Category Archives: Gambling

'You are not on your own' - Stacey Goodwin says help available for gamblers

Dressed in a bright yellow T-shirt and cap, Stacey Goodwin has spent the past fortnight walking 300 miles from Scotland to Wembley to call for an end to gambling adverts during the European Championship.

But another aspect made her stand out - among the 30 former gambling addicts who took part in the gruelling event, she was the only woman.

The 28-year-old has been highlighting how women can feel stigmatised and ashamed because "gambling is seen as a male addiction".

Goodwin, from Chesterfield, says she "suffered alone" during a 10-year addiction which left her penniless and almost led to her taking her own life.

But after reaching out to a group of women who "made the difference" she has now been free from gambling for two years and is the "happiest I've ever been".

"I worked in a bookmakers at 18, but I never thought I would become addicted because I had never seen a woman in the betting shop," she tells BBC Sport.

"One day I had a go on a machine, and I won. That was the hook and it deteriorated so badly where I was consumed by addiction, I didn't know who I was and I couldn't hold down a relationship.

"It was relentless. No-one knew what I was going through, and at times I couldn't afford to get home from work. The guilt and shame prevented me from telling anyone. I felt so trapped and alone, it felt like there was no escape.

"If you look at adverts on TV there are very few women on them so there is a stigma around, you just don't see women gambling. It's so hard for women to come out and say 'I have a problem', because it's seen as a male addiction."

Goodwin says her recovery was down to the women who "wrapped her up" while in residential treatment, and now she wants to make sure that other women don't feel alone.

She has written a book called 'The Girl Gambler' and since talking about her journey, including on TikTokexternal-link, more than 200 female addicts have reached out to her.

"Gambling online is so anonymous, so many of the women who've been in touch have told nobody about their addiction," she says. "Having felt so alone, many of them are relieved to have found other women going through the same thing. It can be so draining.

"It's been huge pointing them to places where they can get help and I've told them I'm here to support them whenever they need me. So many women are in the same position and have no-one to speak to. That's why I started this."

It is an issue which former England international Karen Carney recognises, having seen the impact of gambling on women in her life.

She wants to raise awareness of where people can go to get help through the TalkBanStop campaign, which offers support to gambling addicts.

"It's about demystifying some of the stigmas out there and supporting those that may be struggling, especially around major sporting events where there is a big spike in betting," Carney says.

Goodwin says having a woman to confide in is important.

"Many treatment providers are inclusive, but talking about women's problems like postnatal depression or premenstrual stress and the effect they can have on your mental state are much easier to talk to a woman about," she adds.

"Those types of things can trigger your addiction."

Goodwin says the number of gambling adverts during matches on TV also act as a trigger for her, so she won't be able to watch the European Championship.

ITV has said it "does not seek to minimise the impact of problem gambling".

But the broadcaster says claims from Big Step that a reduced number of adverts in the Euros compared to the 2018 World Cup, and a whistle-to-whistle ban, "would be most unlikely to make a difference to problem gambling".

A spokesperson for the Betting and Gaming Council added: "The Government says the rate of problem gambling is 0.5% [of the population] and has been stable for the last 20 years. For women, the Gambling Commission says the rate is 0.1% for the last year.

"But one problem gambler is one too many, which is why we have taken a number of steps to promote safer gambling."

Goodwin says: "My message to every single person struggling, especially women is: 'you are not on your own, there are a lot of other women who go through this'.

"The worst part is almost the guilt and shame but you don't have to feel that way any more. There are places where you can get better and where people can help you."

Read more from the original source:

Gambling and sport: 'Women don't need to feel shame about addiction any more' - BBC News

T

here is no doubt that smartphones have revolutionized our lives. In the last decade, the smartphone has evolved from something that was just for communication, to a device that can carry out as many tasks, if not more, than your average computer. We manage our finances, work, conduct business meetings, stay up to date on news and current affairs, and even execute trades and investments from our phones, wherever we are. But we also gamble.

The online gambling sector is going through a period of exceptional growth. With a CAGR of 11.5% predicted for the next seven years, its an exciting and dynamic industry to be in. Much of this growth is being fuelled by mobile users.

How big is the potential market?

Around 35% of the worlds population has access to a mobile phone, equivalent to 2.71 billion people. While not all of them are potential gambling clients, this gives you an idea of just how popular and widespread smartphones are.

Currently, some 1.6 billion people around the world gamble regularly, and around 4.2 billion gambles every year. With over 2.3 billion people taking part in online gambling, you can easily summarise that many online gamblers like to use their mobiles to bet.

Benefits of mobile gambling

There are several benefits and reasons why people prefer online gambling. They include:

What are your options as a provider?

If you are providing online gambling services in 2021, you need to be ready for mobile gamblers. Your website should be at least fully optimized for mobile use. This includes not just the site itself but all the games, betting functions, payment options, and customer service. Your site should be optimized for Android and iOS, ensuring those with older and more modern devices can use the site.

Nowadays, operators opt for mobile-first sites, designing their websites by picking crucial elements that fit in limited space screens first, and then expanding the design for bigger screens, such as laptops and desktops, with more advanced elements and information. This, to ensure that their user's experience is seamless on any device.

More than 50% of consumers, in general, prefer to download an app and use it when the option is available. Hence, many operators also opt for creating a mobile-first website plus a downloadable app. An app can help customers stay on your site for longer, and you have options to make it more secure.

You can set biometric identification and integration with payment apps for a smoother customer experience. It can also be quicker for players to find their way around when compared to a website. Lastly, customer service can be integrated into the app, meaning players can simply swipe when they want to speak to an agent.

Offering a mobile app is not 100% necessary right now. You can get by just fine with a great quality mobile site, but an app is always a bonus for players. Furthermore, as the statistics show us, the future is very much mobile, and at some point, you will likely have to consider an application for your services.

The smartest decision for startups is to create a mobile-first site from the word go. Dont cut corners when it comes to design and testing. If you have the budget, an app is a great addition, but if not, dont stress about it too much. Keep your eyes on market statistics and projections and keep further optimization and the creation of an app on your agenda for the future. Mobile gambling is here to stay!

See more here:

Mobile gambling: What the statistics say for the future - Yogonet International

As New Jersey looks to legalize casino gaming, Judge Cheryl Moss has reiterated the need for safer gambling tools to take centre stage.

Speaking to Martin Lycka SVP of Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling at Entain as part of the Safe Bet Show, Judge Moss touched upon her career in gambling law and her perspective on issues relating to responsible betting and treatment of problem gambling, among other topics.

Building on her own personal experience, she expressed her belief that US states must prioritize safer gambling tools in order to effectively treat problem gambling.

Legalisation of casino gaming is coming to the state of New Jersey, and there are going to be gambling addiction problems, and we need to take care of that, she remarked. We are not against casinos but we want to help those who are afflicted with that disorder.

We need to close the gap between the treatment and funding and fund the treatment of those who need it, and also to coexist and open up lines of communication between those that are very vocal about the harmful effects of casinos with those on the other end of the spectrum.

Judge Moss also delved into the economic costs of gambling addiction to states, noting that some problem gamblers commit crimes in order to fund their habits, often leading to incarceration.

She estimated that it costs around $61,000 a year on average in New Jersey to house a prisoner, including accommodation, meals and clothing, and based on her knowledge of the US courts system specifically with regards to gambling related crimes Moss estimated that most convicted criminal gamblers would spend between two and four years behind prison bars.

Thats almost $180,000, thats a lot of money for the state of New Jersey, she commented. If we can get them into treatment, then we can talk about the recidivism rate going lower.

Hopefully they will get treatment for their gambling addiction and they wont go back to committing crimes, and for those who have a severe severe gambling disorder thats why they end up in GPEDC court. abstinence is going to be the most important thing as part of their recovery.

They wont be able to gamble. Nationwide, the rate is about 5%, but I know its 6% in Nevada alone, because we have more gaming capital. This obviously might be small but every life matters.

Read the rest here:

Judge Cheryl Moss: States must close the gap between problem gambling treatment and funding - SBC Americas

Peter Dunn, Special to USA TODAY Published 12:01 a.m. ET June 9, 2021 | Updated 8:13 a.m. ET June 9, 2021

From Dogecoin to Bitcoin to Coinbase, cryptocurrency is the hottest trend in investing right now. Heres what you need to know before buying in. USA TODAY

Dear Pete,

I'm one of the lucky ones. I invested very little money, and now own cryptocurrency worth more than $350,000. I'm 30 years old, I rent, and I don't have much in savings or retirement investments other than my crypto. I'm really struggling as to what to do next. I don't know whether to keep going, or to take the $350,000 and do something more practical with it. Am I foolish to just let it ride?

Mason, Chicago

You do realize "let it ride" is a gambling term, right? While you might think I've unfairly targeted one throwaway phrase in your email, it's the blurred line between gambling and investing which makes cryptocurrency so confounding.

Too many people believe investingisgambling. As it turns out, investing is not gambling. Is risk involved? Yes. Is reward involved? Yes. Is investing a game of chance? Well, that depends on your investing strategy.

I've always believed a person can earn the right to take additional investing risks by creating underlying financial stability in their life, such as an emergency fund, properly funded retirement strategy and wiping out consumer debt. It's tough to accomplish this level of stability when your entire net worth is tied-up in something as volatile as crypto.

The primary difference between gambling and investing is an investor will use tools of diversification to mitigate risks and decrease the chance for loss. A gambler is typically all-in with a singular lever dictating whether they win or lose. And even if you hold different types of cryptocurrency, the use of a single asset class means you aren't mitigating risk through asset allocation and diversification.

Cryptocurrency, explained:How does bitcoin even work?

Investors have very specific goals around rate of return, time horizon, and risk tolerance itself. Additionally, investors generally have specific goals for specific accounts whether the money is meant for retirement, college, or some other time-determined event. Gamblers primary goals revolve around winning the bet, without any additional structural elements or constraint.

The strangest reality about the intersection of investing and gambling is the same asset can theoretically be either an investment or a gamble. It's the strategy and planning behind the asset which decide whether or not you're gambling.

Gambling is exciting. Investing, when done well, is really boring. I, too, am tired of reading/hearing quotes from the great investing gurus of our time, but Warren Buffett wasn't wrong when he warned, "Beware the investment activity that produces applause; the great moves are usually greeted by yawns."

Don't make your decision so binary. There is no inherent "all or nothing" moment here. You can take money off the table and do something less speculative with it.

I've always believed a person can earn the right to take additional investing risks by creating underlying financial stability in their life. For instance, a healthy emergency fund, a properly funded retirement strategy, and the absence of consumer debt make investing excess funds in speculative vehicles much more tolerable. It's tough to accomplish this level of stability when your entire net worth is tied-up in something as volatile as crypto.

Consider using some of the value of your crypto holdings to create more conventional stability. By doing that, you allow the rest of your crypto holdings to become less of a gamble and more of a specific investing strategy. You'll still have the theoretical upside of crypto, but you'll also have a more reliable base to your financial planning strategy.

If you do sell any cryptocurrency, be sure to account for taxes. Unfortunately, a gaggle of crypto investors are going to learn an incredibly harsh lesson when they don't consider the tax obligations they hold to the IRS.

The price of bitcoin fell below $50,000 Thursday morning after Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted a day earlier that the electric car maker would stop accepting the digital currency as payment for its vehicles. (May 13) AP Domestic

You need to come to terms with the FOMO (fear of missing out) which inevitably comes with switching from a speculative investing strategy to a more prudent investing strategy. You can't forever measure your decision to diversify with an open-ended timeline that would otherwise allow your previous speculative investments to swing wildly, if not higher. That will be the temptation in all of this. If you were to diversify and then your previous investments shot up like a rocket, you'll feel like you failed. You didn't fail. That's FOMO, and it's as old as investing itself.

One additional note: If you do sell any cryptocurrency, be sure to account for taxes. Unfortunately, a gaggle of crypto investors are going to learn an incredibly harsh lesson when they don't consider the tax obligations they hold to the IRS.

Colonial Pipeline hack:Majority of $4.4 million cryptocurrency ransom payment recovered

Peter Dunn is an author, speaker and radio host, and he has a free podcast: "Million Dollar Plan." Have a question for Pete the Planner? Email him at AskPete@petetheplanner.com. The views and opinions expressed in this column are the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.

Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2021/06/09/cryptocurrency-investing-vs-gambling/7606108002/

Read more here:

Is buying cryptocurrency investing or gambling? Here's how to tell the difference - USA TODAY

When does gambling become a problem?

Problem gambling is any gambling, betting or wagering that causes family, financial, legal, emotional or other problems for the gambler, their family or others. Problem gambling can have a negative effect on your life or the lives of people close to you. For example, if your gambling is causing you to fall behind in school, miss work, have arguments with family or friends, or worry about money you have lost, you may be a problem gambler. Anyone who gambles can develop a gambling problem.

If you think someone you know has a gambling problem, it can be difficult and uncomfortable considering how to talk to them about it. Knowing how to start can help you to have an important conversation.

First, choose a comfortable place where you feel safe and will not be interrupted.

Then, keep it simple and straightforward.

Tell the person you care about them and you are concerned about how they are acting.

Tell the person exactly what they have done that concerns you.

Tell the person how their behavior is affecting other people be specific.

Be clear about what you expect, I want to talk to someone about your gambling) and what to expect from you, I wont cover for you anymore).

If someones gambling problem has impacted you, it is important for you to take care of yourself. Even if the person who has the problem is not yet ready or willing to get help, it may still be beneficial for you to talk to someone.

Free and confidential gambling treatment is available to Oregon residents and their families or friends. All counselors are trained and certified in gambling addiction.

Tillamook Family Counseling Center provides treatment for problem gamblers, their family, or significant others free for up to one year. Services are confidential and they work. Contact the agency at 503-842-8201 for more information about gambling treatment.

You can call the Oregon Problem Gambling Resource Helpline and speak to a certified gambling counselor. The Oregon Problem Gambling Resource Helpline has trained professionals available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to listen, educate, answer questions and refer people to free confidential treatment services. All information shared is confidential and this service is free to Oregon residents. Call 1-877-695-4648 (MY-LIMIT), text 503-713-6000.

You are not alone. There is help, there is hope and there is a way to get your or your loved ones life back on track.

Problem gambling prevention resources are available in Tillamook County. To learn more about problem gambling prevention or to request a problem gambling prevention presentation for your organization, club, or business, email Janeane Krongos at Janeanek@tfcc.org. For more information about problem gambling prevention visit http://www.opgr.org.

Read this article:

When gambling becomes a problem | Community | theworldlink.com - Coos Bay World

T

oday, online casino operators aim to fill their platform with a variety of slots, live dealer games, lotteries, and table games; still, no iGaming website is truly complete without a classic we all are familiar with, bingo. In the present article, well shed light on this vertical. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about it.

What do you imagine when we say bingo? A group of senior people playing in the backyard? A bar full of locals spending their Saturday evening playing and drinking beer? A game broadcasted on TV? Nowadays, bingo goes far beyond that. Lets start by taking a look at the history of this legendary game.

What is bingo?

Bingo is a game of chance that can be classed as a form of lottery. An organizer, host, banker, or caller picks random numbers; if these match those on a players card, its a win. The winner has to shout bingo! and can then take the whole jackpot home. Bingo can take different forms and be played in various ways, but the principle remains the same: to win, numbers printed on the card must match those randomly picked by the host.

Interesting fact: the word bingo itself comes from a mistake! American players used to mark their playing cards with beans, and shouted beano in case of a win. Toy salesman Edwin S. Lowe misheard the word and began producing playing cards under the name bingo. As his version of the game proved popular, the name stuck and is still used today all over the world. This happened in the early 20th century; the history of bingo, however, began long before.

The roots of bingo

The games roots lay in the 16th century. A similar game played in Italy back in the 1530s was called "Lo Giuoco del Lotto D'Italia. Then, in the 18th century, Le Lotto spread to France, becoming a pastime for wealthy people; by the 1800s it reached Germany, where it was transformed into a tool to learn history, spelling, and math more about this below.

The development of bingo

Edwin S. Lowes version of the game became popular across North America in the 1930s. Around this time, Lowe tasked Columbia University professor Carl Leffler with creating new cards with 6,000 unique combinations in order to reduce the chances of multiple wins in a single session.

On top of successfully producing bingo cards for decades, Lowes company also introduced the dice game Yahtzee before selling for $26 million in 1973.

Rather than losing its popularity, bingo is still going strong in 2021, so much so that almost no casino can do without it. Operators can choose from many variations of this classic to best serve their player base.

Bingo, just like most other gambling activities, can be played online or offline. Both are great experience, but online bingo allows for more gameplay variety.

Classic bingo is played with 75 numbered balls. The number of balls used has an impact on players chances to win: the fewer balls are used, the higher the likelihood of a win. Bingos popularity spurred the development of various derivatives. These dont differ only in the number of balls used (30, 90, 80), but also in length of the average game and winning patterns; in some cases, they change or even flip on their head the rules, while retaining the core lottery-style gameplay. Heres a quick overview.

75-ball bingo

The classic version is widely popular across the globe, including the USA and Canada. Out of the 25 fields in the 55 cards, only 24 contain numbers; the square in the middle is empty. The 75 numbers are divided in 5 groups of 15, one group for each of the letters in the word B I N G O. In the card, under each letter appear 5 of those 15 numbers.

30-ball bingo

By using 30 balls and a 33 bingo card, this variant enables a much faster gameplay.

90-ball bingo

Most popular in the United Kingdom, this variant uses 35 cards with 15 numbers. Rules are slightly different thanks to the introduction of more winning combinations: two lines, four corners, and full house.

80-ball bingo

Played with 44 cards, this colorful 80-ball variant offers quicker gameplay than UK bingo. It allows for horizontal, vertical, and diagonal lines, plus other patterns like four corners, square (the central 4 numbers), two- and three-line combinations, and the four-line full house.

With the development of bingo and its massive spread around the world this game took new forms and variations. Which is no surprise: it is a simple, but highly entertaining game, it is also widely used beyond gambling frames, as we have mentioned before. Here we provide seven most popular variations of bingo known in the world, but the list is not limited to them.

U-Pick-Em bingo

Similar to Italian lotto and Chinese keno, this variation of bingo adds a simple twist: players pick their own numbers instead of getting a pre-printed card.

Death bingo

Death bingo introduces an exciting twist: to win, a player has to be the last to get all their numbers called. Due to this change in winning conditions, games tend to last longer than in classic bingo.

Bingo Bonanza

Bonanza takes the traditional 75-ball bingo and makes it faster: players are given 43 numbers at the outset and play bingo from this point onwards. The jackpot keeps rising during gameplay.

Blackout bingo

Blackout, also known as coverall, is a bingo variant in which players need to cover all fields to win. These games last longer, and the pot typically rises with every round without winners.

Math bingo

This game can be used to help students learn math: for example, instead of calling out a number directly, teachers give a formula that needs to be solved to obtain the number.

Horse racing bingo

This variant can be played by a maximum of 15 players. Each of them is assigned a column of the flashboard; the first player to have all the numbers in their column called out wins.

Facebook bingo

As the name suggests, this type of bingo is played on Facebook. Players can use power-ups to increase their chances of winning.

Interestingly, what is today considered a part of the gambling industry used to be a popular social game. Bingo has been around long enough to become a worldwide entertainment staple.

1. Since bingo is widely popular everywhere, its played by people of different origins and rakes in vast sums of money. This makes it a great way for churches and charity organizations to raise funds and provide their communities with entertainment that doubles as a social pastime. Even the above-mentioned Edwin S. Lowe was approached by a local Catholic priest, who suggested using bingo for fundraising. By 1934, the number of people who regularly played bingo in churches had already reached the 10,000 mark.

Charity bingo is also interesting from a legal perspective: while gambling is forbidden in some countries, bingo is often allowed if organised by non-profit organizations. Under these circumstances, bingo can even be played by people under 18 and managed without a special license. However, charity activities are subject to strict rules. The UK Gambling Commission, for example, sets maximum prize payouts and the maximum amount players can be charged per day.

2. Germans were the first to use bingo in a school setting: the game became a great tool to train memory and mathematical skills. This made studying fun and engaging, keeping students attention levels high and resulting in better grades.

3. Bingo is commonly used by Nurses and retirement house personnel as a tool of recreational therapy and socialization. The game is easy to organise, and beloved by older people as they were born and raised during the time of bingos peak popularity.

In this section, well cover seven developers from our partner network with online bingo games in their catalogues.

Red Rake Gaming

Red Rake Gaming is a Spain-based provider of online casino gaming products with ten years of experience in the industry. The studio has a strong reputation and is licensed in two prestigious jurisdictions: UK (UKGC) and Malta (MGA).

Red Rakes portfolio includes over 95 games between slots, video pokers, roulettes, blackjacks, and video bingos. These titles are available in 16 languages and support both desktop and mobile devices, having been developed using HTML5 technology. What is more important, Red Rake offers various marketing tools and expands its collection with 15 new games every year.

The developer provides six highly engaging video bingo games: Disco Nights, World Football, Muertitos, Extra Money, Planet 67, and The Gold of Poseidon. These offer various patterns, bonus phases, multipliers, and extra balls.

Evolution

Evolution has over 15 years of experience in the development of online casino games, be they live dealer titles (roulette, blackjack, baccarat, poker, lottery, and video bingo) or RNG-based (like slots). This industry giant is licensed in many respected jurisdictions, including Malta, Alderney, UK, USA, Belgium, Romania, Latvia, and Canada, and has collected multiple awards over the years for its innovative gaming products. The company has several studios: Latvia, Malta, Georgia, Romania, Canada, USA, Belgium, and Spain.

Mega Ball is Evolutions best-known live dealer game. Players are bingo cards with up to 12 lines; in total, 20 numbers get drawn, followed by a 21st number that comes with a randomized multiplier, making the game even more engaging.

Wazdan

Wazdan has been developing video slots, poker, and bingo titles since 2010. This award-winning iGaming provider is licensed in several major jurisdictions: Curacao, Malta, UK, Romania, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Portugal, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia. Besides an extensive catalogue of online casino games, Wazdan offers many promotional tools for operators, including bonuses, tournaments, and more.

Wazdans Extra Bingo is a minimalistic, classic bingo game with 80 fields. The gamble feature allows players to double the win, and it requires at least four numbers to match.

BELATRA

BELATRA is a Belorussian studio that has been present on the iGaming stage since 1993. This industry veteran demonstrates that remaining successful for decades on end is actually feasible. The company, among other games, offers various bingo titles. All the games are available in multiple languages and support both fiat and crypto currencies. BELATRA provides operators with marketing tools such as jackpots and tournaments.

Caleta Gaming

Caleta Gaming is a Brazil-based iGaming developer with slots, video bingo, keno, and video lottery games in its catalogue. A licensed supplier with a worldwide reach, the studio releases one or two new titles per month, constantly providing online casino operators with original content.

On top of a diverse collection of quality multi-platform games, Caleta offers marketing tools like free spins, extra balls, bonus wheels, and bonus games. Some of Caleta Gamings best-known video bingos are Catch a Fish, Bingo Fada da Fortuna, Bingo Betina, and Bingo Samba Rio; in total, the studio has 20 video bingos in its catalogue.

Pragmatic Play

Pragmatic Play is a premium provider of slot, table, live dealer, scratch card, bingo, and virtual sports games; it is licensed by MGA, UKGC, Romania, Gibraltar, and the Bahamas. Though the company was founded as recently as 2015, it has already collected plenty of awards, and it offers a catalogue of over 200 titles.

Pragmatic Play offers nine modern bingo variants that give players a traditional gaming experience with a fresh touch. The studio provides operators with marketing tools and cross-selling features such as fixed and progressive jackpots.

Skilrock

Skilrock produces both gambling equipment for brick-and-mortar establishments, online casino and sportsbook platforms solutions, and titles for the iGaming industry. The brand is a branch of the Sugal & Damani Group, that has almost 50 years of experience in the gambling industry.

Among the 70 games in the providers catalogue we can find a bingo, with support for various languages and currencies. Skilrock is also able to develop a brand new game according to a clients specifications and demands.

For an online casino, catering to the latest trends in is obviously important, but here at Slotegrator we strongly recommend to complement your offer with a selection of classic games. Bingo went through decades of evolution before appearing on online casino platforms, and it can now bring diversity and engagement while doubling as a great cross-selling tool.

Each online casino has its own audience of players with a different set of preferences. With the wide variety of features and gameplay on offer, we are sure that youll be able to find a bingo designed by a reputable studio that perfectly matches your playerbases wants.

Thanks to nine years of experience in the industry, we understand online casino operators needs perfectly. Thats why, in addition to providing you with a large catalogue of games, we offer advanced technical solutions and reliable advisory services for your iGaming businesses.

To get a free consultation, get in touch with our sales team.

View post:

Bingo: An eternal classic of the gambling industry - Yogonet International

Autoplay

Show Thumbnails

Show Captions

The Tennessee Titansroster is closer to Super Bowl-caliber with the addition of star wideout Julio Jones at least offensively.

But those championship hopes arecontingent on what amounts to a roll of the dice from general manager Jon Robinson.

The Titans moves during the offseason at three positions of need wide receiver, edge rusher and cornerback are highlighted by players with injury concerns: Jones, outside linebacker Bud Dupree and rookie first-round cornerback Caleb Farley. The gambles create someuncertainty for the Titans, who, apart from the tight end position, have addressed every major hole on the roster.

Autoplay

Show Thumbnails

Show Captions

Jones said he's fine health-wise following his first practice with the Titans on Thursday, , but theres a gamble that comes with taking on a receiver in his 30s coming off an injury season. He missed seven games with a lingering hamstring issue.

Farley, a rookie first-round draft pick,has had two back surgeries since he last played at Virginia Tech in 2019 (he opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns) and he may not be able to practice until September, one doctor told The Tennessean. Thats on top of the longevity concerns with the former college star.

Then theres Dupree, the Titans new No. 1 edge rusher, who played just 11 games last season after tearing his ACL. Dupree expects to be ready by training camp, but how long will it take him to get back to pre-injury form alongside new teammates in a different scheme? In Tennessee, he wont be paired with a player like All-Pro T.J. Watt on the opposite edge to ease the transition.

This offseason, Robinson has taken a calculated risk in hopes of capitalizing on a Titansroster in win-now mode.

JULIO JONES AT FIRST TITANS PRACTICE: Why Julio Jones already has chip on his shoulder with Tennessee Titans: 'Stay tuned'

JULIO JONES' NUMBER: Why Julio Jones chose to wear No. 2 with Tennessee Titans

FLAG FOOTBALL PROGRAM: Williamson County Schools, Titans partner for pilot girls flag football program

As soon as 2022, the Titans may have some salary cap maneuvering to do. After restructuring quarterback Ryan Tannehills contract to facilitate the Jones trade, Tannehill will account for 18.5% of the teams cap space for that season as a $38.6 million cap hit, according to Over The Cap. The $38.6 million cap figure for 2022 is the fifth highest of any player in the NFL, per Spotrac.

Center Ben Jones, wide receiver Josh Reynolds, tight ends Anthony Firkser and Geoff Swaim and linebackers Rashaan Evans, Harold Landry III and Jayon Brown are among the projected starters and key contributors scheduled to be free agents after the 2021 season. Star wide receiver A.J. Brown also is extension eligible after 2021 and Julio Jones could ask for a new contract if he has a strong season in Year 1 with the Titans, leaving plenty of unknowns beyond this year.

Robinsons aggressiveness is part of what has made him a successful general manager, turning the Titans into a perennial playoff contender. Hes made the correct gamble on injured players before. In 2019, he used the No. 19 pick on defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons, who tore his ACL a couple months prior to his selection. Now a rising star in the NFL, Simmons could have a breakout 2021 season with the addition of Denico Autry to the defensive line.

But there are the flops too. Jadeveon Clowney, who signed a one-year deal with Tennessee worth up to $15 million despite having played a full 16-game season just once in his career. Clowney had zero sacks, four tackles for loss and one forced fumble in eight games for the Titans before landing on season-ending Injured Reserve. He signed with the Browns this offseason.

The Titans have one of the NFL'smost talented offenses on paper in an offense-dominated league. They arecapable of leading a deep playoff run.

But it may all just come down to the luck of the draw.

Ben Arthur covers the Tennessee Titans for The USA TODAY Network. Contact him at barthur@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at@benyarthur.

Go here to see the original:

Tennessee Titans gambling on injured players to build win-now roster. Will it pay off? - Tennessean

A GAMBLING addict has been jailed for embezzling 223,000 from the law firm where he worked.

Trainee paralegal Callum Scott, 23, was sentenced to 16 months after he admitted redirecting customer refunds, repayments or overpayments to his own bank account, to pay off mounting payday loans.

1

The four-month scam was described as a "spectacular breach of trust" against Aberdein Considine, one of Scotland's largest legal firms, at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.

And Scott was blasted for "stealing from Peter to pay Paul".

His deception was discovered following an internal probe at the firm, sparked when some customers asked why their money had not been returned.

Fiscal depute Colin Neilson told the court Scott helped organise refunds, repayments or overpayments to customers and redirected the cash to his own bank account.

Mr Neilson said: "On receiving instructions the accused then entered his own banking details, resulting in the funds that were to be transferred to customers being transferred to his own bank account.

"This was done on several occasions by the accused."

Aberdein Considine called in police, and Scott was charged with embezzling the huge sum between August and November 2018.

Defence solicitor Jen Pritchard said Scott, who is now working as a milkman, found himself in "unique and dark times" due to the nature of his gambling habit but has since "faced his demons".

She added: "He fully accepts that he had substantial gambling addictions and had got himself into a lot of financial trouble with payday loans, credit cards and other debts.

"He was spending up to half his monthly income on these gambling debts and gambling.

"He fully accepted when spoken to by Aberdein Considine and police that he had partaken in this behaviour.

"He finds it hard to put into words how guilty and ashamed he is.

"Looking back he is horrified of the person he was and the person he had become."

HOW TO GET HELP

Gambling addiction can be extremely serious.

If you or someone close to you is affected by gambling addiction, there are a number of places you can seek help:

There are several different treatments available for gambling:

There are also a number of ways you can treat gambling at home:

Ms Pritchard said Scott had recently become a father, which had "changed him as a person".

He has also managed to replay close to 160,000 of the total sum he stole.

Sheriff Philip Mann described Scott's actions as a "spectacular breach of trust" and an example of "stealing from Peter to pay Paul".

He added: "No doubt your activities caused concern to those clients of Aberdein Considine, who were expecting to receive refunds and I do know that some funds will be outstanding for many, many months.

Exclusive

YOU KHAN'T BOOGIEScots supporters find unofficial Wembley fan zone despite Khan's warning

NICKEDCops make arrest over death of man who collapsed outside Paisley hospital

HORROR ACCIDENTTragic Scot who was electrocuted was playing with baby girl moments before

ROAD CHAOSOngoing police incident in Glasgow as busy road locked down near M8

SICK SONGShocking moment 'Scotland fans' chant 'if you hate the f***ing English' in pub

"I have to say that the breach of trust is so spectacular that despite the fact you are a first offender there is no alternative to a custodial sentence in this case."

Sheriff Mann sentenced Scott, of Aberdeen, to 16 months in prison.

A spokesman for Aberdein Considine said: "Aberdein Considine carries out remortgage conveyancing work under a rigorous compliance framework governed by the Law Society of Scotland, the Financial Conduct Authority and the Solicitors Regulation Authority - as well as the elite standards of our multiple lender clients.

"It was the robust internal processes within this framework which quickly alerted us to the transactional irregularities involved in this case, allowing us to recover funds and alert the police.

"No client suffered any financial loss."

We pay for your stories and videos! Do you have a story or video for The Scottish Sun? Email us at scottishsundigital@news.co.uk or call 0141 420 5300

See the original post here:

Aberdeen gambling addict with huge payday loan debts redirected 223k of customer refunds into his own... - The Scottish Sun

The chairman of the state board that oversees gambling in Louisiana abruptly resigned from his position Wednesday, the same day he was likely to face questions from a legislative committee about actions he took as a State Police commander in 2019 after the brutal death of Black motorist Ronald Greene.

Mike Noel stepped down after chairing the gambling board for less than a year.

He had been the No. 2 official in State Police when troopers engaged Greene in a high-speed chase on a rural road near Monroe. After Greene crashed, the troopers proceeded to arrest, tase, punch and drag him. Greene, 49, died on the scene, but the family has said State Police told them afterward that he died in a car crash.

Greenes death is under investigation. Since body camera footage of the incident leaked last month, his death has become the latest flashpoint in a national reckoning over violence by police against Black people.

Noel was supposed to answer questions Wednesday before the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee as part of the process to be confirmed for another five years to chair the state gambling board. He did not appear.

After 32 years of service in state government, I decided that it was time to take a much needed break and enjoy retirement, Noel said in a text. He declined to elaborate.

The governors office was circumspect in its comments about Noel.

He informed the governor this morning that he will be stepping down, Christina Stephens, the governors spokesperson, said in a text. The governor is appreciative of his service at the Gaming Control Board and will work to find a suitable replacement.

She did not respond to a question on whether Noels resignation was related to Greenes death.

Edwards has faced questions lately about what he knew and when.

Sen. Gerald Boudreaux, D-Lafayette, said he wasn't aware of any role the Legislative Black Caucus played in Noel's resignation.

"I didnt get anything that it was going to be a focal point, Boudreaux said, referring to possible questions about Greene.

Black political leaders have been particularly vocal in pressing for answers about Greene.

Get the Louisiana politics insider details once a week from us. Sign up today.

Noel was the top aide to the State Police superintendent, Col. Kevin Reeves, when Greene died. As Reeves deputy, Noel oversaw State Polices day-to-day operations. Reeves resigned his post in October.

Before becoming State Police superintendent, Reeves had commanded Troop F, the Monroe-based unit at the center of a growing scandal over Greenes death and other allegations of excessive force involving troopers from the predominantly White unit.

Four former Troop F troopers have been booked on criminal charges in courthouses in three parishes, over other allegations of excessive force. Meanwhile, the FBI continues to investigate Greenes death while his family presses for criminal charges against the troopers who were involved.

Noel had such a good reputation within State Police that Gov. John Bel Edwards appointed him to chair the gambling board in June last year. In taking the appointment, Noel had to resign from State Police.

Noel seemed a solid pick because he had spent much of his time in State Police regulating the gambling industry.

The Senate was scheduled to confirm him on Thursday in a closed-door session where the chamber considers all of the governors board appointments. Wednesdays committee hearing would have given senators an opportunity to ask any questions of Noel in public.

Noel had replaced Ronnie Jones, a former State Police commander who held the position for seven years.

Jones and the governors office had expected Jones would continue as the chair, but Sen. Karen Carter Peterson, in a surprise power play, nixed his appointment during last years closed-door Senate session. Senators can veto appointees who live in their Senate district, although this rarely happens. Peterson, D-New Orleans, never explained why she ousted Jones, who had been recognized nationally for his work in Louisiana.

Is Jones interested in regaining his former position?

I would be flattered to be asked, but I dont expect that such an offer would be tendered, and if it were I would respectfully decline, he said in a text.

The chairman of the board is both the chief regulator of the gambling industry and a promoter of it. He oversees 20 casinos, about 200 video poker truck stops and video poker machines at hundreds of bars and restaurants throughout the state.

Read the rest here:

Chairman of gambling oversight board resigns. He may have faced questions about Ronald Greene - The Advocate

In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss the chances that legal sports gambling will win big in the Buckeye state. State Senator Niraj Antani (R-Miamisburg) joins the show.

Vax Shot Jackpot

Wednesday evening, Ohio announced the first winners of the Ohio Vax-A-Million drawings.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said the lottery idea has exceeded his wildest expectations. The USA Today Ohio Network did an analysis and found vaccinations among people 16 and older increased 40% in the week after the lottery was announced.

People thought DeWine was crazy for this lottery idea but states across the country are following his lead.

Covering The Spread

Ohio lawmakers are considering a bill that would legalize sports gambling in the state. The basic idea of the bill is to have the state issue dozens of licenses to establishments to take bets. Some would go to online sites.

The licenses would cost $1 million for three years. Ohio would tax gambling at 10% and the system would be run by the Ohio Casino Control Commission.

Pennsylvania, Michigan and Indiana already have legal sports betting and some lawmakers feel the state is missing out on revenue.

The bill would ban gambling on sports involving young athletes in K-12 schools.

Snollygoster Of The Week

Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder lost his leadership position last year over the federal indictment related to the energy plant bailout, but hes still a state lawmaker.

This week, some House Democrats made it known they were working on a resolution to expel Householder from the House, and now all of a sudden Republicans are too.

House Speaker Bob Cupp (R-Lima) still hasnt called for a vote on the issue and largely dodges the question when asked by reporters. He did issue a statement saying I have consistently maintained that Larry Householder should resign from the Ohio House of Representatives. The resolutions filed will receive the appropriate process according to House rules.

Send questions and comments to snollygoster@wosu.org.

Read the original post:

What Are The Odds On Sports Gambling In Ohio? - WOSU Public Media