 election, and Gov. John Bel Edwards signed the law in June 2021. The measures allow for retail and mobile sports betting, which is likely to launch by fall. Betting will be legal in the 55, out of the states overall 64, parishes that voted in favor. Betting licenses will be provided for the states 20 casinos and racinos, which are race tracks that have slot machines onsite.

Supporters said the state could generate up to $20 million a year in revenues from sports betting.

#4. Texas

Total employment: 450

Employment per thousand jobs: 0.04

Annual mean wage: $28,690

Texas lawmakers ended their 2021 legislative session without approving legalized sports betting, and they do not meet again until 2023. A failed measure before lawmakers would have allowed four casinos to open in Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. Earlier in 2021, the states biggest sports teams, including the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks, and Texas Rangers, formed a coalition to support sports betting.

A legislative effort in 2019 to allow online and mobile wagering on professional and college sports would have required support from two-thirds of lawmakers and also a referendum to amend the state constitution.

#3. California

Total employment: 670

Employment per thousand jobs: 0.04

Annual mean wage: $30,840

California voters will decide on a constitutional amendment legalizing sports betting at tribal casinos and horse race tracks at the November 2022 ballot box. Supporters say legalization could bring the state about $1 billion in gross annual revenues, another $3 billion if betting were expanded to include online wagering, and as much as $500 million in annual tax revenues. California has more professional sports teams than any other statefive professional baseball teams, four pro basketball teams, three NFL franchises and three NHL teamsas well as top college teams at UCLA, USC, and other well-known schools.

#2. Minnesota

Total employment: 1,230

Employment per thousand jobs: 0.46

Annual mean wage: $24,470

Minnesota lawmakers have not approved sports betting in the state, and supporters say the state is missing out on an estimated $2.5 billion that Minnesotans bet each year using local bookies, offshore websites, and betting sites in other states. Sports betting could mean more than $40 million a year in tax revenue, backers say. Opposition to expanded betting comes in large part from tribal gaming enterprises. Five legislative measures to legalize sports betting were proposed in 2021 without success.

#1. Nevada

Total employment: 1,440

Employment per thousand jobs: 1.15

Annual mean wage: $25,340

Sports betting has been legal in Nevada since 1949. The state was the first to regulate betting in an effort to wrest its control from organized crime syndicates. The state allows brick-and-mortar sportsbooks, online sports betting, and mobile sports betting apps, and it does not prohibit offshore sportsbooks. All types of bets on professional and college sports are allowed.

The coronavirus took its toll on betting in states across the country. Nevada was no exception, with sportsbooks only taking in $56.3 million during April and May of 2020, but that figure increased to $901.9 million for the same period in 2021.

This story was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio and first appeared on Stacker.com.

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Which states have the most gambling and sportsbook writers and runners? - Las Vegas Review-Journal

Billericay Town will play Lewes on Tuesday, followed by Forest Green Rovers versus Swansea City on Wednesday 29 July.

All four clubs have turned down gambling sponsorship now work with The Big Step and Gambling with Lives to help raise awareness of gambling harms in their communities.

The Big Step is a grassroots campaign founded by people with lived experience of gambling harm, part of the charity Gambling with Lives. Since 2019, The Big Step has been campaigning to reduce gambling-related harm across the entire population by campaigning for an end to all gambling advertising in football, including shirt sponsors and pitch-side ads.

Gambling advertising has become increasingly prevalent in recent years, especially in football. The recent Channel 4 documentary, Footballs Gambling Addiction, found that gambling logos can appear over 700 times in a single game[1], highlighting the uniqueness of these gambling ad-free matches.

James Grimes, founder of The Big Step campaign said: "With only two top-tier clubs without a gambling sponsor or partner, these games send a big message to the rest of the football league.

Promoting highly addictive products that harm many people every day is not something most fans want to see their clubs doing, which is why we believe gambling adverts and sponsorship should have no place in football.

Campaigners from The Big Step, all with lived experience of gambling harm, will be raising awareness of harmful pitch-side gambling adverts by walking 92 lengths of the pitch before each game one length for each club in the English Football League and the Premier League, the vast majority of whom promote gambling in their stadia.

Forest Green Rovers chairman, Dale Vince, said: Gambling is an abuse of football and football fans, and the fun has already stopped. Were happy to support Gambling with Lives together with Swansea to have this gambling ad-free game tonight something rather rare in football now.

John Peel, director of Lewes, said: "We are proud to have partnered Gambling with Lives since September 2019 and fully endorse their campaign to change football's corrosive relationship with the gambling industry."

The Big Step is a charity project that was formed by people with lived experience of gambling harm. Their campaign revolves around ending gambling advertising and sponsorship in football, and now forms a constituent part of the wider Gambling with Lives campaign. You can find out more here.

Gambling with Lives was set up by the families and friends of young people who had taken their own lives as a direct result of gambling. You can find out more here.

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Lewes FC's clash with Billericay is part of stand against gambling - Sussex Express

Through the years, musicians, singers, and songwriters have written a number of songs espousing their love, or at least their interest in gambling, the psychology of gamblers, the dangers of gambling, or just simply a song using gambling terminology to make a deeper point about life. Some of these songs have gone down in the musical pantheon, as some of the best songs ever written, and theyve been made by some of the most famous, and well-loved artists in music history.

With the recent rise in popularity of online casinos, the future of land-based casinos, and land-based gambling seems very uncertain, as many people interested in gambling, are far more likely to register an account on one of the numerous casino sites, rather than go through the hassle of driving, or traveling to land-based casinos.

With the decline in attendance of many land-based casinos, and the rise in popularity of online casinos, the future of these gambling songs seems bleak, as singing about pressing buttons on your home PC, is not nearly as compelling as singing about an old gambler, smoking his last cigarette on a train. With online casinos, you can access the latest casino games pretty easy. Roulette is one of those games and with Casimba Roulette you can have the best gaming experience.

So as we progress towards a digital future, let us give our respects to some of the most beautiful, and well respected songs of the past.

Ace of Spades by MotrheadIn 1980, English rock and heavy metal band, Motrhead came out their most critically and commercially celebrated album, Ace of Spades, an album which celebrates the rocknroll lifestyle that the bands frontman and bassist, Ian Lemmy Kilmister was known for. The most popular song from the album inevitably ended up being Ace of Spades, an ode to the casinos of the 70s, which at the time were being replaced by corporate casinos, which most people are familiar with today.

Ace of spades is one of Motrheads most famous songs, if not the most famous song, and was consistently played in concerts before Lemmys death of cancer in 2015.

The Gambler written by Don SchlitzIn 1976, Don Schlitz wrote one of the most famous gambling songs, The Gambler, which has since become one of the most famous songs, and while many people have covered the song, the most famous rendition is undoubtedly Kenny Rogers 1978 version. His version of the song was number 1 on the country charts, and crossed over into the pop charts, at a time when country rarely crossed over at all.

The song was also recorded by another legend of the country scene, and the music industry in general, Johnny Cash. Unfortunately, Johnny Cashs version did not reach the heights of success that Rogers did, and while the man remains a legend, his version of the song remains largely forgotten by the general public.

Honorable MentionsWhile these two are the most famous songs on the topic of gamblers, or gambling, they are not the only. Other rock, and pop groups have released songs worth hearing that deal with the topic. Some of the best ones include, The Jack by AC/DC, The Winner Takes It All, by ABBA, and The Card Cheat, by the Clash.

Read more from the original source:

A Look At Some of The Best Gambling Songs Ever Made - Substream Magazine

A letter sent to John Whittingdale MP by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Gambling Related Harm has received a response from the minister, detailing the DCMS awareness of the potential ways in which advertising or marketing may affect different groups.

In his response to GRH APPG chair Carolyn Harris MP and chair of Peers for Gambling Reform, Lord Foster of Bath on July 12, Whittingdale detailed that the government welcomes research being done in this area and is carefully considering all submitted information as part of its Call for Evidence to inform the review of the 2005 Gambling Act.

He explained: While the evidence we have seen does not show a causal link between exposure to gambling advertising and the development of problem gambling, we are absolutely alert to the potential ways in which advertising or marketing may affect different groups.

Furthermore, the minister who took over responsibility for the review of the UKs gambling regulations in March 2021 detailed how over 16,000 submissions have been received from a wide range of individuals and organisations including gambling operators, experts by experience, treatment providers and academics, reaffirming that any conclusions or proposals for reform will be based on this serious consideration.

Sent by Harris MP and Lord Foster on July 5, the initial letter related to a response Whittingdale gave to a question by Ronnie Cowan MP, vice-chair of the former group.

The ministers answer to this query was described as misleading by both Harris and Lord Foster, primarily due to his citing of study by Professor Per Binde conducted in 2014, stating in Parliament: While this research found evidence that advertising may adversely impact problem gamblers efforts to cut down, it did not establish a causal link between exposure to advertising and problem gambling.

Whittingdales answer was subsequently cited by the Betting and Gaming Council, which the GRH APPG has also criticised for describing gambling law reform advocates as Sunday School Prohibitionists in a statement released last month

The letter concluded: In this review we have a once in a generation chance to ensure we develop the right balance. between providing gambling in a safe and well-regulated way. The decisions must indeed be based on evidence which means a thorough assessment of all the evidence not the reliance of a position based on one piece of out-dated research.

An approach of this kind will let all sides down. The Industry likes to jeer at those who do not agree with their position, apparently, we are Sunday School Prohibitionists. But now is not the time for school-boy name calling. What we desperately need is a grown-up debate and a properly informed and considered response.

Arguing that there is very strong public support for greater restrictions on gambling advertising, the APPG continued to reference studies by the UK Gambling Commission, Ipsos Mori and the University of Stirling, and the Advertising Standards Agency, as well as former Scottish Conservative Party leader Ruth Davidsons Channel 4 documentary on gambling addiction.

On July 23, in a follow up reply to Whittindales response, Harris MP and Lord Foster sent the minister links to the cited research which they argue demonstrate a causal link between gambling advertising and associated harm.

The group stated: We hope you will now be able to conclude that you have seen evidence that does show a causal link between exposure to gambling advertising and problem gambling and that you will consider this in developing regulatory and legislative proposals ahead of the White Paper.

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Whittingdale responds to APPG criticism of DCMS' gambling advertising approach - Casino Beats

For Clay Today

Looking north: is Floridas gambling law causing it to miss out?

When arguments in favor of liberalizing online gambling laws are put forward, theyre often made on the grounds that its up to the individual gambler how to spend their money. This is a fair point: after all, in a liberal democracy, its only right that people can spend the cash they earn in the way they see fit. But theres much more to the question of online gambling liberalization than just this.

Its also the case that permissive gambling rules can help a state or local government enhance its tax revenues and job vacancy levels significantly by opening up its gambling laws. This article will go into these benefits in more detail, and look at how some other parts of North America have managed to secure big gains in this regard for their residents.

Current status

Before exploring what the benefits of liberalization might look like, its worth exploring the current status of the law in the state. At present, Florida places significant restrictions on online and even some in-person gambling practices, despite the fact that the state government was given sweeping powers to set its own gambling laws following the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, an action that struck down federal prohibitions.

One of the complications for the Florida state government is the influence of the Seminole Tribe, which controls a lot of the gambling provision in the state. Pushing through reform might run the risk of jeopardizing a key income stream that the Seminole Tribe values, meaning that theres likely to continue to be significant resistance.

Tax revenues

But theres plenty that a smart state government can achieve if it liberalizes gambling. One benefit is enhanced tax revenues: when allowing a wider range of gambling companies to operate within a jurisdiction, its possible to levy a certain amount in tax on their operations and assign that to the state budget.

Other states that have pursued a liberalizing approach to online gambling have enjoyed a bump in tax revenues in the longer term. One prediction last year, for example, suggested that sports betting alone could lead to $1bn taxable gross gaming revenue in the states that had legalized it at that point. Its often the case that voters approve (either directly or via a manifesto) proposals for liberalization of gambling laws in their state, and politicians can earmark the enhanced tax revenues for a specific project or service such as education. This means that theres a political model for Florida to follow if it did want to go down this road.

Job opportunities

Another benefit for states looking to pursue this option is that it can create additional jobs. Opening a physical casino creates lots of jobs: some of these are on the gaming floor, like croupiers or dealers, while others are in the back office. Given that casinos arent the sort of institution that tends to displace other institutions or forms of work, the establishment of one in a town can often mean an overall net gain and, indeed, can have a magnet effect if other leisure institutions such as bars and restaurants decide to open up in the area.

iGaming: a case study

These benefits dont just extend to in-person gambling locations, though. iGaming, which refers to online and mobile gaming (and in a casino context, online or mobile gambling) can also enhance tax revenues and given that they can be set up fast, the time the state has to wait to see revenue come in is short. They also create well-paid jobs in the knowledge sector for example, opportunities for coders which in turn increases income tax revenue.

In Canada in particular, iGaming has proved very popular. One study found that the size of the gambling market in the country could reach $4.6bn by 2030 an online casino for the French Canadian market has already been doing especially well in areas such as Montreal.

In short, Florida looks set to benefit massively if it follows in the footsteps of states further north and even Canada if it decides to open up its gambling laws. Not only could this move help enhance tax revenues and potentially support residents and taxpayers with the provision of further services, it could also help enhance job opportunities which would be a welcome step as the economy begins to recover from the pandemic. Whether or not the state government will take this approach, though, remains to be seen.

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Looking north: is Florida's gambling law causing it to miss out? - Clay Today Online

By: Nick Piastowski July 27, 2021

Justin Thomas hits a tee shot on Monday during a practice round for the Olympic tournament.

Getty Images

At this weeks mens Olympic golf tournament at Kasumigaseki Country Club in Japan, who does 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 BetMGM, and the online sportsbook is offering a Bet $20 Win $100 promotion regardless of your wagers outcome, as well as a Risk-Free Bet up to $600.

This weeks tournament: Mens Olympic golf tournament at Kasumigaseki Country Club, Saitama, Japan

TV (all times Eastern): Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.-3 a.m., Golf Channel; Thursday, 6:30 p.m.-3 a.m., Golf Channel; Friday, 6:30 p.m.-3 a.m., Golf Channel; Saturday, 6:30 p.m.-3:30 a.m., Golf Channel

Weather (weather.com): Thursday, partly cloudy, 90 degrees, 11 mph SSW wind; Friday, scattered thunderstorms, 91 degrees, 8 mph S wind; Saturday, scattered thunderstorms, 91 degrees, 10 mph E wind; Sunday, showers, 91 degrees, 11 mph E wind

Defending champion: Justin Rose (2016 Games, Rio de Janeiro)

Top 10 in odds (via BetMGM): Collin Morikawa, +700; Xander Schauffele, +900; Justin Thomas, +1,000; Hideki Matsuyama, +1,200; Rory McIlroy, +1,200; Viktor Hovland, +1,200; Paul Casey, +1,600; Patrick Reed, +1,600; Abraham Ancer, +2,000; Cameron Smith, +2,200; Joaquin Niemann, +2,200.

Nick Piastowski, GOLF.com, @nickpia

Bet 1: Viktor Hovland, to-win, +1,200. In a most bizarre tournament, I want someone who keeps himself steady. Thats Hovland.

Bet 2: Si Woo Kim, lowest score over 72 holes, group D (Alex Noren, Jhonattan Vegas, Kim, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Mackenzie Hughes), +350. The motivation to avoid military service is too good to pass up.

Bet 3: Sungjae Im, lowest score over 72 holes, group C (Corey Conners, Shane Lowry, Tommy Fleetwood, Joaquin Niemann, Im), +400. See above.

Jessica Marksbury, GOLF.com, @Jess_Marksbury

Bet 1: Hideki Matsuyama, to-win, +1,200. How often does one of the worlds top players get to play in the Olympics in his home country at a course where hes triumphed before? (Pretty much never.) Matsuyama won the Asian Amateur in 2010 at Kasumigaseki CC, and I think hell triumph here again, 11 years later. This time, for a gold medal.

Bet 2: Justin Thomas, to win a medal, +350. Thomas has a game that travels well. In fact, four of his 14 PGA Tour victories have been in Asia (two in Malaysia and two in South Korea), so I feel like that alone gives him an edge in Japan.

Bet 3: Sungjae Im, to win a medal, +800. Theres a lot on the line for the Korean players in the field this week most notably, an exemption from military duty if they can make it to the podium. Im was third when the PGA Tour visited Japan for the 2019 Zozo Championship, and after skipping the Open Championship to focus on the Olympics, I think hell be the most-prepared player in the field.

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

Bet 1:Thomas Pieters, medalist, +1,800. I also personally bet 70-1 to win. Pieters rates as the eighth-best player on the European Tour SG: Tee-to-Green and fifth for SG: Off-the-Tee. He also has unfinished business at the Olympics, as a third-round of 77 ended up keeping him out of the medals, having finished fourth.

Bet 2:Paul Casey, to-win, +1,600. With a win in Dubai earlier this year and eight top 10s in 15 starts, Casey has continued good form. He seems excited to represent Team GB and has spoken about the Olympics and Ryder Cup being defining moments in his career.

Bet 3:Abraham Ancer, medalist, +600. Ancer is second in this weeks field for SG: Off-the-Tee. He has also shown a liking for Tom Fazio designs and re-designs, with a runner-up to Rory at Quail Hollow earlier this year.

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

Bet 1: Abe Ancer, to win a medal, +600. With his longtime caddie back on the bag at the Open, and a made cut out of the way, it feels like a great spot for Ancer. He was fourth two starts ago; hes won in the Pacific, in Australia; and he finished second at Quail Hollow, a Fazio course, earlier this year. Hell be motivated to nab a medal for Mexico and has the guts to do it.

Bet 2: Marc Leishman, to win a medal, +1,200. At 37, he fits the mold of the podium in Rio. Winner on a Fazio course, Conway Farms, and putts well on bent grass, especially his past few starts.

Bet 3: Si Woo Kim, to win a medal, +1,400. Great value on a guy who has won this year on the PGA Tour and is comfortable playing in Asia. Much will be made about his military exemption for a medal, but Si Woo has a knack for playing well in pressure situations.

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

Bet 1: Collin Morikawa, to-win, +700. Dude has won a quarter of his major starts and in nearly 10 percent of all his tournaments. No Rahm or Oosthuizen to contend with either

Bet 2: Hideki Matsuyama, to-win, +1,200. Home-course advantage, without the extra pressure of the crowds.

Bet 3: Corey Conners, to-win, +2,800. Has shown a big-time game in big-time events. A win for him would be a win for all of us, as the Canadien national anthem is better than most tunes in a terrible genre.

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, +1,200. Before he got sidetracked by Covid, Hideki was poised to make a run at world No. 1. I expect him to get back on that track.

Bet 2: Sungjae Im, to win a medal, +400. Motivation here, as a good showing helps him avoid military service.

Bet 3: Si Woo Kim, to win a medal, +1,400. See above.

See the article here:

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

Over the course of the last few decades, the popularity of the online gambling industry has skyrocketed all over the world. The widespread availability of high-speed internet, coupled with the global nature of todays marketplace that this has facilitated, has meant that people in a wide variety of countries can visit sites like and enjoy a premium Japanese online casino experience.

However, not all countries have been as quick to regulate this emerging industry as others. Given that Croatia only gained its status as an independent country 30 years ago, it has had less time to adjust to the new state of play than many others. Nonetheless, it has done so admirably and gambling at both land-based and online casinos has been legal in the country for many years now.

A history of gambling in Croatia

Croatia signaled its intention to open up the gambling to its citizens as far back as the 1960s, marking it out as one of the first members of the Eastern Bloc to do so. However, it wasnt until Croatia secured its independence in 1991 that the industry really took off, with popularity continuing to grow throughout the decade.

Despite its legal status, the exact legislation surrounding gambling in Croatia remained somewhat confusing until the implementation of the Zakon o igrama na sreu gambling law in 2014. This clarified the rules surrounding gambling in the country in both an online and offline capacity.

Open for business

After the introduction of the 2014 law, the Croatian government made it legal for casino operators all over the world to apply for a license to run a website in their country. This detail was welcomed by the gambling community, since it avoided a closed-off situation such as that which was experienced in France, Italy and Spain.

Instead, Croatian players are now free to join in at their favorite tables games and slots with any .com domain, providing it holds the relevant license. This gives Croatian gamblers unrivalled access to the best online casinos all over the world, including the most advanced games and the most generous bonuses that they offer.

Taxation

Less encouraging for Croatian gambling enthusiasts is the countrys laws regarding taxation. All earnings accrued from gambling in Croatia are subject to tax from the government and the percentages which they demand are considerably higher than in many other nations, some of which do not tax online winnings at all.

For example, all winnings up to 10,000 Kuna are taxed by 10%, while those between 10,000 and 30,000 Kuna receive a 15% tax. Bigger windfalls of up to 50,000 Kuna receive a 20% tax, while anything above that amount will incur a tax of 30%. This means that the state does take a sizable proportion of gambling winnings but its perhaps worth it for the freedom which the laws give to Croatian citizens.

Although it is less experienced with the regulation of gambling than some other countries, Croatia does have a robust legal system set up to supervise the online gambling industry. This means that Croats, ex-pats and visitors to the country can safely and legally gamble online today.

Read more here:

What Are the Online Gambling Laws in Croatia? - The Dubrovnik Times

08:2126 Jul

H3H3 Productions has broken a story that a group of Twitch streamers are being paid outrageous sums to gamble on air. Possibly under less than transparent circumstances. The popular podcast hosts discussed the accidental unveiling of one particular streamers negotiations and delved deeper into an area they think should be reviewed by Twitch management.

Back in June streamer Adin Ross unwittingly brought a Discord conversation up while he was live. The 20-year-old who has 4.3 million followers was chatting with an account called DuelBets who claims they offered Ross $2 million per month to stream their slots. Ross countered by correcting them and saying it was, in fact, only $1.4 million because they didnt want to cover expenses.

In a later podcast, Klein invited Adin Ross to appear and discuss what the real situation was. Klein took issue with the fact Rosss fanbase is particularly young, with no doubt the majority being under-age for gambling purposes.

Ross is also involved with Faze Bank, an e-sports organisation that previously caused controversy over a shady online gambling skin, as well as, more recently, being accused of running a pump-and-dump crypto scam.

As a proponent of responsible gambling, we can see why Ethan Klein thinks that Twitch needs to act on this. Bombarding children with gambling content is not positive in any way, and yet little appears to be about to change.

There was a warning shot recently when a streamer of Slovakian nationality played some online poker leading to one Slovak ISP quickly acting to ban the entire Twitch website. This shows how quickly things could sour when governments get involved to protect minors.

Twitch told Wired:

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H3H3 Outs Adin Ross and Other Twitch Streamers Gambling - PokerTube

So you are new in Portugal, maybe celebrating your Bachelorette or just an after-college trip. And of course, your bucket list says Earn some bucks by going to a casino.

Though before stepping into a casino and trying your hands into gambling, there are a few things you should know.

For this purpose, weve brought on board our expert Victoria Oliveira (check profile), where she shares some top tips that casino lovers must know to enjoy gambling in Portugal. Note that these tips are basically for the ones who are a newbie or will go for the first time at a casino.

Portugal only supports casinos such as Bettilt Portugal that are licensed. They want players to feel safe and secure while gambling online or offline. The licensing body is listed next to the name of every casino. So make sure you check the casino you are visiting is properly licensed. Nobody wants to get into something illegal on our trip, right?

Maintain a healthy balance between your game and your bankroll. Avoid being duped, as in that case, the player will almost certainly be in trouble. Only wager money that isnt excessive. A thumb rule would be gambling only that amount you can afford to lose. And if youre on a budget, stick to the limit decided.

If you are going to the casino to earn some serious money, it is advised to have a clear head when you arrive. The hint we are trying to give you is, do not party so hard that you are not able to make focused decisions.

Play with a light mind, thinking multiple things will distract you from concentrating on the bet at hand.

This may come as no surprise, but most casinos have a minimum age requirement for those who want to gamble in Portugal. Note that anyone under the age of 18 is not permitted to enter casinos. So yes do not forget to bring a valid ID card before you decide to party.

Every casino has its own set of rules. Smoking and drinking bans, some follow strict dress codes and some do not permit photography inside. So make sure you are thorough with the casino rules.

Usually, the rules are posted outside the casino, if not, ask the floor manager or employee for clarification. A more convenient way would be to sort list some casinos and ring them up to ask about the requirements and rules if any, before visiting.

Its okay if you dont know how to play or you are new to the game. To attract more visitors to play, most offline and online casinos in Portugal provide free instruction in a variety of games. These games have better odds than slot machines and are honestly more enjoyable. The majority of these classes take place in the morning in Portuguese casinos.

So in case, you do not feel confident enough about your gaming skills, maybe you can set a reminder for a 30-minute session before going in.

Lotteries, quizzes, and gambling are popular in Portugal, and the locals too are enthusiastic participants in these casinos. Casinos in Portugal are usually found in tourist areas in which they are part of a larger entertainment complex that includes, among other things, international shows, live music entertainment, fine cuisine dining options, gambling, eating, and pools much more.

Just keep the above points in mind while selecting the casino and going into play. Make sure to be on your best behaviour in the casino. If you think the cards are not with you, take some breaks, maybe grab something from the nearby food junctions. Take your time and do what you feel best.

Remember that the minimum legal age to gamble in an online casino in Portugal is 18 years old. We encourage you to gamble responsibly. Have a good time and party hard!

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Top Tips That Casino Lovers Must Know To Enjoy Gambling in Portugal - Qrius

Going for Gold: Professional gamblers usually avoid the Olympics because it's hard to find an edge. But casual bettors are all in.

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eemingly against all odds, including a highly infectious virus, the Tokyo Olympics have begun. And thanks to the proliferation of legal sports betting in the United States21 states now allow itthis is the first year that millions of Americans will be able to place bets on the Olympics from their mobile devices. But most of the action will be coming from amateurs betting on the number of gold medals Team USA will collect, or how the womens basketball team will take first place. Sharp bettors, however, usually dont give a damn about the Summer Games.

Professional gamblers generally stay away from betting on the Olympics as they fail to see a true edge, says Bill Krackomberger, a veteran sports gambler who has been living in Las Vegas for nearly two decades.

There are too many unpredictable elements to the Games to entice sharps. For team sports like basketball, baseball and soccer, most of the teammates do not typically play together, making it difficult to bet based on data or historical performance. This year, as Covid-19 spreads around the Olympic Village, theres also uncertainty around whether an athlete or an entire team will get disqualified.

Toshiro Muto, the head of the Tokyo Olympics organizing committee,said on Tuesday that he has not ruled out the possibility of the Games being cancelled due to a surge in Covid-19 infections.

Larry, a serious gambler who lives in New Jersey, says hes made some future bets on the U.S. mens basketball team, U.S. mens soccer and U.S. womens soccer team to win gold but hes not that excited about the Games.

Im putting wagers down almost out of boredom, says Larry, who did not want his last name published. Hes betting a few hundred dollars, but nothing substantial, especially compared to his action during the NFL season when he puts down $250 to $500 a game. Larry, who prefers to use his illegal bookie over apps like FanDuel and DraftKings, says theres an aspect unique to the Olympics that clouds logic for bettors: patriotism.

Theres a lot of emotion and pride when it comes to the Olympics, which throw things off, he says. Ill wait for football season to start betting aggressively.

Sure Thing: Simone Biles, the 24-year-old American gymnast, could win as many as five gold medals in Tokyo.

According to a new report by the American Gambling Association, 1 in 10 American adults will place a bet on any one event during the Tokyo Games. Thats nearly as many people who bet on the Super Bowl, one of the biggest money betting events in the U.S. But bookies and gamblers around the country disagree and do not think that many Americans will wager on the Games, nor do they expect to see a significant amount of money.

Were not hanging our hat on the Olympic Games, says Duane Colucci, race and sports manager at the Rampart Casino in Las Vegas. A single Yankees versus Red Sox game will supersede the entire Olympics.

Sportsbook directors in Vegas say interest around the Olympics is still relatively low as its a new betting opportunityit was not legal to bet on the Olympics until 2016 in Nevada and sports betting was federally illegal, except in the Silver State, until 2018.

Colucci says most of the people betting on the Games are amateurs, or recreational bettors.

Waiting for Football: At the Westgate in Las Vegas, director John Murray expects the action will be soft during the Olympics.

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t the Superbook at Westgate Las Vegas, director John Murray agrees: the Olympics wont be a big deal.

This is when we encourage our guys to go on vacation, says Murray. Its July, its a good time for people in our industry to leave Vegas and get ready for football season.

Theres no comparison between the action during the Olympics and big sports like football. On Monday afternoon, a guy walked into the Westgate and put down $30,000 for the University of Alabamas football team to win the national championship.

Youre just not going to get that kind of money on the Olympics, but its typical for college football, pro football, college basketball, Murray says.

That same afternoon at the Westgate, someone put $100 on Lily King, who is on the U.S. womens swim team and hasnt lost a race since 2015, to win the 200-meter breaststroke at 12 to 1 odds.

These are inconsequential decisions to our bottom line, says Murray. If someone wins on these bets, we dont really care. Its not something that will determine how well do for July and August.

DraftKings, which is now offering sports betting in 14 states, is featuring a lot of Olympic betting lines because its the first year theyre able to do so. Basketball will do well, soccer will do well, golf, tennis and table tennis will do well, says Johnny Avello, the companys head of race and sportsbook. But he says the handle for the most popular sport, U.S. mens basketball, wont surpass a regular season NBA game.

Theyre also listing odds on more obscure sports to test the market, including badminton, handball, judo and surfing.

Across the pond in the United Kingdom, professional gambler Paul Krishnamurty, who specializes in politics and sports, says he wouldnt count out the Olympics to generate a surprising amount of money.

When an athlete is chasing their third or fourth medal and it becomes a global event, it will attract a wall of money, he says.

Krishnamurty predicts that big standalone events will bring $5 million to $10 million to a single sportsbook and the total handle for every Olympic event combined will surpass $100 million for any given sportsbook.

Winner Take Olive: The ancient Greeks were known to wager on the Olympics.

Taking action on the Olympics is not newpeople in ancient Greece apparently gambled on the elite sporting event. Olympic action is also not new for BetOnline, an unlicensed offshore gambling site in Panama thats been taking money on the Games for two decades.

We used to only offer lines on the big sports, but now we offer everything we can: rhythmic gymnastics, synchronized swimming, well even have archery, without a doubt, says Dave Mason, the sportsbook brand manager at BetOnline. We take it a lot more seriously than we used to.

While the betting limits are low$1,000 compared to a cap of $50,000 for NFL gamesany action during the dog days of summer is welcome.

It gives us a good boost, especially for this time of year, says Mason. The line guys are on vacation, marketing is getting ready for NFL. Its a welcome event, not niche event anymore.

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Why Millions Of Amateur Gamblers Will Bet On The Tokyo Olympics - Forbes