Category Archives: Gambling

As the nation preps for March Madness, a free-market group argues that Congress should give the power to legalize and regulate sports gambling to the states.

PLACE YOUR BETS: Arizona and USC are both headed for the NCAA tournament this month, but its still illegal to bet on your March Madness bracket in most states.

Twenty-five years ago, Congress passed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which blocked all states but Nevada from regulating bets made on the outcome of individual sports contests. The Silver State was grandfathered in because it already allowed the practice.

But as with the movement to give states the right to choose whether to allow various forms of online gambling within their borders, the Competitive Enterprise Institute says states should also be empowered to decide whether to legalize sports gambling.

Daily fantasy sports, which allow players to select a team of players and risk and win money based on how those players fare statistically over a slate of games, is already legal in the majority of states.

Millions of Americans who bet on March Madness brackets are unwitting lawbreakers, no thanks to a government prohibition on sports betting, saidMichelle Minton, co-author of the CEI report. Even former President Barack Obama openly discussed his bracket picks and admitted to gambling on the games.

CEI said the PASPA has essentially created a massive black market for sports gambling in which at least 95 percent of the money wagered is bet illegally, from the office bracket pool to the local bookie to offshore websites. That deprives Americans the protection of a legal market, CEI said.

After Congress passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act in 2006, several online poker sites some of which also offered sports betting pulled out of the U.S. market, taking the bankrolls of many Americans with them. Although the vast majority of players on leading sites Poker Stars and Full Tilt Poker were eventually paid, millions of dollars were still lost from sites such as Absolute Poker and World Sports Exchange.

The Department of Justice, under the Obama administration, ruled the 1961 Interstate Wire Act applied specifically to sports betting and not other forms of gambling, which led states such as Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware to offer online poker and other states to sell lottery tickets online. That decision has also led to a call for the federal government to take its foot off of online wagering, in general.

However, newly minted Attorney General Jeff Sessions has expressed an interest in revisiting the Obama administrations Wire Act interpretation.

RELATED: Free-market coalition urges Sessions, Pence to oppose online gambling ban

Because so much of sports wagering takes place under the table, its unclear how much money is actually involved, although CEI estimates it at between $150 billion and $400 billion annually. Because of the federal ban, states are deprived of billions of dollars in potential tax revenue, the institute said.

Congress should repeal this prohibition and let states decide whether it makes sense to legalize sports gambling for their citizens, Minton said.

Johnny Kampisreports on national issues for Watchdog.org. Contact himat [emailprotected] and on Twitter.

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Free-market group says Congress should repeal federal sports gambling ban - Watchdog.org

Eight triad-controlled gambling dens were closed down in Mong Kok with the arrest of 57 people during a week-long police operation that ended on Wednesday. Police seized HK$49,000 in cash along with 28 arcade game machines from the illegal gambling venues that were operated in residential and commercial units in the district. Mong Kok district operations officer Chief Inspector Dick Ma Wang-ngai said initial investigations showed that the eight gambling dens were controlled by four different gangs. Police nab 21, seize HK$53,000 in cash at Hong Kong game centre converted into a gambling den after midnight "One of the gambling establishments had been in operation for just two days before our raid," he said. To avoid police detection, the gambling dens served regular clients. Security cameras had been installed outside every venue, and entrances had two doors. "During the raids, officers had to break through the doors at most of these venues to gain entry," Ma said. According to police, arcade machines were used for betting games. Gamblers were required to buy cards to record their scores before playing on the machines. Points could be exchanged for cash with the operators taking 10 per cent as commission, Ma said. "Daily revenue was between HK$3,000 and HK$10,000 at each venue," the chief inspector said. Police arrest 40 in raid on Yau Ma Tei gambling den in games arcade Officers arrested 13 people when they raided and closed down two gambling dens at Shanghai Street and Sai Yeung Choi Street South on Wednesday. The other venues were at Nathan Road, Soy Street and Reclamation Street.

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Game over for eight Mong Kok gambling dens as police arrest 57, confiscate arcade machines and seize HK$49000 in ... - TheStreet.com

Only oldtimers will recall that El Cerrito was once the headquarters of gambling and organized crime in the East Bay. It was an era that lasted almost 20 years, but had roots stretching back much farther.

One of the principal buildings related to that forgotten history will be the site of a talk on El Cerritos Gambling Past, a centennial program presented by the El Cerrito Historical Society and Bayview Fraternal Order of Eagles at 7 p.m. March 9. The Eagles Hall was once a club known as the Wagon Wheel, one of the most notorious gambling and vice locations in Northern California in the 1930s and 40s.

El Cerrito Journal editor Chris Treadway, who writes this column and is working on a book about the days when the city was a gambling and nightlife destination, will discuss the gambling halls, prizefighting, the dog racing track, and the El Cerrito gangs that tried to dominate gambling throughout Northern California.

The talk is free.

RICHMOND AND THE GREAT WAR: How World War I Changed Richmond is the focus of a new exhibit opening March 11 in the Seaver Gallery at the Richmond Museum of History, 400 Nevin Ave.

The exhibit will highlight dozens of artifacts related to the Great War with connections to Richmond in observance of the centennial of the entry of the United States in the conflict. It will also tell the stories of Richmond residents from all walks of life who were involved in World War I both at home and on the front.

Opening events will include a members-only preview from 3 to 6 p.m. March 10, a free public reception from 2 to 4 p.m. March 11.

Guest speaker Karen English, professor of English at San Jose State University will give a talk on American Poetry of World War I at 2 p.m. April 8; and guest speaker Susan Anderson, founder of Memory House, will give a presentation on World War I, Resistance and the New Negro at 2 p.m. June 3.

The exhibit runs through June 29. For more details visit http://www.richmondmuseum.org or contact Melinda McCrary at 510-235-7387 or melinda@richmondmuseum.org.

The exhibit is made possible by the ClaraBelle Hamilton Fund and the San Francisco Foundation.

MAYAS SPRING FESTIVAL: Youths and adults with developmental disabilities, most from Alameda and Contra Costa counties, will perform at the 28th annual Spring Music Festival hosted by Mayas Music Therapy Fund from 2 to 4:30 p.m. March 19 at the Richmond Recreation Complex, 3230 Macdonald Ave. in Richmond.

The theme of this years festival showcasing musical performances by program participants is Under the Sea.

The therapy program is named for Maya Cooper, a child who was severely disabled and nonverbal, but was able to use music to communicate with the world around her.

Her parents, Dr. Michael Cooper and Dr. Joanna Cooper, established the program after Mayas death in 1988 so that other disabled people might experience the life-enriching benefits of music therapy.

Music therapy has been found effective for people with such conditions as autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, brain injury, hearing and vision impairment, ADHD, Rett Syndrome, and other developmental disabilities.

The public is invited to the festival, a fundraiser for the program, and tickets will be available at the door for $5 children and disabled, $10 adults. Food will be also be available for sale.

For information visit http://www.mayasmusic.org, contact info@mayasmusic.org, or telephone 510-232-9824

St. Marys High alumni news: UC Berkeley womens basketball standout Mikayla Cowling, a 2015 St. Marys grad, was named Scholar-Athlete of the Week for Jan. 23-27 by Cals Athletic Study Center.

Mike Gray, a 1974 grad, was recently named managing editor, enterprise, for the San Francisco Chronicle, and will appear on the papers masthead.

Buffalo Bills outside linebacker, Lorenzo Alexander, a 2001 grad, was named Defensive MVP of the NFL Pro Bowl, played Jan. 29. Alexander and his wife, Manjanique, have four children and founded the ACES Foundation, an Oakland-based youth mentoring program.

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Treadway: Talk to look at El Cerrito gambling era - East Bay Times

PHOENIX - Two women are behind bars in connection to a illegal gambling operation in north Phoenix, police said.

On Jan 1, police began and undercover operation into CJ's Little Bit of Everything, near 35th Avenue and Thunderbird Road.

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Undercover officers reportedly observed customers playing casino style games at computer stations on gaming websites.

Police said the portals to these sites are subscription based with the subscribing business getting a share of the profits from gambling losses.

Police report that the operations moved in early February from the 35th Avenue location to another location near 12th and Dunlap avenues.

Police say they observed 32-year-old Destiny Monique Ojeda unlocking the door to the business and allowing customers to enter. They also saw another woman, 44-year-old Charece Yvonne Bryant, working at the facility.

Arizona Public Service recordsshowed electrical power was provided to the location in the name of Bryant.

Both women were arrested simultaneously on Feb. 22 at their respective homes. Theyare both being charged with multiple gambling-related crimes.

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Two women busted for illegal gambling operation in north Phoenix - ABC15 Arizona

Skin gambling has made it onto the radar of the federal government.

Thats after US Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) issued a statement voicing concern regarding unregulated online gambling and underage betting in which he specifically singled out esports gambling and skin gambling.

Get a primer on the market for skin betting here. Our estimates put the total annual handle for skin gambling sites at north of $5 billion.

Gambling is taking new formsfrom daily fantasy sports, to betting on e-sports, and even online casino games using virtual skins instead of cashthat attempt to bypass the law, Pallone said in the statement.

Pallone has been vocal on the issue of daily fantasy sports in the past, leading a Congressional hearing on the issue last May.

But todays statement marks what appears to be his initialinterest in skin gambling.

Current federal gambling laws are hopelessly out of date, leaving the American public vulnerable to unscrupulous behavior. No matter the form of the games, we must ensure integrity, accountability, and basic consumer protections, including appropriate age limits, are in place.

Pallones reference to out of date federal gambling laws is no accident. Its a direct link to the issue that is likely driving Pallones attention to daily fantasy sports and esports betting: regulated sports betting.

Currently, states are effectively prohibited from regulating sports betting due to a federal statute generally referred to as PASPA.

Background on PASPA here.

New Jersey has been waging a years-long battle with the federal government over the states right to introduce regulated sports betting, a battle that now sits before the Supreme Court.

There are regulated casinos in the state, along with regulated online casinos in New Jersey, but legislative attempts to introduce sports betting have been stymied by federal opposition.

Pallone has been an aggressive advocate for New Jersey on the issue, recently introducing legislation that would allow New Jersey to sidestep the PASPA prohibition.

Pallone may find skin gambling, a controversial subject that pushes a number of media buttons, an especially effective way to draw attention to his sports betting advocacy, meaning that additional statements and possibly even a hearing touching upon the topic are likely to follow.

Regardless of where Pallone heads next with the issue, the fact that skin gambling is now a part of the federal conversation may carry significant implications for any number of ongoing stories, including:

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US Congressman Voices 'Concern' Over Skin Gambling, Says Out Of Date' Gambling Laws Leave Public Vulnerable - Esports Betting Report

Miami Herald

To make a gambling deal, Seminole Tribe and Florida have some work to do Miami Herald Although the Florida House and Senate are miles apart in how far they are willing to go to protect the Seminole Tribe's exclusive access to gambling in Florida, the Tribe announced this week it's not ready to deal on either of them. In a letter hand ... and more »

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To make a gambling deal, Seminole Tribe and Florida have some work to do - Miami Herald

We're live at the Game Developers Conference all week, with news, interviews and livestreams direct from San Francisco.

Andy Miller, chairman and co-founder of NRG Esports, said he thought the growth of gambling on esports was inevitable. In fact, he thinks its a big reason why professional sports teams are interested in the space at all.

Miller was sitting on a panel at the Game Developers Conference with other team owners, including Splyce CEO Marty Strenczewilk, Team Dignitas CEO Jonathan Kemp and Cloud9 board member Dan Fiden. During the question and answer portion of the panel, one audience member broached the topic of gambling. Miller seemed excited about the prospect of its growth, while the other panel members nodded along.

I think of gambling as in daily fantasy, Miller said. I think its going to be a big part of esports. I think, frankly, its one of the reasons why were seeing a lot of traditional sports teams interested in [the space]. Its a big opportunity.

A sort of land grab began in 2015 when NBA star Rick Fox paid more than $1 million for Gravity Gaming. In 2016, the Philadelphia 76ers became the first North American sports team to acquire an esports franchise, merging Team Dignitas and Team Apex under their banner. Then 2017 started with news that the NHLs Boston Bruins had invested in Splyce.

The trend, say the panelists, is likely to continue because of simple demographics. Its a fact that esports fans are younger and more engaged that traditional sports fans, and there are more of them every day.

One of the pillars of making money off them, Miller said, will be gambling.

[Pro sports teams] missed the opportunity with daily fantasy. The NFL should own fantasy football, and they dont. ... But, I think its an inescapable part of esports and could probably... be a real positive if harnessed for viewership.

Miller said that he saw skin trading and gambling in Valves Counter-Strike: Global Offensive as just the beginning.

I think we started a little bit with CSGO, we saw it start in the wrong way and I think it will come back in a way thats productive and safe.

Miller also said player unionization was just as inevitable as the growth of gambling.

Its just going so fast, Miller said. A few years ago, the teams were all run by the players on the team. Now, were talking about billionaires who own NFL teams. Its expansion. Its incredible.

Most of our players each have their own lawyer. ... So were starting to see with CSGO, the players getting together. And we welcome it, as owners. Its a really important thing. Because if theres a players union, then theres rules about contracts and theyll hold their contracts. Its really hard to hold a 16-year-old to his contract.

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Why are pro sports teams interested in esports? It's the gambling, for one - Polygon

JEFFERSON CITY Missouri could reap a $90 million per year jackpot if it allows slot machines in bars, truck stops and fraternal organizations, according to a new analysis of a gambling expansion proposal.

In addition to funneling more money to the state, members of a Senate panel Tuesday heard advocates say video gambling could generate an extra $20 million a year for local governments when as many as 15,000 machines are fully up and running by 2020.

The measure is being pushed by coin-operated vending machine companies, whove long wanted a chance to put terminals into local establishments over the objection of the states casino industry.

All this does is give small business a leg up. It gives them a chance to get in the game, said Tom Cobb, Acme Music & Vending Co. of St. Joseph.

The legislation sponsored by Sen. Denny Hoskins, R-Warrensburg, would allow as many as five video gambling machines in taverns, restaurants and truck stops and as many as 10 machines for benevolent organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars or the Elks Club.

The plan would allow a maximum bet of $2 for each play and a maximum winning amount of $500.

A similar measure is pending in the House, where its sponsor said the states tight budget situation could make it an attractive time to generate cash without raising taxes.

Missouris 13 casinos are poised to fight the proposals, pointing to Illinois as an example of how video gambling in bars and truck stops has eroded the market share of casinos in the Land of Lincoln.

Mike Winter, executive director of the Missouri Casino Gaming Association, said Illinois casinos have seen a 13 percent reduction in revenue since terminals first began appearing in Illinois taverns in 2012.

We see this as significant, Winter told the Senate panel. Obviously people are taking advantage of playing at local facilities.

The plan would nearly double the number of slot machines in the state, from the current level of 17,650 to 32,650.

Supporters acknowledged slots in bars could hurt casinos.

They very well may lose a small amount of adjusted gross revenues, said Charles Andy Arnold, a lobbyist for J & J Ventures of Missouri, which also has operations in Illinois.

But, Arnold said, the plan also will create thousands of new jobs.

Sen. Jay Wasson, R-Nixa, expressed skepticism over the plan, suggesting video gambling could cannibalize the states gambling revenue.

Do you really think thats new money wed be getting? Wasson asked, adding hes never been a big fan of trying to generate money for schools via gambling.

Gov. Eric Greitens, a Republican who has not previously served in elected office, has not publicly expressed a position on the measure.

The legislation is Senate Bill 452.

Be informed. Get our free political newsletter featuring local and national updates and analysis.

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Video gambling plan could raise $90 million for Missouri coffers - STLtoday.com

A new bill has been introduced that maintains allowances for gaming or gambling facilities during village fiestas but limits these activities to the legal boundaries of the village hosting the fiesta.

Sen. Michael San Nicolas, the chairman of the legislative committee on rules and the bill's author, said the measure Bill 29-34 was meant to close a legal loophole that essentially allowed for the year-round operation of the casino facility in Tiyan, which is also used during the annual Liberation Carnival.

Village mayors can obtain a permit to conduct gaming activities during fiestas, but the law does not specify that such activities be confined to that village, San Nicolas said.

In early February, Jose Cruz, president of the anti-gambling group Linala Sin Casino, drew attention to the use of the Tiyan casino facility by several other villages during the latter part of 2016. Cruz, a former Guam Education Board member, stated that he believed there was a lack of accountability on how often gambling occurred at the casino and recommended that gambling events be held at the villages so that mayors can monitor the activities while giving residents the opportunity to"self-police their community."

Agana Heights Mayor and Mayors' Council of Guam (MCOG) President Paul McDonald said theTiyan facility was a convenient and cost-saving location for gambling activities. Hosting these events within the respective villages would call for the designation of certain areas, which may not be available, leaving mayors to possibly construct their own village venues for the occasional gambling event.

At over $2,000 per event, proceeds were minimal, according to McDonald, and were relegated back to the village hosting the gambling activity.

Not a 'crutch' for gambling

However, after an initial meeting with San Nicolas to talk about issues pertaining to the MCOG, the group's executive leadership appears to have placed its backing behind Bill 29.

"We discussed how we wanted to make sure that the village fiestas weren't being viewed as a crutch to run a year-round casino operation in Tiyan, and they agreed that that's not the perception they want to put out there," San Nicolas said.

"In consultation with them, we introduced this bill to make sure that any fiesta-related activities are taking place within the respective villages."

San Nicolas said he had not yet spoken to mayors outside the executive team about the bill.

McDonald said he felt the concerns were overblown and that by utilizing the Tiyan facility, the mayors believed they were limiting the exposure to gambling activities. However, he said he agreed with limiting such activities to the specific villages. The gaming activities had only occurred last year, McDonald added. Even without the use of the facility, mayors would try to find ways to raise funds for their villages, he said.

The bill is expected to be discussed today during a regular MCOG meeting.

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New bill limits gambling activities to villages - The Guam Daily Post (press release) (registration)

Fifteen Chinese nationals were arrested Monday night for alleged involvement in illegal online gambling in Pasig City.

The Anti-Cybercrime Group of the Philippine National Police also arrested a Filipino male during a raid on the office of YD International Inc. at Belvedere Tower, San Miguel Avenue.

We secured certification from Pagcor that they are not authorized for online gambling, said Supt. Jay Guillermo, leader of the raiding team.

The arrested Chinese nationals included 10 men and five women. The Filipino suspect was identified as Russellbert Yuzon Villar. The PNP-ACG conducted the raid after obtaining a search warrant issued by the Manila Regional Trial Court.

According to Guillermo, the suspects put up a website for online gamblers in mainland China. When you go up the building, you wont recognize what company it is because the names are in Chinese.

The suspects allegedly recruited Chinese nationals as employees and brought them to Philippines as tourists. Every three or six months, they will be going back to China to apply for a tourist visa and then come back here, Guillermo added.

The online players in mainland China were required to open an account with the website. Losses are automatically deducted while winnings are automatically added to the account. But if you win big, there is a big possibility they will shut down the website so you cannot claim your winnings anymore. It is considered a scam, he said.

We received complaints from (players from) other countries like China that they won but they were not able to claim their prize, he added. PHILIP C. TUBEZA

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Pasig raid nets 15 Chinese in online gambling 'scam' - Inquirer.net