Category Archives: Gambling

Gaming law is the set of rules and regulations that apply to the gaming or gambling industry. Gaming law is not a branch of law in the traditional sense but rather is a collection of several areas of law that include criminal law, regulatory law, constitutional law, administrative law, company law, contract law, and in some jurisdictions, competition law.

Gaming law is enormously complex. In the United States, it involves federal and state law considerations and in Canada, it involves federal and provincial law considerations, in a variety of legal disciplines. For example, all gambling requires consideration, chance and prize, legal terms that must be analyzed by gaming lawyers.[1] In the United States, illegal gambling is a federal crime if done as a business.[2][3] However, each of its states has its own laws regarding the regulation or prohibition of gambling.[4] States that permit such gaming usually have a commission established to oversee the regulation of the industry, such as licensing of those employed in the gaming industry. States that permit casinos and similar forms of gaming often have strict zoning regulations to keep such establishments away from schools and residential areas.

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Gaming law - Wikipedia

About a third of a million people in the UK are now classified as problem gamblers. Photograph: Alamy

Can you put a price on misery? When it comes to problem gambling the answer, apparently, is yes.

A team of economists has calculated that if the UKs hundreds of thousands of problem gamblers were to be cured of their addictions, the boost to the nations collective happiness would be equivalent to a 30bn windfall.

The work, based on an analysis of 10,000 adult gamblers presented at last weeks Royal Economic Societys annual conference, suggests that around 0.7% of adults, about a third of a million people, are now classified as problem gamblers.

The research found that problem gamblers reported much lower levels of wellbeing. This loss in wellbeing is only partly the large financial losses that spending disproportionately on such products implies, said Ian Walker, professor of economics at Lancaster University, who led the research. One can feel bad about losing money accidentally, but one can feel a lot worse from having wasted money deliberately money that could have been spent on having fun, on the kids, or on the essentials of life.

When respondents were asked to give their happiness levels out of 10, the results were striking. Those who werent problem gamblers said, on average, a pretty happy 7.95, Walker said. Those who were said a miserable 6.25. This difference of 1.7 is huge.

Walker and his colleagues calculate that doubling income would only raise happiness by about half a point. From this, they estimate that a problem gambler would need around an extra 90,000 a year about three times the average household income to become as happy as someone who was not a problem gambler.

Previous research into gambling has tended to focus on the impact it has on other people. But no one has bothered to ask this question about the costs that the problem gamblers themselves suffer until now, Walker said. If we could eliminate problem gambling, happiness would rise by as much as it would if we were collectively financially better off by about 30bn a year. This is around 2% of GNP, a huge number on a par with the harms due to alcohol, which receive a lot of policy action. Yet spending on dealing with problem gambling is a tiny fraction of spending that deals with alcohol issues.

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Problem gambling 'takes a 30bn toll on nation's happiness', says study - The Guardian

Welcome MMA bettors, speculators, and gambling lurkers! Were back at it again for another week of comprehensive gambling analysis from your friends at MMA Fighting. This weekends fight card breaks a long drought of non-PPV UFC cards and its headlined by one of the best title fights possible, so it should be a good weekend.

For those of you who are new here (or for those who have forgotten), this aims to be an exhaustive preview of the fights and the odds, with my own personal breakdown of where you can find betting value. The number after the odds on each fighter is the probability of victory that those odds imply (so Johnson at -800 means he should win the fight 89 percent of the time). If you think he wins more often than the odds say, you should bet it because there's value in the line.

All stats come from FightMetric and all the odds are from Odds Shark. Net Value means how much money you would have made if you bet $100 on that fighter in every one of his/her fights that odds could be found for. As always, I'm trying to provide the most thorough guide I can for those who want to legally bet or those who just enjoy following along. If youre a person who chooses to gamble, only do so legally, responsibly, and at your own risk.

Now with all that out of the way, lets do the damn thing.

Breakdown

Demetrious Johnson is attempting to tie Anderson Silvas record for most consecutive UFC title defenses at 10, and standing in his way is veteran fighter Wilson Reis. If Reis wins, it would be a remarkable accomplishment for a fighter mostly viewed as a gatekeeper to the best of the best.

Johnson is one of the best fighters in the history of MMA and, at this point, he has a credible argument for being the best ever. In a macro sense, Johnson has no weaknesses at flyweight. On the feet, he employs a pressuring game plan with phenomenal footwork and elite speed and athleticism. He can work combinations to pile up points and he has sneaky power as well; but really, his striking serves to set up his clinch and grappling games.

Johnson is the best clinch fighter in MMA not named Jon Jones. His ability to control opponents and attack with knees, punches, and elbows all while constantly moving and shifting the angle of attack is something to marvel at. Henry Cejudo is an Olympic gold medalist and Mighty Mouse absolutely undressed him in the clinch in under three minutes.

As good as Johnson is in the clinch, hes only slight less accomplished as a grappler. Mighty Mouse has unrivaled talent at reactive shots and he has a diverse array of finishes for his take-down attempts. Once on top, he is ferocious with his blend of control, punishment, passing, and submissions.

Though the merit of Reis title shot has come under scrutiny (Reis has one win over a ranked opponent and he essentially got this title shot because Johnson has beaten everyone else), that should in no way undermine the talent the Brazilian brings to the table. Reis is a capable fighter with skills in every phase of the game. On the feet, hes a powerful southpaw with solid defense who works in combinations. He also has an underrated kicking game and footwork. That being said, Reis comes from a BJJ background and that remains the linchpin of his offense.

Reis is an excellent wrestler with clean entries and authoritative finishes. Hes also a dogged wrestler, willing to shoot frequently and continue working until he finishes the takedown. On top he has exceptional control and passing. He looks to punish opponents with big power strikes, opening up opportunities for submissions.

Johnsons struggles have come when hes been physically outmatched by bigger men, a la Tim Elliott and Dominick Cruz. That aint Reis. The weakest part of Johnsons game is his defensive wrestling, and Reis has the offensive chops there to make him work for it some, but realistically, Reis is just outmatched here. Aside from all the glowing praised heaped upon Mighty Mouse, he also happens to have most of the intangible advantages here; his mental toughness and will are off the charts and he may well have the best fight IQ in the history of the sport. I struggle to see Reis having even more than a modicum of success here. The pick is Johnson by fourth-round TKO and honestly, hes mathematically a fine bet here. Im not suggesting you bet the house on him by any means, but Johnson wins this fight 95 times out of 100. Given the width of the line though, maybe just add him in a small parlay bet to boost the value a smidge.

Breakdown

The next strawweight title shot is likely on the line when former title challenger Rose Namajunas takes on former Invicta atomweight champion Michelle Waterson.

Waterson is a striker by trade as the "Karate Hottie" moniker would infer but shes also a more than serviceable grappler. On the feet, Waterson has a good understanding of range and angles to go along with her diverse striking game. She fights long, using a variety of kicks and a steady jab to maintain distance, which also makes her difficult to hit.

On the mat, Waterson is a very solid grappler with extremely underrated wrestling and a controlling top game guided by good positional awareness. Watersons biggest weakness is her size. A former atomweight, Waterson is definitely small for the division, though her plus athleticism helps to close this gap against most fighters.

At only 24, Thug Rose is still developing as a fighter despite being one of the best 115 pounders in the world. Namajunas has transformed herself from a kamikaze action grappler into a more measured out fighter. She has good pop in her hands and has developed a nice jab and good straight right to throw off of it. She also has an array of kicks to keep range or attack with. Still though, Namajunas does her best work as a grappler where she is a phenomenal scrambler with excellent striking from top and a good passing game. Namajunas biggest issues appear to be mental, as she has a tendency to get overwhelmed by a relentless offensive attack, getting stuck on the receiving end instead of changing the terms of engagement.

The UFCs new ownership very clearly would prefer a Waterson victory here (WME-IMG now represent her) and I think they will actually get their wish. On the feet, I favor Namajunas size, but Watersons craft will keep her competitive and her pressuring style will bring her into the ranges at which she will be most effective. Karolina Kowalkiewicz ran roughshod over Namajunas in the clinch, and though Waterson isnt as good there, I still think she can win those exchanges. Moreover, Namajunas is a better defensive wrestler, but Waterson is actually an extremely crafty takedown artist. I think she can ground Namajunas and control from top position without getting swept or submitted. The pick is Waterson in a really fun fight and I like her for a bet at plus money.

Breakdown

Ronaldo Souza is arguably the best middleweight on the planet right now, but with Michael Bisping tying up the 185-pound belt fighting guys outside of the top of the division, hes left to take fights like these against underrated, highly-ranked middleweights. Conversely, Robert Whittaker is the dark horse of the middleweight division and a win here would be the biggest one of his career and earn him a title eliminator bout next.

Jacare is a probably the best grappler to ever crossover into MMA (though Demian Maia may argue the point). Hes a multiple time BJJ world champion and the strongest part of his game remains his takedowns, top control, and submissions. Souza is still an elite athlete despite his advancing age, able to cover distance quickly and finish takedowns with authority. Hes not a one dimensional fighter though. On the feet, Jacare pressures behind good footwork and he has power in his strikes.

Whittaker is predominantly a counterstriker. Though hes small for the division, Whittaker uses this to his advantage, darting around with light feet and quick hands. He maintains distance well, works at an excellent pace, and he has surprising power in his hands when he commits to it. Also, as the numbers indicate, Whittaker is nearly impossible to takedown, with excellent defensive wrestling backed up by his mobility and footwork.

Bobby Knuckles is about to do the UFC a favor and clean up some of the backlog of contenders awaiting Michael Bisping should he ever choose to actually face one because this fight is just a bad matchup for Souza. Jacares pressuring style plays right into the very effective stick and move countering game plan of Whittaker and Whittakers elite takedown defense mean Souza will be stuck on the feet with him. The volume, speed, and movement of Whittaker will be too much for Jacare (who I think is fading physically) and Whittaker will pile up points in route to landing a late knockout blow. Whittaker by KO in the third round and I love him for a bet.

Breakdown

Jeremy Stephens is looking to get back on track in the featherweight division after coming up short against Frankie Edgar in his last outing. He faces the up-and-coming Renato Moicano, who is looking to announce himself as a real threat in one of the UFCs hottest divisions.

Stephens is a power puncher, pure and simple. Over the years he has evolved from a hard-hitting brawler into a more refined fighter, but the general gist of his game remains the same: land big shots until the opponent drops. He accomplishes this by using sharp footwork and a pressuring style dictated by a thudding jab. Stephens biggest weakness are his low volume on the feet and his mediocre wrestling and grappling skills.

Moicano is a big, athletic featherweight with an aggressive style who pushes a high pace behind a pressuring counter game. Hes a good clinch fighter and offensive wrestler and once on top, hes dangerous striker and pass-and-sub guy. Moicanos biggest weakness is his aggression and defense, which can get him hit a fair bit.

This is a pretty close fight. Moicano looks like he might be a real talent in the division and his pressuring style and volume can win him rounds against Stephens, but also create openings for Stephens to counter him with power punches. Ultimately, this might be a little too much too soon for Moicano, but his potential for growth and his avenues to succeed make me lean towards him slightly. The pick is Moicano by decision and I like him for a bet.

Alexander Volkov (-150/60%) vs. Roy Nelson (+130/43%)

Volkov is a tall heavyweight at 6 7 and he uses that height to stick on the outside with kicks and long punches. Hes also got pretty good footwork for the heavyweight division and is a solid defender of takedowns. Nelson is a longtime UFC veteran who, at this point, is almost nothing beyond an enormous overhand right and a historically brilliant chin. Nelson also is a respected BJJ black belt, but those skills have been almost forgotten by him in favor of huge KOs.

I dont think Nelson can effectively take Volkov down, and, more to the point, Im not even sure he will try to. That means the arithmetic in this fight boils down to: does Nelson land the big right hand? Because if he doesnt, Volkov almost certainly wins on volume. Volkovs head is pretty hittable but hes proven himself fairly durable and his outside game eight-inch reach advantage (plus seven-inch height advantage) make it more likely that Nelson comes up empty here. The pick is Volkov by decision, and at these odds he might be worth a bet or a parlay inclusion.

Patrick Williams (+550/15%) vs. Tom Duquesnoy (-800/89%)

Williams is a good athlete with solid wrestling and decent top control, but hes facing the best pure prospect in all of MMA. Duquesnoy is an elite level athlete and an aggressive striker with a diverse set of weapons and a preternatural sense of timing and distance. On the floor, things get no easier, as Duquesnoy is a strong wrestler with great scrambling ability.

Duquesnoy is already a top-15 bantamweight and hes fighting a guy who hasnt competed in almost two years. Williams wrestling maybe keeps him afloat for a while, but hes bring a knife to a gun fight here. Duquesnoy knocks him out in under eight minutes. That being said, no one should ever in their life bet on a young kid making his UFC debut at damn near -800 odds.

Bobby Green (+300/25%) vs. Rashid Magomedov (-360/78%)

Green is a striking technician with good defense and solid wrestling, both offensive and defensively. His biggest problem comes from inconsistency and a tendency to showboat without backing it up with offense. Magomedov is a technical counterstriker who builds momentum as the fight goes on. He has fantastic defensive wrestling and will occasionally mix things up with surprisingly effective takedowns.

I doubt either man will be able to wrestle effectively here, and in a striking battle, Magomedov is a touch more technical. Greens inconsistency and lack of cage time recently also aids the Dagestani. Magomedov wins a lackluster decision, but the odds are far too long here and a bet on Green is justifiable from a value perspective, though I dont personally feel confident entrusting my betting money on him.

Louis Smolka (+220/31%) vs. Tim Elliott (-260/72%)

Smolka is a rangy flyweight who prefers to stick on the outside and kick opponents or engage in scramble-based grappling affairs. Elliott is a good sized flyweight with a funky, scramble based game on the mat and a pressuring style on the feet.

This fight should be ridiculously fun, but Elliott appears to have all the edges. Hes throws close to the same volume as Smolka on the feet but hes a better defensive fighter, and on the mat, Elliott should be the better scrambler to go along with having a superior offensive wrestling game. Elliott controls the tempo and exchanges, winning a fun decision. At these odds, theres a credible bet on Smolka here, but ultimately, I would pass.

Aljamain Sterling (-400/80%) vs. Augusto Mendes (+330/23%)

Sterling is one of the brighter prospects at 135 pounds who has had a rough go of it lately. Hes a former two-time NCAA D-III All-American who is best served as a grappler, but is using his striking more and more, lately to his detriment. Mendes is a former world champion BJJ black belt with solid, consistent takedowns to back up his elite ground game.

This is a really dangerous fight for Sterling. Sterling got out-grappled by Bryan Caraway, so Mendes could really put to the wood to him there, and Sterlings stand-up is still so nascent, its not clear he will have a huge advantage there despite Mendes own striking deficiencies. Still, Sterlings six-inch reach advantage plus his tendency to kick from range probably lets him eke out at least two rounds to win a tedious decision. That being said, the odds here are wildly out of whack and I highly recommend a bet on Mendes for value.

Devin Clark (-150/60%) vs. Jake Collier (+130/43%)

Clark is a former Juco national champion wrestler. Hes a phenomenal athlete with good timing on his takedowns and clean, powerful finishes. Collier was a big middleweight and now hes jumping up to 205. He uses his size and high-output kickboxing game to win blood-and-guts fights because hes not a defensive minded fighter.

Collier can wrestle and scramble well enough to make this interesting, but in the end, Clark is just a far superior athlete. Clark wins a back-and-forth decision, but if youre gonna bet on this one, Collier has the value. Id pass though since there is plenty of other action elsewhere on this card.

Anthony Smith (+270/27%) vs. Andrew Sanchez (-330/77%)

Smith is a big middleweight and hell have a sizable size and reach advantage here. Hes a striker by trade but he has terrible takedown defense, and though hes active off his back, hes not super threatening. Sanchez isnt shy about engaging in a striking battle and hes a pretty good counterpuncher. He also has a solid wrestling game to fall back on.

Smith is the bigger man but Sanchez has more tools. I expect hell be competitive on the feet and able to take Smith down with relative ease. Sanchez wins an easy decision, but these odds are far too long to put money down on it.

Zak Cummings (-450/82%) vs. Nathan Coy (+375/21%)

Coy is a former NCAA D-1 All-American wrestler with a pressuring, grinding style. Hes a serviceable striker as well with an active jab. Cummings also has a wrestling background but on the JUCO level. He likes to pressure forward and hes an adept counterpuncher with big power in his hands.

Cummings has a six-inch reach advantage here as well as being the better, more powerful striker, and probably the better submission grappler as well. Cummings defensive wrestling has also proved stalwart and I expect Coy will get stuck on the feet with Cummings, who will eventually land the knockout blow midway through the fight. Again, though, dont put your money on lower tier fights with odds this long.

Ashlee Evans-Smith (-190/66%) vs. Ketlen Vieira (+170/37%)

Evans-Smith is a big bantamweight with a wrestling background. Shes a decent top control artist but mostly she prefers a high volume kickboxing attack on the feet. Vieira is also a big bantamweight, but she has a judo background and does her best work controlling on the mat. Shes a willing striker but shes defensively porous.

Evans-Smith relies a lot on her size and athleticism and Vieira can compete there, but her tendency to get hit often is a big problem. Evans-Smith takes a decision, but pass on a bet here.

Suggested bets.

Fine bets but not suggested.

Thats all folks. We had a good week last week, ending up +210 total on our suggested bets and +215 on our possible bets. Hopefully well keep that momentum going this week.

I hope everyone enjoys the fights this weekend (especially those adventurous souls who intend to stay up for RIZIN). Good luck to those who need it, and if you've got any questions, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @JedKMeshew.

(Editor's note: All of this advice is for entertainment purposes only.)

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UFC on FOX 24: Johnson vs. Reis odds, gambling guide - MMA Fighting

Science Daily

Brains of gambling addicts: High stakes, high risk, and a bad bet Science Daily Gambling addiction is a mental disorder characterized by excessive risk-taking despite negative results. Scientific studies using functional MRI -- fMRI, a method of looking at active areas of the brain -- have previously shown that addicts have ... Gambling addicts may have trouble adapting to risk: studyDeccan Chronicle Gamblers have a poor ability to adapt to risky situations | Daily Mail ...Daily Mail Problem gamblers' brains bad at assessing, adapting to risk ...CalvinAyre.com India.com all 5 news articles »

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Brains of gambling addicts: High stakes, high risk, and a bad bet - Science Daily

April 15, 2017 8:35 AM by Robert Mann

In South Korea, a report published this week by the Korea Taxpayer Association says the countrys gambling industry during the past 15 years has paid $54.56 billion (62.5 trillionSKW) to the government during that period.

Horseracing has brought in the most revenue (37.5 percent), followed by the lottery (25.4 percent) and casinos (12.3 percent).

The website casino.org notes that the taxpayer organization says tax revenue from the gambling industry more than doubled during the period, while profits increased about four times.

South Korea legalized casinos in 1967. Thats when the nations hotels were permitted for the first time to offer casino games to foreign guests. Korean citizens remain banned from gambling in the countrys casinos.

Market analysts note that developers hoped the country would alter its laws to allow South Korean nationals to engage in casino gaming. They also say Macaus resurgence, and the imminent opening up of the Japanese market, have made investors think twice about investing in South Koreas gambling industry.

An additional factor causing concern is the increased political tension between China and South Korea over the deployment of a US missile system in South Korean.

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South Korea gambling industry has paid $54.56B to government in past 15 years - GamingTodaySlotsToday

Santa Maria business shut down in...

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - A Santa Maria business owner has been arrested and charged in an investigation into an alleged illegal gambling operation.

The Santa Maria Police Department says its Community Services Unit has been investigating the suspected gambling operation at the Sax Fun Zone computer gaming center for months.

Thursday morning Santa Maria Police officers and investigators with the California Department of Justice served a search warrant at the business along the 100 block of West Main Street.

Santa Maria Police say items seized during the search warrant included computers, illegal slot machines, gambling paraphernalia and a large amount of cash.

The owner and operator of the Sax Fun Zone is identified as Sam Grair of Santa Maria.

Police say Grair was arrested and booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail on illegal gambling charges including bookmaking and wagering and possession of an illegalgambling device.

Police say some people who were inside the Sax Fun Zone at the time the search warrant was served were also arrested on various charges including narcotics possession and outstanding warrants.

The Sax Fun Zone is now shut down to the great dismay of regular customers who came by the store Thursday night.

"Its terrible, terrible, this place kept a lot of people off the streets", says regular customer Beverly Becerra, "it was just a fun place to hang out."

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Santa Maria business shut down for alleged illegal gambling - KEYT - KEYT

ALBANY Multiple law enforcement agencies raided two Albany businesses Thursday, charging owners with violations of Georgias commercial gambling laws and arresting Naineshkumar Patel, 40, and Michael Grier, 54.

Both individuals have been charged with felony commercial gambling.

More than 30 officers from the Georgia Bureau of Investigations Commercial Gambling Unit, the Dougherty Judicial Circuit District Attorneys Office and the Albany Police Department raided the BP Station located at 1817 North Slappey Blvd., the Shell Station at 2824 Old Dawson Road and a residence in Lee County, simultaneously and in coordinated fashion, according to the GBI.

We launched a raid at two Albany businesses and one Albany residence today, said Cindy Ledford, Special Agent in Charge of the Commercial Gambling Unit. The investigation has been going on for a little over a year. We were brought in by the district attorneys office based on some complaints from citizens about these locations making cash payouts from commercial gambling machines.

Reports indicate that both businesses were licensed to operate coin-operated amusement machines. However, in Georgia, state law prohibits cash payouts for winning credits. Credits may only be redeemed for lottery tickets and or store merchandise.

We came in to work with the district attorneys office, and its been a year of undercover activity with repeated documented violations of Georgias gaming laws, said Ledford.

Ledford confirmed that both stores, as well as the residence in Lee County, are owned by Patel.

Both stores raided today were owned by Patel. Grier was an employee, said Ledford. Both will be arrested for commercial gambling, which is a felony charge and carries a penalty of one to five (years imprisonment) and up to a $20,000 fine.

The Albany Herald was granted access to the crime scene under the strict agreement not to take photos of undercover agents faces or tag numbers.

We have a whole squad of undercover agents, and we have to protect their identities, Ledford said.

According to Ledford, throughout the past year undercover agents visited the stores multiple times, played the lottery machines and received cash payouts. But with the launch of Thursdays raid, all machines at both locations were shut down by lottery headquarters.

The machines have been turned off, because the lottery has already been here, said Ledford. They can work those machines remotely from headquarters. They literally hit a button, and it turns the machines off. All of the machines have been opened and marked as evidence, but the machines do not actually belong to the store owner and will not be seized. They belong to a master license holder. There is a master license holder, and then there is a location license holder.

The master owns the machines. So he will likely come get them and probably move them to another location. Technically, he (the master license holder) distances himself. He puts them with the store owner and says, I dont know what they are doing with them at the store.

Ledford pointed out that there were signs posted at both stores around the machines explaining that no cash payouts were permitted, but the yearlong investigation gathered evidence that suggested otherwise.

There are plenty of signs posted around the machines that say, We dont pay cash, said Ledford. Based on our undercover agents that came in, they do.

According to Ledford, violations of the state commercial gambling laws are widespread. The raid in Albany is not an isolated incident, the agent said. Only last year, Ledfords team conducted a similar raid in Dawson which included four convenience store businesses, one motel and one residence, a gambling operation that netted more than 11 arrests.

This type of gambling violation seems to be everywhere, Ledford said. It is all over the state. It is not just a problem here in Southwest Georgia, it is everywhere. Every store that these machines are in, the incentive to play is cash, as opposed to store merchandise, which is what you are supposed to redeem credits for. If you win, you can legally get lottery tickets, fuel, snacks, store credit, no alcohol or tobacco though. But they have to be redeemed here on the premises. Of course, if you pay cash, more people play, but it is illegal.

This can be very lucrative for an owner who gets a percentage of the proceeds that go into the machines. The owner splits the proceeds with the master license holder.

Ledford said her team has been very active investigating illegal gambling activities all across the state of Georgia.

We have pretty much been across South Georgia this week, she said. We did stores in Midway on Tuesday; yesterday we were in Valdosta, and today we are in Albany. We are just rolling on.

The two locations in Albany, according to Ledford, earned more than $1 million per year.

These two stores were making well over $1 million per year cash in the machines, she explained. Now let me clarify that. The lottery hooks their machines up to a central reporting system, so they see every dollar that goes into a machine and they see every credit redeemed. So if this owner brought in, I dont know the exact total, I know it was over $1 million, but lets just say $1 million. He may have redeemed $500,000 worth of credits. That then leaves $500,000 for them to split. This is over a 12-month period, and I dont know the exact numbers off the top of my head from these two locations, but it is a lot of money.

More arrests are pending, according to Ledford, as well as the seizure of any property or monetary assets gained from the illegal use of gaming machines.

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Local and Georgia officials conduct gambling raid at two Albany ... - The Albany Herald

Last weekends news that the NFL is considering disciplinary action against a group of players who took part in a charity arm-wrestling event at a Las Vegas casino has brought renewed attention to the leagues policy on gambling. And its hard not to notice how much of that policy is just the NFL continually pulling things out of its ass.

The seven-page policy from 2015, the most recent version made available by NFL Communications, can be read below. It applies not just to players, but to all NFL Personnel, including owners. Spokesmen for the league and the NFLPA confirmed to me that it was not collectively bargained.

The policy is full of contorted logic. It wraps itself in the rectitude of preserving the games integrity, and vests all authority in the whims of commissioner Roger Goodell. This makes it of a piece with the NFLs drug, disciplinary, and domestic violence policies, which long ago revealed themselves to be more about public relations than anything else. But in light of recent events, the gambling policy now particularly stands out as an intentionally impenetrable tangle of words.

The NFL has always had an arms-length relationship with gambling, welcoming it as a tool to enhance fan interestremember when ex-bookmaker Jimmy the Greek Snyder used to run down the point spreads on the CBS pregame show?while carefully keeping it just over there to maintain appearances. The policy is ostensibly aimed at preventing the outcomes of games from being influenced by gamblers, which is fine. But it goes on to include language about vague gambling associations and advertising and promotional activities that reasonably can be perceived as constituting affiliation with or endorsement of gambling or gambling-related activities. This includes, without limitation, stuff like:

Thats the clause under which the league may choose to punish the players who took part in the arm-wrestling event, which took place at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, which no doubt appreciates the additional publicity this controversy has so ironically generated. CBS, one of the NFLs major broadcast partners, will be airing the arm-wrestling competition. Per USA Today, the active players who were there included James Harrison, Kenny Stills, NaVorro Bowman, Maurkice Pouncey, Marquette King, Mario Edwards, and Patrick Chung. All could face discipline, though the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, citing a source, reported that discipline would likely be a fine, rather than a suspension.

The situation is reminiscent of the NFLs decision two years ago to shut down a fantasy football convention organized by Tony Romo simply because it was held at a convention center whose naming rights had been sold to a casino. Keep that in mind, as Ill explain later. Now consider all of this in light of what Andrew Brandt of The MMQB pointed out the NFL is perfectly fine with:

Back to the gambling policy. As noted above, the promotion of state or municipal lotteries is a no-no, as is working for any of the following:

any casino (whether or not such casino operates a sports book or otherwise accepts wagering on sports), or other gambling-related enterprise, including, without limitation, any on-line, computer-based, telephone, or Internet gambling service, card rooms, lotteries, slot machine operations, horse or dog racing tracks, off- track betting services, as well as advisory services such as publications, tout services, and the like, whether or not such services address professional football or any other team sport.

Where does fantasy football fit into all this, you might be wondering? The policy makes a specific exception for traditional fantasy football, while making no mention whatsoever of daily fantasy:

Why the agnosticism toward fantasy football? As Vegas boxing promoter Bob Arum recently told the Wall Street Journal:

These owners are not dumb. Other than gate and TV, whats another source of revenue that they can go after thats bigger than both of them? Fantasy football. Believe me, they will organize whether the owners individually, or the league, they will get it licensed in Nevada, which will do it in a second, and they will use it to expand around the country. The proceeds from fantasy football will dwarf the revenues from TV and gateand these guys know it.

As the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette also noted, DraftKings runs ads on the scoreboard during Steelers games at Heinz Field, yet the NFL is waging a court battle to prevent New Jersey from legalizing gambling on pro sports, even as Delaware allows gamblers to bet on three-game parlays of NFL action. And on and on. None of that even comes close to the most obvious contradiction of all, though.

As the Raiders decision to relocate from Oakland to Las Vegas was taking shape, Goodell said, All of us have evolved a little bit on gambling. To me, where I cross the line is anything that can impact on the integrity of the game. If people think it is something that can influence the outcome of a game, we are absolutely opposed to that.

Last October, with Las Vegas casino magnate Sheldon Adelson as a partner who helped provide some political muscle, the Raiders won approval from the state of Nevada for $750 million in public money to build a stadium. Adelsons company operates the convention center where Romos fantasy event was to be held, before the league found it to be in violation of the gambling policy. Adelsons primary interest was to prevent the state of Nevada from using those funds to make improvements to a rival, publicly owned convention center, according to this fascinating story by ESPNs Seth Wickersham and Don Van Natta Jr. Adelson eventually backed out of his partnership with the Raiders, who lined up someone else to loan them the balance of the stadiums costs before convincing the leagues owners to approve their move to Vegas.

Wickershams and Van Nattas story makes it clear that a number of NFL owners were skittish on the prospect of moving a team to Vegas, and on having Adelson working in tandem with Davis. Yet they were swayed by some politicking from Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who has increasingly become the leagues true power broker.

Heres Wickersham and Van Natta:

Jerry Jones told [Nevada Gov. Brian] Sandoval that if that amount of public money were to be allocated for the stadium, the NFL would approve the relocation. The league would be a fool to turn down $750 million, Jones explained. And during their chat, Jones asked the governor for a return favor: to work to legalize daily fantasy sports in Nevada.

So thats where the NFL is headed, which ought to come as no surprise. Yet when it comes to the arm-wrestling event, the league still seems dead set on a strict reading of its gambling policy. Joe Lockhart, the NFLs vice president for communications and public affairs, told USA Today that no one involved in the arm-wrestling tournament sought pre-approval from the league. Had we been asked in advance if this was acceptable, we would have indicated that it was in direct violation of the gambling policy, Lockhart said. Brian McCarthy, the leagues vice president of communications, further reminded the Post-Gazette that [t]his is a longstanding policy.

Alan Brickman, one of the organizers of the arm-wrestling tournament, told USA Today he had sought approval from two different league departments, and that the league even suggested guidelines, even as it declined to participate as a partner.

Not aware of any contact with the league, Lockhart told me via email when I followed up. It would be helpful to know who they talked to so I can try to run that down.

Brickman did not return a request for comment.

The gambling policy states that Clubs are required to provide the league office with copies of all proposed gambling-related advertising and/or promotional agreements for review and approval prior to execution. I emailed Lockhart again to ask why a player, on his own time, out of season, independent of his team, would have to seek the leagues approval before partaking in a promotional event at a casino. He replied by sending me the following, which he said is from a manual distributed to all players, which he said also pertains to all club and league personnel (emphasis his):

NFL Personnel are prohibited from engaging in any advertising or promotional activities that reasonably can be perceived as constituting affiliation with or endorsement of gambling or gambling-related activities including, without limitation, the following:

(1) Making promotional appearances at casinos or other gambling-related establishments;

(2) Making promotional appearances at events that are sponsored by or otherwise marketed or advertised in connection with casinos or other gambling-related establishments;

(3) Using or allowing others to use ones name and/or image to promote, advertise, or publicize casinos, other gambling-related establishments, or events sponsored by or otherwise marketed or advertised in connection with casinos or other gambling-related establishments.

I wrote Lockhart back to ask why (3) did not apply to an NFL owner who had partnered with a casino owner to get approval for a publicly financed stadium. As of press time, he hasnt responded.

You can read the NFLs gambling policy here:

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The NFL's Gambling Policy Is A Mess - Deadspin

Rob Centorani , rcentorani@pressconnects.com | @PSBRob Published 11:01 p.m. ET April 12, 2017 | Updated 24 hours ago

Sergio Garcia's playoff victory over Justin Rose on Sunday in the Masters didn't turn out well for at least one gambler.(Photo: USA TODAY Sports)

Never have I heard, Honey, can you please stop gambling away our mortgage payment?

Thats a good thing.

If youve spent any time around competitive environments, youve been exposed to gambling. Want to settle an argument? One person says Roger Maris hit his record-setting home run on the final day of the 1961 season and another guy swears it came on the second-to-last day.

If, Wanna bet? arent the next words out of someones mouth, you hang around different clientele than me.

Spent a lot of time in pool halls, even co-owned the room that existed for decades in the Binghamton Plaza for a year a 12-month unpaid vacation as I remember it. When that place was popular, money seemed to change hands in 30-second intervals.

Pool gave way to golf in the 1990s. The gambling increased, round after round, each one with something riding on it.

Then things settled down. In a two-year span, I became a father, changed jobs, lost contact with pool and golf buddies, and before you knew it, life became boring.

But one day a year takes me back to my 20s and 30s. One day when responsibilities are cast aside, a day I turn into a deadbeat dad, a no-show husband, let my hair down and have fun with the boys.

Twenties fly out of my pockets with regularity. Investments come from a variety of angles, different sizes and its all so confusing.

Im talking about Masters Sunday. The one day unlike any other. I run a pool, enter another, Im in a season-long golf league and Sunday is the time to gather with the fellas for numerous drafts. Throw in some side action here or there and a lot is happening.

By 4 p.m. Sunday, I had reason to root for Justin Rose, Rickie Fowler, Jimmy Walker, Matt Kuchar, Ryan Moore, Charl Schwartzel, Kevin Chappell, Brendan Steele, Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy, Jason Day and Jordan Spieth. I also had reason to root against many of those players.

In the playoff, I needed Rose to hit the fairway and Sergio Garcia to miss it (the opposite happened). Also had reason to pull for Garcia to miss his birdie putt in the playoff (he made it).

My easiest path to a payday was Rose winning the tournament. Early on the back nine, he had a two-shot lead and still led by a stroke after 16 holes. Had that lead held, it would have led to a fruitful windfall.

Of course, Rose blew the lead. Nothing else panned out, either.

Yep, took an 0-for. It happens and for one day a year, just good, clean fun.

Couldnt imagine going through that on a daily basis not anymore.

Anyone who says gambling isnt stressful, be it on ones own talents, or sweating out some pro or college game on TV, probably isnt being truthful.

My response to that nonsense?

Wanna bet?

Centorani can be reached at rcentorani@pressconnects.com. Follow him on Twitter at @PSBRob

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Gambling on Masters Sunday? It's a safe bet - Press & Sun-Bulletin

News Service of Florida

Lawmakers could start hashing out differences between two vastly different approaches to Florida's gambling footprint as early as Monday.

During floor action Wednesday, Sen. Bill Galvano, who is shepherding the upper chamber's gambling plan, asked Senate President Joe Negron to appoint members of a "conference committee" to negotiate with the House.

A House bill represents what its leaders call a "status quo" gambling plan that would revamp a 20-year agreement, known as a "compact," with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. In contrast, a Senate bill is friendly to the pari-mutuel industry and would lead to an expansion of gambling, including allowing pari-mutuels to add slot machines in eight counties where voters have approved them.

Negron named Galvano, R-Bradenton, as the Senate chair of the conference committee, with other members including Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers; Senate Minority Leader Oscar Braynon, D-Miami Gardens; Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami; Sen. Travis Hutson, R-Elkton; and Sen. Perry Thurston, D-Fort Lauderdale. Negron, R-Stuart, said Wednesday the conference won't begin before Monday.

Legislative leaders and Gov. Rick Scott's office are trying to strike a new deal with the Seminoles after the 2015 expiration of a provision in a 20-year compact approved in 2010. That provision gave the tribe exclusive rights to operate banked card games, such as blackjack.

The tribe filed a lawsuit over the banked card games, accusing the state of breaching the compact by allowing what are known as "designated player" games at pari-mutuel card rooms. A federal judge last fall sided with the Seminoles, heightening the desire on both sides to craft a new agreement. Under the 2010 compact, the tribe agreed to pay the state $1 billion over five years in exchange for the exclusive rights to conduct the banked card games, an amount the Seminoles have exceeded.

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Stage set for legislative gambling talks - Holmes County Times Advertiser