Category Archives: Gambling

A bad bet: Expanded gambling is no state budget solution Pittsburgh Post-Gazette A 2014 report by TheStreet.com ranked Pennsylvania as the second-heaviest gambling state in the nation after Nevada. While revenue sources for the new fiscal year's budget remain up in the air, legislators in Harrisburg seem determined to increase the ... and more »

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A bad bet: Expanded gambling is no state budget solution - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

More than five decades after establishing the first state lottery, New Hampshire is for the first time dedicating a portion of lottery profits toward treatment for gambling addiction.

Governor Chris Sununu signed a bill Wednesday that legalized the electronic lottery game Keno, using the revenue to boost funding for full-day kindergarten programs.

Under the bill, 1 percent of Keno revenue will be set aside for treatment, prevention, and research to address problem gambling.

New Hampshire Council on Problem Gambling Executive Director Ed Talbot says that funding is much needed.

Currently there are limited services in the state, he said. Myself and one of the people on the board have a Massachusetts certification to counsel people with a gambling problem. Theres no certification currently in the state of New Hampshire, nor a program to do it. Wed like to be involved in setting up something.

Its not yet clear how much revenue Keno will generate.

While the game is now legal, individual cities and towns must decide whether to allow it in their communities before it can operate.

You can read the entire Morning Edition interview with Ed Talbot below:

This council was formed three years ago what does it do?

The council is meant to serve as the resource for the state of New Hampshire for problems associated with gambling. So far, there hasnt been anything in the state other than three gamblers anonymous meetings all located in the southern tier of the state. Estimates in terms of the number of problem gamblers in the state range from 8,000 pathological or compulsive gamblers to 40,000 problem gamblers.

Whats the definition of a problem gambler?

A problem gambler is a person who may encounter a problem with their gambling, whether it be something on the home front, a financial situation, something with employment, a legal thing. He or she addresses the problem and then either refrains or refuses to gamble, or gambles responsibly again. The compulsive or pathological gambler is a person who crosses that line where theres no turning back. Its only going to get worse. That can result in death, imprisonment, or hopefully treatment.

And you suffered from a gambling addiction at one point in your life. Given that experience, what concerns do you have about expanded gambling and relying on it for revenue?

First of all, the NH Council itself and me personally dont take a position for or against gambling. Ninety-five percent of the population can gamble and gamble responsibly. They take a fixed amount of money they want to wager, go down to Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun or even in the state, and make their wagers. Win or lose, thats it, and they leave and have a good time. But that other 5 percent is the percent we want to address. Weve been fortunate in New Hampshire from day one, the executive director of the NH Lottery Commission Charles McIntyre has always said he feels theres a social obligation for those that provide gambling to address the downside, which is problem or pathological gambling.

And the NH Lottery Commission is your funding source.

Yes. Theyve provided $25,000 each year for the last three years.

One percent of the revenue brought in by Keno will go toward funding gambling addiction treatment. Where will that money go?

I definitely think it will allow us to expand services. The 1 percent that is dedicated in the bill actually goes to the Department of Health and Human Services, and then that money will be dispersed by them for problem gambling services in the state. Two years ago at their request, we drew up a comprehensive plan for problem gambling services in New Hampshire that involved treatment, recovery support, research, educational things, advocacy, all of those things that should be addressed. Currently there are limited services in the state. Myself and one of the people on the board have a Massachusetts certification to counsel people with a gambling problem. Theres no certification currently in the state of New Hampshire, nor a program to do it. Wed like to be involved in setting up something.

Is there an estimate of how much this 1 percent of revenue will bring in?

I dont know if they have any idea of how much Keno will actually bring in. I think it will be a substantial amount of money.

Are you envisioning having staff?

Yeah, we would definitely have staff. Right now, Im a one-man show. I try to do as many presentations as I can. I man the cell phone I use for a help line. I dont mind that because this is something Ive always wanted to do. And I also feel like if I can help one person, and pass on that message of hope that theres a better life out there.

Can you walk me through the process of what happens when someone calls you looking for help?

I have to tell you most of the calls we get are not from the problem gambler. Theyre from the spouse, a loved one, or a parent. But when the gambler does call, I initially try to meet with that person if I can, get them to a gamblers anonymous meeting and accompany them if that can be set up. But most of the time its talking to a loved one. The advice I give to everyone is theres two things you can do: you support every attempt the person makes toward recovery, except give them money. Two, you do nothing to that encourages them to keep gambling, especially giving that person money.

The infrastructure has been lacking overall, and I imagine with a dramatic expansion of gambling, theres going to be more call for these services. How do you see that playing out? How do you get services to the North Country and rural areas?

One of the things I think is very beneficial to us is working with the people in the substance use disorder field. Ive been very fortunate to be able to go around to recovery coach academies. Theres a lot of these people who are in recovery from substance use, and talk about problem gambling and identifying, and doing some screening. Seventy-two percent of problem gamblers have an alcohol problem. Thirty-eight percent of problem gamblers have a drug problem. Theres a lot of people who are dually addicted. I know myself if I had continued to gamble I positively would have had an alcohol problem.

So is the hope to use the knowledge and expertise of these addiction counselors around the state to screen for that and get problem gamblers into services?

What Id like to see is in these recovery centers across the state, which is a wonderful resource for people who have a substance use disorder, and get a gamblers anonymous meeting in there. Go in there periodically, screen people. We dont have to reinvent in the wheel or create a whole new division. That is already in place and I think we could work through there and really provide some help.

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One Percent Of Keno Profits To Go Toward Gambling Addiction Treatment - New Hampshire Public Radio

IRONTON Sky Lake and its owner, Tracy L. Ellis, were found guilty of several gambling-related charges Thursday in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court.

More than 20 slot machines were confiscated from Sky Lake along County Road 32 north of Chesapeake three years ago when authorities executed a search warrant at the pay fishing lake.

Authorities also confiscated $68,071.96 during the 2014 raid on the property. While the pay lake remains in business, the three-story building at the property underwent two fires in late January 2015. At least one of those fires was determined to be arson, according to Chesapeake fire officials.

Ellis entered no contest pleas to two misdemeanor gambling charges and four counts of possession of criminal tools. Two other charges of money laundering were amended to possession of criminal tools and he also entered no contest pleas to those charges.

Lawyers representing Sky Lake entered no contest pleas to two charges of money laundering and a charged of engaging in a corrupt activity was amended to attempt to engage in a pattern of corrupt activity.

Judge Andy Ballard set final sentencing in the case for 9 a.m. Friday, July 21.

Ballard made a finding of guilt in the charges against Ellis and Sky Lake.

The case was prosecuted by Dan Kasaris, an assistant Ohio attorney general, serving as special Lawrence County prosecutor.

Since Ellis has no prior criminal record, he can't be sentenced to prison on the low felony counts under Ohio law.

A business can be indicted under state law if the business is involved in criminal activity, Prosecuting Attorney Brigham Anderson said earlier.

An investigation into Sky Lake was undertaken by the prosecutor's office, the sheriff's office and the gambling enforcement section of the Ohio Attorney General's office.

See the article here:

Sky Lake, owner found guilty in gambling case - Huntington Herald Dispatch

News Service of Florida

TALLAHASSEE - Backers of a proposed constitutional amendment that would restrict the expansion of gambling in Florida have submitted more than 100,000 petition signatures to the state.

The political committee Voters In Charge spent about $472,000 from April 1 to June 30, with almost all of the money going to petition printing, gathering and verification, according to finance reports. The committee had submitted 104,416 valid petition signatures as of Thursday and needs to submit a total of 766,200 to get on the November 2018 ballot, information on the state Division of Elections website shows.

The proposed constitutional amendment, if approved next year, would give voters the "exclusive right to decide whether to authorize casino gambling" in the state. It would require voter approval of casino-style games in the future. The Florida Supreme Court this spring signed off on the proposal's ballot wording, a key first step in the process. Disney Worldwide Services has been a key backer of the initiative, contributing $400,000 in June and $250,000 in April, finance records show.

See the original post:

Gambling ballot initiative tops 100000 signatures - Holmes County Times Advertiser

As cryptocurrencies bubble, esports arelooking to take advantage.

Two companies announced initial coin offerings of cryptocurrencies on the Ethereum blockchain for esports gambling within a week of each other in June. Their developers said the burgeoning industry of professional video gaming and soaring value of virtual currencies have fed the interest for such ventures that could further develop the betting community within esports, including on competitive matches such as the new Overwatch League.

"People want to bet, and they want to bet on esports," John T. Holden, a visiting scholar at Florida State University's department of sports management, told TheStreet recently. "What we're seeing in North America is a legitimization of esports."

As an industry, esports is expected to grow 41% in 2017 to nearly $700 million in revenue and to $1.5 billion by 2020, according to video game research company NewZoo. That does not even include gambling, which is estimated to contribute billions more.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin has increased 142% in 2017 to date, and Ether, another cryptocurrency, is now worth25 times more than it was on Jan. 1, trading now at around $210. Ether's platform allows developers to create their own virtual currencies based off its blockchain, which makes starting a virtual currency easier.

An initial coin offering, or ICO, is an unregulated way for startups to raise funds for a project, selling a percentage of the cryptocurrency to its backers in return. FromMarch to May, the number of ICOs multiplied by six times, TechCrunch reported.

Read more:

Growth of Cryptocurrencies Drives Esports Gambling Further - TheStreet.com

Problem gambling (or ludomania, but usually referred to as "gambling addiction" or "compulsive gambling") is an urge to gamble continuously despite harmful negative consequences or a desire to stop. Problem gambling is often defined by whether harm is experienced by the gambler or others, rather than by the gambler's behaviour. Severe problem gambling may be diagnosed as clinical pathological gambling if the gambler meets certain criteria. Pathological gambling is a common disorder that is associated with both social and family costs.

The DSM-5 has re-classified the condition as an addictive disorder, with sufferers exhibiting many similarities to those who have substance addictions. The term gambling addiction has long been used in the recovery movement.[1] Pathological gambling was long considered by the American Psychiatric Association to be an impulse control disorder rather than an addiction.[2] However, data suggest a closer relationship between pathological gambling and substance use disorders than exists between PG and obsessive-compulsive disorder, largely because the behaviors in problem gambling and most primary substance use disorders (i.e., those not resulting from a desire to "self-medicate" for another condition such as depression) seek to activate the brain's reward mechanisms while the behaviors characterizing obsessive-compulsive disorder are prompted by overactive and misplaced signals from the brain's fear mechanisms.[3]

Research by governments in Australia led to a universal definition for that country which appears to be the only research-based definition not to use diagnostic criteria: "Problem gambling is characterized by many difficulties in limiting money and/or time spent on gambling which leads to adverse consequences for the gambler, others, or for the community."[8] The University of Maryland Medical Center defines pathological gambling as "being unable to resist impulses to gamble, which can lead to severe personal or social consequences".[9]

Most other definitions of problem gambling can usually be simplified to any gambling that causes harm to the gambler or someone else in any way; however, these definitions are usually coupled with descriptions of the type of harm or the use of diagnostic criteria.[citation needed] The DSM-V has since reclassified pathological gambling as "gambling disorder" and has listed the disorder under substance-related and addictive disorders rather than impulse-control disorders. This is due to the symptomatology of the disorder resembling an addiction not dissimilar to that of substance-abuse.[10] There are both environmental and genetic factors that can influence on gambler and cause some type of addiction.[11] In order to be diagnosed, an individual must have at least four of the following symptoms in a 12-month period:[12]

According to the Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery, evidence indicates that pathological gambling is an addiction similar to chemical addiction.[13] It has been observed that some pathological gamblers have lower levels of norepinephrine than normal gamblers.[14] According to a study conducted by Alec Roy, formerly at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, norepinephrine is secreted under stress, arousal, or thrill, so pathological gamblers gamble to make up for their under-dosage.[15]

According to a report from Harvard Medical School's division on addictions, there was an experiment constructed where test subjects were presented with situations where they could win, lose, or break even in a casino-like environment. Subjects' reactions were measured using fMRI, a neuroimaging technique. And according to Hans Breiter, co-director of the Motivation and Emotion Neuroscience Center at Massachusetts General Hospital, "monetary reward in a gambling-like experiment produces brain activation very similar to that observed in a cocaine addict receiving an infusion of cocaine."[16][17] Studies have compared pathological gamblers to substance addicts, concluding that addicted gamblers display more physical symptoms during withdrawal.[18]

Deficiencies in serotonin might also contribute to compulsive behavior, including a gambling addiction.[19] There are three important points discovered after these antidepressant studies:[20]

A limited study was presented at a conference in Berlin, suggesting opioid release differs in problem gamblers form the general population, but in a very different way from alcoholics or other substance abusers.[21]

The findings in one review indicated the sensitization theory is responsible.[22] Dopamine dysregulation syndrome has been observed in the aforementioned theory in people with regard to such activities as gambling.[23]

Some medical authors suggest that the biomedical model of problem gambling may be unhelpful because it focuses only on individuals. These authors point out that social factors may be a far more important determinant of gambling behaviour than brain chemicals and they suggest that a social model may be more useful in understanding the issue.[24] For example, an apparent increase in problem gambling in the UK may be better understood as a consequence of changes in legislation which came into force in 2007 and enabled casinos, bookmakers, and online betting sites to advertise on TV and radio for the first time and which eased restrictions on the opening of betting shops and online gambling sites.[25]

Pathological gambling is similar to many other impulse control disorders such as kleptomania.[26] According to evidence from both community- and clinic-based studies, individuals who are pathological gamblers are highly likely to exhibit other psychiatric problems concurrently, including substance use disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, or personality disorders.[27]

Pathological gambling shows several similarities with substance abuse. There is a partial overlap in diagnostic criteria; pathological gamblers are also likely to abuse alcohol and other drugs. The "telescoping phenomenon" reflects the rapid development from initial to problematic behavior in women compared with men. This phenomenon was initially described for alcoholism, but it has also been applied to pathological gambling. Also biological data provide a support for a relationship between pathological gambling and substance abuse.[28]

In a 1995 survey of 184 Gamblers Anonymous members in Illinois, Illinois State professor Henry Lesieur found that 56 percent admitted to some illegal act to obtain money to gamble. Fifty-eight percent admitted they wrote bad checks, while 44 percent said they stole or embezzled money from their employer.[29] Compulsive gambling can affect personal relationships. In a 1991 study of relationships of American men, it was found that 10% of compulsive gamblers had been married more than twice. Only 2% of men who did not gamble were married more than twice.[30] According to statistics by the BGM (British Medical Journal), families of problem gamblers are more likely to experience child abuse or other forms of domestic violence.[31] According to John A. Cunningham, Joanne Cordingley, David C. Higgins and Tony Toneatto a survey based In Canada shows that gambling abuse was best seen as a form of "disease or illness" , "wrongdoing", "habit not disease" and an "addiction similar to drug addiction".[32]

A gambler who does not receive treatment for pathological gambling when in his or her desperation phase may contemplate suicide.[33] Problem gambling is often associated with increased suicidal ideation and attempts compared to the general population.[34][35]

Early onset of problem gambling increases the lifetime risk of suicide.[36] However, gambling-related suicide attempts are usually made by older people with problem gambling.[37] Both comorbid substance use[38][39] and comorbid mental disorders increase the risk of suicide in people with problem gambling.[37] A 2010 Australian hospital study found that 17% of suicidal patients admitted to the Alfred Hospital's emergency department were problem gamblers.[40] In the United States, a report by the National Council on Problem Gambling showed approximately one in five pathological gamblers attempt suicide. The council also said that suicide rates among pathological gamblers were higher than any other addictive disorder.[41]

David Phillips, a sociologist from the University of California-San Diego, found "visitors to and residents of gaming communities experience significantly elevated suicide levels". According to him, Las Vegas, the largest gaming market in the United States, "displays the highest levels of suicide in the nation, both for residents of Las Vegas and for visitors to that setting". In Atlantic City, the second-largest gaming market, he found "abnormally high suicide levels for visitors and residents appeared only after gambling casinos were opened".[42]

Several psychological mechanisms are thought to be implicated in the development and maintenance of problem gambling.[43] First, reward processing seems to be less sensitive with problem gamblers. Second, some individuals use problem gambling as an escape from the problems in their lives (an example of negative reinforcement). Third, personality factors play a role, such as narcissism, risk-seeking, sensation-seeking and impulsivity. Fourth, problem gamblers suffer from a number of cognitive biases, including the illusion of control,[44] unrealistic optimism, overcondence and the gambler's fallacy (the incorrect belief that a series of random events tends to self-correct so that the absolute frequencies of each of various outcomes balance each other out). Fifth, problem gamblers represent a chronic state of a behavioral spin process, a gambling spin, as described by the criminal spin theory.[45]

The most common instrument used to screen for "probable pathological gambling" behavior is the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) developed by Lesieur and Blume (1987) at the South Oaks Hospital in New York City.[46] In recent years the use of SOGS has declined due to a number of criticisms, including that it overestimates false positives (Battersby, Tolchard, Thomas & Esterman, 2002).

The DSM-IV diagnostic criteria presented as a checklist is an alternative to SOGS, it focuses on the psychological motivations underpinning problem gambling and was developed by the American Psychiatric Association. It consists of ten diagnostic criteria. One frequently used screening measure based upon the DSM-IV criteria is the National Opinion Research Center DSM Screen for Gambling Problems (NODS). The Canadian Problem Gambling Inventory (CPGI) and the Victorian Gambling Screen (VGS) are newer assessment measures. The Problem Gambling Severity Index, which focuses on the harms associated with problem gambling, is composed of nine items from the longer CPGI.[47] The VGS is also harm based and includes 15 items. The VGS has proven validity and reliability in population studies as well as Adolescents and clinic gamblers.

Most treatment for problem gambling involves counseling, step-based programs, self-help, peer-support, medication, or a combination of these. However, no one treatment is considered to be most efficacious and no medications have been approved for the treatment of pathological gambling by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Only one treatment facility[48] has been given a license to officially treat gambling as an addiction, and that was by the State of Virginia.[49]

Gamblers Anonymous (GA) is a commonly used treatment for gambling problems. Modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous, GA uses a 12-step model that emphasizes a mutual-support approach. There are three in-patient treatment centers in North America.[50] One form of counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to reduce symptoms and gambling-related urges. This type of therapy focuses on the identification of gambling-related thought processes, mood and cognitive distortions that increase one's vulnerability to out-of-control gambling. Additionally, CBT approaches frequently utilize skill-building techniques geared toward relapse prevention, assertiveness and gambling refusal, problem solving and reinforcement of gambling-inconsistent activities and interests.[51]

As to behavioral treatment, some recent research supports the use of both activity scheduling and desensitization in the treatment of gambling problems.[52] In general, behavior analytic research in this area is growing [53] There is evidence that the SSRI paroxetine is efficacious in the treatment of pathological gambling.[54] Additionally, for patients suffering from both pathological gambling and a comorbid bipolar spectrum condition, sustained release lithium has shown efficacy in a preliminary trial.[55] The opioid antagonist drug nalmefene has also been trialled quite successfully for the treatment of compulsive gambling.[56]

Other step-based programs are specific to gambling and generic to healing addiction, creating financial health, and improving mental wellness. Commercial alternatives that are designed for clinical intervention, using the best of health science and applied education practices, have been used as patient-centered tools for intervention since 2007. They include measured efficacy and resulting recovery metrics.[medical citation needed]

Motivational interviewing is one of the treatments of compulsive gambling. The motivational interviewing's basic goal is promoting readiness to change through thinking and resolving mixed feelings. Avoiding aggressive confrontation, argument, labeling, blaming, and direct persuasion, the interviewer supplies empathy and advice to compulsive gamblers who define their own goal. The focus is on promoting freedom of choice and encouraging confidence in the ability to change.[57]

A growing method of treatment is peer support. With the advancement of online gambling, many gamblers experiencing issues use various online peer-support groups to aid their recovery. This protects their anonymity while allowing them to attempt recovery on their own, often without having to disclose their issues to loved ones.[medical citation needed]

Research into self-help for problem gamblers has shown benefits.[58] A study by Wendy Slutske of the University of Missouri concluded one-third of pathological gamblers overcome it by natural recovery.[59]

According to the Productivity Commission's 2010 final report into gambling, the social cost of problem gambling is close to 4.7 billion dollars a year. Some of the harms resulting from problem gambling include depression, suicide, lower work productivity, job loss, relationship breakdown, crime and bankruptcy.[60] A survey conducted in 2008 found that the most common motivation for fraud was problem gambling, with each incident averaging a loss of $1.1 million.[60] According to Darren R. Christensen. Nicki A. Dowling, Alun C. Jackson and Shane A.Thomas a survey done from 1994-2008 in Tasmania gave results that gambling participation rates have risen rather than fallen over this period.[61]

In Europe, the rate of problem gambling is typically 0.5 to 3 percent.[62] The "British Gambling Prevalence Survey 2007", conducted by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission, found approximately 0.6 percent of the adult population had problem gambling issuesthe same percentage as in 1999.[63] The highest prevalence of problem gambling was found among those who participated in spread betting (14.7%), fixed odds betting terminals (11.2%) and betting exchanges (9.8%).[63] In Norway, a December 2007 study showed the amount of present problem gamblers was 0.7 percent.[64]

In the United States, the percentage of pathological gamblers was 0.6 percent, and the percentage of problem gamblers was 2.3 percent in 2008.[65] Studies commissioned by the National Gambling Impact Study Commission Act has shown the prevalence rate ranges from 0.1 percent to 0.6 percent.[66] Nevada has the highest percentage of pathological gambling; a 2002 report estimated 2.2 to 3.6 percent of Nevada residents over the age of 18 could be called problem gamblers. Also, 2.7 to 4.3 percent could be called probable pathological gamblers.[67]

According to a 1997 meta-analysis by Harvard Medical School's division on addictions, 1.1 percent of the adult population of the United States and Canada could be called pathological gamblers.[68] A 1996 study estimated 1.2 to 1.9 percent of adults in Canada were pathological.[69] In Ontario, a 2006 report showed 2.6 percent of residents experienced "moderate gambling problems" and 0.8 percent had "severe gambling problems".[70] In Quebec, an estimated 0.8 percent of the adult population were pathological gamblers in 2002.[71] Although most who gamble do so without harm, approximately 6 million American adults are addicted to gambling.[72]

Signs of a gambling problem include:[medical citation needed]

Both casinos and poker machines in pubs and clubs facilitate problem gambling in Australia. The building of new hotels and casinos has been described as "one of the most active construction markets in Australia"; for example, AUD$860 million was allocated to rebuild and expand the Star Complex in Sydney.[73]

A 2010 study, conducted in the Northern Territory by researchers from the Australian National University (ANU) and Southern Cross University (SCU), found that the proximity of a person's residence to a gambling venue is significant in terms of prevalence. Harmful gambling in the study was prevalent among those living within 100 metres of any gambling venue, and was over 50% higher than among those living ten kilometres from a venue. The study's data stated:

"Specifically, people who lived 100 metres from their favourite venue visited an estimated average of 3.4 times per month. This compared to an average of 2.8 times per month for people living one kilometre away, and 2.2 times per month for people living ten kilometres away".[74]

According to the Productivity Commission's 2016 report into gambling, 0.5% to 1% (80,000 to 160,000)[75] of the Australian adult population suffered with significant problems resulting from gambling. A further 1.4% to 2.1% (230 000 to 350 000) of the Australian adult population experienced moderate risks making them likely to be vulnerable to problem gambling.[76] Estimates show that problem gamblers account for an average of 41% of the total gaming machine spending.[77]

Link:

Problem gambling - Wikipedia

Arewe really talking about police allegations of players sharing with punters information regarding team changes, and about the NSW Blues staying at The Star casino, as if they are two completely different issues?

We're not suggesting any wrongdoing from the Blues but England's Football Association certainly saw a contradiction between endorsing gambling and simultaneously trying to fight it.

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The Eels combine for a superb try against the Storm in Melbourne.

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Some Moses Mbye brilliance helped the Bulldogs snatch victory away from the Knights at Belmore.

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Bulldog Moses Mbye charges down a kick and runs away for the game winning try against the Knights at Belmore.

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Parramatta took another step towards finals football with a convincing win in Melbourne.

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The Panthers caused a boil over when the Sea Eagles travelled out west.

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Dane Gagai believes his Newcastle Knights teammates have been thrown in at the deep end, but insists they are improving as a side.

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The Sydney Roosters have defeated arch rivals the South Sydney Rabbitohs 14-12 at Allianz Stadium to consolidate their spot in the top four.

The Eels combine for a superb try against the Storm in Melbourne.

On June 22, the FA ended all sponsorship with gambling firms, saying: "The decision was made following a three-month review of The FA's approach as a governing body taking betting sponsorship, whilst being responsible for the regulation of sports betting within the sport's rules".

Have cake, eat cake, etc. Of course, people will say straight-laced footballers and money-generating punters can be kept at arm's length. Then the same people book a State of Origin team into a casino.

What an added bonus it would be to your night out on the roulette tables at Pyrmont if you saw a star player hobbling off to hospital and were able to get on the Maroons right there and then! NSW are at Kingscliff this week.

Pie (Eater) in the sky

Set of Six is proud of its mantle as rugby league's leading (along with Discord) pie-in-the-sky column.

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So how about this levitating pastry: if we're going to let Origin completely overshadow every other form of rugby league for two months each year, can't we at least leverage thatbrand to do more than fill the NRL's coffers? Like, can interstate football support the expansion of ... interstate football?Can't a fraction of the squillions the series makes be spent on a second-tier Origin for the other states?

Surely putting Brenton Lawrence in a South Australian shirt alongside local amateurs is a more cost-effective way of promoting the sport there than reviving the Adelaide Rams.

Likewise, when Will Chambers' Queensland career is over, wouldn't it be nice to see him play for Northern Territory once or twice? Oh that's right, rugby league fans don't care about the other states.

Meanwhile, the other codes' fans are FROM those states. One reader suggested that the Affiliated States team to play England before the World Cup should be bolstered by NRL stars great idea!

Chambers Will stay

Queenslandcoach Kevin Walters has ruled out a switch of sides of the field for centre Will Chambers as has been widely mooted for Origin III at Suncorp next Wednesday. "No unless there is an injury in the game," Walters told Triple M over the weekend. "We thought Will did a good job on Jarryd Hayne[in game two] and Darius Boyd did an equally terrific job on Josh Dugan. So Michael [Morgan]will be the left centre and Will Chambers will start for us on the right-hand side."

Walters said the Maroons believed halfback Cooper Cronk would play on next year. "He's been very coy about his future," Walters said. "There might be announcement after the game."

Das Bunnings

We've been critical of the NRL for failing to look over the back fence in the past so credit where it's due: the rest of this season's games will be shown for free online in every country that does not have a rights deal. Hong Kong-based company rugbypass.com will provide the service and of course in future years they have the option of charging.

Commentators beware: everything that is said during the breaks is broadcast on the website. On Friday night we heard Ray 'Rabbits' Warren welcome a guest called Tanika into the box, make reference to his grandson and checked that Goulburn was still in group eight. The same goes for Nine games on Fox Soccer in the United States. However, for Fox games the Australian commercials are broadcast in these regions. One can only wonder what Ukranians make of Bunnings Warehouse.

Cause of concern

Whingeingabout referees is almost compulsory in rugby league but there were a couple of genuinely concerning incidents over the weekend. One was Robbie Farah passing the ball into an off-side player on Friday night and there being no penalty; when the same thing happened on Saturday at Pepper Stadium, the whistle was blown.

Then there was George Burgess' laughable play-the-ball at Allianz Stadium, facing Bondi Beach.Bill Harrigan, recognised as the game's greatest referee, earlier this year on radio called for NRL head of match officials Tony Archer to resign and repeated the call recently in London, where he is doing Oztag coaching and promotion.

Humanise referees

Havingsaid all that, it was refreshing to see features on referees in English newspapers during the past couple of weeks. How much do you actually know about Gavin Badger or Henry Perenara? Are their career milestones properly recognised? Perhaps if you had some insight into who they are as people, you'd be less inclined to blame them for your team's ineptitude.

Referees don't do interviews and NRL media accreditation expressly forbids reporters from approaching them. Speaking at a function in London, Harrigan said: "MattyCecchin, yes he's doing grand finals. He's done State of Origin. But does he have something else that makes him stand out from other referees? It seems referees now are like they want them to be: seen and not heard." You might think it's a good thing there'll never be another Bill Harrigan. I'm not so sure.

Read this article:

Rugby league's ridiculous mixed messages on gambling - The Sydney Morning Herald

With a Monday deadline looming, Pennsylvania lawmakers appear to be closing in on an agreement over a gambling expansion package that would help to close the states multi-billion-dollar budget gap. Satellite casinos swapped in for VGTs

According to a report from PennLive, the controversial issue of video gaming terminals (VGTs) is officially off the table.

To fill the revenue hole that the absence of VGTs creates, lawmakers are considering a more focused form of expansion: So-called satellite casinos.

While no official proposals have been released, satellite casinos would likely be:

Per PennLive, the current plan is to authorize up to 10 satellites, with license fees running from $7.5mm to $10mm.

One risk of introducing a new concept at this stage in the game: It may prove difficult to craft an approach that gets a sufficient amount of casino stakeholders on board.

A key issue will revolve around location identifying locations that are both viable but also not a threat to existing operators.

Lawmakers have apparently floated the idea of a 25 mile buffer zone, a concept that was immediately rejected by Penn National.

Given the size of the expansion under consideration and the fact that more than 50 percent of our customers come from beyond a 25-mile radius, this could have a devastating impact on our business, Eric Schippers, senior vice president for public affairs, told PennLive.

Sources close to the situation cautioned that nearly everything remains in flux.

But the emerging consensus around the issue of tax rates for online appears to be in the range of 24 percent to 26 percent for slots, and 16 percent to 20 percent for table games and poker.

Thats a fair bit steeper than New Jerseys 17.5 percent rate, but also a significant drop from the proposed 54 percent rate long championed by powerful interests in the Pennsylvania Senate.

Rates in those ranges would provide the industry with a challenging, but not insurmountable, hurdle to profitability.

Read more about the revenue and tax potential for regulated online gambling in Pennsylvania.

Where we still havent heard firm word is on two other key issues that are understood to be in play:

Deadlines in Pennsylvania are generally treated more figuratively than literally by lawmakers.

With that caveat in place, lawmakers are (at least in concept) facing a Monday deadline to deliver a revenue package to pay for a recently-passed budget.

Per the Associated Press, lawmakers will be heading to work Sunday for public sessions and private negotiations.

Without a published bill, its impossible to say for sure. But other elements currently included in the expansion package are understood to be:

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Online Gambling Stays In The Picture As Pennsylvania's Expansion Package Comes Into Focus - OnlinePokerReport.com

The problem of gambling addiction is a complex one that continues to evoke great debate in the community and within the ACT government.

It is not an issue in which there is a quick fix available and there is no getting past the fact that a love of taking a punt is part of the nation's psyche.

The ACT government's latest proposal to ban cash-out via eftpos machines in clubs is just the latest in a series of measures to aggressively target problem gamblers.

It comes after an investigation found clubs were bypassing the $250-a-day limit on ATM machines made in 2013 by installing eftpos machines.

The changes detailed in a letter to clubs this week were prompted by the experience of problem gambler Laurie Brown who lost $230,000 by exploiting this loophole.

While there are solid arguments for harm minimisation strategies there is also a view that this is not the best approach to take and that providing increased support to problem gamblers is a better bet.

The decision by Canberra Liberals MLA Mark Parton to share his personal story of gambling addiction brings an important voice to the continuing debate about the issue in the territory.

He decided to tell his story because he does not agree with the ACT government's focus on mitigation measures to deter problem gamblers and instead wants greater support for them.

"The only way you'll stop individual problem gamblers is to get them to a point where they acknowledge they have a problem and they rebel against it, they do something about it," he said.

Problem gambling is a large concern for the territory and it deserves serious attention from the whole community.

But it is hard to see a way forward with what appears to be reactionary policy that based on past experience in the territory, clubs and punters will be able to work around.

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Canberra's problem with gambling is not an easy fix - The Canberra Times

New Yorks 2013 decision to OK more casinos in the state is proving a wise move for politicians. For regular New Yorkers, not so much.

Take the $2 million-a-year Vernon Downs bailout that state lawmakers slipped through at last weeks special session. As The Posts Carl Campanile reported Wednesday, the central New York racinos owner, Jeff Gural, had handed out $400,000 to political committees (roughly half to Gov. Cuomos) over the past seven years.

True, Gural threatened to shut down if he didnt get big tax breaks, and pols promptly took credit for saving the sites 300 jobs.

But the politicians also once insisted casinos and racinos would boost the economy without tax breaks.

Backers of the seven gambling parlors OKd in 2013 vowed theyd gin up fresh tax revenue for the state not split the industrys take into such small pieces theyd need taxpayer bailouts to survive.

Yet Gural says he was fine until three new casinos opened nearby.

In all, 16 casinos and racinos outside the city are fighting over betting dollars, with another set to open next year. Gural whines thats hes losing $170,000 a month at Vernon Downs and complained about how hard it was to finance another property, Tioga Downs.

Sheesh. What did he expect? Casinos are hurting across the country. Atlantic City has seen five close, with 11,000 jobs lost, since 2014. The state had to take over the city to fend off bankruptcy.

But for the politicians, more casinos mean more contributions. And if it means $2 million in state handouts, well, hey its not their money.

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Legal gambling's big winners are the politicians - New York Post