Category Archives: Gambling

I recently spent a weekend in Oklahoma to attend a funeral. As my dearly departed loved one would have wanted, we put the "fun" in funeral by spending part of our trip at the casino. It was also a logistical necessity as the casino was the only decent hotel anywhere near where the funeral was to be held.

My family and I caught up with each other, cheered each other on, and remembered the good times. It took a tremendous amount of stress and sorrow off our backs. Certainly, I'll remember saying goodbye to one, but I'll also remember saying "see you soon" to many.

There were several of us staying at the hotel, eating food at the hotel, and sinking $20s into the slots. It was hundreds of Texas dollars going into Oklahoma machines. In this instance, it would have been Oklahoma that got our money no matter what, but what if it had been the other way around? No Oklahomans are spending any gambling dollars in Texas, because virtually no one is. Texas has some of the strictest laws against gambling in the U.S., even though most Texans support legalized gambling. What gives?

Under Texas law, (Penal Code 47.02) gambling is considered a criminaloffense if someone:

The only exceptions are charity bingo, charity raffles and sports charity raffles. But shouldn't Native American tribes also be an exception?

The Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino has been legally embattledwiththe State of Texas, but has managed to stay in business, fighting tooth and nail to do so. Speaking Rockwas closed by the state even though a subsequent ruling determined it never should have been. It's currently operating as an entertainment center, but working on a returnto casino gaming.

Tons of money and effort has been spentto make gambling in Texas legal, but those efforts have fallen flat despite Texans wanting legal casino gambling. What it really comes down to is the support of just a very few people in power:

A bill to legalize casinos would require the approval of Gov. Greg Abbott. His previous statements on the issue signal that may be unlikely.

To be fair, it's possible that Gov. Abbott has warmed to casino gambling since his prior condemnation of it. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has said hebelieves, "gambling legislation will probably be unsuccessful due to the issue being fraught with 'competing interests.'"

What on earth are those "competing interests"?

Regardless, if the issue is ever successfully brought to a vote by Texans, it wouldn't need gubernatorial support. Based on polls, it would likely pass. Here's hoping the right person in power does the right thing for our Texas economy, and brings gambling legislation to a vote.

11 Great Places To Get Queso In Lubbock

A large and lovely San Antonio home for sale has an unusual amenity- natural, assessable, and majestic caverns on the property

Top 12 Dive Bars in Lubbock

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As OK Rakes In Cash, Why Is Texas Stubborn About Gambling? - KFMX-FM

The Star has lost a case in a Sydney court as the law sided with David Joe, a gambler with disability who asked a friend of his to help him operate gambling machines which led to a jackpot back on October 25, 2019. Since then, the casino had refused to pay out the $285,000 jackpot, triggering a lengthy court battle instead.

Last Friday, though, the saga came to an end as Joe won the case in the District Court and is now entitled to payment of $320,000, which is the original jackpot amount and interest. In his complaint, Joe argued that The Star had refused to pay a jackpot he had won.

Joe, who suffers from motor neuron disease and is a Platinum Vantage VIP member at the casino, was denied the jackpot after the casino established that one Lois Lie, a friend of Joes, had helped him play the pokies. The pair used $10 and won the jackpot from the Year of The Tiger slot machine. A court document revealed the opinion of Judge Robert Montgomery who ruled in the case:

In the context of their playing machines for several hours, Mr Joe truly significant disability, plainly deprived him of the ability to operate the machines himself for enjoyment.

Joe argued that he had asked The Star if a friend can help him operating the pokies. The issue only came after the jackpot had been won, Joe told the court. But the problem here had to do with the fact that Lie himself had been excluded from casinos and could not be granted any winnings as a result.

Lie became part of a self-exclusion list back in October 2016. However, Judge Montgomery concluded that it was Joe who had undertaken the financial risk. The Judge acknowledged that it was Lie acting in the stead of Joe, but only under the latter mans strict instructions. Joe was unaware that Lie had been banned from casinos as well.

However, the court stressed that since Lie could enter, the exclusion order had been lifted since the gambler had no problems with gaining access to the premises. Accordingly, failure to pay the winnings to Mr Joe was misconceived and breached the contract of wager between the plaintiff and the defendant, the ruling said. The Star will also have to cover Joes legal costs and pay the amount owed in full.

Star Sydney recently won a court case against a gambler who alleged that the property owed him around $660,000.

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The Star to Pay $320K Jackpot to Gambler with Disability - GamblingNews.com

A GAMBLER has revealed how players can take advantage of free perks while racking up their credit card points.

The lottery fan, known as Queen of Media, encouraged gamblers to sign up for casino clubs.

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She said that players wont just be rewarded with free hotels but they may be flown out to destinations on plush airlines.

The influencer claimed they will also pay for a players guest if they sign up for a card.

She said firms will take care of transportation and they may even hold events in line with special occasions.

The gambling expert said players may be offered extra freebies such as tickets to sporting events.

She said: The reason you should do it, instead of paying for your own airfare to get there, even if you get reimbursed its up to a certain amount. They take care of everything.

The gambler revealed shes a member of airline loyalty programs, which allows her to get extra benefits.

She claimed that she gets points based on the tickets that airlines have bought.

It means that the player doesnt have to buy tickets to accumulate her points.

The Sun has revealed several tales where gamblers have been successful when playing the game of chance.

Frequent casino player Robert Arcueno won $1.5million after playing with just one cent on August 5.

Arcueno is a platinum member at the Thunder Valley Casino and gamblers must accumulate at least 50,000 points in order to achieve the status, according toPlay USA.

This means that its likely he spent more than a cent on his way to achieving the stunning win.

It's not known how many points contributed to his victory.

Thunder Valley general manager Dawn Clayton said the casino was thrilled that Arcueno won the prize.

She said: Every slot machine in the casino is wired into our exciting Thunder Strike Jackpot, which can strike on any slot at any time.

You never know when you will hit it big, and Thunder Valley is the place to test your luck.

Earlier this month, a first-timelotteryplayer, fromMaryland, bought ascratchcard and scooped a $50,000 prize.

The winner, who hasn't been identified, toldMaryland Lottery: I was confused and surprised at the same time. I really didnt know that I was a winner.

There are more than 776,000 prize-winning scratchcards in circulation and the odds of winning a prize is one in 3.77.

This means that the lottery player defied odds of three million to one.

Experts have offered their tips to punters who desperately want to win a prize.

Joey Adelman said: The best chances of winning are if you spend the most money.

Winning the jackpot is incredibly difficult but Parquita Nassau hasoffered some pointersto help those win some money even if its not the big prize.

She urged gamblers to consider playing scratch-off games where smaller prizes are up for grabs.

She also called on players to scan their tickets themselves and not to throw them away.

Experts behind the site casino.orghave compiled a list of thenine best waysto help you secure a win when playing.

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Im a gambling pro I get free hotels, flights and event tickets while accumulating credit card points, he... - The US Sun

Many seasoned bettors have enoughcrazy gambling stories to fill a warehouse.

I have a few of my own that I have shared over the years. From entering a casino with less than ten bucks and leaving with just short of $3k to watching a croupier lose his mind and punch a player, Im not short on betting anecdotes. But today, I wont be talking about my experiences.

Instead, Ill be regaling some of the best gambling stories of all time. These accounts include insane wagers, outlandish bets, and even a gruesome murder.

If youre looking for unbelievable tales to share with your poker buddies, start with the craziest gambling stories of all-time.

4. When Going All-In Pays Out

One of the best stories about gambling ever emerging from Britain relates to a guy named Ashley Revell. In absolute chaos, the quirky Englishman took the ballsy decision to sell everything he owned worldwide, with 76,840 (around $150,000 in todays money) to show for it.

That wasnt enough for the Brit, who then legally changed his name to Ashley Blue Square Revell. In agreeing to do so, the Blue Square online betting site paid him. This contributed to an increase in the spare cash he had.

Now, youre probably wondering why Revell needed the money.

Well, it was for gambling purposes. Clearly.

Revell took his cash to the Plaza Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, which was filmed as part of a Sky TV documentary namedDouble or Nothing.

Not for a mammoth gambling session, however. The gutsy gambler instead decided to put it all down on red and see what happens. Well, he was lucky as the ball landed on 7 red, doubling his money instantly.

A brave move. Had he lost, would he have been in the same league as some of the worst gamblers of all time?

Winning money is an art; like with most arts, connoisseurs have a lasting fondness for the greats. Of course, amassing stacks of money is one thing. But holding onto it is what separates the red-handed vulgarians from the masters that stand tall in the...

3. Trump-Linked Whale Meets a Grizzly Death

When it comes to truly insane gambling stories, this one is up there.

In the 1990s, a Japanese real estate investor namedAkio Kashiwagi was an enigmatic figure in the gambling world. Rumored to have been linked with the Yakuza, the uber-wealthy businessman was considered one of the biggest whales in the world.

Kashiwagis game of choice was baccarat. He routinely engaged in high-stakes games, dropping upwards of $200k on a single hand. Naturally, players like the Tokyo-based magnate are desirable customers to casino bossesespecially those of the ilk of former President of the United States, Donald Trump.

It wasnt long before Trump convinced Kashiwagi to pay him a visit in Atlantic City.

As the owner of three casinos, the former president expected to see some cash hit the coffers due to the Japanese gamblers excessive betting habits. Things didnt work out that way, however.

Remember that scene from Scorceses 1995 epic,Casino? The one with the Asian businessman who initially takes the house for a lot of money? That was based on Kashiwagi.

Kashiwagi took the former POTUS for $6 million, which reportedly left Trump far from impressed. So, being a businessman and all, Trump proposed a double or nothing offer the Japanese gambler was to come back and bet $12 million or lose the six.

Not only did he lose all of the money, but he also left with $10 million owed to the house. It later turned out that he was already deep in debt to casinos in other parts of the world.

Trump would never see the money repaid.Kashiwagi was brutally murderedin his home, having been stabbed up to 150 times with a samurai sword. The case remains unsolved and is widely considered one of thecrazy gambling stories of all time.

2. Lady Luck Saves FedEx from Collapse

From a harrowing tragedy to something a little more upbeat.

Well, that is unless you have a rabid hatred for FedEx. Which so many people do. Nonetheless, this is one of the best gambling stories I have ever heard.

In 1971, Frederick W. Smith foundedFederal Express Corporation. Known today as FedEx, it is a billion-dollar company that operates in over 200 countries worldwide. However, just three years after its launch, the company was screwed. With just $5,000 in the company account, it was destined for the scrap heap.

That was until Smith decided that divine intervention was needed. So, he grabbed the remaining 5k and took a plane to Las Vegas as you do.

Smith wasted no time getting down to business, setting up shop on a blackjack table. To see his plan work, he would need to raise at least $24,000 to pay the companys fuel bills. In one of the best stories about gambling youll ever hear, he managed to do better, leaving with $32,000.

With the funds, Smith had enough to keep the company alive. This led to attracting investment that would help him to raise $3.5m in profit just a few years later.

In 2022, FedExs annual revenue was $93.5 billion before the 4th quarter. Considering that, its easy to see why this is among the top tier ofcrazy gambling stories.

1. Michael Jordans Bribe Nets Him Some Cash

Jordans craziest gambling story? There are a few to choose from.

The man is a walking book of thebest gambling stories in sports. Some of them are a little darker than others. For example, the theory that Jordans father, James, was murdered over his sons gambling debts. One that was affirmed by former Mafioso, Michael Franzese.

Jordansinsane stories about gambling arent all dark, however.

The Chicago Bulls legend is known to enjoy a bet. From playing $100,000 holes in golf. Charles Barkley, another basketball player with a penchant for gambling, has previously spoken out about MJs constant thrill-seeking nature.

Back when I would play, it was pretty much even [between me and MJ]. But I tell you what, and I apologize to Michael for saying this wed be playing golf with certain people, and wed be playing a couple of hundred dollars a hole. But hed be playing some guy for $100,000.Charles Barkley Former NBA Player

Perhaps the one story of Jordans I enjoy more than any other is the baggage bet one. As it goes, the Bulls had landed in Portland and were waiting for their luggage. Jordan threw $100 down, challenging anyone to bet against his bags coming out first.

Naturally, the odds for this prop were heavily against the greatest player of all time. Nine of his fellow players put their money down, only to lose it all. Jordans bags indeed came out first.

It was no matter of luck, however. He had previously bribed a baggage handler to ensure his wager was a winner.

Best Way to Avoid Bad Gambling Stories of Your Own

Having run through four of the best gambling stories of all time, your synapses might be firing.

Some were intense. Ill give you that. Downright bizarre, too. But while many of thecrazy stories involving gambling are humorous, its no laughing matter when you find yourself down a couple of hundred. Or with silicone breasts.

The best gambling story is probably one that doesnt require retelling.

See that quote up there? Thats wise.

What does it mean, you ask? Well, most nutty stories about gambling typically involve something going awry. When I bet, I certainly dont want that. Instead, Id prefer a nice, normal, nothing-out-of-the-blue run when playing my favorite games.

The best way to ensure that is by choosing my bets wisely and more, choosingwhereI bet with the utmost wisdom. One of the smartest things to do when preparing to gamble? Locating the very best casinos. Ill leave you with the best the internet has to offer below.

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The Best Gambling Stories That Are Almost Too Crazy to Believe - Gambling Sites

In recent years, humanity has seen its fair share of major catastrophes, the latest of which have made a dent in our wallets due to inflation, recession and rising prices. Even though most industries are affected by this, the ramifications are by no means shared equally across all of them.

Will the gambling market be able to get through this unscathed? Lets see whats brewing behind the scenes.

Inflation and the rising gas prices should, to some degree, affect every land-based business; at least, its reasonable to expect such a scenario. However, according to Bill Hornbuckle, CEO at MGM Resorts, this hasnt happened yet. Not only that; if we take a look at the reports that are coming from the American Gaming Association, Mays revenue for this industry is actually up 7.9% compared to the same month last year. On top of that, the three months leading up to it have been record-breaking, effectively surpassing the $5 billion revenue mark each.

On the other hand, casino stocks have plummeted considerably, striking fear in the hearts of investors and traders. Looking at some of the big names, Caesars Entertainment stock went down by 50% this quarter, Ballys by 40%, MGM Resorts by 35%. Given the commercial success of casinos in this period, this comes as a surprise. In fact, most casino executives have yet to notice any signs of things slowing down.

The discrepancy between peoples expectations and the market reality is a good example of an educated guess going wrong. As most stock trading is done based on speculation, sometimes people succumb to the fear of a potential market crash, so they start panic-selling their shares. This is what seems to be going on in this example as well even though the peoples decision to start mass-selling their casino stocks seemed completely rational at the time, the market voted otherwise and this is the ensuing situation. Given how most of the world is lifting anti-COVID measures, one can expect a likely travel rebound in 2023.

Although most casinos are in high spirits, not all of them share the narrative. Derek Stevens, who owns three casino properties in Las Vegas, is noticing an accelerated trend of casino ATM cash withdrawals, with every weekend reportedly being worse than the other. This has resulted in a reduction of business volume for slots, table games and bars. Las Vegas hotel bookings, on the other hand, are going as strong as ever. Apparently, the spending is still there, but slightly redistributed from what tends to be the norm.

Ever since the first COVID lockdowns, the online gambling market has been soaring, and since playing at an online casino requires you to spend zero money on fuel, this is unlikely to have an effect on the industry. The only thing that could potentially shake it up is a reduction in peoples purchasing power, meaning they will need to rethink their spending habits.

Other than that, the online gambling market is positioned quite well, with many technological additions being implemented almost on a daily basis, ranging from chatbots and all the way to personalization and live-streamed games. This is further supported by the fact that accessing the internet and smart devices is now more affordable than ever. In the states where gambling is legal, things are going very well in the online space. In fact, the online gambling market is expected to hit $1 trillion this year. To get a glimpse at how well the online gambling market is doing in the UK, check out the source provided below.

Source: https://casinomir.com/casinos-not-on-gamstop/

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Pandemic, European War & Recession Is the Gambling Market Affected? - Study Breaks

In response to a recent letter from a resident who stated that Ocala/Marion County should have a casino, two more residents wrote in to voice their opinions on the topic.

A previous letter stating that Marion County should have casino-style slot games is absolutely correct. We have off track or intertrack wagering. We have a horse track being wasted. We have poker card games out at the old jai alai, so why not add slots? And let the horses run. Designate a percentage of the take to the sheriff and everybody wins, says Guy Mongello, Ocala resident.

Gambling and slot machines are all rigged. What about state-of-the-art indoor pickleball courts with bowling, along with any other indoor activities that everyone can enjoy without throwing their money away on gambling, says Ocala resident Wayne Stein.

Would you like to share your thoughts with us? Share them in a comment or by writing a Letter to the Editor.

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Two Ocala residents share thoughts on casinos, gambling - Ocala News

Regarding sports gambling, several common pitfalls can trip up even the savviest of bettors. In this article, well look at some of the most common mistakes made by sports gamblers and how you can avoid them to improve your chances of winning. asianbookie handicap can further help in making sound decisions.

One of the most common mistakes made by sports bettors is failing to shop around for the best lines. With so many different sportsbooks available online, theres no excuse for not taking the time to find the lines that offer the most value. Remember, even a tiny difference in odds can significantly impact your bottom line, so its well worth the effort to shop around.

Another common mistake is chasing losses in an attempt to recoup money that has been lost on previous bets. This is a dangerous proposition, as it can quickly lead to larger and larger bets to make up for previous losses. If you find yourself on a losing streak, its best to take a step back and reassess your betting strategy instead of chasing more losses.

Another common pitfall is betting on too many games, making hasty and poor betting choices. Its important to remember that you cant win them all, and trying to bet on every game is a surefire way to end up in the red. Instead, focus on a smaller number of games and put more thought into each bet.

Another mistake that is commonly made is failing to manage your bankroll correctly. Your bankroll is the amount of money you have set aside for betting, and its important to remember that it should be treated as such. Failing to manage your bankroll correctly can lead to chasing losses (as we mentioned above) and impulsive bets that are not well thought out.

One of the biggest mistakes that sports bettors make is not having a plan. Before you place a bet, you must clearly know what you hope to achieve and how you intend to go about it. Without a plan, its too easy to make impulsive bets that are not well thought out, which can quickly lead to losses.

Even if you have a plan, its essential to stick to it. Once youve made a betting decision, it can be tempting to second-guess yourself and try to chase losses or recoup money lost on previous bets. However, this is a recipe for disaster and will only lead to more losses.

One of the biggest mistakes that sports bettors make is betting with emotion. When you allow your emotions to guide your bets, youre far more likely to make impulsive and irrational decisions. This can quickly lead to significant losses, so keeping your emotions in check when placing bets is essential.

Another mistake that is often made is failing to keep track of your bets. Remembering how much you win or lose on each bet is essential to making informed decisions. Without keeping track of your bets, improving your betting strategy and making more money wont be accessible in the long run.

Many sportsbooks offer promotions to invite customers and keep existing ones incentivized. This can be a reliable way to increase your bank, so its a mistake not to take advantage of them. Shop around for the best ones available before placing any bets.

If you can avoid these common mistakes, youll be well to becoming a successful sports bettor. Remember to shop for the best lines, manage your bankroll correctly, and stick to a well-thought-out plan. With some discipline, you can significantly improve your chances of winning.

DISCLAIMER:

We may receive commissions and other revenues from this article. We are a paid partner of organizations mentioned in this article.

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How to Avoid the Common Pitfalls of Sports Gambling - My MMA News.com

BANGKOK, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Thai police have arrested a Chinese fugitive wanted by Beijing for allegedly running illegal online gambling operations and will soon extradite him to China, the police told Reuters on Monday.

She Zhijiang, 40, a Chinese national who also holds a Cambodian passport, was arrested last week based on an international warrant and an Interpol red notice, Thailand's deputy police spokesman Kissana Phathanacharoen said.

According to Chinese news outlet Caixin, She has been on the run from the Chinese authorities since 2012 and has been involved with illegal online gambling operations in Southeast Asia.

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China's embassy in Thailand did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Gambling is illegal in mainland China and online gaming operators, mostly targeting Chinese gamblers, have flourished in Southeast Asia in recent years.

"He is a suspect that the Chinese authority wants... The extradition process to China is currently ongoing," Phathanacharoen said.

According to media reports, She is the chairman of Yatai International Holdings Group, which has made gaming investments in Cambodia, the Philippines and, most recently, developed the $15 billion casino, entertainment and tourism complex in Myanmar's Kayin State called Shwe Kokko.

Cambodia banned online gambling in 2019 after it said the industry has been used by foreign criminals to extort customers and launder illicit earnings, following the proliferation of Chinese-run casinos in the country.

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Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um, editing by Ed Osmond

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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Thai police arrest suspected Chinese gambling kingpin - Reuters.com

Plymouth police said they found an illegal gambling club while responding to a report of a disturbance and assault in May. They have arrested the man suspected of running the facility it as well as another man who is accused of stealing from the club.

Officers responded to South Main Street just after 1:30 a.m. on May 19 and light-blocking curtains prevented police from seeing inside, police said.

They found there was a disturbance inside. When officers went in, they found the storefront was an underground gambling house, with a poker table and poker chips as well as a game of chance, police said.

Police said David Stern, 31, of Thomaston, was operating an illegal gambling facility called The Club Hou$e four days a week. They said the games were advertised on social media and Stern and the club collected 10% of each poker hand.

Stern was charged with illegal gambling, possession of a gambling device and gambling premises as a nuisance. He was released on $10,000 bond and is due in New Britain Superior Court on Sept. 12.

Police also charged a 33-year-old Barkhamsted man. They said he was gambling at the facility and was involved in the disturbance in May, then went back the next morning and stole several items from the business to get back at the club.

He was charged with burglary in the third degree, larcenyin the sixth degree and illegal gambling.

Police said they expect to make more arrests.

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Disturbance Call Leads to Discovery of Illegal Gambling Facility in Plymouth: Police - NBC Connecticut

As Massachusetts welcomed a slots parlor and two resort casinos, researchers dont know if or how many more people fell into addiction.

As an addiction psychiatrist, I can tell you its really important to track [problem gambling] like its COVID or monkeypox, said Dr. Timothy Fong, who co-directs UCLAs gambling studies program. If we dont know what the trends are, how can we stay in front of prevention and treatment?

Now with sports betting legalized and on its way to casinos and residents phones, some experts say Massachusetts may see an increase in the number of people struggling with problem gambling, a term encompassing gambling addictions and other forms of harmful, repetitive gambling.

When asked if the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is tracking the prevalence of problem gambling over time, its top official offered a non-answer.

We may not have the precise number of problem gamblers, and I cant say that we dont have that, said commission chairwoman Cathy Judd-Stein. I know we have a general percentage based on all of that research, and its a small percentage.

Among other measures, the 2011 law mandated an unprecedented baseline research program and regular follow-ups to take stock of problem gambling in Massachusetts. The commission partnered with GameSense, an on-site help center designed to encourage responsible play and act as a safe haven for problem gamblers on the casino floor.

The statute made a big commitment to research, and we pulled that out and blew it up into its biggest possible dimensions, said Steve Crosby, who led the commission during the initial casino buildup.

That baseline study, which began in 2013 with full results made public in 2015, was run out of UMass Amherst, and described itself as the largest problem gambling survey ever conducted in the United States. It found that about 2 percent of Massachusetts adults had a gambling problem, in line with national averages.

But Plainridge Park Casino, a Plainville racing track, set up a slot machine parlor in 2015; MGM Springfield, a resort casino, opened in 2018; and Encore Boston Harbor, a resort casino in Everett, opened in 2019.

A statewide follow-up to the baseline study has yet to be published, so lawmakers and regulators dont have a full understanding of whether the population of problem gamblers has increased, decreased, or stayed the same.

Mark Vander Linden, who heads up the responsible gaming research arm of the gaming commission, said that in the intervening time the commission has conducted site-specific follow-up studies at the Plainridge Park Casino and MGM Springfield. In the surrounding communities, there wasnt a significant increase in the prevalence of problem gambling, Vander Linden said.

Currently, the commission is analyzing the survey data of its baseline follow-up study to parse out the state of problem gambling in Massachusetts. Data was collected last year and the commission will publish its report next year, about a full decade after the original benchmark research launched, but potentially after sports betting becomes legally available across the state.

Clyde W. Barrow, a former UMass Dartmouth professor who studied the Massachusetts gambling industry, said that given how much gambling goes on in the state, surveying how many problem gamblers there are should be a regular task on the research agenda.

It should be done every two years, every five years, Barrow said. Its just basic survey research. Its not terribly expensive to do a basic analysis at all. Its something they should be doing on a regular basis.

That said, Barrow notes that most jurisdictions dont study problem gambling at all, let alone on some sort of regular interval, even if that interval is 10 years.

In 2015, Massachusetts was the first state in the country to adopt the Canada-based GameSense program, which runs information booths at each of the gambling sites available in the state. The states GameSense program, facilitated by the gaming commission, is run by the nonprofit Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health.

Keith Whyte, of the National Council on Problem Gambling, said that most public health issues like smoking and alcoholism have extensive research behind the campaigns to help stanch them.

But thats not always the case with gambling. Marlene Warner, executive director of the Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health, said the current data collection and analysis amounts to bean counting, but the nonprofit is bringing in a third-party evaluator to make a more conclusive report in the coming months.

The state has released some reports on GameSenses ability to reach struggling gamblers and encourage responsible play. The most comprehensive report, published four years ago, focused on the GameSense booth at Plainridge Park Casino. Survey respondents said they were satisfied with interactions with GameSense advisers, but mostly didnt report changes in gambling behavior.

And legal sports betting will begin in a sports-crazed state, now that Governor Charlie Baker signed sports betting into law. Legislators have promised safeguards for the new way to wager money.

If you look objectively at the more than 30 states that have legalized sports betting, said state Senator Eric P. Lesser, who coauthored the sports betting compromise, we are by far the strictest and will have the most significant consumer protections surrounding it.

The bill includes a list of measures to preempt problem gambling, including a requirement that casinos present a plan to the commission on how they will responsibly bring sports betting into the fold.

Vander Linden, the commissions gambling researcher, couldnt say based off of the baseline data if Massachusetts might see a hike in problem gamblers under sports betting, but said it could be a factor in increasing risk.

The more types of games [patrons] view or interact with, the higher risk of developing a gambling problem, Vander Linden said. Understanding sports wagering behavior is something that were very invested in.

The commission survey following up on the original baseline included questions about sports wagering. The commissions annual report last year included a study co-led by UMass Amherst professor Rachel Volberg that tracked problem gamblers health over time. It concluded that betting on sports is considered one of the strongest predictive variables of problem gambling. But more research is needed.

Ultimately though, Volberg said to temper expectations for what sports betting will bring.

With any new form of gambling, Volberg said, its not going to be as bad as you think it is, but its not going to be as good as you hope it will be.

Researchers like Barrow say they just hope that the state will have the numbers to back it up.

Material from the State House News Service was used in this report.

Simon J. Levien can be reached at simon.levien@globe.com. Follow him on twiitter @simonjlevien.

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Mass. gaming regulators don't seem to know how many residents in the state have a gambling problem. Now, sports betting is legal. - The Boston Globe