Category Archives: Gambling

In the United States of America, we love sports, we love betting, and we love rankings.

There are rankings for the best hot dog, best pizza topping, and the best type of hot dog as a pizza topping (gross), so PlayUSA decided to do a current ranking of the key states in the US gambling and US online gambling industry.

Its like each state was a football team and gambling was the game. Whos winning? Whos hot? What state is overachieving, and which ones arent?

Were talking US online casinos and brick and mortar. Different states have different offerings and dont get me started on just what each states governing body shows regarding revenue and profits and what they dont.

Our PlayUSA Top 10 Money Makers rankings (working title) will be a blend of objective matters, like, real dollars and cents, but also subjective.

Ohio isnt legalizing sports betting until Jan. 1, 2023, but are they going to be a big player when they do? Do they deserve to be on the list? The answer is yes.

But where would they rank?

I think the thing Americans love most these days is arguing. Lets spark some debate with the PlayUSA Top 10.

Arizona mobile sportsbook operators: 18

Population: 7.1 million

Casinos: 36

Money matters: First, props to Arizona for having one of the cleanest and easiest to understand revenue reports, but for purposes of our rankings, we dont want to focus so much on revenue, adjusted gross revenue, and tax rates.

Do you know why? Because every state has different metrics and different tax rates. Show PlayUSA the money. Show us the handles, how much money was bet. Period.

The latest numbers for Arizona show wagers for April were $512 million. It was down from March, but every states numbers were basically down from March. Arizona has a good infrastructure but doesnt get the same love as its Nevada neighbor.

Indiana mobile sportsbook operators: 13

Population: 6.7 million

Casinos: 13

Money matters: Indiana is that state that you didnt know was doing so well but has become a beacon of smart casino management. Whether that holds up long-term with the growth of state No. 8 remains to be seen.

Indiana also does an amazing job breaking down its revenue reports (hey, thats a plus for the guy doing the rankings). For May, it showed a total handle for sports betting of $308 million, which was down from $360 in April.

We also know that sports betting handle isnt the perfect indicator of a states overall casino industry health, but it is a huge clue, and Indiana is healthy and strong. When you look at the states population and the total handle, Indiana is a winner.

Illinois mobile sportsbook operators: 7

Population: 12.8 million

Casinos: 11

Money matters: We ding Illinois for not showing the handle, just the adjusted gross revenue for its 11 casino locations. That number (AGR) has held steady at over $110 million for the last three months.

Illinois makes this list, though, because of its potential mixed with what it currently offers. When the big casino opens on Chicagos North Side, it will be a game-changer.

Virginia mobile sportsbook operators: 14

Population: 8.6 million

Casino: 1, temporary casino opening Friday in Bristol

Money matters: The sports wagering handle for April was just short of $400 million. Virginia is still tapping its potential as a major gambling market.

With the District of Columbia having all kinds of weird restrictions that arent going away any time soon, Virginia is poised to grow. Four cities, starting with Bristol, will have brick-and-mortar casinos in the coming years. But those unregulated gray gambling machines have got to go.

Ohio mobile sportsbook operators: TBA

Population: 11.8 million

Casinos: 11

Money matters: Ohio took a different track from other states regarding sports betting, setting one universal launch date of Jan. 1, 2023. Its in the process of soliciting operators and handing out licenses.

All that stuff is boring for people in Ohio. They like their football in Ohio, and its a bummer they will miss out on betting on the upcoming season.

Meanwhile, the Ohio Casino Control Commission reported revenue of $81 million for June. Thats the fourth straight month it has dropped since a peak of $93 million in March. Wed still rather see the handle numbers.

Michigan mobile sportsbook operators: 15

Population: 10 million

Casinos: 25

Money matters: Here we go. Michigan isnt afraid to show its big numbers. The three Detroit casinos reported $108.7 million in May revenue, but thats down from the numbers in March and April.

Lets note two things about all the revenue numbers: 1. Inflation is a factor, and 2. summer means fewer sports to bet on and different summer vacation plans.

Michigan showed $333 sports betting handle in May. Thats the lowest its been all year. The Ohio/Michigan rivalry will be fun to watch.

Pennsylvania mobile sportsbook operators: 14

Population: 13 million

Casinos: 16

Money matters: There have been huge numbers coming out of Pennsylvania. For May, the total handle was $493 million for sports wagering, but thats way off of the $714 million for March.

Casino revenue has also tapered off. LIVE Casino Philadelphias gross wagers were down for the second straight month, so Pennsylvania gets penalized a bit here, but its overall numbers are still huge.

New Jersey mobile sportsbook operators: 21

Population: 9.3 million

Casinos: 20

Money matters: Bettors put down $766.4 million on sports in May. In May. When there is nothing really to bet on. Just wait until football season. The revenue numbers for New Jerseys land-based casinos were relatively flat at $233 million.

But the best news in New Jersey in the last week was the fact that the operators negotiated a deal with workers in Atlantic City and avoided a strike. No one was buying the argument that the casinos were sharing too much revenue with their partners. Some of that money had to go back to the workforce.

New York mobile sportsbook operators: 8

Population: 20.2 million

Casinos: 24

Money matters: The state with the biggest population on this list has to rank high. It has systemic advantages. Think of it like Ohio State in college football. Its big and getting better all the time.

New York does its industry reports by the week, which makes it a bit of an outlier. It reported a $1.3 billion handle in May for online sportsbooks, and for the week ending on June 26, it had $218 million. You cant ignore the numbers.

Now, whats going to happen with a land-based casino in New York City? Is it a dream? A reality?

Nevada mobile sportsbook operators: Over a dozen, many linked to casinos.

Population: 3.1 million

Casinos: 334

Money matters: If New York is the Ohio State, then Nevada is Alabama, always the favorite, even though it can be beaten from time to time. Nevada reported its best May ever with a $1.3 billion gaming win for the casinos.

Nevada/Las Vegas is still the leader of American gambling and are No. 1, but there are lots of challenges and even more competition coming.

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US Gambling Top 10 States As Ranked By PlayUSA - PlayUSA

In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a ban on sports betting in most states in the country, and since then, more than two dozen states have legalzied some form of gambling on athletic competitions.

But if you want to wager legally on sports in California, you still basically have one choice: horse racing, at places like the historic Santa Anita Park Racetrack in Arcadia.

Santa Anita opened in 1934 and still attracts devoted fans of racing and betting like Stanley Duran, who comes as often as he can. For him, the track is a home away from home.

I mean I like to gamble. Its entertainment for me. More gambling, more fun, says Duran.

But sports betting in California could soon explode far beyond the racetrack, with legal wagering allowed on pretty much all professional and college competitions.

A ballot measure backed by Native American gaming tribes would allow sports betting in reservation casinos and horse racing tracks. It has qualified for the November ballot.

Meanwhile, a competing measure is also on the ballot. It would allow online gambling that you could do from a smartphone or other digital device, anywhere and anytime. Its backed by online sports betting companies like FanDuel, DraftKings and BetMGM, which say theyre ready to spend more than $100 million to pass the ballot measure.

At Santa Anita, gambler and sports fan Daniel Chavez loves the idea of being able to bet on something other than horses.

I think its awesome that we could bet on any kind of sport, says Chavez. Its not hurting nobody. If you want to make your money, you should be able to spend it in the way you want.

Gambling addicts stand to lose

But theres a group of Californians who deeply fear the prospect of sports betting becoming legal in the state and the damage it could do to their lives. Theyre recovering gambling addicts, likeHarold A., who didnt want to use his last name to protect his privacy.

Harold says an addiction to gambling is as powerful as an addiction to drugs and alcohol.

Well, it's a disease, okay? says Harold. It's compulsive addictive behavior. And it's no different than other compulsive, addictive behaviors. This is something that can be arrested, but can never be cured.

Harold, whos been in recovery for decades with the help of Gamblers Anonymous, says his addiction nearly destroyed his life, as debts mounted and family ties broke.

I was the hamster on the wheel. I was running from the card room to the racetrack to the cocaine dealer, says Harold. I mean, I had every seat on the Titanic, as they say in recovery, and no seats were any good.

Harold fears legal sports betting could tempt him and others in addiction recovery back to reckless gambling. My reaction personally? I'm worried, I'm worried, Harold says.

Harolds also worried a new generation of gambling addicts will be created, lured into sports betting by the ease of mobile wagering combined with glossy marketing campaigns the gambling industry has already unveiled in other states.

The campaigns feature a whos who of Hollywood and sports celebrities, like Ben Affleck, Kevin Garnett, Drew Brees, and Jamie Foxx, all hawking the rush of sports betting.

Dr. Timothy Fong, co-director of UCLAs Gambling Studies Program, says about 1% of California residents have a gambling problem. Now, one out of 100 people, it doesn't sound like a lot, says Fong, but that's about the same percentage of men and women with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia or severe psychosis in the state of California.

Fong anticipates that if sports gambling becomes legal in California, especially mobile betting, addiction rates could double, potentially wrecking the lives of millions of people.

Fong says those most vulnerable to gambling addiction are the people who can least afford to lose money, like the poor and those with untreated psychiatric conditions and personal trauma.

Is the state prepared?

The California Department of Public Health has an Office of Problem Gambling that connects people falling into addiction with counseling services. When asked for this story about what the state is doing to prepare for a possible future where sports gambling is legal and fueling higher addiction rates, office director Robin Christensen and a Department of Public Health spokesperson demurred.

Later, the agency said by email that its consulting with other states that have legalized sports gambling about their experiences with addiction, but no details were provided.

Californias $4 million a year gambling addiction budget is underwritten by the gambling industry.

Recovering gambling addict Harold A. thinks that creates a conflict of interest and that the $4 million is peanuts.

That's a drop in the bucket, says Harold. We're talking about billions of dollars. This is a billion dollar industry.

The political push for more gambling

Meanwhile, with sports betting measures on the November ballot, the gambling industry is trying to build wider political and public support for the idea of wagering on athletic competitions.

The backers of the ballot measure that would legalize mobile betting promise that taxation of gambling revenue plus money earned from licensing fees will go to fund housing and mental health programs for the states homeless.

That earned legal sports gambling the support of some big city California mayors, like Robert Garcia of Long Beach.

For us, its all about homelesness dollars, says Garcia. When we heard that this initiative was looking into putting dollars into ongoing services, and cities would get substantial revenue, I think a lot of the mayors were very interested in this.

Mayor Robert Garcia of Long Beach is a proponent of legalizing sports gambling in the state if some of the betting revenue can be used to fund homeless services. Photo by Saul Gonzalez.

Gambling industry critics say whatever betting revenue is spent on fighting homelessness isnt a good trade if it leads to more addiction. Critics also say the money would just be a tiny fraction of what the industry could earn in the state.

If sports gambling does become legal in California, one study predicts $30 billion in bets could be wagered annually.

Thats why the gambling industry calls California the holy grail of sports betting.

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If CA legalizes sports betting, will gambling addiction boom? - KCRW

By the Editorial Board

Ghosting her competitors

Trudy Busch Valentine may be new to politics, but the Democratic candidate for Missouris open Senate seat apparently has already learned one strategic lesson and not an admirable one. Valentine has been dodging efforts to get her on a debate stage with her top primary opponent, Lucas Kunce. Her campaign hasnt responded to repeated invitations.

This is a standard maneuver for candidates who appear to be leading, as Valentine is, because it allows them to avoid direct questioning in forums they dont control while denying their opponents the chance to engage them. But its unfair to the voters and bad for democracy.

Valentine is an heir to the Busch beer fortune, a factor that has some Democrats excited about her prospects for putting up a realistic financial fight against the eventual Republican nominee in a red state. She has already garnered some big endorsements but that doesnt justify political cowardice.

People are also reading

The debate was to air this Tuesday on KMOV (Channel 4) and partner stations in Jefferson City and Joplin. Organizers still hope to stage a debate before the Aug. 2 primary.

Scales finally fall from Joe Rogans eyes

Podcaster Joe Rogan gained notoriety for spreading outright wrong information about the coronavirus and vaccines. His right-wing messaging so rankled musicians like Neil Young and Joni Mitchell that they delivered an ultimatum to Spotify: either drop Rogan, or well pull our music from the platform. Spotify opted to keep Rogan, its biggest seller, but did urge him to down down the rhetoric.

Boy, did Rogan tone it down.

He stated this week that he would no longer accept offers by ex-President Donald Trump to appear on the show. Hes such a polarizing figure that so many people felt like they could abandon their own ethics and morals and principles just to attack him and anybody who supports him because he is an existential threat to democracy itself, Rogan said.

It was enough to rankle other pro-Trump personalities like former adviser Steve Bannon, who labeled Rogans listeners as low information voters. Funny, but Rogans audience doesnt seem terribly different from the listeners Trump used to love to talk to.

Tasty for all eternity

The newest trend in gravestones is a delicious one: Some families are honoring loved ones by having their favorite family recipes engraved on their stones. The New York Times reports that in cemeteries across the U.S. and in other countries, family recipes mostly desserts are being immortalized alongside birth and death dates. The trend is driven in part by technology that allows more intricate and detailed engraving on the stones than was possible in the past.

Recipes are such a beautiful way of remembering people, one enthusiast of the practice, Allison C. Meier, of Brooklyn, told the newspaper. Youre still following in their footsteps and putting ingredients together the way they did.

There are some hazards to it, though. One monument containing a family fudge recipe called for too much vanilla due to a mistake by the engraver in 2000. A generation of cemetery visitors presumably made the too-runny fudge before the mistake was corrected almost 20 years later, the Times reported.

Phillips 66 gas and illegal gambling dont mix

Its sad when a global corporation does a better job of supporting Missouri law than Missouri lawmakers do. As legislators continue to allow an unlicensed gaming-machine industry to thumb its nose at state gambling statutes, Phillips 66 has publicly condemned the machines and has declared that its gas stations arent allowed to host them.

The thousands of electronic gaming machines at gas stations and bars around the state take in money from players and pay some of it back to lucky winners. This is the dictionary definition of gambling, but the machines owners refuse to submit to state licensing and oversight. They dont pay anything to the state, while drawing gambling dollars away from legitimate casinos that do.

The owners political muscle has thwarted legislative efforts to crack down. But as the Post-Dispatchs Kurt Erickson reports, Phillips 66 isnt playing their game. We expect the operators of these branded stations to abide by local and state laws, a spokesman said in an email. We do not condone illegal gambling or any other illegal activities. What a novel idea.

Next time, bring a zoom lens

The score so far this summer: sharks-4, bison-3, humans-0. Somethings seriously wrong with Team Human. In the last few weeks, according to various reports, there have been multiple interactions between humans and animals to the detriment of the former. Climate change is warming the waters, bringing sharks closer to the shore, believed to be a factor in many attacks. Human vigilance is the only short-term solution there.

But in the case of bison-versus-human attacks, chalk the casualties up to pure stupidity by humans, who frequently ignore signage and warnings from park rangers to keep respectable distances from the animals.

According to the National Park Service, bison can weigh up to 2,000 pounds. Their thrashing tails can be a forewarning of a pending attack. Too many people ignore the signs, thinking they can pose up close for that perfect photo for everyone to admire online.

Additionally, bison can run up to 35 miles per hour, making escape unlikely. The bison are defending their homes, just as humans would do if an intruder tried to come inside their abode. Bison are not a part of some outdoor photo-op petting zoo.

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Editorial: Short takes on evasion, persuasion, gambling and goring - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

It will be more difficult for online gambling companies to advertise their games of chance starting in 2023. The Netherlands will then ban several forms of advertisement, including sponsoring the shirts of sports teams, starting in 2025, Legal Protection Minister Franc Weerwind said on Friday.

The associated bill will be introduced in phases. A ban on untargeted advertising will come into effect in 2023. This concerns advertising that people have not actively shown an interest in, such as by using search engines online to find gambling websites. From 2024, online gambling companies will no longer be allowed to sponsor programs and events. A year later, there will be a ban on sponsoring sports facilities and shirts.

That means that sports clubs that are currently sponsored by online gambling companies have two and a half years to find other sponsors, according to the plan.

Online gambling became legalized and licensed in the Netherlands on October 1. This also made it possible for gaming platforms to advertise. The "deluge" of advertisements, which included famous Dutch people, led to great irritation among members of parliament in the Tweede Kamer.

Last week, Weerwind announced an immediate ban on the use of celebrities and role models in gambling advertisements. Famous people in gambling commercials were setting the wrong example as far as he is concerned.

However, the Tweede Kamer is pushing for a total ban. Weerwind believes he is fulfilling the wishes of MPs with the bill. "The Cabinet and I think sports are very important. But at the same time I want to suppress gambling and gambling addiction."

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Netherlands to heavily limit gambling adverts from 2023; Shirt sponsorship ban starts in 2025 - NL Times

Watching movies is another type of entertainment most people love because it is relaxing and keeps their minds off from day-to-day life. On the other hand, movies are also a big influencer. The characters, the genre, themovie theme, the plot, and how the story goes are determined on how the writer and the director wanted the actors to deliver the scene and what the story wanted to convey.

Gambling is a favorite genre in films may it be on television series or the movie itself. Writers and film industries are most likely attracted to the variety of stories inside the house of gambling, especially on the table itself. Cheating, greed, the act of fraud, and vengeance are prevalent in casino movies and crime as well. The lifestyle of the High rollers is emphasized in films. The outcome of gambling addiction, losing everything, and becoming a criminal is typical in gambling movies which gives a stigma to the moviegoers that gambling is wrong and is the work of the devil.

On the lighter side, gambling also has some good effects on people and is also portrayed in some movies The Card Counter, and animation like Hotel Transylvania and many others.

The online casino on the other hand is a type of iGaming which is very popular nowadays among virtual punters. Players who are not so into gambling became fascinated in gambling online because their games can be interactive (depending on the player), exciting, aid in memory retention and strategy, and the best part is winning. Casino sites like https://www.casinovibez.com/ introduce betting sites that are safe to play and offer casino games and loads of bonuses. A bonus is a gift from any casino from land-based to online for signing up to their site or establishment or it can be granted to the players for being loyal.

At present, there are no films related to online gambling but there are a lot of movies related to casinos and gambling. Here are the following.

It is a story of an aspiring writer who accepted a job as a croupier in a big-time casino to make ends meet. A 1998 film starred by Clive Owen it tells the story of the typical incidents happening in the house of gambling where trickery and cheating seemed inevitable.

A 1995 crime-drama movie about Ace who is a gambling expert who entangled a gambling syndicate who asked him to oversee the Tanglers Casino in Las Vegas. Problems arise when people put his life in danger and he has to find a way to get out from it.

One of the best gambling dramas in the 21st century, this is a remake film of the 1973 classic about the flamboyance, extravagance, dirty tricks, and money laundering of the High rollers and the VIPs in the world of gambling.

A highly acclaimed movie in 2001 and a blockbuster gambling film at the start of the new millennium. It tells the story of Danny Ocean and his eleven expert con-artist recruits who agreed with him to steal from the three big-time casinos in Las Vegas which are owned by a billionaire and Dannys love rival Terry Benedict.

A 2003 movie about an ordinary and respectable bank employee in Toronto who has an insatiable thirst for gambling. His uncontrollable vice got worse and eventually led him to steal money from the banks accounts to pay his gambling debt.

Not all gambling movies are about violence, dirty tricks, and everything negative. The animation Hotel Transylvania in 2012 proved to the moviegoers that gambling like playing Bingo can be fun too. In the story, Count Dracula had to go on a journey which gave his carefree daughter Mavis to play Bingo with the so-called people in the castle.

A classic 1961 film about a pool shark named Eddie Fast Felson. Fast has a self-destructive attitude and was challenged by the legendary Minnesota Fats in a High Stakes match and eventually loses to them. He lost confidence which led him to agree to join up with the ruthless manager Burt Gordon and take him on the road to learn the ropes. This is one of the classic gambling films which would definitely swoop you off your feet.

Watching movies and gambling are different but somehow share the common denominator and that is to entertain. All forms of entertainment is essential to our heart, mind, and soul. However, if we lose our control there is a possibility that it could destroy us.

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Gambling Movies and its Impact on the Virtual Bettors - Live for Films

If youre like most gamblers, then youre always on the lookout for new opportunities to make a fortune in a UK no deposit casino. And theres no doubt that big world events can be an excellent opportunity for betting. After all, who doesnt want to bet on the winner of the Super Bowl or the World Series? But how do these events actually influence gambling? In this blog post, well take a look at how some of the big world events have impacted gambling over the years. So whether youre a seasoned pro or just thinking about giving it a try, read on for some insights that might help you place your bets better!

The World Cup is one of the biggest sporting events in the world, and its no surprise that it has always had a big impact on gambling. In fact, it is estimated that around $1 billion is bet on the World Cup each year. The majority of this betting takes place in Asia, where football is hugely popular. However, there is also a significant amount of betting on the World Cup in Europe and North America.The World Cup also has a major impact on the illegal gambling market. This is because the tournament is often used as an opportunity to laundry money. It is estimated that over $140 million was laundered through betting only on the 2010 World Cup. Meanwhile, dont miss the opportunity to check the biggest bonuses that Wall Streets handed out since 2006.

However, it is not only only popular for real-money betting, but it is also one of the most popular times for people to gamble with friends and family. For example, many people like to have a friendly wager on who will win the tournament.

The Olympic Games are another major sporting event that has a big impact on gambling. In fact, it is estimated that around $10 billion is bet on the Olympics each year. Most of this betting takes place in Asia, where the majority of the worlds population lives. However, there is also a significant amount of betting on the Olympics in Europe and North America.

In fact, bookmakers tend to make a lot of money from major sporting events in general. However, the Olympics are particularly lucrative because there are so many different events to bet on. From swimming to gymnastics, there is something for everyone when it comes to the Olympics, Bookmakers also offer a lot of different types of bets on this event. This includes everything from who will win gold in each event to how many medals each country will end up with. With so many different options, it is no wonder that bookmakersare expecting to make a lot of money from the Olympics this year.

In addition to bookmakers, there are also a number of online casinos that are likely to see an increase in business during the Olympics. This is because many people will be looking for ways to gamble on the Olympics without having to leave their homes. After all, not everyoneis able to travel to travel the world for the Olympics. However, by playing at an online casino, people will be able to gamble on the Olympics from the comfort of their own homes.

In fact, it is estimated that around $4 billion is bet on the Super Bowl each year. Most of this betting takes place in the United States, where the majority of the worlds population lives. However, there is also a significant amount of betting on the Super Bowl in Canada and Mexico.

There are a number of ways to bet on the Super Bowl, including traditional sports betting, online betting, and even office pools. The most common way to bet on the Super Bowl is through point spreads, which are set by odds makers. Bettors can either take the favorite or the underdog, and they win or lose depending on how much points their team wins or loses by.

Another popular way to bet on the Super Bowl is through prop bets, which are bets on anything that can happen during thegame. These can be things like which team will score first, who will score the last touchdown, or how long the National Anthem will be.

No matter how you choose to bet on the Super Bowl, its important to remember that gambling should always be done responsibly. If youre not careful, its easy to get in over your head and end up losing a lot of money. So make sure you know what youre doing before you place any bets!

The presidential election is a time when people all over the country get together and choose their leader. Its also one of the most important political events in the world, and it is also one of the most popular times for people to gamble. In fact, it is estimated that around $3 billion is bet on the presidential election each year. This means that the elections can be a big money maker for casinos and other gambling establishments. It also means that the elections can have a big impact on the stock market. When people are betting on who they think will win, the stock prices of the companies that produce gambling products tend to go up.

Natural disasters can have a significant impact on gambling behavior as they disrupt normal routines and create feelings of boredom or restlessness. This can lead some people to gamble as a way to pass the time or relieve boredom. Gambling can also be seen as a way to make money quickly, when people may be struggling financially.

Some people may use gambling as a way to cope with the stress and anxiety that comes with a natural disaster. Gambling can provide an escape from reality, or it can be used as a way to distract oneself from the negative emotions associated with a disaster. Others may avoid gambling as the fear and uncertainty that comes with a disaster can lead some people to stay away from any activity that involves risk, including gambling. Anyway, it is important to be aware of how disasters can influence gambling decisions, so that you can make informed choices about whether or not to gamble. You may find interesting to know how pigs contribute to saving our environment.

World events can have a significant impact on our gambling behavior. Everything from political instability to natural disasters can influence how and why we gamble. Therefore, its important to be aware of these influences, so that we can make reasonable and effective decisions about our gambling strategies.

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How Do the Big World Events Influence Gambling? - Film Threat

We get accused of being prohibitionist but gambling as such isnt a single homogenous product, says Charles. Putting a pound on the National Lottery every week is light years away from playing high-speed electronic games with incredibly high addiction rates.

Its not just the speed, adds Liz. Its deliberately engineered addiction these particular kinds of games have a higher addiction rate than heroin 48 per cent of people who play them become addicted, or at risk of serious harm.

When Jack started playing, he had two very early wins: his parents learned later from one of his friends that he won 500 in two successive spins. So for a 17-year-old who goes to school with his dinner money and comes back with 1,000, thats a big deal. And research shows theres a very high correlation between people who get big early wins and the development of addiction.

That was the start of Jacks addiction he carried on visiting bookies, and eventually went to his parents, very upset, and confessed that hed lost 5,000 that his grandmother had given him. The family took action. He self-excluded from all the local bookmakers leaving a photograph and signing a form so he would not be admitted again.

It seemed to work. But when Jack turned 18 and went to university, he took up online gambling. When he gambled away his student loan, he again turned to his parents, who bought blocking software for his computer, rendering him unable to gamble online; it also blocked the adverts that plague the inbox of every frequent gambler. It worked but what they hadnt realised is that the software licence expired after 12 months. Jack started again, taking out a bank loan.

There was one month where he lost 8,000, says Charles, but that was the only time he lost a substantial amount. When we discovered the scale of Jacks gambling by looking at his bank accounts he hadnt lost that much. He wasnt one of those people who lost tens of thousands of pounds it was fairly small amounts consistently over the whole period of his life. I think he probably lost 30,000 over a period of seven years.

At various times he discussed the problem with his parents, went to his GP and attended Gamblers Anonymous, though he didnt find that much help. He managed to get back on track after each episode, and each time his parents thought he had things under control.

Jack did a lot to change his life, says Charles. He left a job he didnt like and found himself a volunteering opportunity in Kenya working with young entrepreneurs, then did a course in Spain on teaching English as a second language and got himself a job in Hanoi, doing just that. He loved it and made lots of friends. I dont know if he would have carried on teaching but hed found a direction, something he wanted to do, and he would have been a great success. He was very personable, made friends easily and was very clever.

He actually hadnt gambled for six months until the week that he died we found this out later by looking at his bank account. But in November 2017 he called his parents from Hanoi, saying he felt down, and admitted that hed been gambling again. They offered to pay for his flight home and clear his losses, but he said he was fine and had lots of friends there. None of them knew he had a gambling problem.

Charles and Liz bought him more blocking software, which was never installed, but had no idea how serious things had become. If Id known about the suicide risk we would have done so much more, says Liz. We would have gone out there or contacted the friends he was with. On 22 November Jack took his own life. In his suicide note, he said he feared hed never be free of his addiction.

His parents decided never to hide this. We knew that gambling had killed Jack. It was absolutely clear and we felt that this was something that the world needs to know.

At Jacks funeral, Liz says, they decided to take action. Charles made a speech. I talked about Jacks addiction, because all his friends knew that Jack gambled, like so many of them but they had no idea why he had suddenly taken his life, and they needed to know. Our community needed to know.

There were hundreds of people at his funeral, says Liz, and they came back here and we had a fire stack in the garden built by some of our friends. Everybody knew Jack. Were a small community in some ways, and the parents of kids that were in Jacks cohort, from primary school up to university they all came.

Afterwards Liz and Charles started doing research into gambling in general, into suicide figures and they heard tragic stories from other families who had experienced the same thing. The Ritchies were shocked by what they discovered: by the lack of regulation, by the massive lie that weve all been sold that this is a fun leisure product.

And by the numbers: a landmark study conducted on behalf of GambleAware in 2021 found that 1.4 million people in the UK are being harmed by their own gambling, with a further 1.5 million at risk. And according to research by the University of Bristol, 55,000 children aged 15 and under have a gambling addiction.

It is an addiction like any other but gambling is not only legal, it is actively encouraged by incessant marketing.

Gambling with Lives was born around the kitchen table, with several families putting in some money to start it off, and they initially had help from a benefactor, Derek Webb, a former professional poker player who funded the Campaign for Fairer Gambling and Stop the FOBTs. They appointed a board, and in November 2018 booked an event at Parliament; they instigated debates and harangued politicians. And via Jacks inquest, they held the gambling industry to account.

The inquest into Jacks death took place earlier this year, partly delayed because of Covid. We had an amazing legal team, says Liz, who advised us that it might be possible to get Article 2 status under the Human Rights Act which means asserting that the government didnt protect Jacks right to life.

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'Gambling can be more addictive than heroin and it killed our son' - The Telegraph

Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan is widely regarded as one of the best players ever. He has six NBA titles to his name alongside various other individual accolades.

Although he might be one of the best ever, he has his fair share of haters. While some hate Jordan for his attitude, some hate him for his habits. MJ is known to spend millions on gambling and he is not shy about letting this be known to the world.

Interestingly enough, he once testified in court for a scandal involving drugs and money. When James Slim Bouler was arrested, officials found a cheque for $57,000 and $153,000 in cash from his bags at Charlotte airport.

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The cheque happened to be from Michael Jordan. Just after the 1992 Olympics where Jordan won gold, he was summoned to court and he testified for nine months. After the court case, Bouler was sent to prison and he stopped hearing from Jordan ever since. However, the drug charges were dropped against Jordan.

Michael Jordan and his love for gambling are not unknown. The Chicago Bulls legend was known for betting huge amounts of cash in poker and golf games. Moreover, many fans and analysts around the world believe his gambling habits were one of the reasons why Jordan retired from the NBA. However, there is no concrete evidence to prove that.

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Interestingly enough, he belonged to a Big Group who gambled on golf. James Bouler revealed this information and talked about how the Big Group played high stakes which sometimes went upwards of $1000 for a shot.

Moreover, he revealed how the people in the group act childishly at times. James Bouler said, I watched a lot of guys play cards, and I watched a lot of different things go down. At least one thing about it, when we were together as a group, the manhood go the side. We act more like kids and boys playing football.

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WATCH THIS STORY: The 10 NBA Players Who Scored The Most Points In The 2000s: Kobe Bryant Was The Only One With Over 20K Points

What is your favorite memory of Michael Jordan? Let us know in the comments down below.

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Popular Gambler, Who Claims He Saved Michael Jordans Career From the Government, Admits Unheard Truths About Their Friendship - EssentiallySports

Posted on: July 7, 2022, 06:05h.

Last updated on: July 7, 2022, 06:47h.

Boris Johnson quit as British prime minister Thursday. He finally acknowledged that the mass resignation of senior MPs and aides in his own party over the past 48 hours had made his position untenable.

The final straw was Johnsons false insistence that he had been unaware of sexual misconduct allegations against a key ally when he appointed him to a major government role in February. The allegations against Chris Pincher surfaced after the MP was accused of drunkenly groping two men at a distinguished London private members club on June 29.

As of 10am UK time, 59 members of Johnsons Conservative Party had quit, many realizing that continued support of the prime minister amid snowballing unpopularity could signal career death.

It is clearly now the will of the parliamentary Conservative Party that there should be a new leader of that party and therefore a new prime minister, said Johnson outside Number 10 this morning. In Westminster, the herd instinct is powerful and when it moves, it moves.

Thems the breaks, he added.

The chaos at the heart of government will almost certainly delay the publication of a white paper on gambling reforms, previously expected before July 22.

Thats not least because Chris Philp, the minister responsible for gambling, was one of the 59 who resigned.

Philp mentioned the white paper in his resignation speech.

The gambling review is with No 10 at the moment for final approval, containing strong measures to protect people from the ravages of gambling addiction, he said.

The paper is expected to recommend MPs legislate to introduce the most radical reforms of the UK online gambling industry since market liberalization in 2005. The industry is bracing itself for a significant tightening of controls on one of the most liberal regulated markets in the world.

It may have to brace itself a little longer. But in the meantime, its offering markets on guess what? the next British Prime Minister.

Johnsons resignation will trigger a contest to replace him as leader of the Conservative party. The winner will become prime minister without the need for a general election.

On Thursday, Defense Secretary Ben Wallace was installed as the bookies new favorite. Thats apparently based on a poll of party members by Tory news site ConservativeHome, although its not yet clear if Wallace even plans to stand for leadership. Nevertheless, he is currently around 3/1 to become the next PM.

Wallace is closely followed at 5/1 by Rishi Sunak, who resigned as chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday. Married to the daughter of an Indian billionaire, Sunak would be the UKs first racial-minority head of government.

Third favorite is former defense secretary and ardent Brexiteer Penny Mordaunt at 6/1. Mordaunt would be the UKs third female prime minister, but the first as far as we know to have once held a job as a magicians assistant.

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Boris Johnson Resignation Blows UK Gambling Reforms Off Course - Casino.Org News

By Dan Behringer for LVSportsBiz.com

What a difference two years makes.

Two years ago, with Nevada casinos shut down because of the coronavirus, the Nevada Gaming Control Board reported statewide gaming win of a mere $5.8 million for May 2020. The numbers were the lowest reported since 1983.

But new numbers released Thursday illustrate a dramatic turnaround for the states casinos with gaming win totaling $1.3 billion a 5.7 percent increase from the $1.2 billion reported for May 2021.

Gaming win, sometimes referred to as gross gaming revenue, is the amount that casinos net from gaming before costs and expenses. Its widely considered a reliable barometer of the health of the casino industry.

The gains for May 2022 were particularly impressive on the Las Vegas Strip, which recorded a win of $732 million, up 11.6 percent from the $655 million won in May 2021. Downtown casinos won nearly $79 million, up about 5.3 percent from the $75 million in May 2021.

This months total win amount represents the highest May total gaming win recorded all-time for the state and the Las Vegas Strip, Michael Lawton, senior economic analyst for the Control Boards administration division, said in an email.

Gaming win on the Las Vegas Strip benefited from special events and baccarat win amounts, he said. Additionally, the Strip was lifted by strong demand for travel which saw Harry Reid International Airport record its third-busiest month all-time in May 2022.

Lawton noted that baccarat win of $131.5 million was up $25.6 million or 24 percent. Baccarat drop of $770.8 million was up $283.5 million or 62 percent. However, the win percentage on baccarat was 17 percent vs. 22 percent a year ago.

Lawton noted that the state has recorded 15 straight months of gaming win that top $1 billion.He attributed that to several factors, including consistent demand for gaming-related activities by customers with established savings from the governments economic stimulus.

Additionally, the state continues to benefit from growth in leisure travel due to several signature special events that occurred during the first five months of the year. Some of these events included the NFL Pro Bowl, the NHL All-Star Game, NCAA college basketball tournaments, NASCAR weekend and multiple concerts at venues throughout Las Vegas, Lawton said in the email.

While the Strip and downtown Las Vegas fared well, other areas of Clark County were off slightly:

North Las Vegas, down 5.1 percent.

Laughlin, down nearly 3 percent.

The Boulder Strip was down about 0.50 percent, Mesquite was off a fraction and the balance of the county was down about 1.5 percent.

Across Nevada, other areas were also down in May.

Washoe County was down 4.8 percent.

South Lake Tahoe was down 13.7 percent.

But Elko County was up 8.6 percent, and the Carson Valley area was up 1.4 percent.

Lawton said that the comparisons will become more difficult, and he expects the rates of growth to decelerate for the remainder of the year.

Notably, gaming win for the fiscal year that ended on May 31 is up 41 percent.

Lawton further noted that the demand for travel has not been affected by higher prices for gasoline although some softness in certain market segments has been noted primarily on the lower end.

In the short term, historically rising gas prices have not correlated with lower gross gaming revenues as consumers have been able to spend through the higher prices, However, we understand that if these prices sustain, demand could be pressured, he said in the email.

Las Vegas gasoline prices averaged about $5.49 a gallon on June 30, according to AAAs fuel gauge report.

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On Gambling: Numbers Released Thursday Show Big Turnaround for States Casinos With Gaming Win Totali... - LVSportsBiz