Category Archives: Gambling

Wagering in 2021 continued to show strong growth and North Americanracing can learn something from it.

by Dean Towers

Back in 2008, Australian racing was facing change. New technologies and betting exchanges were being allowed, and sports betting was moving beyond its nascent stage with corporate bookies. The business was opening up.

To some in the industry, these new outlets and increased competition meant the sky was falling, and it had to be stopped at all costs.

The head of Racing New South Wales at the time said, this is the biggest problem the racing industry has ever had. We are not being paid to put the show on, and it means that all our 50,000 participants will lose.

Gambling Turnover 2011/12

Stakes and standard race prizemoney 2011/12

We cant really blame him, can we? New ways to wager (including much at low takeout like betting exchanges), sports betting and a virtual destruction of the TAB horse racing monopoly could not possibly be a positive development.

A funny thing, though the exact opposite happened.

FROM 2011 TO 2021:

Thoroughbred racing turnover grew from (all figures, $AUS) $14.3B to $29.1B

Harness and greyhound handle moved from $6.1B to $14.3B

Sports betting which we might surmise would cannibalize horse racing if it was successful increased from $3.2B to $16.6B

Yes, all wagering is up.

The argument that growing handle but taking less off a wager (lowering takeout) and allowing those outside the industry to offer wagering would lower purses, certainly hasnt borne fruit either.

PRIZE MONEY GREW FROM $439M IN 2011 TO $800M IN 2021.

The number of races and race meets, unlike here in North America, did not decrease. They have held their own. Foal crops are down from 2011, but they too have leveled off the last several years.

Whats fairly remarkable is over the past 10 years, in Australia, like in North America, horse racing is less popular than it was with gamblers. According toGambling Research Australia, the number of people who gambled on horse racing last year was down over 20% from 2011. Dr. Alex Russell, the reports co-author, noted that fewer people are betting, however, those who wager, are betting a ton, driven by more and more online gambling.

This a very important fact, and one youre no doubt bored of seeing me type: The existing bettor base is pre-qualified to play the sport; they have disposable income, they have ADW accounts where they are captured. If we increase their churn rates with low takeout, incentives, better wagering mediums and better education to get them to bet more, they will.

These people are the sports lifeblood, and maximizing their handle is vital. Purses, more race meets and better foal crops are the fruit of such endeavors.

Here in North America the sport, in my view, thinks far too much like 2008 Australia did. It plays scared. It fears entering a world of betting exchanges (they were tried here, at 12 per cent takeout, which defeats their purpose); it rarely embraces or invests in anything new that can help a customer; if bettors win more with lower juice, they seem to fervently believe the industry loses.

Everything is not rosy Down Under. The sport is still less popular than it once was. Harness racing has its issues and the overall sport has problems just like everywhere else. But one thing they have proven without a doubt if you dont fear the future, you can be a part of it. And the futures not half bad.

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Australia proves that expanded gambling reach and a better wagering game grows the pie - Harness Racing Update

By TODD STACY, Alabama Daily News

MONTGOMERY, Ala. Fresh polling of Alabama Republican primary voters shows views holding decidedly steady on key issues like gambling, education and gas taxes.

A recent survey commissioned by Alabama Daily News and Gray Television included several questions on topical issues that are being debated in the Legislature and on the campaign trail. Many of the questions mirrored a similar poll conducted in August.

On the perennial issue of gambling, Republican voters are mostly unchanged on the subject. The Legislature is currently considering two competing proposals: a Senate plan that would institute a lottery, legalize sports betting and allow existing casinos to expand; and a House plan that would only institute a lottery.

When asked about proposals, 43.5% said the state should legalize and tax a lottery, sports betting and casinos, while 20.5% said the state should pursue only a lottery and 25.7% said they are against expanding any form of gambling. Those numbers are consistent with the August poll that asked the same question.

The Legislature is considering a gambling proposal that includes a lottery, legalized sports betting and expanded casino gambling, which would help education, health care, and broadband internet. What best describes your position on gambling?

As part of the gambling discussion the past few years has been whether or not the state should limit the political contributions of gambling interests in the state. A similar approach that was attempted in Pennsylvania ran into constitutional free speech issues. A plurality of those polled (43.6%) said they would support such limits, while 34.9% said they would oppose them.

If the gambling plan passes, would you support or oppose limiting political campaign contributions from large casino and gambling interests in Alabama elections?

Support also remains steady for the gas tax and infrastructure plan passed in 2019. When asked their opinion of the plan, a plurality of Republican voters, 43.6%, said it was necessary to pay for improvements to Alabamas roads and bridges, while 41.7% said the gas tax was already too high and lawmakers should not have raised it. Adding in the 2.9% who said lawmakers didnt raise the gas tax enough, a full 46.5% of Republicans are supportive of increasing gas taxes to pay for infrastructure.Those numbers are virtually unchanged from August, which is notable considering the current record high gas prices and a recent barrage of TV and radio advertisements criticizing the gas tax.

In 2019, the Alabama Legislature passed the first gas tax increase in decades to fund the improvement and construction of roads and bridges. These additional funds are required to be used for road and bridge construction and cannot be diverted for any other purpose. Which of the following statements comes closest to your opinion?

Opponents of Gov. Kay Ivey are attempting to capitalize on the historically high gas prices to criticize the 2019 gas tax and infrastructure plan and Iveys leadership of it. Yet, the survey shows voters are casting blame elsewhere for high prices at the pump.

Asked who or what was to blame for historically high gas prices, 80.9% said President Joe Bidens policies and 10.3% said the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Only 2% of Republican voters blame Ivey and the Legislature for the increased prices, a choice that ranked behind the COVID-19 pandemic and undecided.

The price of a gallon of gas is at record highs in Alabama and across the country. Which of the following do you believe is the primary contributor to the rising price of gasoline?

The survey also tested a few education issues that are being debated in the Legislature. Lawmakers are right now considering legislation that would delay the retention provision of the Alabama Literacy Act by two years, which Ivey and some Republicans have opposed. Their voters also seem opposed to such a delay by a 56.5% to 25.8% margin.

The Alabama Literacy Act requires that students be able to read on grade level by the end of third grade. The law provides funds to train reading teachers, and intensive support for students who struggle. As a last resort, if a student cannot read, they are retained for a year to catch up before moving on to fourth grade. Some in the Legislature want to delay this law by two years due to COVID, meaning students would be promoted whether or not they could read. Do you support or oppose this delay of the Alabama Literacy Act?

The House will soon vote on a Senate-passed plan to aim more focus and resources toward math instruction in lower grades in an attempt to address Alabamas last-in-the-nation test scores. When asked if they would support the plan to modernize the way math is taught to better prepare students, 56.3% of voters said they supported such efforts while only 15.9% said they were opposed.

Alabama is ranked last in the nation in math. Do you support or oppose modernizing the way we teach math to better prepare students for the real world and a changing economy?

Another bill in the State House addresses the issue of public charter school funding by ensuring that local county tax dollars follow students to charter schools just as federal and state dollars do. Alabama Republicans remain strongly favorable toward charter schools, with 62.3% in support, only 17% in opposition and 14.5% neutral on the subject. Those numbers are barely changed from the August poll.

Charter schools are tuition-free public schools that are governed by an independent board rather than a local school board and serve students who choose to attend. While they are subject to the same academic requirements as traditional public schools, they are given the autonomy to develop their own curriculum, hire their own staff, and manage their own budgets. Based on this information, do you support or oppose charter schools?

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Opinions on gambling, gas tax, education steady among Alabama Republicans - Alabama Daily News

Only the Dodgers have better betting odds to make the playoffs than the Houston Astros Garrett Stubbs picks up Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) as the team celebrates in the dugout after Altuve hit a solo home run to give the Astros a 7-2 lead in the seventh inning in Game 2 of the World Series on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021 at Minute Maid Park in Houston.47865e/Staff photographer

Even without Carlos Correa, the Astros still have as good of a chance to make the playoffs as all but one team. Betting odds posted by BetOnline give the Astros an 80% chance at making the postseason. Only the Los Angeles Dodgers at 90.9% have better odds.

The White Sox, Yankees and Blue Jays also all have an 80% chance of getting into the postseason, according to the online sportsbook. Those odds are bolstered by the fact that the baseball playoffs have been expanded to allow 12 teams each of the six division winners, plus three Wild Cards from each league into the playoffs.

The Astros have made the playoffs five straight seasons, including a championship in three trips to the World Series.

The Astros have the fifth-best odds to win the World Series behind the Dodgers, Mets, White Sox and Blue Jays.

With the notable exception of Correa, who signed a three-year, $105.3 million deal with the Twins, the Astros return most of their team from last years squad that came up two wins shy of another title. In addition to Correa, the Astros also lost starting pitcher Zack Greinke (Royals), relievers Kendall Graveman (White Sox), Yimi Garcia (Blue Jays) and Brooks Raley (Rays). Marwin Gonzalez, who had four at-bats in last year's World Series, signed a minor league deal with the Yankees.

Matt Young has been a sports editor/writer at Chronsince 2015. He's proudly from Alief and occasionally sits alone in his four-cornered room staring at candles. Reach him at matt.young@chron.com.

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Even without Carlos Correa, gambling odds still favor the Astros - Chron

The Houston Texans shipped Deshaun Watson to the Cleveland Browns, officially making 2022 the year of Davis Mills.

The proposition is frightful for Houston sports fans as the franchise returns to the uncertainty under center that plagued the team following the sudden collapse of Matt Schaub in 2013. Can Mills grow into being a capable signal caller, or will the Texans have to keep searching for Watsons true successor?

According to Peter King from NBC Sports, the Texans dont lose any ground by simply saddling up Mills for the 2022 campaign.

Mills final five starts last season: 2-3, 68.4 completion rate, 9 TD, 2 INT, 102.4 rating.

Pep Hamilton, who once worked under Mills college coach David Shaw at Stanford, is back for his second season as Mills mentor, this time as offensive coordinator.

Lets say the Texans are going QB-hunting one year from now. Youll have four first-round picks over the 2023 and 2024 to use as draft capital. Considering that one of the 2023 picks should be a top 10 pick, maneuvering to trade for a high pick next year should be doable.

Its waaaaay early, but youre $118 million under the projected 2023 cap this morning, perOver The Cap. The Texans are a receiver-poor team right now, which GM Nick Caserio has to work on over the next six weeks, but Id rather be close to an answer on Mills in 10 months than going for broke to try to be .500 this year.

Texans running backs coach Danny Barrett expects Mills to take another step in his development in year two.

I thought Davis did a good job, Barrett told reporters on Feb. 22. You look at coming in as a rookie and being a former quarterback, theres a lot to learn and theres a short period of time to do that. I think it showed from the start when the year started to how he finished the year that time away and just watching Tyrod [Taylor], when Tyrod came back and then he came back on the field again. He used that time to get better, to be more patient, and to take what the defense was giving him. And, so, I fully expect for him to carry on from that coming into this year as well.

If the Texans are wrong on Mills, they will still be in good position to address the position in 2023.

Link:

Texans lose nothing gambling 2022 on Davis Mills as the starting quarterback - Texans Wire

Celaura Estrada| For The Bulletin

For many of us, playing the lottery, going to the casino for slots or blackjack, betting on sports, or buying a scratch ticket is a form of fun and entertainment. But for some of us, it can turn into problem gambling. Lets look at some risk factors, but first, lets clarify a few questions.

What exactly is gambling? Gambling is the act of betting money or something of value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the goal of winning money or something of value.

What makes problem gambling a problem? This is when we no longer have control over the amount of money, time, and energy we spend on gambling. We might continue to gamble even if we are experiencing negative consequences. You might notice your gambling is hurting your finances, work/school, relationships, and your mental health.

Anyone can develop an addiction to gambling but knowing the risk factors can be helpful. Lets look at some circumstances that may put you more at risk for problem gambling:

Now that you are aware of some of the risk factors of problem gambling, lets identify some strategies to keep gambling safe and affordable:

You dont have to be in a financial crisis to have a gambling problem. If you suspect you or someone you know is engaging in problem gambling or is at risk and heading in that direction, help is available. Please call us at Bettor Choice (860) 823-3094. We provide individual and group services for adults struggling with gambling, as well as counseling for those affected by it.

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Healthy Living: The more you know about gambling - Norwich Bulletin

Online real money gambling has become increasingly more popular - but where do you find the best gambling sites, though?

Site security, game selection, attractive bonuses with fair terms, and flexible banking options are just a few of the areas the top-rated sites focus on for a better gambling experience.

We take a look at the top gambling sites and rate their ability to provide players with an amazing user experience - from sign-up to payout.

Lets begin.

Pros:

Cons:

Click here to view Ignitions latest bonuses

Ignition is one of the more recent entries in the online casino industry, having only been established in 2016. In the few years its been up and running, the website has established an impressive repertoire of games from big-time developers. It also features some stellar bonuses and a gorgeous user interface on both desktop and mobile devices.

Lets see why its our top pick of the best gambling sites:

Game Variety: 4.5 / 5

With just under 300 games to choose from, Ignition has more than enough titles to keep you entertained. While the majority of these are slots variations, theres also a healthy mix of table games, poker variants, and several specialties and live dealer titles.

Ignition doesnt skimp on quality either, as the games come from heavy-hitting casino game developers Rival and Real Time Gaming (RTG), as well as Revolver Gaming and the relatively new Makitone Gaming. Game quality is just as important as variety and, luckily, this online casino has both in spades.

Promos and Bonuses: 5/5

Ignition has a particularly fantastic welcome bonus of 200% match up to $2,000. It even gets better for people who make an initial deposit using crypto. It will provide you with a whopping 300% up to $3,000 match when you make a Bitcoin deposit. The bonus is split between poker and casino games and comes with a fair 25x wagering requirement.

Aside from the welcome bonuses, Ignition offers reload and weekly bonuses, along with rewards and referral programs.

User Interface and Mobile Compatibility: 5/5

This gambling site boasts an eye-catching user interface with high-definition graphics and a stylish theme. Whether its online poker, slots, or anything in between, everything is easy on the eyes and easy to access.

Mobile users will be glad to know that the desktop version of the website translates perfectly onto a mobile device, with the high-resolution graphics remaining intact and game compatibility being optimal.

Payment Options: 4 / 5

Banking options are Ignitions weakest area, as it mostly just offers more common choices for depositing and withdrawing. You can use credit/debit cards, checks, and bank transfers, in addition to Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, and Bitcoin Cash.

Unfortunately, the site hasnt adopted any e-wallets, despite this model of payment becoming increasingly more popular in other gambling sites.

Customer Support: 5 / 5

Ignitions customer support team is accessible in several channels. Send them an email and theyll respond within the next few hours. Theres also a live chat feature for those looking for a more immediate solution or a live person to talk to. They also have a phone number to call in case you prefer that instead.

Their staff are both knowledgeable and friendly and they almost always reply in a timely manner.

Pros:

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Check out Red Dogs latest bonuses & promos

Red Dog Casino does a great job of welcoming newbies and experienced players thanks to its combination of bright backdrops and a catchy mascot.

It offers a good range of fun and high-quality casino games to play on both desktop and mobile. There are enough casino bonuses to keep things interesting whether youre a first-timer or a regular player on the platform.

Game Variety: 4 / 5

The site has a little over 150 games to choose from, including a variety of slots, video poker, table games, and specialty titles. There isnt all that much in developer variety, but the casino games are made by Real Time Gaming and Visionary iGaming so you can count on them being trustworthy and of high quality.

Promos and Bonuses: 4.5 / 5

New users get a fantastic 255% match deposit as a welcome bonus. This bonus comes with a 35x wagering requirement, which isnt out of the ordinary for the industry. There are also regular casino bonuses and monthly specials, in addition to a fairly rewarding loyalty program.

User Interface and Mobile Compatibility: 5 / 5

Red Dogs simple and fun-loving interface is its highlight feature, boasting an easy-to-navigate platform thatll have you picking out your next game in just a few clicks or taps. The websites furry mascot will keep you company all throughout and there are some simple filters to show you whats new and whats trending.

The games look amazing and mobile users will be glad to know that they all work splendidly on mobile devices. In fact, they look even better on the screen of your smartphone or tablet, thanks to the more condensed pixels.

Payment Options: 4.5 / 5

You get a few extra banking options compared to Ignition, with you still being able to use different kinds of debit/cards, wire transfers, and Bitcoin, in addition to certain gift cards and Neosurf. Whats really great is that Red Dog doesnt require any fees to withdraw your winnings, though you will have to accumulate at $150 before you can pull out your funds.

Customer Support: 5 / 5

Red Dog features all modes of customer support, including chat, email, and telephone. The chat function doesnt usually have a long queue either, as you often get a live representative in under a minute.

Reaching out to the support team is a breeze as well since you can easily find all the channels in the Contact Us section of the website. As for the experience, we found their reps to be pleasant and well-versed in their field.

Pros:

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Bovada is among the top gambling sites and sportsbook websites thats been around for over a decade. It boasts some enticing bonuses, a nice variety of games to play, and a straightforward interface thats a pleasure to navigate. To top it all off, its the perfect choice for people who are looking to gamble on both casino games and sports on the same website.

Game Variety: 4.5 / 5

Bovada offers just shy of 300 different game titles from established developers like Real Time Gaming, Betsoft, and Rival - all three of which are known for producing premium and tried-and-trusted games. In addition to slots, table games, video poker, and live dealer titles, the website regularly hosts poker tournaments as well.

Aside from a well-established casino section, Bovada is also known for its sports betting section with the most competitive odds and incredible markets. There are around 30 mainstream and niche sports to bet on, including NBA, NFL, and NHL. It also has a dedicated section for horse racing.

Promos and Bonuses: 4.5 / 5

As a newcomer, the casino matches your first three deposits 100% up to $1,000 each, giving you a maximum welcome bonus potential of $3,000. There are also other welcome bonuses, including ones for making your initial Bitcoin deposit, your first poker game, and for making a deposit for sports betting.

If youre a sucker for perks, youll be glad to know that Bovada also has a pretty great referral bonus and an attractive rewards program.

User Interface and Mobile Compatibility: 4.5 / 5

Bovada sports a simple user interface thats intuitively laid out, making it amazingly easy to browse and utilize. While not all of the games work in the mobile version, the vast majority of them do and the UI is just as sleek on your smartphone or tablet.

Payment Options: 4 / 5

This casino allows a fairly limited range of banking methods. You get to choose from credit/debit cards, checks, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash. It would be nice to see other popular payment methods and other cryptos added soon.

Customer Support: 5 / 5

Bovada offers the usual channels of customer support - live chat, email, and phone. Their representatives are available 24/7, so you wont have to worry about getting through to someone or waiting in long queues. Email inquiries are generally responded to in just a few hours and there are lots of questions answered in the websites FAQs section.

Pros:

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Slots.lv is one of the old-timers in the online casino industry, having been established way back in 2013. Despite being in business for a long time, Slots.lv still manages to remain among the best in the business, boasting one of the most diverse game libraries weve ever come across and some incredible welcome bonuses that are sure to attract curious newcomers.

Game Variety: 4 / 5

Slots.lv does not exactly have an overwhelming number of games in its library, but what it does have is a diverse set of games from the classic slots, table games, live dealers, specialties, and tournaments.

The majority of these are slots an incredibly impressive portfolio from four separate respectable developers - Real Time Gaming, BetSoft, Proprietary, and Genesis Gaming. This means you can look forward to an unrivaled degree of variety in the games you play.

Promos and Bonuses: 5 / 5

This casino has an attractive welcome bonus that aims to keep players around for the long haul. Slots.lv will triple your first deposit up to an amount of $1,000, and the following eight will be doubled up to $500. If you play your cards right, thats a total of $5,000 in welcome bonuses, which is incredibly generous.

There are also referral, weekly, and no-deposit bonuses to take advantage of. To top it all off, this casino has an impressive rewards program with eight different tiers.

User Interface and Mobile Compatibility: 4.5 / 5

The websites UI is incredibly simple, with an easy-to-follow layout that even newbies shouldnt have trouble with. Browsing through games is a breeze and youll be playing fun titles in no time at all. Its a bit on the bland side, but not so much as to ruin your gaming experience.

The majority of its huge library of games is designed to be compatible with mobile devices, so you can enjoy playing them on either your computer or smartphone.

Payment Options: 3.9 / 5

Slots.lv has the usual payment options, like credit/debit cards, bank transfers, and checks, though it also supports RapidTransfer, which is a nice addition. It also supports Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash. Wed love to see more e-wallets and other crypto coins supported in the future, though.

Customer Support: 3.5 / 5

While this gambling site does offer phone and email as far as customer service goes, it noticeably lacks a live chat option, which is disappointing. A lot of users dont care much for having to call a number for assistance, and would rather just chat with a representative for immediate answers.

Pros:

Cons:

Bitstarz has quickly made a name for itself as being one of the premiere crypto-friendly gambling sites around.

It accepts various types of cryptocurrency and accommodates a lot of other banking options as well, most of which are missing from other leading gambling sites. It also has an insane number of titles in its library and some great promotions to boot.

Game Variety: 5 / 5

As of this writing, Bitstarz claims to have over 3,500 online casino games in total on their site, which is an amazing number by any standard. In fact, thats by far the largest number on this list. The games come from 24 developers, including Betsoft Gaming, Asia Gaming, Endorphina, Pocketdice, Booming Games, and SoftSwiss.

While not all the names are as prominent as some of the other entries on our list, its still a remarkable level of variety that will keep you entertained. Plus, you get the chance to play the games for free in demo mode, which is always a nice way to test them before playing for real money.

Promos and Bonuses: 3.9 / 5

This gambling site has an interesting take on welcome bonuses. They match your first four deposits in varying percentages up to a certain amount of fiat currency or Bitcoin. There are also lots of other bonuses, including free spins.

The wagering requirement for the bonuses, however, usually hovers around 40x, which is a tad steep.

User Interface and Mobile Compatibility: 4 / 5

The website features a sleek design that looks like its constantly in dark mode. Its easy on the eyes and couldnt be easier to navigate.

The game filters and categories could use some work, as you may be unable to find trending games specifically for slots, for example, but it isnt too big of an issue. Bitstarz translates wonderfully to mobile format and it looks great on your smartphone or tablet.

Payment Options: 4 / 5

What sets Bitstarz apart is that it only accepts various forms of crypto, including Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum, Tether, and Dogecoin - but it also means fiat currency users will have to look elsewhere.

Customer Support: 5 / 5

Bitstarz sets the bar for superb customer service. They offer email, chat, and a phone number to contact and they also answer inquiries via social media if you prefer that channel. You can even request calls from their team if youre looking to avoid fees on international phone calls, which is an awesome idea.

Contact methods aside, their team of customer service experts are incredibly knowledgeable, kind, and respond in a timely manner.

Pros:

Cons:

BetOnline is a top gambling site and a sports betting site rolled into one. It was established in 2004 and has since built quite the reputation in the world of online gambling.

This casino offers several bonuses that will encourage new users to try different forms of betting. Its also one of the few entries on this list to accommodate e-wallets as deposit and withdrawal options.

Game Variety: 4 / 5

BetOnline has over 400 slots, table games, video poker, specialty games, and live dealer games. They all come from well-known developers, such as Betsoft, Concept Gaming, Nucleus Gaming, and Dragon Gaming. It may not have as impressive a repertoire as Bitstarz, but its certainly more than enough to keep users entertained for hours.

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Best Gambling Sites Ranked by Real Money Casino Games, Bonuses & More (2022) - Hindustan Times

Gambling Promo Codes intends to be the choice destination for online betting promo codes and bonuses in the United States

LONDON, March 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Online gambling is becoming widespread in the United States, with about 30 states declaring it legal and 18 that now allow Americans to perform online sports wagering, a report by Forbes shows. More states are expected to join in the legalization of online gambling in the United States, significantly increasing the already growing number of Americans that can legally make use of online casinos and sports betting platforms.

As the popularity of betting increases, gamblers are looking for additional support systems to prevent them from running into financial trouble. Betting on the Super Bowl, online casinos, and other sports platforms has become a common practice, and people want to receive enough value from the bets that they make even though they know that gambling is a 50-50 chance. Apps4 Web Media is pleased to announce the launch of GamblingPromoCodes.com. The new platform is primarily a sports betting aggregator that provides users with promo codes, bonus offers, and news updates.

Gambling Promo Codes intends to be the most extensive, most complete list of online casino and sportsbook promo codes. The platform will help online gamers place bets and enjoy mouthwatering benefits. "We are super excited to launch our new site for players in the US," explained Alex Windsor, CEO of Apps4 Web Media. "The iGaming and online sports betting market in the US is snowballing. We want to help players find the best value when it comes to betting and playing online."

Gambling is a fun but expensive hobby. Gambling Promo Codes is the largest provider of promo codes for gambling and can help Americans save money on gambling and reduce its cost, making it more fun and less time-consuming. Furthermore, Gambling Promo Codes makes it possible for gamblers to sort through the numerous sportsbooks and operators available to players in the United States. They also prevent players from getting involved with unlicensed and illegal casinos, generally available today.

Story continues

Gambling Promo Codes will only feature licensed legal casino operators and sportsbooks. These include operators based in the US regulated by state gaming authorities like the NJ DGE, MGCB, and PGCB.

About Apps4 Web Media

Apps4 Web Media is a leading iGaming marketing company providing comparisons and reviews of licensed US sportsbooks and online casinos. The company was founded by Alex Windsor, who has been involved in the online gambling industry since 2012 and is a passionate advocate for safer online gambling.

Cision

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/apps4-web-media-launches-online-platform-to-provide-online-casino-and-sports-betting-promo-codes-and-bonus-offers-301506574.html

SOURCE Apps4 Wed Media LTD

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Apps4 Web Media Launches Online Platform to Provide Online Casino and Sports Betting Promo Codes and Bonus Offers - Yahoo Finance

UFC London takes place this Saturday at the O2 Arena and is headlined by a pivotal heavyweight matchup between one-time Bellator champion Alexander Volkov and rising prospect Tom Aspinall. Its the UFCs first trip to London in three years and the card is loaded with British talent, all looking to make statements in their home country.

Lets take a look at some of the best bets available on the card. All odds are courtesy of our friends at DraftKings Sportsbook.

Tom Aspinall to beat Alexander Volkov, -130

Volkov is a big step up in competition for Aspinall but in the end, I expect this fight to look a lot like Volkovs bout with Ciryl Gane. Like Gane, Aspinall is a big and athletic heavyweight who moves well on his feet, and similarly, I expect him to have a decided edge in the speed category here. Volkov is huge and durable and has some craft to his game, but hes almost certainly going to lose the first two rounds and then have to battle back. The only real concern I have here for Aspinall is that hes never fought past the second round and this one has a good chance of making it to the fourth or fifth rounds, but that concern is minor. Aspinall is going to take a smart approach and outwork Volkov for the biggest win of his career.

Molly McCann to beat Luana Carolina, -140

McCann is coming off fighting a similar type and style to Carolina in her most recent bout against Ji Yeon Kim and I like her chances to replicate that success here. Carolina is a better striker than Kim but shes also a bit more flat-footed and prone to simply being outworked. For all McCanns flaws, work rate is not one of them. McCann may have to eat a couple shots at points but I like her to ugly this fight up and simply out-scrap Carolina. Normally, Id suggest a McCann by decision bet for the added value but that hometown crowd has me worried we may see the best performance of McCanns career so play it safe and just take the straight action.

Jack Shore to beat Timur Valiev, -105

This is a classic Striker-vs-Grappler matchup and in those sorts of contests, I tend to favor the grappler, and especially when the grappler is the better wrestler of the two. Such is the case here as Shore has proven to be an excellent MMA wrestler, timing his takedowns very well and scoring them at a 41% rate inside the UFC. Valiev is a serious threat on the feet as he throws with bad intentions, but Shore is durable and should be able to secure the takedowns he needs to get his hand raised.

Arnold Allen to beat Dan Hooker by Decision, +180

Allen gets his toughest test to date as he faces Hooker in The Hangmans return to the featherweight division. Hooker is going to have a decided size advantage in this fight, but Allen should possess the edge in speed and though Hooker will be physically larger, Allen may still be the stronger man in clinch positions. Thats the key part here as Allens best path to victory involves clinches and takedowns against the more dynamic striker. That style should fare even better against a Hooker who had to severely diminish himself to make 145. Ultimately, I think this is a 50/50 fight, but Allen isnt a big finisher so youre getting some good value on a Decision prop.

Gunnar Nelson to beat Takashi Saito by Submission, -120

Its been over two years since Nelson last fought and over three since he won inside the UFC but Gunni should fix both of those this weekend. Nelson is one of the premier grapplers in the welterweight division, having had a lot of success on the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu circuit, and the UFC appears to be giving him a soft touch for his return with Saito. Saito is a solid fighter but his grappling isnt to Nelsons level and Saitos last three losses have all come by way of submission. I expect this to make it number four.

Paul Craig to beat Nikita Krylov by Submission, +450

The straight odds for this fight have Krylov as a comfortable favorite at -195 and while I think those odds are slightly off, the prop odds for Craig are even more enticing. Krylov is the better athlete and probably the better striker, but he has really fallen in love with his wrestling which plays right into Craigs hands. Moreover, on the ground, Krylov frequently makes mistakes on the ground, which is what allowed Jan Blachowicz to sweep him from his back and ultimately submit Krylov. Craig has a much more dangerous guard and can even score takedowns of his own. I think Craig is a live dog outright and the extra juice from the prop bet makes this very enticing.

Aspinall/Volkov Over 1.5 Rounds, -330

Volkov is exceedingly durable and I simply dont envision an early stoppage win in the cards for Aspinall. On the other end of it, Aspinalls speed advantage means Volkov is swimming upstream, especially early. Barring one perfect shot, this fight is going to make it past the 7 minutes and 30 second mark.

Ilia Topuria to beat Jai Herbert, -590

Topuria is the biggest betting favorite on the card for a reason. One of the brightest prospects in the sport, Topuria is excellent in all facets of MMA and while he probably could win a striking bout against Herbert, hes more likely to use his grappling skills to outwork the English fighter.

Sergei Pavlovich to beat Shamil Abdurakhimov, -290

A few years ago, Abdurakhimov would have had a good chance of winning this fight with savvy but Abdurakhimov is 40 years old and his chin appears to be fading. Pavlovich can have success with his clinch work and at range, his right hand is good enough to find the kill shot. Add in that Pavlovich is only 29 and still developing and this fight strongly favors him.

Parlay these three bets together for +105 odds.

Molly McCann to defeat Luana Carolina by KO/TKO in Round 3, +3500

As far as long shots go, this one is enormous but if youre gonna be a bear, be a grizzly. The reason Im going with this one is in McCanns pre-fight interviews she has made it clear that shes looking to get her first stoppage in the UFC, and with the London crowd cheering her on, she can manage it in the final round after putting on a grueling pace for the first two.

Man, last weekend was a heartbreaker. Alex Pereira and Terrance McKinney were extremely close to getting it done for us but the MMA gods had other plans. So time to bounce back and get after this London card.

Good luck yall, and gamble responsibly!

All information in this article is provided to readers of MMA Fighting for entertainment, news, and amusement purposes only. It is the responsibility of the reader to learn and abide by online gambling laws in their region before placing any online sports betting wagers.

Originally posted here:

UFC London gambling preview: Best bets, parlays, and long shot of the week - MMA Fighting

On April 10, 2021, DeSantis signed the Combating Public Disorder Act, a conservative response to Black Lives Matter and other protests that turn violent or destructive. On Sept. 9, 2021, however, U.S. District Judge Mark Walker blocked enforcement of the law because a person of ordinary intelligence could not be sure if he or she broke the law while participating nonviolently in a protest that turned violent:

The vagueness of this definition forces would-be protesters to make a choice between declining to jointly express their views with others or risk being arrested and spending time behind bars, with the associated collateral risks to employment and financial well-being.

DeSantis has capitalized on Floridas outdoor culture to become the nations leading opponent of mask mandates and lockdowns of schools and businesses, including a May 3, 2021, executive order declaring:

In order to protect the rights and liberties of individuals in this State and to accelerate the States recovery from the Covid-19 emergency, any emergency order issued by a political subdivision due to the Covid-19 emergency which restricts the rights or liberties of individuals or their businesses is invalidated.

For DeSantis, the pandemic offered the opportunity to distinguish himself from Trump. In January, Jonathan Chait described his strategy in New York magazine:

Where Trump was tiptoeing around vaccine skepticism, DeSantis jumped in with both feet, banning private companies like cruise lines from requiring vaccination, appointing a vaccine skeptic to his states highest office, and refusing to say if hes gotten his booster dose.

DeSantis may or may not actually be more delusional on Covid than Donald Trump, Chait wrote, but it is a revealing commentary on the state of their party that he sees his best chance to supplant Trump as positioning himself as even crazier.

Michael Tomasky, editor of The New Republic, has a similar take on the Trump-DeSantis Covid feud, writing on Jan. 18:

Whats suddenly intriguing is that DeSantis has decided to try to outflank Trump, to out-Trump Trump, in terms of his hard-trolling of the libs on the vaccine question. And its Trump Donald Trump! who is playing the role of civilizing, normalizing truth teller.

Politically speaking, however, DeSantiss stance on Covid policy, together with his culture war agenda, has been a success. His favorability ratings have soared and in the third quarter of 2021, the most recent data available, Floridas gross domestic product grew by 3.8 percent, third fastest in the nation, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, behind Hawaii and Delaware.

DeSantiss aggressive posture and threats to bring legal action have created anxiety about retribution in some quarters. In January, for example, Dr. Raul Pino, the administrator for the Florida Department of Healths office in Orange County, wrote his staff to say that only 77 of 558 staff members had received a Covid-19 booster, 219 had two doses of the vaccine and 34 had only one dose, according to reporting by my colleague Patricia Mazzei in The Times. I am sorry but in the absence of reasonable and real reasons it is irresponsible not to be vaccinated, Dr. Pino added. He went on: We have been at this for two years, we were the first to give vaccines to the masses, we have done more than 300,000 and we are not even at 50 percent. Pathetic.

Shortly afterward, Pino was put on administrative leave for a month. Jeremy T. Redfern, the press secretary for the Department of Health, said when the leave of absence was announced that the department was conducting an inquiry to determine if any laws were broken in this case. Redfern said in a statement that the decision to get vaccinated is a personal medical choice that should be made free from coercion and mandates from employers.

This and other similar developments have certainly not hurt DeSantiss poll numbers. The latest survey released on Feb. 24 by Public Opinion Research Lab at the University of North Florida found not only that of the elected officials on this survey, Governor Ron DeSantis had the highest job approval rating at 58 percent, with 37 percent disapproval, but also that Florida Republicans preferred DeSantis over Trump 44-41 as their presidential nominee.

John Feehery, a Republican lobbyist who previously worked for the partys House leaders, argues that DeSantis is

attuned to the libertarian impulses of an electorate that simply doesnt trust the conventional wisdom coming out of Washington. DeSantis also seems willing to court cultural conservatives in ways that most Washington politicians dont, like with the sex education bill that he signed. DeSantis also seems willing to take on big corporations for their wokeness, a potent issue among the G.O.P. base.

Feehery described DeSantis as a wild card, noting he was also right on Covid, which took an incredible amount of courage.

As governor, DeSantis is wary when he senses the potential for blowback, waiting days before commenting on Russias invasion of Ukraine. When he finally did so, his comments were largely focused on domestic politics.

Original post:

Opinion | Ron DeSantis Is Gambling on Out-Trumping Trump - The New York Times

All Bets Are Off: Calvin Ridley was suspended from the NFL for at least a full season for gambling on football.

In November 2021, Calvin Ridley, a wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons, placed several multi-legs parlay bets on his team through the Hard Rock Casino app, totaling $1,500.

The gamble could end up costing him $11 million.

A few days later, Ridley, who was on a non-football related illness list, tried to place another bet and his activity was flagged by Hard Rock and Genius Sports, the U.K.-based tech platform that provides play-by-play statistics and data to sports betting and media companies for the NFL, NBA, NCAA, FIFA, EPL, and dozens of other leagues.

Genius integrity services arm, which monitors betting markets across hundreds of thousands of sporting events, alerted the NFL that one of their players broke the leagues cardinal rule: do not bet on football. And last week, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Ridley for at least the 2022 season, meaning he will forfeit his multimillion-dollar salary.

The process worked, says Brian McCarthy, a spokesman for the NFL, explaining that guarding against gambling by players and team personnel is one of the reasons the league contracted with Genius Sports in April 2021. Integrity of the game is crucial to the health of the NFL.

Genius Sports, which was founded 20 years ago by entrepreneur Mark Locke and went public on the New York Stock Exchange last year through a special purpose acquisition company deal, puts all 16,000 players, coaches and NFL staff through educational seminars and tutorials about the leagues gambling rules. Players are allowed gamble but not on football; staff members cannot place a wager on any sport. During every game, Genius monitors betting activity to look out for anomalies.

Simon Martyn, the director of integrity at Genius Sports, says that even though his division is not a major revenue-driver for the companythats the data and statistics divisionit is a foundational service that prevents entire sports leagues from crumbling.

The reason we all love sport, at the end of the day, is the unpredictable nature, isn't it? says Martyn. We trust the sport, we turn up knowing that any result can happen. So it's important that we have measures in place, which protect that because without it, you're going to undermine everything. We're talking about a threat to the whole commercial ecosystem. Its in the interest of everyone to have a clean sport that has the proper integrity measures in place.

The cornerstone of Genius Sports integrity division is its bet monitoring system. Genius has a predictive algorithm that suggests what a particular wagering market should look like and what the odds should be based on whats going on before and during a particular event. The companys database includes key historical records on teams, players, and competitions, which also inform the algorithm. We look for suspicious odds movements, says Martyn, by monitoring both regulated and unregulated bookmakers.

If the system catches any deviation from the predicted outcome, the company will flag it and investigate. The company then forwards any suspicious activity to sportsbooks and leagues that cannot be easily explained.

If the money line were to change drastically in one team's favor, that would be flagged in our system, Martyn says. We want to see movements that can be explained by genuine sporting factorsteam news changes or weather. Can it be explained? If it cant be explained, theres a further investigation.

Athletes are subject to a different standard of monitoring by Genius, leagues and sportsbooks. There is a level of information sharing where appropriate and required, says Martyn. Its in the interest of everyone to have a clean sport that has the proper integrity measures in place.

One of the most high-profile scandals Genius Sports helped to uncover was a fixed FIFA soccer match. On November 12, 2016, Joseph Lamptey, a Ghanaian soccer referee, awarded a penalty kick to South Africa during a match against Senegal during a qualifier for the 2018 World Cup. The penalty, for a handball, was a shamthe ball clearly hit Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly on his leg. South Africa won 2-1. A couple days later, Sportradar, Global Lottery Monitoring System, Starlizard Sports Betting Consultancy and Genius Sports all filed reports that the sports betting market for that game showed irregular movements and showed evidence that gamblers knew what the score would be ahead of time. FIFAs judicial body banned Lamptey for life and the Court of Arbitration for Sport found him guilty of unlawfully influencing match results to make pertinent bets successful.

See What: FIFA referee Joseph Lamptey was banned for life after he was found to have unlawfully influenced a match result during a 2018 World Cup qualifier.

The 1,500-employee company is large in size, but not in financials. Genius Sports has a $922 million market cap and it increased its revenues by 75% in 2021, hitting $263 million, over 2020. But it reported a $592 million net loss last year and a dramatic 90% drop in EBITA from 2020 to a meager $1.6 million.

As for future Calvin Ridleys, Genius Sports would not reveal the number of suspicious activity reports it sends to the professional leagues. When asked if these types of incidents are getting worse as sports gambling is now legal in 30 states across the U.S., Martyn says legalization has helped with transparency and information sharing. I wouldn't characterize it as an issue that we're constantly rooting out, he says. It's something that we are working with everyone in the industry to put in place the best practices that protect the integrity of their sport.

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Meet The Gambling Tech Company That Caught The NFL's Calvin Ridley - Forbes