Category Archives: Gambling

There are various forms of commercially operated gambling in Guam, including game rooms, some of which have landed in the news occasionally when they got robbed.

Gambling is, by law, illegal on the island.

Somehow, gambling continues to be run, not clandestinely, but out in full public view, sponsored in part by mayors under the guise of these mini-casino table games being part of fiestas that, ironically, are held to honor Catholic patron saints.

Bingo gambling is held all the time, in the name of fundraisers, run by nonprofits.

The mayoral-sponsored gambling allows mini-casino operations every year during the Guam Liberation carnival. The carnival is to celebrate the U.S. militarys invasion that freed Guam Chamorros from the atrocities of the Japanese wartime occupiers, but somehow, this is celebrated all summer long, through a carnival that showcases a pop-up casino operation that offers table games.

At these table games, paychecks are lost and squandered, and many family breadwinners return home from hours of gambling without the money their family needs to pay for power, water, gasoline and other needs of the household.

So why do certain mayors insist on allowing gambling, in the name of fiestas, for Catholic patron saints?

Some of them have said their villages cut in the gaming" operation helps them to offer certain services to constituents.

One mayor went as far as saying that gambling money revenues help pay for village events such as Easter egg hunts.

There needs to be a point, and hopefully that will be soon, when the mayors, island senators and executive branch officials who seem to be OK with gambling activities take a stand. Hopefully it will be soon when they say "No more."

Guam voters have taken to the polls several times to say "No" to various forms of gambling.

There should be no excuses for fiestas, no excuses for establishments called game rooms, no excuses for nonprofit fundraisers for elderly folks or health care, and no lame excuses like: The gambling revenues help young kids hunt for plastic eggs and candy for Easter.

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Gambling is illegal in Guam: Elected officials must stop making excuses and exemptions - The Guam Daily Post (press release) (registration)

Armenias government has approved plans to create a registry of high-rolling gamblers, because the countrys supply of trust is apparently running even lower than its capital reserves.

On Thursday, the Armenian government approved a proposal introduced by the nations deputy finance minister that will create a database of gamblers who spend over AMD 1m (US $2,060) on any wager, be it land-based or online. Gambling operators will be required to report these transactions and keep copies of gamblers identity documents.

The new measure, which will take effect on June 1, is ostensibly aimed at reducing opportunities for money laundering, although one cant shake the suspicion that the laws true intent is curbing gambling activity, based on the natural human impulse to get your name on as few government lists as possible.

Sandwiched between Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan, Armenia has a full spectrum of gambling options, including a state-run lottery, a few large land-based casinos, numerous small gaming halls and a handful of approved online gambling operators. However, the government has been making life more difficult for gambling operators in recent years.

In laws that took effect at the beginning of 2014, Armenia banned casinos from its capital Yerevan, confining the activity to a few designated geographic territories mainly resort areas including Tsaghkadzor, Sevan, Jermuk, Meghri and at the Zvartnots International Airport. This step was justified as a means of reducing the potential harms of gambling activity on Armenias citizens.

In late 2015, Armenia passed laws banning online gambling sites from advertising in the country, with the only exceptions being ads at land-based gaming venues and four-star hotels. Again, minimizing social harms was cited as the primary reason for the ban.

In late 2016, the government proposed a fivefold hike in annual licensing fees for gambling operators, from the current AMD 100m to AMD 500m ($1.03m). Deputy Finance Minister Karen Tamazyan justified the hike by saying gambling operators profits had been increasing at rapid rates while the governments take hadnt been boosted since 2006.

Tamazyan claimed that Armenias online gambling operators had seen their revenue jump from AMD 44b in 2014 to AMD 108b ($222.5m) through the first 11 months of 2016. When another legislator pointed out that rising revenue didnt necessarily indicate profitability, Tamazyan claimed online operators profits had risen by 5% to 20% during this time frame, although she declined to cite her sources for these stats.

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Armenia orders gambling sites to report all wagers over $2k - CalvinAyre.com

LAS VEGAS, April 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- PlayUSA.com has captured the current state of the rapidly evolving legal online gambling industry with its newly released white paper entitled, "Online Gambling and Sports Betting in America: The 2017 Landscape." In the report, PlayUSA analysts take a critical look at seven emerging gambling products online gambling, daily fantasy sports, online skill gambling, online lotteries, social casinos, and online horse betting. In doing so, PlayUSA offers a snapshot of the present and future of the U.S. gambling industry.

In all, 44 states legally allow some form of online betting, and 26 states are currently considering bills to expand online gambling.

The study details the widely varying positions of significant stakeholders from federal and state governments to commercial casinos to paint a clear picture of the hurdles to progress. The report also crystallizes the significance of what is at stake.

"Yes votes in New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Massachusetts would have nothing less than a transformative impact on the U.S. online gambling industry," said Robert DellaFave, the senior analyst for PlayUSA who authored the report. "With a few sweeping pen strokes, a $250 million per year industry would metamorphose into one with billion-dollar potential."

Some states are mulling progress on multiple fronts, showing how critical a time this is for the legalized online gambling industry.

"Unsurprisingly, many of the same states that have either legalized or are considering online gambling, including New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, are taking a hard look at the merits of an online lottery rollout," DellaFave said.

For a summary of the PlayUSA report, visit http://www.playusa.com/gambling/. To download a free copy, visit http://www.playusa.com/gambling/#download.

About The PlayUSA Network: Based in Las Vegas, The PlayUSA Network is a leading source for news, analysis, and research related to the market for regulated online gaming in the United States. With a presence in over a dozen states, PlayUSA.com and its state-focused branches (including PlayNJ.com, PlayNY.com, PlayPennsylvania.com, and PlayCA.com) produce daily original reporting, publish in-depth research, and offer player advocacy tools related to the advancement of safe, licensed, and legal online poker and gaming options for consumers.

Contacts: Zack Hall, DVA Advertising & PR, 541-389-2411, zack@dvaadv.com

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-playusacom-report-captures-where-legal-gambling-stands-in-the-us-and-where-industry-is-headed-300442545.html

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New PlayUSA.com Report Captures Where Legal Gambling Stands In The U.S., And Where Industry Is Headed - Yahoo Finance

ONSLOW COUNTY, NC (WITN) - More details have emerged about an undercover investigation which led to six arrests and the seizure of gambling machines.

Major Chris Thomas with the Onslow County Sheriff's Office says the illegal gambling machines were seized after a two-month undercover investigation.

Thomas Newkirk, 31, of Jacksonville, Teresa Evans, 66, of Holly Ridge, Richard Melton Jr., 29, of Jacksonville, Teresa Blakley, 57, of Jacksonville, Eyad Saleh, 20, of Jacksonville, and Malek Taher-Maswarah, 32, of Jacksonville, were all charged with misdemeanor gambling violation, misdemeanor operate/possess slot machine, misdemeanor allow gambling in public house, misdemeanor allow gaming tables, and misdemeanor keeping slot machines/gaming tables.

Maj. Thomas says the investigation was prompted after people playing the machines say they were ripped off.

"They say they have been ripped off and not been paid, a lot of people go and play, and a lot of people lose their money," he explains. "But the games themselves are a violation of North Carolina gaming law, and we're just enforcing those laws."

Search warrants were issued Thursday for the Holly Mart on U.S. 17 South in Holly Ridge, BJ's Yard Sale on Richlands Highway, and Best Exxon on Richlands Highway.

Deputies say almost $12,000 in gambling receipts, along with ledgers, receipts and tally sheets were seized during the raid of three Onslow County businesses.

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Eleven gambling machines have been seized along with thousands of dollars in cash with the arrest of six people.

Onslow County deputies say the arrests came after a two-month long investigation into illegal gambling in the county.

Search warrants were issued Thursday for the Holly Mart on U.S. 17 South in Holly Ridge, BJ's Yard Sale on Richlands Highway, and Best Exxon on Richlands Highway.

Thomas Newkirk, 31, of Jacksonville, Teresa Evans, 66, of Holly Ridge, Richard Melton Jr., 29, of Jacksonville, Teresa Blakley, 57, of Jacksonville, Eyad Saleh, 20, of Jacksonville, and Malek Taher-Maswarah, 32, of Jacksonville, were all charged with misdemeanor gambling violation, misdemeanor operate/possess slot machine, misdemeanor allow gambling in public house, misdemeanor allow gaming tables, and misdemeanor keeping slot machines/gaming tables.

Saleh was also charged with conducting gambling at a licensed ABC premise, and consume alcohol by 19/20 year old.

Bonds for the six ranged from $3,000 to $7,000, all unsecured bonds.

Deputies say they seized more than $11,600 in gambling receipts, along with ledgers, receipts and tally sheets.

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NEW INFO: Six arrested in illegal gambling case - WITN - WITN

CONCORD, N.H.

Another vote on casino gambling is looming at the statehouse.

During a public hearing Tuesday, opponents of expanded gaming laid out their arguments against adding video slots.

It's not possible to be both anti-crime and pro-casino at the same time, Franklin Police Chief David Goldstein said, speaking on behalf of the Chiefs of Police Association.

Goldstein pointed to the issues already plaguing our state, specifically the opioid epidemic.

What sense does it make to introduce and legalize another form of addiction in our state? he asked.

The group CasiNO opposes expanded gaming.

Rusty McLear, co-owner of Lakes Region hotel Pres Mills Falls -- said casinos would have an unfair advantage as they lower their rates to attract gamblers.

In essence, gambling will subsidize the restaurants and the rooms. How do we compete with that? The answer is we can't compete with that, McLear said.

Newly sworn-in Attorney General Gordon MacDonald stood with longstanding tradition, urging house members not to pass the bill.

"The concern is, at bottom, that we've got an excellent quality of life and a very low crime rate and the nature of expanded gambling threatens both, MacDonald said.

The bill's supporters maintain that the addition would provide a boost for business.

We have a good bill. It's a strong bill. It's a bill that provides economic opportunity and job creation to people in New Hampshire, Sen. Lou DAllesandro (D-Manchester) said.

Supporters said it's an uphill battle, but its one they will continue to fight as they look to have the bill passed by the House.

"The wealthiest people in the state of New Hampshire are opposed to the bill. It's quite clear. I give them a great deal of credit for the fight. We've been battling for the last two decades, we'll continue to battle, DAllesandro said.

This bill has already passed the Senate, but as in the past, it is expected to have a much more difficult time in the House.

WEBVTT OTS WHILE THE BILL'SSUPPORTERS MAINTAIN IT WOULDPROVIDE A BOOST FOR BUSINESS.>> IT'S NOT POSSIBLE TO BE BOTHANTI-CRIME AND PRO-CASINO AT THESAME TIME. SIOBHAN: SPEAKING ON BEHALF OFTHE CHIEF'S OF POLICEASSOCIATION, FRANKLIN CHIEFDAVID GOLDSTEIN POINTS TO THEISSUES ALREADY PLAGUING OURSTATE, SPECIFICALLY THE OPIOIDEPIDEMIC.>> WHAT SENSE DOES IT MAKE TOINTRODUCE AND LEGALIZE ANOTHERFORM OF ADDICTION IN OUR STATE? SIOBHAN: THE GROUP CAS-NOOPPOSES EXPANDING GAMING.RUSTY MCLEAR, CO-OWNER OF ALAKES REGION HOTEL, SAYS CASINOS-WOULD HAVE AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGEAS THEY LOWER THEIR RATES TOATTRACT GAMBLERS.>> IN ESSENCE GAMBLING WILLSUBSIDIZE THE RESTAURANTS ANDTHE ROOMS.HOW DO WE COMPETE WITH THAT?THE ANSWER IS WE CAN'T COMPETEWITH THAT. SIOBHAN: THE NEWLY SWORN-INATTORNEY GENERAL STOOD WITHLONGSTANDING TRADITION, URGINGHOUSE MEMBERS NOT TO PASS THEBILL.>> THE CONCERN IS, AT BOTTOM,THAT WE'VE GOT AN EXCELLENTQUALITY OF LIFE AND A VERY LOWCRIME RATE AND THE NATURE OFEXPANDED GAMBLING THREATENSBOTH. >> WE HAVE A GOOD BILL.IT'S A STRONG BILL.IT'S A BILL THAT PROVIDESECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND JOBCREATION TO PEOPLE IN NEWHAMPSHIRE. SIOBHAN: SUPPORTERS SAY IT'S ANUPHILL BATTLE, BUT ONE THEY WILLCONTINUE TO FIGHT AS THEY LOOKTO HAVE THE BILL PASSED BY THEHOUSE.>> THE WEALTHIEST PEOPLE IN THESTATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE AREOPPOSED TO THE BILL.IT'S QUITE CLEAR.I GIVE THEM A GREAT DEAL OFCREDIT FOR THE FIGHT.WE'VE BEEN BATTLING FOR THE LASTTWO DECADES.WE'LL CONTINUE TO BATTLE. SIOBHAN: THE BILL HAS ALREADYPASSED THE SENATE AS IT HAS INTHE PAST.

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Public hearing held on expanded gambling bill - WMUR.com - WMUR Manchester

New York Times

As It Embraces Las Vegas, NFL Is Awash in Gambling Contradictions New York Times The decision to move the Raiders to Las Vegas from Oakland presents conflicts for a league that has long opposed gambling. and more »

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As It Embraces Las Vegas, NFL Is Awash in Gambling Contradictions - New York Times

As gambling casinos continue to open up across the state, the shadow of compulsive gambling grows larger. One Syracuse area gambling addiction clinic is already booked.

Right now, the Syracuse Behavioral Healthcare Gambling Clinic can handle 15 patients at a time, according to integrated outpatient service director Kathi Meadows. And often thats not enough.

We actually had people who were coming that we successfully completed. They would have stayed longer, but there was a need to complete them, so we could get more people in the door, said Meadows.

Meadows says her agency is concerned about the proliferating number of slot machines and gaming tables becoming available to people with gambling problems. In central New York that includes the Del Lago Casino that recently opened up in Seneca County, and news that the Oneida Nation plans to build a gaming facility in Bridgeport. And its forced SBH to think about expanding services.

"It is a concern in that there is more access for gambling for people, especially young people. Because you can go to gambling casinos at age 18 and its easy to spend money. Weve had students whove lost a large sum of money as a result of their gambling, said Meadows.

New York state could help. Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced this year Albany is coming up with $4.7 million in annual funding for gambling outreach, education and treatment. The state is creating seven problem gambling resource centers across the state.

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Compulsive gambling growing problem as number of casinos in ... - WRVO Public Media

Posted April 19, 2017 19:38:40

Australia's major sporting codes have launched a furious rearguard action to try and stop the Turnbull Government from restricting gambling advertising on television.

The ABC understands Cabinet is poised to limit the times when gambling ads can be shown on both free to air and pay TV.

The plan has met stiff resistance from both, with the free to air networks demanding relief from Commonwealth licence fees if the move goes ahead.

But the biggest forces standing against the planned changes are Australia's largest sporting codes.

Last Wednesday, Australian Football League chief executive Gillon McLachlan and the National Rugby League's second in command, Nick Weeks, met with the Communications Minister Mitch Fifield in Melbourne.

Both argued that curtailing gambling advertising will slash the value of the television rights their codes attract.

The National Rugby League also has a commercial deal with Sportsbet worth $60 million, and half of the league's 16 teams have a corporate bookmaker as a major sponsor.

The AFL has a $10 million a year deal with CrownBet.

The codes also argued that the change risked the integrity agreements struck with Australian-based licensed betting agencies; which impose information sharing arrangements on the bookmakers and ensure the AFL and NRL can monitor and police any gambling by players, coaches and staff.

The codes said the risk was that betting operations would go offshore and that control would be lost.

The ABC has been told that Cricket Australia has also been lobbying against the change.

An Easter weekend rearguard action by the football codes might have had the effect of stalling ministerial deliberations because an answer was expected by Wednesday. But the ABC understands there is a mood in Government for further restrictions.

And that could pit the Government against a mighty foe.

Topics: gambling, community-and-society, advertising-and-marketing, advertising, industry, sports-organisations, information-and-communication, federal-government, sport, business-economics-and-finance, australia

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Sporting codes fight Government's proposed restrictions on gambling advertising on TV - ABC Online

The Facebook murderer who took his own life earlier today (April 18) after a pursuit with Pennsylvania State Police had a troubled past with women, according to several neighbors. Steve Stephens, 37, was on the run after shooting and killing 74-year-old Robert Godwin.

One next door neighbor had known Stephens since the two were teenagers. It was at this time that the suspect bought a python and would use it to get attention from women.

It was a slimy thing to do and now he's just a snake in the grass too, Alexis Lee, 34, told DailyMail.com about her neighbor. He didn't really know how to talk to us ladies.

Although Stephens did not attract many of the women in his neighborhood, he reportedly had a nice demeanor with the community children.

He was great with the kids around here and when he was driving out after seeing his mom he'd stop his car, Lee added. He would tell the kids,'Stay out of trouble, go to school and don't be knuckle heads.

Lee said she also saw him frequently gambling at the casino.

I saw him at the casino a couple of times and he would remind me that he always had a crush on me, Lee said. One [time] he asked me to sit next to him at the tables, saying, Be my queen... be my lucky charm." But I wasn't interested. I just went home.

In the past, Stephens lost his salary at the tables in the Jack Cleveland Casino in Downtown Cleveland. He even had to file for bankruptcy at one point.

Charisse Leonard, 28, another neighbor, was confused about Stephens and his approach with women.

I thought he was confused about his sexuality and could even have been gay, Leonard told DailyMail.com.

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Neighbors of Steve Stephens Say He Had a Gambling Problem and Seemed to Have a Hard Time With Women - BET

Amanda Thames AmandaThames

Three locations were busted and six people arrested in connection with alleged illegal gambling.

The Onslow County Sheriffs Office conducted a two-month-long investigation into Holly Mart, located at 954 U.S. 17 South in Holly Ridge; BJs Yard Sale, located at 3117 Richlands Hwy in Jacksonville; and Best Exxon, located at 2945 Richlands Hwy in Jacksonville, according to a press release.

During a search of the three locations on Thursday, the sheriffs office allegedly seized 11 gambling machines, gambling paraphernalia, ledgers, receipts, tally sheets, and gambling proceeds, according to the press release.

The money seized, $11,667, was the total from all three establishments, said Maj. Chris Thomas with the sheriffs office.

The first complaint about these stores gambling came in eight months ago, Thomas said, but he believes the alleged gambling practices have been going on for a long time.

The complaints came from several different people, including people whod heard about it, people who felt theyd been defrauded by the establishments, and other business owners, Thomas said.

Inside, the establishments allegedly had machines people put money into to play games and received a voucher with their winnings they would then redeem for cash, he said.

Gambling is illegal in North Carolina, Thomas said.

The sheriffs office began investigating these stores two months ago, Thomas said, and although all of the warrants were served on Thursday, they were part of separate investigations.

It takes time to verify the fact that they were gambling, Thomas said.

There are other investigations ongoing, Thomas said, and he believes there are other places in Onslow County participating in gambling.

The following people were arrested Thursday.

Thomas Alexander Newkirk, 31, of Armstrong Drive in Jacksonville was charged with misdemeanor gambling violation; misdemeanor operate or possess a slot machine; misdemeanor allowing gambling in a public house; misdemeanor allowing gaming tables; and misdemeanor keeping slot machines and gaming tables. His bond was set at $5,000. He is not listed as being in jail custody, according to VineLink.

Teresa Hollis Evans, 66, of U.S. Hwy 17 in Holly Ridge was charged with misdemeanor gambling violation; misdemeanor operate or possess a slot machine; misdemeanor allowing gambling in a public house; misdemeanor allowing gaming tables; and misdemeanor keeping slot machines and gaming tables. Her bond was set at $6,000. She is not listed as being in jail custody, according to VineLink.

Richard Earl Melton Jr., 29, of Rainmaker Drive in Jacksonville was charged with misdemeanor gambling violation; misdemeanor operate or possess a slot machine; misdemeanor allowing gambling in a public house; misdemeanor allowing gaming tables; and misdemeanor keeping slot machines and gaming tables. His bond was set at $3,000. He recently bonded out of jail, according to VineLink.

Teresa Ann Blakley, 57, of Kenwood Drive in Jacksonville was charged with misdemeanor gambling violation; misdemeanor operate or possess a slot machine; misdemeanor allowing gambling in a public house; misdemeanor allowing gaming tables; and misdemeanor keeping slot machines and gaming tables. Her bond was set at $5,000. She is not listed as being in jail custody, according to VineLink.

Malek Redhwan Taher-Maswarah, 32, of Cordell Circle in Jacksonville was charged with misdemeanor gambling violation; misdemeanor operate or possess a slot machine; misdemeanor allowing gambling in a public house; misdemeanor allowing gaming tables; and misdemeanor keeping slot machines and gaming tables. His bond was set at $5,000. He is not listed as being in jail custody, according to VineLink.

Eyad Ahmed Saleh, 20, of Wilmington Hwy in Jacksonville was charged with misdemeanor gambling violation; misdemeanor operate or possess a slot machine; misdemeanor allowing gambling in a public house; misdemeanor allowing gaming tables; misdemeanor keeping slot machines and gaming tables; conducting gambling at a licensed ABC premise; and consuming alcohol by a 19 or 20 year old. His bond was set at $7,000. He is not listed as being in jail custody, according to VineLink.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the Onslow County Sheriff's Office at 910-455-3113 or Crime Stoppers at 910-938-3273. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards of up to $2,500 for information provided thats deemed of value or assistance to law enforcement. Callers to Crime Stoppers are not required to reveal their identities. Information can also be anonymously texted via Text-A-Tip by typing TIP4CSJAX and the message to 274637.

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Six accused of gambling in local stores - News - The Daily News ... - Jacksonville Daily News