Category Archives: Gambling

Kindred Group is to donate its front-of-shirt sponsorship space with two football clubs to promote this years Safer Gambling Week.

Bespoke branding will appear on the shirts of English Championship team Middlesbrough and Scottish Premiership club Rangers in games taking place during Safer Gambling Week 2022, which runs from 17-23 October.

The Zero % Mission branding will replace Kindreds Unibet logo on both teams shirts.

As part of its Zero % Mission strategy, Kindred is aiming or 0% of revenue to be generated from harmful gambling by the end of 2023. The latest data released by Kindred showed that3.3% of revenue was derived from high-risk players during the second quarter.

Middlesbrough players will wear the special shirts during Championship matches against Wigan Athletic on 19 October and Huddersfield Town on 22 October, and Rangers for the Scottish League Cup quarter-final clash with Dundee on 19 October.

Additional digital Zero % Mission branding will also be visible across official club channels including website and social media, LED advertising and other screens.

Were committed to implementing a new kind of sponsorship model together with the clubs and communities we support, Kindreds UK general manager Neil Banbury said. As we enter Safer Gambling Week, its a good time to reflect on the continued progress we have made in terms of protecting customers, as well as the improvements we continue to make through advances in our technology and processes.

We are on a journey and still have further to go, but we are confident that our approach is delivering results.

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Kindred to donate shirt sponsorship space to Safer Gambling Week - iGaming Business

iGB understands that the Gambling Act white paper is back on track to be published in the coming weeks, despite earlier concerns the document could be pushed back to next year or shelved entirely.

The white paper has now been anticipated for more than a year, following an initial consultation almost two years ago, which formed the first part of the wider Gambling Act review. However, it has been subject to numerous delays, many of which have been connected to personnel changes both in government and at the Gambling Commission.

The document appeared to be ready for publication in July, but its status was suddenly thrown into doubt by a string of government resignations, including that of the minister responsible for the review, Chris Philp. Soon after Philp stepped down, prime minister Boris Johnson announced he would also leave, which meant the document was pushed back until the new prime minister, Liz Truss, took charge.

With Truss in Downing Street, however, questions arose about the future of the document. An article in The Guardian claimed that a number of regulatory policies were set to be axed by the Truss government, and said it was rumoured that the Gambling Act Review would be among those. Analyst Dan Waugh warned that in the event this occurred, reforms be put in place by the Gambling Commission unilaterally.

Last week, a report in the Daily Mail claimed the review may be pushed back until 2023, citing comments from DCMS minister Michelle Donelan. Meanwhile, this week Betting and Gaming Council chief executive Michael Dugher speaking at an industry event said he expected the review this year, but offered a timeline of publication by Christmas.

However, iGB understands that the planned publication date of the Gambling Act white paper is significantly sooner than either of those options, with the release instead expected in the coming weeks. A source with knowledge of the situation also noted that the report of a delay until 2023 was misleading.

Reports earlier this year have also included details of policies that may be included in the review. A leaked early draft of the white paper included a 125 monthly soft cap on affordability with harder checks for players losing 2,000 in three months.

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Gambling Act white paper back on track for publication in next few weeks - iGaming Business

(TNS) Legalized online gambling and sports betting, now marking their one-year anniversary, have delivered a revenue bump for the two casinos that lobbied for digital betting and the state thats benefiting from a modest tax boost.

From October 2021 to August, the most recent period for which data are available, online gambling generated $96.2 million in revenue for Foxwoods Resort Casino and $80.6 million for Mohegan Sun, according to the state Department of Consumer Protection.

Sports betting produced an additional $84 million in revenue at the two casinos.

Its a nice windfall for the state and for us to keep our heads above water, said Rodney Butler, chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, which operates and owns Foxwoods.

For the state, which operates on a $24 billion annual budget, the impact is much smaller. Bettors using tablets, laptops and phones have generated $41 million in tax revenue since the launch in September and October 2021 of online gambling and sports betting, according to the state Department of Consumer Protection.

In the states 2022 budget year that ended June 30, the administration of Gov. Ned Lamont budgeted $27.8 million from online gambling and sports wagering at the Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort casinos and Connecticut Lottery, according to the Office of Policy and Management.

Officials are optimistic about future tax revenue, which is based on bets placed online and at the casinos and Connecticut Lottery Corp. Estimates show annual revenue nearly doubling to $52.9 million by 2026.

Underlying casino and state government money-making were online wagers of $7.9 billion and $1.1 billion in sports betting in the 11 months between October 2021 and August. Patron winnings accounted for more than 94 percent of bets.

Following a difficult few years brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic that shut the two casinos and limited reopening, revenue from online gambling has made a difference.

Being online smooths out the bumps, Butler said.

Revenue from online gambling and sports betting has helped make it possible for Foxwoods to reinvest in its Mashantucket site, including plans for an $85 million casino, Butler said.

Ray Pineault, chief executive officer of Mohegan Sun, said the roll-out of expanded gambling has been a success.

Were very pleased with the results we saw in year one, he said. Weve learned some things about the marketing program, how to utilize bricks and mortar and online.

In addition to generating revenue, digital gambling helps promote the Uncasville casino, entertainment, hotels and restaurants, Pineault said. And Mohegan Sun leans on its casino and other entertainment venues to promote digital gambling.

A spokesperson for DraftKings, the sports betting partner of Foxwoods, said that since launching mobile sports betting and iGaming in Connecticut a year ago, weve seen tremendous engagement and are pleased with the results.

FanDuel, Mohegan Suns sportsbook partner, did not respond to an email seeking information on its first year in operation in Connecticut.

Finding a legislative compromise establishing online gambling and sports betting in law was arduous. Then-Gov. Dannel P. Malloy began negotiating with tribal officials in 2018 after the U.S. Supreme Court lifted a federal ban on state authorization of sports betting. A major snag was how to approach a state compact giving the Mohegans and Mashantucket Pequots exclusive rights with slot machine gambling.

Talks foundered with the Malloy administration. Lamont, who succeeded Malloy in January 2019, sought a broader update of Connecticuts gambling rules to adapt it to digital technology.

Legislation Lamont signed into law in May 2021 sets an 18 percent tax for the first five years on new online commercial casino gaming, or iGaming offerings, followed by a 20 percent tax rate for at least the next five years. It also establishes a 13.75 percent tax rate on sports wagering.

Pineault said the past year was a ramp-up phase for expanded gambling in Connecticut.

The first year is not an end all be all, he said.

2022 Hartford Courant. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Heres Who Profited from Connecticuts Legalized Digital Gambling - Governing

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The RACGP wants to support GPs to identify patients at risk of gambling harm in order to better implement targeted specialist treatment.

One of Dr Hester Wilsons patients recently discovered that her husband had re-mortgaged their family home.Up until that point, she was unaware he had a gambling problem. Now, with young children to look after, they were losing their family home.As Chair of RACGP Specific Interests Addiction Medicine, Dr Wilson works closely with patients experiencing addiction in various forms and the adverse impacts it has on their health and relationships.She told newsGP that although she estimates 7% of people experience some gambling harm and 1% of those people have a gambling addiction, it is not often evident when they present in general practice.Gambling does cause harm, and we are going to be seeing people that are experiencing that harm in our practices, she said.One of the tricky things for us in general practice is that people wont tell us because either they feel ashamed or they dont realise they have a problem, or they dont think its our area.To help overcome this barrier RACGP Specific Interests Addiction Medicine is presenting a responsible gambling webinar series, sponsored by the Office of Responsible Gambling GambleAware NSW and hosted by Dr Wilson.The webinars aim to help GPs to identify management and referral strategies for patients experiencing issues with gambling, and what specialist care is required for the associated psychosocial factors.The activities will also outline how to initiate conversations with patients to investigate the potential harms, where Dr Wilson said the therapeutic relationship GPs have with patients is paramount.We need to be asking [about gambling], people wont volunteer to discuss it for a whole heap of reasons, she said.I do it as part of my lifestyle check with patients. First of all asking permission, I want to ask you about your lifestyle, is that okay?Then: Do you drink? Do you smoke? Do you use any illicit drugs or pharmaceuticals that have caused you any problems? Do you gamble? Do you game?Make it part of that general medical conversation.Once a gambling issue has been flagged, Dr Wilson assesses whether it is causing any harm or if the patient is concerned by using gentle and exploratory questions that can help them to reassess the role that gambling has in their lives.The thing we do so brilliantly as GPs is that longitudinal relationship we know our patients, we see them over time, we can follow up with them, she said.[Its about] understanding that important role GPs have in screening and raising awareness, and referring onto specialist services if its appropriate.Once they engage, they may not be ready to seek treatment, so we can check in with them around how its going, do they want that referral. And once theyve taken part in treatment and things have improved, we can support them around maintaining that change and to remain well.Aside from the obvious financial issues caused by gambling, the range of long- and short-term issues cause a ripple effect, according to Dr Wilson.It affects you overall, the way you live your life, she said. Its not just those people that experience the harm, its their family one person who is experiencing gambling harm will impact six other people in their lives.Psychological issues such as depression and anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, and a higher risk of suicide are all linked to people with gambling issues, as well as physical issues associated with the gambling lifestyle such as drinking or smoking more, being sedentary while doing the activity and not exercising, and not eating well.Dr Wilson says it is important to be aware of the co-occurring issues that can happen with people who are gambling or vice-versa, and how they interact.If you can help people to change the gambling, quite often that will improve their mental and physical health, she said.It is estimated around $25 billion was lost on legal forms of gambling in 201819 in Australia.Easily accessible and available 24-hours a day, online gambling is the fastest growing gambling setting. In 2022, more than one in 10 Australians reported participating in online gambling in the previous six months, up from 8% in 2020.Like with many health issues, Dr Wilson says the value of early assessment and intervention of gambling cannot be underestimated.You can have someone who has a very significant gambling addiction, but we want to be catching people before they get to that point, she said.It might be that they are just starting to experience some gambling and they or their families are concerned or theyre starting to have some problems. Then we can actually get them into treatment, get them to think about changing that before they develop a really serious issue that means they lose their house.While there are no medicines or pharmacological treatment options for gambling, the psychological therapies that are available is where the gold is at, Dr Wilson says.Funded gambling services are available in every state and territory across metropolitan, rural, regional and remote areas, that can be accessed in person and online.These are specialist services with psychologists and counsellors who are trained and experts in helping people with gambling, Dr Wilson said.They are set up so that we as GPs, once we flag that this is an issue, can say to someone, Wed really like you to come in and get some help with this.That can also involve relationship counselling and financial counselling, as well as working on how they can begin to manage their issue with gambling.According to Dr Wilson, the take-home message for GPs is the importance of initiating the conversation around gambling and using it as part of a lifestyle assessment and whether it is, or has the potential to, cause any harm.We cant forget our role as GPs, Dr Wilson said.We can have a real positive impact in our patients lives, and in their familys lives as well.Registration for the free, CPD-approved webinar series is available on the RACGP website:Webinar 1: Gambling harm: comorbidities, treatment and referralMonday 17 October, 7.00 8.00 pm (AEDT)Webinar 2: Opening the door: How the GP can facilitate conversations with patients facing gambling harmWednesday 26 October, 7.00 8.00 pm (AEDT)Log in below to join the conversation.

addiction medicine gambling GPpatient relationship harm minimisation mental health

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newsGP - How to make gambling harm part of 'that general medical conversation' - RACGP

Gambling and the movies have a long and storied history. Think back to so many of the great classic movies, and you can picture the heroes and villains pitting their wits against each other across a poker table, putting all of their money on red at the roulette wheel, or, in the case of the Oceans movies, robbing a casino. We love to watch the most glamorous stars in Hollywood get dressed up in their most stylish gear and head to the casino. However, the fact is that it is not always the best time for us to do the same.

As the winter draws near, its time for a lot of us to think about spending some cozy nights at home and maybe playing a few casino games online instead of braving the weather for a night out at a brick-and-mortar casino. Whats more, given how much prices are going up right now, it makes a lot more sense to stay home instead of spending a lot of our paycheck on a big night out. But there is no reason why you cant enjoy the fun of a casino from the comfort of your own living room. Here are some of the best movies with classic gambling scenes for you to enjoy.

Seeing as we mentioned it already, lets start with Steven Soderberghs star-studded 2001 classic Oceans Eleven. With George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle and more strutting their stuff through a Las Vegas that has never seemed more glamorous or appealing, there is no doubt that this is a charming and massively entertaining thriller. But it also showcases a number of different sides of betting against the odds, with the real gamble in question being whether or not Clooney and his team can pull off their epic heist on Andy Garcias three casinos. What actually goes on in the casinos themselves does take a backseat to the heists, but there is still plenty of high-stakes action to enjoy. It also gets extra marks for the hilarious scene in which Pitts Rusty tries to teach a bunch of young Hollywood faces how to play cards properly. Hats off to Topher Grace and Joshua Jackson for sending themselves up!

From Vegas to New Orleans, here is a recent movie about two men heading to a gambling convention to win big that has steadily gained a better and better reputation since its release. Ben Mendelsohn (Rogue One, Captain Marvel) stars as the down-on-his-luck Jerry, who teams up with the more confident Curtis (Ryan Reynolds giving one of his very best performances) to figure out how he can get his fortunes to turn around. This is a great story of friendship and the different kinds of odds that people face, and it is a fascinating look at an area of American gambling that does not often show up on the big screen. New Orleans has a rich history of gambling, and those riverboats do indeed make an appearance! It is also worth noting that Mississippi Grind is inspired by a 1970s cult classic called California Split, directed by the great Robert Altman, which is also definitely worth seeking out!

OK, so we may be cheating with this one depending on how you ask, but enough people out there consider David Lynch and Mark Frosts long-awaited Twin Peaks revival to be a movie that we are including it anyway. And even if you think that it is definitely a TV series, it is brilliant enough to be featured. There is so much going on in Twin Peaks: The Return that we would never be able to properly explain it to those who have not seen it. In short, it is brilliant, and you should watch it, but you may not be able to understand much of what you are seeing! One of the most memorable moments in the show involved the returned (kind of) Agent Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) heading into a casino, where he promptly cant stop winning on the slots machine. He is christened Mr. Jackpots and is beloved by the gamblers around him. If you are missing the slots right now and are looking for a way that you can be your own Mr. or Mrs. Jackpots, then online slot games are a great way to spend a slow winter evening. You can find a range of online slot games at Jackpot, South Africas number one online casino. They have an incredible selection and plenty of tips to get you up to speed.

Here is one for anyone who has ever spent hours in the car driving to a brick-and-mortar casino, only to find that it is not their night. Thats right, its Vegas, baby, Vegas. Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn star in this classic comedy about two out of work actors who cant seem to catch a break. At the start of the movie, Trent (Vaughn) decides that the best way to help Mike (Favreau) get over a bad break-up is by driving from LA to Vegas for a bit of weeknight gambling. Sadly, for Mike, his time at the blackjack tables is brief and he quickly runs out of money. Listen to what your brain is telling you to do at the tables, not your motor-mouth best friend. Still, even if luck is not on your side, it is important to remember that you are so money, you dont even know.

Lets face it, we could fill an entire article on the great gambling scenes in James Bond movies. Nobody does it better, as the song goes, and there have been so many iconic casino moments in the franchise throughout its history. And hes as popular as ever, with No Time to Die being a box office smash. However, with no disrespect meant to Sean Connery, Roger Moore, and the rest, for our money the very best Bond movie for gambling sequences must be Casino Royale. The entire movie builds towards a climatic poker game at a high stakes table with devastating consequences if Daniel Craigs Bond cant find a way to outfox Mads Mikkelsens villainous Le Chiffre. It is a masterfully directed series of scenes, broken up at one point by a massive punch up in a hotel room, and it is made all the better by Mikkelsens fearsome turn as the baddie whose eye weeps blood when he gets stressed. Now thats a tell!

Finally, heres one for all the amateur card sharks out there. There is something very special about getting all glammed up and hitting the town, but there sometimes is really no substitute for going back to basics and pitting your poker know-how against some strangers. This cult classic stars Matt Damon as the card sharp who gave it up after losing everything to John Malkovichs villain, only to be drawn back in by his slimy best friend (Edward Norton) who needs his help. In terms of watching a movie where poker is depicted realistically, Rounders has topped lists time and again for the way it shows how the game is played. It does not hurt that there are some truly exceptional performances, as long as you dont mind Malkovichs extremely cheesy accent.

Excerpt from:

The Six Greatest Movies About Casinos, Gambling, And Beating The Odds - Nerdcore Movement

A new framework is designed to help teachers and leaders approach the growing concern of gambling harms with confidence, writes Jane Rigbye

A new framework is designed to help teachers and leaders approach the growing concern of gambling harms with confidence, writes Jane Rigbye

Dr Jane Rigbye

Chief executive, YGAM

11 Oct 2022, 5:00

Teachers are coming to us more and more seeking support to talk about gambling. Thats a good thing. Its in part due to gambling being included in the new PSHE curriculum introduced last year. But there are other reasons too.

In 2019, the Gambling Commission estimated that as many as 350,000 11-to-16-year-olds were spending their own money on gambling each week, that 55,000 young people in that bracket were experiencing social or emotional difficulties due to their gambling, and that a further 87,000 were at risk of doing so.

Britain is home to one of the largest online gambling markets in the world and is one of the only jurisdictions where some forms of gambling can be legally participated in by those under the age of 18. So while most regulated gambling products such as the National Lottery, online gambling and sports betting are restricted to over 18s, it would be nave to think young people are unfamiliar with gambling prior to entering legal adulthood. Therefore, it is more important than ever that we work together to safeguard our future generations from potential gambling harms.

Gambling disorder has been recognised by the World Health Organization as an addictive behaviour, and online gambling marketing is listed alongside marketing of fast food and sugar-sweetened drinks as an unhealthy commodity, which can harm relationships, school achievement and mental health.

However, gambling disorder is complex and its sometimes known as the hidden addiction because it can be difficult to spot the signs of harm. Looking out for changes in a young persons behaviour, ensuring they have a strong support network and monitoring their actions can help identify issues sooner.

Common emotional harms include individuals becoming more secretive, stressed, and withdrawn. The impact of gambling on a young persons mental health might result in them struggling to focus or disengaging from normal life. Physical signs of harm include fatigue, headaches, borrowing money and money going missing. These are signs we should all recognise.

We dont hesitate to talk with children about other risky behaviours

We dont hesitate to talk with children about the risks associated with other behaviours such as consuming alcohol, tobacco, or drugs. Our conversations in schools formal and informal, in lessons, assemblies and on the playground can help inform young people about the risks of gambling.

We engage with the education sector daily. Although the new PSHE curriculum is an encouraging step forward, teachers tell us they need resources to help them address the issue more than ever. Whats more, we know this is not an issue that can be visited only once during a childs time at secondary school. Knowledge needs to be built over time and reinforced regularly.

But teachers are busy and the curriculum is already loaded. We shouldnt expect every teacher to become a gambling harms prevention specialist as well as everything else, but we can help them approach the issue with more confidence. Thats why we have worked with GamCare and Fast Forward to produce the Gambling Education Framework a practical, evidence-based resource launched last week.

The frameworks principles have been developed in line with PSHE Association guidance on effective preventative education. It is designed to help teachers deliver high-quality teaching about gambling and manage the difficult conversations that can arise in schools. It will be just as useful for designated safeguarding leads who might have to help pupils who have a gambling problem, or who might be impacted by someone with a gambling disorder at home.

We know education is an invaluable protective measure against gambling harms, just as it is against other dangers young people are exposed to. But teachers must be equipped with the knowledge, resources and confidence to talk about the issue. We hope our framework helps to fill that gap.

For further support and advice around gambling harms, contact the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit ygam.org

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Supporting schools to tackle and prevent gambling harms - Schools Week

Siphoning off money from employers, faking their own kidnapping for ransom, robbery and even taking their own lives, online gamblers can be pushed to desperate lengths. While gambling for money has been a timepass for decades in India inside homes or even outdoors on open lawns and street corners where men gather to pay teen patti and rummy the pandemic has pushed, much like everything else, the games online. Add to it the availability of cheap data, an uptick in digital transactions, higher penetration of smartphones, and rapid expansion in supply and quality of games, and you have a potent mix before you.

Delhi-based psychiatrist Dr Pankaj Kumar says there has been a 15-20% increase in the number of people seeking treatment for gambling addiction after the lockdown. For most people, it starts as entertainment which grows into an addiction. Gamblers are lulled by the false belief that they can leave anytime.

Which is what happened to 17-year-old Ashwini* who started playing some games as a way to redeem reward points. He received some gifts which spurred his interest further. What started as fun and games quickly became a habit. He moved from casual gaming to playing for money, borrowing from friends and pilfering valuables from home, even managing to access his fathers bank account.

It was only then that the father realised that his son could even kill him in thisfit of rage, Dr Kumar says. The teen was brought to the doctor for help earlier this year and is now under psychiatric treatment.

Gambling releases dopamine which is what makes it addictive. Dr Manoj Sharma, professor at NIMHANS Bengalurus SHUT (Service for Healthy Use of Technology) clinic that tackles tech de-addiction, says that people were driven by boredom and lack of work to go online during the pandemic.

These risks are even more in the case of minors. Some websites do not conduct know-your-customer (KYC) or other age verification checks. This allows minors easy access to these websites, exposing them to unsuitablecontent and enticing them to engage in illegal activities, says a study on online gaming by tech policy think tank ESYA Centre. It also notes that gambling is associated with higher financial distress and lower financial inclusion and planning, higher rates of future unemployment and physical disability, and at its most acute, with substantially increased mortality.

But what about the legality?

While betting and gambling are illegal across India (except in some states like Sikkim and Nagaland) under the 1867 Public Gambling Act, the colonial-era law does leave room for an exception by legalising games of skill. Subsequent court orders have recognised rummy, chess and poker as games of skill rather than chance. But concerns related to gambling addiction have prompted the southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu to bring in laws banning gambling for money. However, some of these bans have been successfully challenged and overturned with the courts recognising games like rummy and poker to be skill-based and legal. The Tamil Nadu and Karnataka governments have challenged this in SC where the matter is currently pending. In fact, the Tamil Nadu governor on Friday approved an ordinance to ban online gambling.

Domestic gaming companies contend that there is no uniformity in laws which differ from state to state. They also argue that while Indian companies are being subjected to taxation laws with a Bengaluru-based online gaming company being charged with the largest indirect showcause notice in history that of Rs 21,000 crore companies registered outside the country are exempt from the legislative framework.

Meanwhile, advertisements for such websites continue with disclaimers. For example, in December 2020, advertisements of offshore betting websites were shown during the live-streaming of cricket matches between India and Australia. Many use cricket and Bollywood stars for endorsement. Self-regulatory organisation E-Gaming Federation (EGF) has demanded a central regulation that will protect the interests of players and industry.

We understand that gaming is an immersive experience and players can go overboard but bans are not the answer. We are seeking a soft touch regulation that will help the legit industry grow and protect players interests too, says EGF CEO Sameer Barde. The federation has already put in place a code of conduct for its members that include age-gating, putting limits on the time and money a player spends and KYC norms so minors do not play money games. In August, the government set up a task force to frame policy for the sector.

Technology and gaming lawyer Jay Sayta says all games should be regulated. All games whether skill or chance based should be regulated and taxed so that there is compliance, otherwise the industry will go underground and continue illegally.

* Name changed

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RUE-LETTE: The human cost of online gambling - Economic Times

These days, people talk a lot about mental health. People have found mental solace in meditation, vigorous exercise, art, and travel. But few people will have asked, "Can playing at online casinos help your mental health?" And we're looking for many different ways to boost it.

Most people will be happy to tell you what they're doing to improve their mental health, such as going to the gym more often or taking trips, but not many people will tell you that online casinos, in particular, have been of great help.

Not just because they're fun but also because they're a great way to keep your mind active. Yes, it's true: playing at online casinos can make you feel better. You can try some mind-soothing casino games at Hellspin login.

How Online casinos can help your mental health

The following are ways by which online casinos can help boost your mental health:

Endless Fun

Your mental health improves when you're having fun. In essence, you will feel better if you are having more fun. Although it appears clear, many people are unaware of this straightforward fact.

There aren't many options better than online casinos right now for nonstop entertainment. Whether you're using a smartphone or tablet, online casinos replicate the excitement and activity of real casinos on your screen.

Makes You Happier

Everyone needs something to make them happy in life. In the end, happiness keeps the world going and your mental state balanced.

Signing up for an online casino will make you very happy and improve your mental health.

For example, you can grab your phone and play the best online casino games if you've had a bad day at work or a big fight with your spouse. A round of roulette or a few spins on the slot machines might be all you need to feel better.

Better functioning of the brain

Playing online, especially casino games is a good way to boost your grey matter. Grey matter helps control things like movement, memory, and control in your brain. So, just by playing online casino games, the way your brain works will get better. This shouldn't be a surprise since you need to focus and think critically to do well and win these games.

A Useful Diversion When You Need One

People occasionally require diversions. You might be on a three-hour train ride or taking the subway to work. Whatever the situation, playing at an online casino can help you avoid boredom and increase your mental health when you need it.

Remember to bring your smartphone wherever you go so you can play whenever you want.

Conclusion

You have learned of the numerous mental health benefits of Online Casino games; you may choose to play video poker against other players, the easy-to-use slot machines, or even try your hand at blackjack. There are so many games you can play that you should try them all to find out which ones you like the most.

Originally posted here:

Can gambling online improve your mental well-being? - HealthTechZone

Gamblers around the world are putting their money on a split Congress a month before the midterm elections.

A website that aggregates live political gambling is showing that betters expect Republicans to take a majority in the House next year, while Democrats are more likely to keep the Senate during the midterm elections.

As of Friday night, ElectionBettingOdds.com, a website that aggregates live political gambling, placed the likelihood that Democrats keep the Senate at 56.9%, compared to 43.1% for Republicans taking the upper chamber.

The website updates betting every minute from gambling sites PredictIt.org in the United States and FTX.com, Betfair.com, and Smarket.com abroad.

MIDTERMS 2022: LIVE UPDATES FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AHEAD OF CRUCIAL ELECTION

Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell recently called the fight for control of the 50-50 Senate a "jump ball" and has expressed concerns over GOP "candidate quality."

Betters are much more optimistic that House leadership will change hands, putting the odds that Republicans succeed in winning the minimum of five new seats needed to take the majority at 80.8%. Democrats' chances of keeping the House are less than 20%.

In key Senate races, Republicans are favored to win in Ohio, while Democrats have the upper hand in Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. Ohio's Republican nominee, J.D. Vance, has a 76.7% chance of beating Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan. Democrats Lt. Gov. John Fetterman in Pennsylvania and Sen. Mark Kelly in Arizona have a 59% chance each of beating their Republican opponents Dr. Mehmet Oz and venture capitalist Blake Masters, respectively. In Georgia, the odds of winning are currently at 64.7% for incumbent Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The site also tracks odds for the 2024 presidential election. Former President Donald Trump is in the top spot, with a 27.3% chance of winning, followed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) at 18% and President Joe Biden in third with 17.3%.

The rest is here:

How gamblers bet the midterm elections will turn out - Washington Examiner

The Kyiv strikes also suggest that President Putins windy threats about nuclear escalation are just that a bluff (AP)

The wrath of Putin, some call the Russian strikes on multiple cities, including central Kyiv, which are plainly acts of retaliation for the attack on the Russia-Crimea Kerch bridge on Saturday.

Wrathful they certainly were. They were also a nasty reminder that the Russians, though demoralised and in retreat, still have some heavy missile weaponry at their disposal. It was no accident that downtown Kyiv was included in the strikes (though the hit on the visa office of the German embassy may not have been deliberate).

Vladimir Putin wants to intimidate Ukrainian leaders, terrorise civilians and further destroy Ukrainian cultural identity by taking out museums.

It is a characteristically callous, cowardly and counterproductive attack. It also illustrates a number of things about Russian weakness such as just how badly the special military operation is going. A remote attack on mostly civilian targets from far away reminds us, once again, that the Russian military has been unable to occupy Ukrainian territory and subjugate the country as planned in February.

The Russians will not be able to prevail militarily purely by bombing Ukrainian towns and cities. If that were the case, then the war would have been won long ago. The flag of the Russian Federation would now be flying over the presidential palace in Kyiv.

The Kyiv strikes also suggest that President Putins windy threats about nuclear escalation are just that a bluff. The Russians are sticking to the same failed playbook and are fully conscious that any use of nuclear weaponry would trigger an American-led response. It is simply not worth the risk.

What they have left is pulverising settlements into dust and torturing and murdering Ukraines population. The appointment of a new commander, General Sergei Surovikin, with a reputation for savagery won in Syria, confirms that Russia has no other strategy than terror and annihilation. This sort of approach tends not to win over Ukrainian hearts and minds.

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The Kremlin, ever arrogant, has further alienated the United States. But it has also placed the other superpower on the outside; one that has been obligingly propping up the Russian economy China. At his last summit with President Xi, Mr Putin publicly admitted Beijings concerns about his failing war. Now, China says it hopes for a de-escalation a polite but desperate plea for Russia to declare victory and end the war, more or less immediately.

The Chinese Politburos concerns are purely centred on the interests of the Peoples Republic. The war in Ukraine has already inflicted enough damage on the world economy and Chinas crucial export markets; more threats of a nuclear dimension might be enough to tip the world into a slump. The Ukraine war certainly does little to strengthen Chinas security, any chance of rapprochement with America or hopes for a peaceful reunification with Taiwan.

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Most of all, the attack on Kyiv will merely strengthen the resolve of the Ukrainian people to fight on. Their resistance to the invaders has awed the world. It was especially impressive in the early stages of the conflict, before sanctions and Western military assistance began to take their toll on Mr Putins poorly equipped and badly led troops.

There can be no peaceful or permanent annexation of Ukrainian territory because Ukraine and its friends in the West find it intolerable. Russia, therefore, cannot win the war, even if it prevailed militarily. It would be permanently isolated from the world economy. The Ukrainians would make the Russian occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s look like a tea party.

Yet the resolve of Europeans generally has held, despite Mr Putins weaponisation of energy supplies and the cost of living crisis.

Western Europe faces its most difficult winter since the end of the Second World War but is prepared to make sacrifices, rather than be forever held hostage by Russia. The United States is also prepared to stand up for the rights and sovereignty of smaller nations; a welcome break from the recent practice of American foreign policy.

President Putin is gambling that, eventually, Western democracies will cave in and accept at least the status quo and thus abandon Ukraine. Unfortunately for him, there are signs that the Russian people and elements in the Russian government and military will abandon him first.

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Putin is gambling that the West will abandon Ukraine we wont - Yahoo News