Category Archives: Gambling

I urge our local legislative delegation to please vote against any move to legalize casino gambling in Georgia.

This industry is notorious for attracting criminal elements. It brings organized crime closer to our homes. The Georgia General Assembly has taken some serious steps to reduce sex trafficking in Georgia during its last couple of sessions. Whatever progress those legislatures made, I believe the gambling industry will make the condition ripe for an increase in sex trafficking, which victimizes countless underaged boys and girls.

This also has detrimental effects on harmonious family units. We already have too many pressures that break up marriages. Gambling is an addictive habit, and a significant portion of the population gets addicted to gambling. They blow money in gambling that can lead to job losses, bankruptcies and broken marriages. Whatever tax revenue is generated from gambling enterprises cant justify the human tragedy that will result from gambling addiction and Georgians who will become crime statistics from the increased crime rate.

I strongly implore our legislators to vote against casino gambling in Georgia.

YeSun Wiltse

Evans

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Vote down gambling - The Augusta Chronicle

Welcome MMA bettors, speculators, and gambling lurkers! Were back at it again for another week of comprehensive gambling analysis from your friends at MMAFighting.com. This weekend we have the first ever UFC womens featherweight title fight between two top-15 bantamweights.

For those of you who are new here or those who have forgotten, this aims to be an exhaustive preview of the fights, the odds, and 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 Holm at +110 means she should win the fight 48 percent of the time). If you think she 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 Best Fight Odds. 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. Doubly as always, I'm trying to provide the most thorough guide I can for those who want to legally bet or who just enjoy following along. If you are 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 go.

Breakdown

Holly Holm is predominantly an out fighter who relies on volume to rack up points. Though she made her name as a professional boxer, it is Holm's kicking game that is a threat on the feet. Holm lacks real pop in her hands when coming forward because she doesn't transition any weight into her shots, preferring to flick her punches out as set-ups for her left kick. When fighting on the counter, she is much better at sitting down into her punches and landing hard shots than pivoting out of the engagement, which makes her much more dangerous on the back foot.

Elsewhere, Holm is a competent fighter but somewhat reliant on her size and athleticism instead of a depth of technique. She has good positional awareness in the clinch and is very difficult to control, but she provides no real offense and mostly just looks to disengage. Shes an excellent defender of takedowns and can also wrestle a bit offensively, though she doesnt often look to do so. As a grappler though, she still isnt great and lacks urgency in getting back to her feet.

Germaine de Randamie is a big, rangy striker who likes to use her physical advantages to her best effect. Shes a former Muay Thai practitioner and her game looks like you would expect. She operates behind a heavy, thudding jab, which she follows up with sharp right hand. She also has ridiculous kicks and all of her strikes carry real power. Moreover, she is textbook sound in her technique and her footwork is some of the best in womens MMA.

De Randamie also has the clinch as an excellent secondary skill set. Her size and Muay Thai background make her a handful, and she also has excellent uppercuts to compliment her elbows and knees. Shes a solid defensive wrestler at range, but once she gets taken down, GDR offers very little off her back.

Many people are underwhelmed by this main event but its only because of the circumstances of the title fight. Were the specter of Cris Cyborg not hanging over this fight, everyone would be excited about the high-level striking match thats about to ensue. De Randamie is the better, more powerful striker, but Holm is more athletic and has faced a much higher level of opposition. Holm also trains out of a much better camp and can theoretically use other avenues besides just striking to engage GDR.

This fight is a question of tactics. If de Randamie keeps a long range, this fight instantly becomes a nightmare for Holm who isnt great at leading and will be walking herself into de Randamies power shots. If de Randamie chooses to pressure, Holms chances go up dramatically, as she is much better on the counter, attacking and angling out. It also depends on whether Holm is content to stay striking or whether she mixes things up. Holm was never getting dominated by Valentina Shevchenko, but she wasnt winning the rounds and her lack of desire for changing the theater of combat cost her.

So really its a question of whether de Randamies stylistic advantages are the controlling factors or whether Holms intangibles add up enough for a win. The confluence of Holms small edges in cardio, experience, athleticism, camp, and strength of competition make me genuinely unsure of this one but ultimately I will favor de Randomie to win a back and forth decision. As for a bet, I think the odds are close to right, though just a hair too much in favor of de Randamie here so a bet on Holm by decision at +250 is a decent value bet since Holm has never been much of a finisher.

Breakdown

To put it bluntly, Anderson Silva is old. Hes 41 years old and he hasnt officially won a fight in five years. At his peak, Silva was the best fighter in the world thanks to sniper accuracy, sneaky power, and unprecedented countering ability, but even then he was still known for curious instances of inactivity and disinterest that would show up between explosions of offense. Now that hes older, those lulls are even more frequent to the point that he often looks entirely defensive but for one or two salvos each round. When hes feeling it, though, he still poses a threat to anyone alive, as evidenced by the liver shot to Daniel Cormier in the third round at UFC 200 that badly hurt the light heavyweight champion.

Derek Brunson is an athletic, powerful fighter who is often too aggressive for his own good. He likes to pressure forward before leaping in with a big straight left. If he connects, the fight is often over, but his reckless leap forward also opens him up to counters, which is how Robert Whittaker took him out in his last fight.

Outside of over-explosive striking, Brunson is also a great clinch fighter and grinder. He works well with knees and punches in the clinch and he also can change levels to drop for takedowns. When he gets the fight to the floor, he is a punishing ground-and-pounder and defensively sound.

If this were a couple of years ago, Silva would be the prohibitive favorite, as the stylistic match up favors him a good deal. Unfortunately, its not 2015 and Silva appears to be on his last legs as an elite fighter and his chin is a major concern. If Brunson lands on him, that will probably be the end of the fight. The question is, can Silva snipe the overly aggressive Brunson coming in? I think Silva absolutely could do that, but Im not predicting it. In my head, I think Brunson understands the threat Silva presents and wont come out as ridiculously, chin-up aggressively as he did against Whittaker. I expect Silva to back himself up to the fence like he has done his last few fights, and from there, Brunsons clinch game is enough to neutralize the faded Silva and allow him to secure takedowns and landing punches inside. Silvas chin fails him and Brunson earns a TKO in the second round. Having said all that, I think Brunson should only be a -120 favorite, so a bet on Silva is not a bad idea.

Breakdown

Ronaldo Souza is, at worst, the second- or third-best grappler in the history of MMA. A multiple-time world champion jiu-jitsu practitioner who also possess elite athleticism and top level wrestling, there is a very good argument that Jacare is the best middleweight on the planet right now.

Everything about Souzas ground game is impeccable, but whats perhaps even more impressive is his success as a striker. He has an excellent pressure game and he cuts the cage well. He throws punches and kicks with big power. He doesnt have sensational cardio though, and his athletic window is closing at 37.

Tim Boetsch is a brute of a puncher with a power wrestling game to supplement it. This isn't to say that he has no skills elsewhere they're fine just that his success comes almost entirely as the result of his big-time power and a strongman style clinch game, replete with punches, knees, and elbows that do enormous damage.

Take a gander at Boetschs record as an underdog above. Tim Boetsch is the consummate spoiler, which means you should never count him out. That being said, this fight should be one-way traffic in favor of Jacare. Boetsch doesnt have great wrestling defense and Jacare is a great finisher of takedowns. While Jacare could do fine on the feet as well, I expect him to plant Boetsch on the mat and find a submission early in the bout. The pick is Jacare, and though I dont support a bet on him straight, parlaying Jacare Inside The Distance at -255 with somebody else isnt bad. Alternatively, you can play Jacare straight and offset it with Boetsch by TKO at +725 to basically guarantee a small profit.

Breakdown

Glover Teixeira has an excellent pressure game on the feet that is backed up by well-rounded offensive skills. Hes a meat-and-potatoes striker centered on a sharp jab, straight right, and a left hook. While not the most diverse attack, Glover's pressure footwork, speed, and timing make it a highly effective one, and his power means he doesnt have to land a lot to win the fight. Hes a bit plodding, but he feints well enough to set up the big left hook kill shot, and not many people can eat that without falling down.

Where Teixeira really excels though is on the ground. Hes an excellent wrestler on the inside (though not much of a shot takedown artist). He chains snatch singles and doubles off of duck-unders to great effect, and once on top, hes a hellion, punishing and passing until he can lock up a submission.

Jared Cannonier is the inverse of Teixeira: a striker who prefers to use his exceptional reach to fight at a long range and would much rather avoid the ground. Hes works at a good clip on the feet and is an accurate striker, building everything off of his jab. He also is a good kicker, but his best asset is his sharp right hand, which packs tremendous power.

Cannonier isnt much for grappling. Hes a middling defensive wrestler but he is very defensively minded when taken down, constantly moving and looking to stand back up. Hes also got excellent cardio for the division but hes a small 205 pounder who has talked about eventually ending up at middleweight.

I think this fight is closer than the odds indicate. 2017 looks like it might be the year we start getting major turnover at the top of the higher weight divisions and Cannonier might be part of that trend. Hes much younger and looks to be coming into his own as a future light heavyweight contender, whereas Teixeira is 37 and coming off a violent knockout loss. Moreover, Teixeira needs to get inside to operate, and Cannonier has the power and mobility to deny him that. This fight comes down to the wrestling and whether Cannonier has improved enough to keep the bigger man from dragging him to the mat. I think we can expect some improvement in that department but ultimately not enough to save him. I expect Teixeira may have some early trouble but will eventually be able to clinch up with Cannonier and get the fight into his comfort zone. It also helps that Cannonier has been susceptible to a solid left hook in the past and that is Teixeiras best weapon. The pick is Teixeira by late submission but the odds here are much wider than I believe they should be and so I suggest no bet or a small value bet on Cannonier.

Breakdown

Dustin Poirier is a well-rounded fighter who has found his stride since moving up to the lightweight division. He is a good combination boxer who works well in the pocket and has big-time power. Hes still a lacking defensive fighter, but he's been steadily improving his footwork and head movement, which has been a big part of his recent success. While Poirier is at his best when he is coming forward, hes also an improved counter puncher on the inside and keeps a high pace.

Poirier is also an excellent clinch fighter. He has good knees and trips from that range, and he has a really nice uppercut that he hides behind his own head before bringing it up the body to score. He has good defensive wrestling and solid takedowns. Once on top, he is a powerful ground-and-pounder with solid scrambling.

Jim Miller is a rugged southpaw who can do everything at well above average skill level. He is a serviceable striker with an underrated kicking game, decent defensive fundamentals, and a snappy left hand. Though hes fading physically, hes still a fairly durable guy as well.

Millers real talent lies in his grappling. Hes aggressive in hunting for submissions either from on top or on bottom and hes a great scrambler. Hes also a very solid takedown artist who has excellent timing on his shots. Defensively, though, hes not much above average as far as staying on his feet goes.

Miller is surprisingly on a three-fight winning streak after the Diego Sanchez loss, but that likely ends here. Poirier is a good enough wrestler to keep this on the feet and Miller doesnt really have the power to put him in danger. From there, Poiriers speed and power should give Miller fits, and I expect him to win a wide decision or possibly a late stoppage. Despite my confidence in Poirier here, though, theres not enough meat on this particular bone and you should pass on betting this one.

Randy Brown (-140/58%) vs. Belal Muhammad (+120/45%)

Randy Brown is a long, athletic striker who throws powerful combinations and a good jab. Hes enormous for the division and uses his length well, especially in the clinch, where he can use trips to compliment his knees and elbows. Muhammad is a sharp, technical striker who prefers to strike at range and at a high volume.

This seems like a tough row to hoe for Muhammad. He wants to fight at distance but hes giving up four inches of height and six inches of reach to Brown, who also has more power. Moreover, Brown is better in the clinch and can hit takedowns if need be. The pick is Brown by decision, and I like a bet on him.

Wilson Reis (-600/86%) vs. Ulka Sasaki (+450/18%)

This is a weird fight. Reis had a title shot until Demetrious Johnson got injured, and now hes fighting an opponent whos 2-2 in the UFC. Reis is a slick, dangerous grappler with explosive takedowns and fair striking. Sasaki is huge for the division and has a six-inch reach advantage. Hes also a good grappler and hes strong in the clinch as well.

Reis is a much better fighter than Sasaki and that should be enough to carry him here, but it wont be easy. Sasaki has a massive size advantage here and is a willing striker. He isnt a great defensive wrestler though, so I expect Reis will be able to land takedowns eventually and find his way to the back for the submission. The pick is Reis, but the odds are way off and you should definitely not have money down here.

Nik Lentz (+240/29%) vs. Islam Makhachev (-290/74%)

Makhachev is the long time training partner of Khabib Nurmagomedov and he fights like a guy who has been grappling with Khabib for most off his life. Hes a stifling wrestler/top control artist who excels in the transitions between the phases of the game. Lentz is also a grinding top control artist but one who also likes to scramble. He can strike a bit but that is definitely not his best facet.

Both guys want to grapple and, as Chris Wade found out, spending prolonged amounts of time on the floor with Nurmagomedovs lifelong grappling partner is not a winning strategy. On top of that, Makhachev is also the more dangerous striker and will have a slight size advantage. The pick is Makhachev by decision, but the line is high. If the line drops to -250 or so, he would be a fine parlay include though.

Ian McCall (-105/51%) vs. Jarred Brooks (-125/56%)

McCall is a grappler by trade with a variety of trips and takedowns and excellent scrambling. Hes also a solid, high-volume striker, but hes been out of action for two years and hes been open about his many injuries that have hampered him. Jarred Brooks is a hot-shot 23-year-old who is making his UFC debut on short notice. Hes a good wrestler and passer and a willing, powerful striker but hell be small for the division having competed at 115 pounds before.

I have no idea what to expect here. McCall, at his best, is several steps up in competition for Brooks, but hes also been out for a long time and is open about his close proximity to retirement due to injuries. The pick is McCall by decision based on his skill set and experience but theres no real confidence and you should definitely not bet this one.

Rick Glenn (-200/67%) vs. Phillipe Nover (+170/37%)

Glenn is a tall guy for the division who doesnt always use his length to his best advantage. He prefers to walk opponents down and maul them in the clinch, where he can use his long frame to great effect. Nover is an anomaly in that he can do everything decently, but he never seems engaged and his lack of urgency often costs him.

Nover likes to operate at range and Glenns game is built around denying his opponent space. I expect Glenns preferences will prevail here and he will overwhelm the stagnant Nover, earning a late stoppage. The pick is Glenn by TKO, but dont bet on this one.

Ryan LaFlare (-300/75%) vs. Roan Carneiro (+250/29%)

Jucao Carneiro is my BJJ coach and a friend, and as such, Im going to refrain from speaking on this fight. But I am very excited for the match-up and believe it will be a good one.

That's all folks. Enjoy the fights everyone and good luck to those who need it. 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 208 odds, gambling guide - MMA Fighting

MANILA, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte would not hesitate to dismiss or order the filing of cases against officials who protect gambling lords or use his anti-illegal gambling campaign to extort money, Malacaang said Sunday.

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the president does not backtrack on his campaign against unlawful activities, including illegal gambling.

The president has issued a number of stern warnings against people in government. If they are caught extorting money or practicing corruption, they will be the first ones to go, Andanar told state-run radio station dzRB.

He wont think twice about removing or filing cases against any government official involved in corruption especially those involved in illegal drugs, illegal gambling and the stealing of public funds.

Early this month, Duterte issued an executive order (EO) designating the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) as the lead agencies in the intensified campaign against illegal gambling.

In his thirteenth EO, the president stressed that the government condemns the existence of illegal gambling activities as a widespread social menace and source of corruption. He also claimed that illegal gambling has become an influential factor in an individual's disregard for the value of dignified work, perseverance and thrift.

The PNP and the NBI were instructed to work with the Justice, Interior and Local Government and Information and Communications Technology departments in its anti-illegal gambling efforts. They were also ordered to act promptly on requests of gambling regulators to probe or put a stop to illegal gambling activities in their respective areas.

No duly licensed online gambling operator, or provider of activities and services related to or in support of online gambling activities, shall directly or indirectly allow persons who are physically located outside the territorial jurisdiction of the licensing authority to place bets, or in any way participate, in the games conducted by such operator, whether through an online portal or similar means, the order read.

Nothing herein, however, shall prohibit the duly licensed online gambling operator from allowing the participation of persons physically located outside the Philippine territory.

The Office of the President, through an authorized representative, will oversee the implementation of the order. The representative will work with relevant agencies and recommend to the president regulations and directives that would curb illegal gambling and enhance efforts to generate revenues from legitimate gambling operations.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, Aurora Pacific Economic Zone Authority, the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan and other regulators were instructed to submit reports on the progress of the campaign against illegal gambling every six months.

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Palace: Duterte won't hesitate to remove officials protecting gambling lords - Philippine Star

News Financial Worldwide Gambling Win Totaled $385 Billion in 2016, Australia Biggest Loser

Worldwide gambling wins totaled $385 billion in 2016, and while the United States generated the lions share of that statistic, Australia once again led the way in terms of average net loss per resident.

No nationality loses more money per person gambling than James Packers Aussie constituents, but as far as the worldwide casino win goes, the US forks over the most cash. (Image: Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

According to data obtained by The Economist, a weekly magazine headquartered in London that covers financial markets, the average Aussie lost $990 on gambling over the last 12 months. Thats considerably higher than runner-up Singapore, whose citizens lost roughly $650 per person.

In terms of per resident costs, Ireland is the worlds third-biggest loser ($500), followed by Finland ($425), and the United States ($420).

H2 Gambling Capital, a UK data and market intelligence firm that analyzes casinoindustries, assembled the worldwide gambling revenue report.

Regardless of the fact that Australia leads the way in individual per person gambling, the countrys relatively small population of just 24 million citizens keeps the big casino power companies away.

Australians lost a total of $18.3 billion gambling last year. And while thats a staggering sum, it pales in comparison to the United States and the $117 billion its citizens forfeited.

The majority of gambling losses incurred by Americans came at land-based casinos on slot machines and table games. Lotteries also played a substantial role.

What the H2 Gambling Capital study doesnt include is of course underground wagering. Sports betting remains illegal in the US, with Nevada being the exception. Americans are estimated to have bet $117 billion on sports last year, with the vast majority taking place through illegal outlets.

China didnt landin the top 15 in terms of gambling losses per resident, but the countrys massive population, the largest on planet Earth, spread out their damages. The Chinese saw $62.4 billion disappear from their wallets and into the hands of casino companies in 2016, the biggest loss behind only the US.

Its worth pointing out that India and its 1.3 billion population didntfall victim to gambling. The massive nationspent less on betting than much smallercountries including Sweden, the Netherlands, and Singapore.

Though Japan is only now considering legalizing land-based casinos, the Pacific Ocean island nation still managed to drop $24.1 billion. Pachinko parlors, horse and automobile pari-mutuel wagering, andthe wildly popular lottery grabbed the majority of bets placed in Japan.

With over 126 million residents, resortcompanies in the US are readying to make proposals to the Japanese government should it decide to permit the construction of casinos.

In December, Japans parliament passed the Integrated Resorts Promotion bill. The countrys legislators are now working to decide how many casinos will be authorized, as well as critical details such as tax rates and minimum investments from interested gaming businesses.

The stakes are astronomical. According to Hong Kong investment bank CLSA, if Japan were to legalize casinos nationwide, the market would be capable of producing annual revenues of $25 billion. That would put it behind only Macau as the richest gambling destination in the world.

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Worldwide Gambling Win Totaled $385 Billion in 2016, Australia Biggest Loser - Casino.Org News

ALBANY, N.Y. >> New Yorks transformation into one of the biggest high-roller gambling states in the U.S. is nearly complete, thanks in large part to Osama bin Laden.

The 9/11 attack on America masterminded by Osamas Al-Qaeda jihadist terror network opened the gambling floodgates in New York, with Gov. George Pataki pointing to a desperate need for revenues to fill the gap created by the destruction of the World Trade Center.

At Patakis urging, lawmakers held a special session the month after the attack to approve the biggest expansion of gambling in state history, approving plans for Indian casinos, VLT racinos and participation in the multi-state Mega-Millions lottery drawing. The first new casino opened in 2002 in Niagara Falls, where a disused convention center was turned into a gambling house.

The success that followed set in motion powerful forces that by 2013 resulted in Gov. Andrew Cuomos push to amend the state Constitution to permit up to seven Las Vegas style commercial casinos around the state.

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At the time of the 2001 terrorist attack, there was only two gambling casinos in New York, the Oneida Nations Turning Stone casino near Rome which opened in 1993 and another opened by Mohawk Indians near the Canadian border in 1999. Both opened thanks to a change in federal Indian law.

Fast forward to 2017 and New York has opened three new commercial casinos in the Southern Tier, near Rochester and in Schenectady. A fourth, the $1 billion Montreign casino and resort, is scheduled to open in the Spring of 2018 in Sullivan County in the heart of the Catskills.

It really is a dream come true, Cuomo said at the ribbon-cutting of the $330 million Rivers Casino in Schenectady last Wednesday. We would be talking about this project some times and I would just say, its just too great. Its just too unbelievable that something this grand and powerful was going to happen. But it did.

At another ribbon cutting earlier in February, Cuomo praised the new Del Lago casino in Seneca County, calling it a magnificent monument of how intelligent the decision was to amend the Constitution and expand gambling.

The growth you are seeing now all across upstate New York is going to increase exponentially, Cuomo promised. So we are on our way. Lets cut this ribbon, and lets get to those slot machines.

The Montreign casino resort is expected to boost a once thriving Catskills tourist economy. The 80,000 sq. ft. casino is part of a 18-story hotel with 332 luxury rooms, which includes 12 penthouse suites, 8 garden suites and 7 two-story villas, designed to meet 5-star and 5-diamond standards, the owner Empire Resorts Inc. said in January when it announced a $485 million round of financing. The company also owns the Monticello Casino & Raceway, a successful racino.

When the constitutional amendment was up for a vote four years ago, Cuomo said it was necessary to keep gambling money in the state. Many gambling industry experts agreed, since the new rule of thumb for casinos is that much of the customer base comes from a 50 mile radius.

That has been proven to be true in New York City, which has been denied a commercial casino despite the size of the market. Instead, it has two racinos: Resorts World in Queens and Empire City in Yonkers. Together they accounted for 70 percent of statewide gambling revenue in 2015, the American Gaming Association reported in 2016.

The four new casinos are expected to produce $325 million in annual tax revenues, most of it going to the state.

The casino will compete with 11 Indian casinos now operating around the state, and nearly as many racinos where bettors play video lottery terminals (VLTs) that mimic casino slot machines and table games.

The state Gaming Commission says the state Lottery took in $9.7 billion during the 2015-16 budget year, producing more than $3.3 billion in tax revenue.

The Lottery marks its 50th anniversary in 2017. Until 1967, gambling was prohibited in New York for much of the 20th century apart from betting on horse races, bingo and charitable games.

The also-ran in New Yorks gambling explosion is horse racing. The sport took in about $1.5 billion in 2015, according to the Gaming Commission, with $884 million of that bet at racetracks and the rest at OTB outlets.

Racings future remains cloudy as bettors gravitate to other venues to spend their money. Cuomo has also kept racing at arms length while embracing other types of gambling. Since taking office in 2011, he has avoided going to Saratoga Race Course, the oldest operating sports venue in the U.S.

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New York State transformation into the gambling big leagues nearly ... - The Daily Freeman

Gambling Responsibly New York Times 5), discusses the important addiction services provided by the Queens Center for Excellence to troubled bettors at Resorts World Casino New York City, but not the casino's unwavering commitment to promote responsible gambling, which includes a ...

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Gambling Responsibly - New York Times

Tips for people who think they might need to stop or slow down

What Are the Warning Signs?

Problem gambling is not a bad habit or a moral weakness. It is a serious condition that affects you, your family, your friends, and your job. Learn to spot the warning signs:

At Work:

At Home:

With Friends:

Help is Available!

Spouses, partners, and family members of problem gamblers often feel frustrated, angry, sad, ashamed, and isolated. Depression and stress-related illness are common. Fortunately, help is available. Just thinking about talking to someone about a gambling problem can be scary, but knowing where to start can help you find the courage to have the conversation.

A problem gambler doesnt necessarily need to hit bottom to decide to get help. To get help for you or someone you know, call the 24/7 help line, 1-866-322-1407.

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Do you have a mobile gambling/gaming problem? - KMTV

By Njiraini Muchira

No industry has captured the imagination of the Kenyan economy in the past three years like betting. Concerned about its runaway growth, the government imposed higher taxes but the proliferation of gaming outlets across the country continued.

The government, through the Kenya Revenue Authority, then turned to gaming equipment: No more importation unless authorised by the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB).

"Any further importation of such gaming devices must have express clearance from the Ministry of Interior and Co-ordination of National Government," said a KRA statement.

BCLB falls under the Ministry of Interior.

BCLB chairman Anthony Kimani Kung'u told The EastAfrican that the majority of the gaming machines entering Kenya do not meet international standards.

"Restricting importation is part of our fight against illegal machines, mostly from China," he said.

He added that the move is to ensure that unscrupulous businessmen do not take advantage of unsuspecting Kenyans.

There has been a proliferation of gaming equipment in estates and other social places.

Backstreet gambling dens

According to the chairman of the Association of Gaming Operators of Kenya, Ronald Karauri, the increase in the machines has tarnished the image of the betting and gaming industry.

"As an association, we have been telling BCLB to crackdown on these machines because they are encouraging irresponsible gaming," he said.

Mr Karauri, who is also the chief executive of sports betting firm SportPesa, added that lack of a modern and progressive law to regulate the industry is fuelling the growth of backstreet gambling dens.

Currently, the industry operates under the Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act, which stakeholders contend is outdated owing to the evolution of the industry particularly in the use of mobile and online platforms for betting.

Kenyan legislator Jakoyo Midiwo drafted the Betting, Lotteries and Gaming (Amendment) Bill, 2016, to provide a legal framework for regulating and controlling gambling activities.

The Bill also seeks to promote the development of a responsible industry, protect young and excluded persons from the negative effects of gambling and prevent gambling from being a source of crime and from being used for money laundering.

The Bill has however met with opposition from BCLB and industry players on the basis that it does not incorporate the views of stakeholders, and that it is intended to end gambling.

"While we agree the industry needs a modern law, the Bill is not sincere in its object of regulating but will only kill the industry," said Mr Karauri.

Kenya currently has more than 30 licensed betting firms and casinos, although only a few are in operation.

A recent report by PricewaterhouseCoopers shows that the yearly turnover of the sports betting industry in Kenya is worth $20 million, and will reach $50 million in 2020 as demand grows.

The formal Kenyan betting industry, which paid $28.3 million in taxes in 2015, is ranked third in Africa after South Africa and Nigeria.

In the 2016/17 Finance Bill, the government increased taxes on betting, lotteries and gaming after introducing a betting tax charged at a rate of 7.5 per cent of the gaming revenue, lottery tax chargeable at a rate of five per cent and a gaming tax chargeable at a rate of 12 per cent of the gaming revenue.

Kenya currently has more than 30 licensed betting firms and casinos, although only a few are in operation.

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Kenya: Gambling in Kenya Gets Out of Hand - AllAfrica.com

LAS VEGAS may be synonymous with gambling, but the industrys biggest expo is actually held in London, and wraps up today. Exhibitors in over 3,000 stands advertise the latest products designed to part punters from their cash, ranging from gaming apps to slot machines and virtual-reality games. As in other businesses, firms that were quick to embrace new technology have reaped rewards: online gaming is the industrys fastest-growing sector, and accounted for 11% of the $385bn of gambling profits posted in 2016. But unlike companies that sell less controversial services, courting government regulators appears to be just as important as luring bettors for the bottom line.

To the general public, Australia hardly leaps to mind as a gambling hotbed. Yet industry insiders know it is far and away their most lucrative market: according to H2 Gambling Capital (H2G), a consultancy, betting losses per resident adult there amounted to $990 last year. That is 40% higher than Singapore, the runner-up, and around double the average in other Western countries. The most popular form of gaming in Australia is on ubiquitous electronic poker machines, or pokies, which are more prevalent there than anywhere else. Although the devices are legal in many other markets, bet sizes are usually capped at modest levels. By contrast, in Australia, which began to deregulate the industry in the 1980s, punters can lose as much as $1,150 an hour.

Despite Australias profitability, the high level of existing gambling penetration and relatively small population of 23m make it a relatively mature market without much room for expansion. The biggest prize by far is the United States, where bettors total losses reached $117bn last year. The untapped potential is enormous: Americans wagered $150bn illegally on sports alone last year, by one estimate. However, the countrys Puritan tendencies have kept the industrys growth in check, and spending per person has remained static for a decade. Online gaming, which accounts for a third of spending in some countries, is legal in just three states after a federal clampdown in 2011, while sports betting is fully legal in just one. As a result, Ireland and Finland, which have opened up online markets, recently overtook America in spending per person. Singapore also keeps a tight lid on the range of legal betting options, and has seen industry revenues fall off as a result.

A different type of regulation has curbed gaming in China. Just three years ago, H2G expected China (including Macau and Hong Kong) to surpass America as the worlds biggest market in 2020. But in 2013 the government announced a crackdown on corruption, which prevented Chinese government officials from entertaining in the casinos of Macau. The industrys profits in China promptly fell by 20%, and have barely recovered. That precipitous decline caused overall global winnings to drop in 2015the first dip since 2003, when H2Gs data begin.

In contrast, gaming firms may be set to hit the jackpot in Japan. Although the country is still the worlds third-largest gambling market, annual revenues have been declining steadily since 2003 amid tight regulation. Ingenious firms have come up with work-arounds to remain within the law: pachinko, a popular game akin to pinball, avoids being classified as gambling by giving special prizes, which can be traded for cash at kiosks separate from the pachinko parlours. Such subterfuge may no longer be necessary, thanks to a law passed in December that will permit casinos for the first time. Foreign operators are expected to line up to build them. H2G estimates that they could swell winnings by 50% in the first year of opening. That is good news for the industry, if not for Japanese punters wallets.

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Gov. Eddie Calvo has allowed casino operations at the carnival grounds on a regular basis while gambling is illegal.

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Pacific Daily News 5:12 p.m. ChT Feb. 11, 2017

Sunday cartoon for 02/12(Photo: Roland Miranda/For PDN)

While the voters of Guam have repeatedly rejected attempts to legalize gambling, Gov. Eddie Calvo has allowed casino operations at the carnival grounds on a regular basis.

The casino was supposed to close at the end of the Guam Island Fair Liberation Day Carnival in August, but the gambling operations Texas HoldEm, roulette, blackjack, baccarat and other games were extended. Then, mayors started using the casino for their village fiestas on weekends, with approval from Calvo. Jose Cruz, president of Linala Sin Casino, recently wrote a letter to Attorney General Elizabeth Barrett-Anderson and Rev and Tax Director John Camacho, asking them to investigate the ongoing use of the Tiyan carnival fairgrounds for fiesta-related casino events on weekends.

The Mayors Council or GovGuam insists on continuing this activity in spite of numerous occasions where the people of Guam have resoundingly rejected casino gambling on our island, Cruz wrote.

Sinajana Mayor Robert Hofmann said its because many villages dont have the facilities to offer gambling during their fiestas.

Every district is different in size and capabilities, some mayors have it there some mayors dont, Hofmann said.

He also said the proceeds from the casino go toward programs in the villages. He said Sinajana has raised about $2,500 from gambling. But there is a lack of accountability with casino operations. How much money did the casino make during the carnival, and how much of that went to the mayors and villages? How much does the casino pull in during fiestas, and how much of that goes to community programs? Mayors need to provide this information in an open and transparent manner on a regular basis. And the Calvo administration needs to re-evaluate whether the casino in Tiyan should continue to be used for gambling on a regular basis.

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OUR VIEW: Transparency needed in gambling operations - Pacific Daily News