Category Archives: Gambling

For years, the Lewis & Clark Community Counseling Center in Portland, Oregon, had helped a small group of patients dealing with gambling addiction.

We could offer someone an appointment the same or next business day, Frankie DiFerdinando, director of Lewis & Clarks problem gambling service, told Behavioral Health Business.

Then came the gambling apps, which made gambling as easy as clicking a button on a mobile device.

People now can legally wager on how many times Taylor Swift will be shown on TV during a Kansas City Chiefs game, or flight delays, or gas prices, DiFerdinando said.

In 2018, the Supreme Court shot down a federal law that kept most states from allowing sports betting. Today, sports gambling is legal in 37 states, and most of those states permit digital bets. According to the Legal Sports Report, U.S. sports gambling wagers soared from $24 million a month in 2018 to $6.7 billion in August of 2023 alone.

Sports gambling legalization has produced a ripple effect of making gambling, overall, a more mainstream pastime, DiFerdinando said. Now, Lewis & Clark has a waitlist of gambling patients.

Yet despite the definitely growing demand, behavioral health businesses face an uphill climb in knowing what resources to invest into gambling treatment, much less whether it can become a profitable business proposition.

The American Psychiatric Association recognizes gambling as a behavioral health disorder. Yet Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance mostly do not cover a treatment process that has elements different from treating substance use disorder (SUD) or mental health disorders.

Even with all the attention given to the opioid crisis, there are still treatment centers closing, so I do not see an immense growth coming in gambling treatment, Marti Paulson, CEO of Project Turnabout, a nonprofit that operates a residential gambling treatment program, told BHB.

Providers know gambling and gambling addiction are on the rise, but they dont know how many people want help.

According to Lia Nower, director at the center for gambling studies at Rutgers University, the last national study on the prevalence of people with a gambling disorder was completed in 1999. The 24-year-old report said 2% of the adult population is at-risk for a gambling disorder. Unlike SUD or mental health, there is no dedicated federal funding for problem gambling research.

Some states such as New Jersey do their own research, with Nower noting that 6% of New Jersey adults are at risk for a gambling disorder. Other states, however, have spottier reporting.

It is also not known who at-risk is seeking treatment. The peer-reviewed research periodical Addiction Journal published a study last year that 1 in 25 people in the U.S. and United Kingdom with moderate-risk gambling sought help, and 1 in 5 people with a gambling problem pursued treatment.

But the study acknowledged caveats, concluding: It is highly likely that our study underestimated the prevalence of help-seeking for problem gambling in several ways.

One way to tap into demand is to more explicitly address patients already seeking treatment for other behavioral health disorders

According to DiFerdinando at Lewis & Clark, about 75% of people who come in for gambling treatment have a co-occurring disorder.

In theory, providers could seek reimbursement for a disorder covered by Medicaid, Medicare or private insurance, while simultaneously treating a gambling problem. But treating for gambling requires its own clinical training and a unique set of patient approaches.

Project Turnabout is in Granite Falls, Minnesota, a town of less than 3,000 people that is 100 miles west of Minneapolis and surrounded by casinos. According to Paulson, it is one of a handful of residential gambling treatment centers in the country. Williamsville Wellness in Hanover, Virginia, and Algamus in Goodyear, Arizona, are two other residential treatment centers.

Treating gambling is partly like helping someone with a dependency for cocaine or another drug stimulant, Paulson said, since it works on a similar part of the brain, spurring impulsive decision-making. There is also a real withdrawal with headaches, nausea and vomiting the first days of not being able to get action.

In some respects, Paulson said, gambling patients are under even stricter guidelines than patients with a chemical dependency. Not only are residents handed a highly regimented schedule from 7 in the morning to 8:30 in the evening, but they must follow rules like not wearing any type of clothing with sports logos or any logo that may hint at gambling. They also cannot share things.

You cannot share belongings right down to you do not give people a cigarette, because theyll gamble on cigarettes, Paulson said. Patients will gamble on potato chips.

The approximately 200 residential patients that Project Turnabout sees each year typically spend a month at their facility and then receive 26 weeks of outpatient treatment.

Unlike SUD or mental health disorders, there is no federally approved medication that specifically treats gambling, which means patients must rely on counseling. Project Turnabout patients are recommended nine-hours of weekly counseling at the start of outpatient treatment, with session amounts gradually declining, Paulson said. Project Turnabout also refers patients to local Gamblers Anonymous chapters.

Federally, updates to mental health parity laws that effectively require some types of private insurance reimbursements have not applied to gambling.

Insurers can decide what they are going to cover, and they have decided not to cover gambling, Paulson said.

The lack of an insurance backstop has made gambling treatment a less promising business model than SUD or mental health disorders, which each saw a venture capital influx amid the pandemic.

Paulson sees her share of high-end clients who pay out of pocket, but that can be risky in itself with some patients not forthcoming about gambling debts.

Presently, then, gambling treatment providers rely on state funding. In Minnesota, the first month of gambling treatment is state-funded, using revenues from the Minnesota lottery and local casino fees. Oregon also finances initial gambling treatment, DiFerdinando said.

A National Association of Administrators for Disordered Gambling Services report found that in 2021 that 42 states provided publicly-funded gambling services, totaling $94 million, an increase from $73 million in 2016.

Linda Graves, the associations outgoing director, said that states have gradually done more to cover the costs of patients who seek treatment from nonprofit and for-profit providers. But state-by-state treatment varies greatly.

Some states have no treatment of any kind like Wisconsin, but others may have a full range of treatment services including residential treatment in California, Graves told BHB.

For now, Graves said, funding and services for problem gamblers is extremely uneven.

Continue reading here:

With Gambling Addiction Soaring, Providers Struggle to Launch Sustainable Treatment Programs - Behavioral Health Business

GADSDEN COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) The Florida Gaming Control Commission's Division of Gaming Enforcement executed a search warrant at a facility located just north of Havana at 6766 Florida Georgia Hwy. Seventy suspected illegal gambling devices, computers, an ATM, and cash were seized by special agents.

The FGCC Division of Gaming Enforcement is pursuing criminal charges.

Illegal gambling facilities often utilize predatory tactics to fool customers into thinking their machines are legal, but they offer no consumer rights, no guarantee of fair play, and no recourse if an operator steals their money.

The FGCC reminds the public that it is against the law to offer slot machine gaming at any unlicensed facility, including, but not limited to, bars, restaurants, gas stations, internet cafes, and adult arcades.

The raid comes on the heels of a deadly robbery at a another illegal internet cafe.

There have been recent calls from the community for illegal internet cafes to be shut down in Gadsden County. One of those residents is the wife of a pastor and security guard at an internet cafe.

Ashley Engle

Click here for more

Illegal gambling establishments operate outside the legal, regulated market to exploit vulnerable Floridians. They are usually associated with organized crime, do not generate state tax revenue, and do not provide the same consumer protections or safeguards as legal gaming operators, said Lou Trombetta, FGCC executive director.

If you suspect illegal gambling activity, you're asked to report it to the Florida Gaming Control Commission by visiting FLGaming.Gov.

More:

SEE WHERE: Gaming Control Commission seizes 70 suspected illegal gambling devices, ATM, cash in Gadsden County - WTXL ABC 27 Tallahassee News

I had the honor of sitting down with one of the most prominent college football gamblers in the world in Colby Dant (@TheColbyD) from The Sports Gambling Podcast network. Also known as Pick Dundee, Dant is the host of The College Football Experience podcast and the College Basketball Experience, but today we are diving into his football expertise.

Its really easy for us to listen to the talking heads on network television and their opinion, but Dant literally puts his money where his mouth is and provides listeners with not only his thoughts on every single college football game each week, but also what specific games he is placing his hard earned cash on.

When evaluating the reality of college football and looking for a second opinion on the state of the Ohio State football program, I am looking for someone who watches as much college football as possible and someone who has an actual investment in the results of these games. Mr. Dant checks both of those boxes in excess. The following are my four questions and his answers.

Q:Should Ryan Day be fired, why or why not, and when does the plug need to be pulled?

Dant: I think he should be given more time. Perhaps next season if they lose to Michigan and underachieve against great opponents.

Q: Who would be your top replacements and why?

Dant: Mike Vrabel and Urban Meyer come to mind. Luke Fickell if he has a great year at Wisconsin. I could also see Dan Lanning or Kalen DeBoer potentially.

Q: If he isnt fired, what needs to change?

Dant: They made the move to get more physical. Another year on building on that should help. QB improvement is essential though.

Q: With the Big Ten expanding will Ohio State still be in the upper tier?

Dant: Yes. I wouldnt panic all the way yet. Michigan, Ohio State, then Oregon, Washington, and Penn State as top tier.

See more here:

How does this gambling expert feel about the future of Ryan Day? - Buckeyes Wire

IMMOKALEE, Fla. The biggest expansion in gambling in several years is coming to southwest Florida on Monday.

The Seminole Tribe of Florida will usher in a new era of gambling at its casinos, including the Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee, with craps, roulette, and retail sports betting.

While the quiet streets of Immokalee would never be confused with the bright lights of the Vegas strip, does the expansion of gambling give this Collier County community a chance to cash in?

This certainly will help the Seminoles, said Bob Jarvis, a law professor and gambling expert at Nova Southeastern University.

This does not mean that Florida is now in league with Las Vegas or Macao (China), or other places people think of when they think of gambling, Jarvis said.

Thats because even with the expanded gambling, options remain limited.

The Seminoles operate six casinos in various parts of the state, while other gambling hubs feature multiple casinos on the same street.

This week, the Seminoles Hard Rock Bet app, which allows mobile sports betting anywhere in the Sunshine State, opened to all customers.

Gambling attorney Daniel Wallach believes year-round sunshine and beaches, with the addition to mobile sports betting, could help drive tourism.

I think there is something to be said about giving sports gamblers a choice, Wallach said.

According to Las Vegas tourism officials, every year around 300,000 people travel to Sin City to gamble during Super Bowl weekend, regardless of where the game is being played.

You can peel off some of those 300,000 visitors, divert them to Florida because we have warm weather, hundreds of miles of pristine beaches. It makes a big difference in a cold weather month, said Wallach.

Its not clear what kind of impact locals are expecting.

The Collier County tourism board told Fox 4 they havent made any estimates on how the expanded gambling could impact the area.

See more here:

HIT THE JACKPOT: Could Immokalee cash in on expanding gambling? - FOX 4 News Fort Myers WFTX

By Colin A. Young | State House News Service

Concerned about the tiny percentage of sports bettors who have so far used things like time or deposit limits, the Mass. Gaming Commission is working to convene a roundtable with operators, industry experts and more to talk about how they might be able to make responsible gambling tools "cool."

The commission received quarterly reports from all eight of its online sports betting licensees since late November, and those reports showed that the responsible gambling tools sportsbooks are required to provide -- like allowing gamblers to limit how much or how frequently they can bet, or letting bettors put themselves in a temporary "cool off" period -- are not being used by very many people.

Among users of DraftKings, which is the most popular mobile platform in Massachusetts based on total handle, less than 0.1 percent have used the time limit feature, 2.3 percent have set a deposit limit, 0.13 percent have restricted how much they can bet within a given amount of time, 0.4 percent have established a maximum wager, and 1.4 percent have used the "cool off" tool, the company reported.

"This was a very important piece of the application, we wanted to make sure that we had strong RG tools for individuals to use on their device. We know we share this with other jurisdictions, this is not novel. But really, these tools are very critical to this particular commission ... and I know that our director of research and responsible gaming has been concerned that the bettors just are not utilizing them," Chairwoman Cathy Judd-Stein said at a late November meeting.

The topic resurfaced Thursday when the commission heard from additional operators. Judd-Stein reiterated a comparison she made in November, saying that she would like gamblers to think of RG tools the way skiers or cyclists think about helmets. "If you're a really great skier, you wear a ski helmet," she said.

Anthony D'Angelo, head of responsible gaming at Fanatics, said his company's research showed a general consensus among users that "RG tools are useful, but they were just not for them" and that "there's a stigma around the usage of tools."

Judd-Stein said the issue presents an opportunity for the commission bring operators, responsible gambling experts and others together for a roundtable "so that we can just keep on elevating that discourse and generate some good ideas."

"We spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to destigmatize responsible gaming through the variety of tools that we offer in GameSense. And I think that this is a space that is ripe for us to be paying attention to," Mark Vander Linden, the commission's director of research and responsible gaming, said. He added, "This is definitely a top RG priority for us."

Read the original here:

State regulators meet with operators to discuss strengthening responsible gambling tools - Worcester Business Journal

Locks

NBA (1 Unit) Minnesota Timberwolves -6.5 @ Memphis Grizzlies (-110; Odds via Caesars): 7:00 PM CT on Bally Sports North

The Grizzlies have looked pretty good for the past 4 games, but the opposition has been pretty poor. The game before this mini turnaround was a 22-point beating at the hands of the Wolves, and I think they deliver another comfortable win tonight. Minnesota looked a little sluggish on Wednesday after their short break and re-integrating Anthony Edwards, but the defense has not fallen off one bit. The leagues best effective field goal defense against the 29th effective field goal offense is a massive mismatch. Memphis should get held down again tonight, and put the Wolves in position for another double-digit win.

NBA (1 Unit) Atlanta Hawks @ Philadelphia 76ers -7.5 (-110; Odds via BetMGM): 6:00 PM CT on NBCS-PH

Im surprised to see this line relatively low given the talent discrepancy here and the injury report. Trae Young popped up on that report with an illness and will be a game time decision, making it tough for Atlanta to keep up with the leagues second-rated offense. The Hawks defense will obviously offer no resistance, so the Sixers should be able to build a solid lead throughout the game. Philly already downed the Hawks by 10 in the first meeting where Young played, so an absent or hampered version of the Atlanta star should result in an easy win for the Sixers tonight.

NBA (0.75 Unit) Detroit Pistons @ Orlando Magic -11.5 (-110; Odds via Caesars): 6:00 PM CT on Bally Sports FL

As soon as Detroit got buried at home by Washington the debate was over, theyre definitively the worst team in the league. The dysfunction on both ends of the court is amazing, and its a minor miracle that they only have the leagues second-worst point differential. My feeling here is that the Magic absolutely roll them, and this big number is well within reach. Orlando needs this return home after two lopsided road losses blunted their momentum. But those losses also serve to hold down this line just a bit, and thats enough for me to back the Magic to return to blowing out bad teams.

NBA (0.5 Unit) Chicago Bulls/San Antonio Spurs Under 225.5 (-110; Odds via BetMGM): 7:30 PM CT on Bally Sports SW

This total is just a little too high given the offensive struggles for both teams. Its a matchup of two squads that are both bottom-6 in the league for scoring, shooting, efficiency, offensive rating, and effective field goal rate. The wild card becomes San Antonios pace thats third-fastest in the league, along with their awful defense that has fueled their over record.

But Chicago is the slowest-paced team in the league, and they dont turn it over so theyll limit the Spurs in transition. San Antonio only scores in random spurts and their games against other slower-paced opponents have stayed well under this total. With Chicago still missing Zach LaVine, I dont think either team has the firepower to reach this number.

NBA (1 Unit) Houston Rockets @ Denver Nuggets -4.5 First Half (-110; Odds via BetMGM): 8:00 PM CT on Altitude

Its weird that were in early December and these teams are meeting for the fourth and final time this season. But that creates extra data points to handicap this matchup with, and Im going back to a reliable well with expecting a strong start from Denver tonight. Somehow the Rockets took the two meetings in Houston, but the Nuggets got their revenge last week at home.

Denver led by 17 at halftime in that game, reminding everyone of their massive home court advantage. That should come into play again tonight against a Rockets team thats terrible on the road, posting a minus-6.3 average first half margin in road games. The Nuggets just lost two frustrating road games, so look for them to come out hot tonight and establish a big early lead.

Bonus Bet (1 Unit) Nikola Jokic Over 52.5 Points+Rebounds+Assists (-110; Odds via DraftKings)

The Joker just had arguably his ugliest game as a pro, certainly from a shooting standpoint. Im betting on a big bounce back performance against a team he has lit up this season. Despite Denvers 1-2 record against Houston, Jokic has gone off for 35.3 points, 16.7 rebounds, and 11.3 assists, easily clearing this number each game.

He was 2 assists in the second meeting from a triple-double in each game, so Ill also throw half a unit on him posting a triple-double tonight at +105 odds. Its also worth a quarter unit at +140 for him to splash multiple threes tonight since his shooting has to improve from Wednesdays debacle. Plain and simple, Id hate to be the Rockets tonight.

No degenerates today.

Tiny Nick is 1762-1548 ATS (+91.1 Units) on his Locks since joining Zone Coverage.

Every day he will offer his Locks and Degenerate picks. Locks are the games hes confident in. Degenerates are entertaining but riskier picks.

Here is the original post:

Tiny Nicks Gambling Picks: 12/08 - Zone Coverage

In an eye-opening revelation, state Rep. Andy Whitt, R-Harvest, chair of the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee, has disclosed a disturbing reality after his statewide tour of Alabama. Whitts journey, endorsed by Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainesville, was not just a perfunctory mission. It was a deep dive into the heart of Alabamas gaming issue, which he deemed a pressing matter that could no longer be sidelined by the Legislature.

Transparency and direct action have always been my guiding principles, stated Whitt. In my year-long expedition across the state, Ive been confronted with the harsh truth of illegal gamblings prevalence in every corner of Alabama. Its a grim reality that demands immediate legislative intervention.

Whitts commitment to addressing the issue head-on is evident in his comprehensive approach. Alabama is in dire need of a unified, enforceable law against illegal gambling. Our current legal framework is a chaotic mix of amendments and court decisions, leading to a never-ending cycle of illegal casinos cropping up, he explained. Whitts proposed solution involves not just tightening the existing laws but also enhancing penalties and equipping law enforcement with better resources to tackle this issue.

The complexity of the gaming issue in Alabama, as Whitt points out, extends to the legal aspects as well. The legal gaming operations, like those run by the Poarch Creek Indians under federal laws, and the legal pari-mutual tracks are just parts of a larger, more challenging puzzle. The inconsistency in how our gambling laws are interpreted and enforced is a major roadblock, Whitt added, emphasizing his focus on clarifying these legal ambiguities.

While acknowledging past proposals for gaming regulation, Whitt is resolute in his priority: combating the illegal gambling thats deeply entrenched in the state. His investigations reveal a concerning pattern of illegal operations often backed by out-of-state entities, hinting at a broader network of organized crime.

The balance between legal and illegal gaming is a tricky but crucial aspect we need to address, Whitt remarked. His findings, gathered during his travels, paint a comprehensive picture of various illegal gambling operations and their impacts on local communities. As state legislators, we need a broader perspective, one that transcends our individual districts and looks at the statewide implications of these issues, he concluded, signaling a call to action for his colleagues in the Alabama legislature.

Gaming legislation, as a constitutional amendment, necessitates a direct vote from Alabamas citizens, with the Legislatures role limited to setting the voting parameters. The intricate saga of gambling legislation has been a persistent narrative for over twenty years, tracing its origins to the early 1990s with dog tracks and video poker. Despite numerous legislative attempts to legalize specific forms of gambling, the path has been fraught with obstacles.

Thus, the conversation in Alabamas legislative halls is no longer just about the potential revenue and job opportunities from legalized gambling. It has matured into a broader discourse on law, order, and the states commitment to eradicating illegal activities under the guise of gambling. The future of gambling in Alabama now hinges on finding a balance between legalization, regulation, and law enforcement.

When I started this journey, I didnt know where the road would end, said Whitt. It has taken me all across the state. And Ive learned a lot. And Ive learned that weve got a problem and it needs to be resolved, he continued. Again, we can no longer simply do nothing; thats not an option.

Whitts revelations and proposals mark a significant step in Alabamas path toward tackling the pervasive issue of illegal gambling. His proactive approach and detailed insights set the stage for a legislative response that could reshape the states gaming landscape for the better.

Read the original here:

Rep. Andy Whitt's Alabama investigation reveals pervasive illegal gambling - Alabama Political Reporter

As early as next month mobile gambling will be offered at Winstar, as a part of the push to legalize sports gambling across the state.

Friday, December 8th 2023, 5:08 pm

As early as next month mobile gambling will be offered at Winstar.

This step is renewing the push to legalize sports gambling across the state.

Our Capitol reporter Haley Weger talks with lawmakers about how this would fit into pending sports betting plans.

As the pressure to legalize sports betting ramps up, the Chickasaw Nation is rolling out an app that allows mobile gambling and could be laying the framework for additional gaming options down the road.

The app is approved under federal law which allows tribal nations to offer games that are bingo at their core without state approval or oversight.

Unlike other mobile gaming, the Chickasaw Nations app will take and pay out real money.

It also will track location and usage - to ensure people are really on Winstar property when placing bets. It will flag problem gambling, and help turn those people towards gambling addiction services. Senator Bill Coleman has been working on legislation to legalize mobile sports gambling.

He says this step by the Chickasaw nation could open that door.

Governor Stitt has also rolled out a sports betting plan, his office said in a statement :

Its great that casino operators also recognize the betting market is shifting to mobile applications - saying his plan "would allow bets to be placed from mobile devices anywhere in the state."

Visit link:

Online Betting And Mobile Gaming To Be Available At Winstar Next Month - news9.com KWTV

Please try our search feature or see the most recent news stories below. You can also browse StarAdvertiser.com by clicking the Sections button in the top-left corner of every page. Then select the news section you would like to browse.

About half of U.S. states now have laws that ban or restrict access to abortion. Read more

The statue of Mykola Shchors on horseback was taken down from a pedestal in downtown Kyiv to the applause of a small group of onlookers. Read more

Turkeys human rights record during Erdogans two decades in power has come under frequent criticism over the targeting of government critics and political opponents. Read more

Throngs of people dressed as jolly Old St. Nick descended on New York City for the annual SantaCon charity pub crawl on Saturday. Read more

The strikes came a day after the U.S. vetoed a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza. Read more

Dom DiSandro is allowed to travel with the team and perform all other work duties when Philadelphia plays at Dallas, but he is not allowed on the sideline. Read more

The oil industry is starting to sweat as United Nations climate talks heat up and threaten to plug fossil fuel-belching wells for good, veteran negotiation observers say. Read more

Protesters at the United Nations COP28 climate summit demonstrated today for imprisoned human rights activists in Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, the past and current host of the negotiations. Read more

This years Heisman Trophy ceremony will be an ode to the new era of college sports, transformed by the transfer portal and NIL. Read more

Opportunities to run dont come often for Filmon Ande and Tsegay Weldlibanos. When they line up at the start line for the 2023 Honolulu Marathon on Sunday, they intend to make the most of this opportunity. Read more

Sierra Canyon arrived in the islands just in time to hear and feel the loudest, most tenacious Iolani Classic girls tournament crowd perhaps ever. Read more

The opening ceremony for the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational was held Friday at Waimea Bay. Read more

Behind the barbed wire, the little boy pressed his ink-covered index finger onto the mint-green exit card. And a photograph was snapped of his frightened face. Read more

The state Health Department has received $295,000 in federal grants to help prevent maternal mortality, or pregnancy-related deaths, in Hawaii. Read more

The approved permit to Alexander & Baldwin and East Maui Irrigation Co. includes 31.25 million gallons per day for agricultural use, 6 million gallons per day for Maui County and 1 million for Kula Agricultural Park. Read more

This week in Honolulu a top U.S. official revealed that warships from the American, Japanese and South Korean navies were in position in November watching closely as the North Korean military launched its first spy satellite into space. Read more

The state is appealing a Hawaii County circuit judges dismissal of the June 2022 indictment against Steven Ray Simpson in the 1978 slaying of 26-year-old Valerie Ann Warshay, a California visitor, in Kalapana. Read more

We in the U.S. seem to forget that Israeli civilians of all ages were killed by those maniacs who profess to represent the people of Palestine who voted them into power. Read more

Its unconscionable, the genocide of the Palestinians by Israel in the Holy Land. Read more

Continue reading here:

Off The News: HPD attacks West Side gambling - Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Theres a new twist to the Jacksonville Jaguars theft story that led to so many jokes Wednesday, only this part isnt quite as funny.

The attorney for Amit Patel, the former Jaguars employee who was fired for allegedly stealing more than $22 million from the team through a virtual credit card program, said his client suffers from a serious gambling addiction, in a telephone interview with The Athletic.

It started with a little bit and, as these things usually do, spiraled wildly out of control, Alex King said Thursday. He said Patel plans to plead guilty to the two federal charges hes facing wire fraud and illegal monetary transaction.

According to the attorney, Patel bet on football and daily fantasy sports, and he fraudulently obtained money from the companys VCC program to subsidize his losses. Approximately 99 percent of funds from the program were gambling losses, King said, almost all occurring on FanDuel and DraftKings. He said he did not know if Patel bet on the Jaguars.

Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.

Read more here:

Ex-Jaguars employee stole money to cover gambling losses, per attorney - For The Win