Category Archives: Gambling

MILWAUKEE Legal sports gambling has officially entered the state of Wisconsin. On Tuesday, Oneida Nations main casino started to allow sports bets after becoming the first native tribe in the state to successfully renegotiate its gaming agreement with Governor Tony Evers.

Currently, people ages 21 and older will have to travel to Green Bay casinos to legally bet on sporting events in Wisconsin, but Gov. Evers administration says several other tribes are pushing to allow the same at their casinos. Potawatomi Hotel and Casino tells TMJ4 News it is one of them.

Since advocates and opponents both expect sports gambling to be commonplace inside Wisconsin casinos in the near future, lets go 360 to hear from the Oneida Nation, the Potawatomi community, Citizens Against Expanded Gambling about their biggest concern, and sports fans in Milwaukee about whether they will be placing bets.

Lets start with Oneida Casinos chief financial officer.

"What a lot of people in the state of Wisconsin may not realize is that it was a little bit longer process than most realize, Chad Fuss said. We started this endeavor probably about two and a half years ago trying to work with the state of Wisconsin."

Fuss says this summer, Governor Evers agreed to allow the Oneida Nation to offer sports gambling at its casinos. That includes professional sports like the Packers, Brewers and Bucks, and college sports with the exception of NCAA Division 1 teams in Wisconsin.

Fuss says Oneida casinos in Green Bay will soon expand to mobile sites where verified bettors can pull up to locations on the tribes reservation to wager on games and events without having to enter the casinos.

"The unfortunate thing is at this point, if you want to make a wager, you will have to travel to Oneida Casino or some of its outlying properties to be able to make that bet right now, Fuss said.

Thats because the states constitution bans gambling outside of tribal land with the exception of the Wisconsin Lottery. 11 tribes own all 26 casinos across Wisconsin.

Potawatomi Hotel and Casino said in a statement, We don't want our guests to have to travel elsewhere to place that bet. We look forward to the day our guests can wager on their favorite team right here in Milwaukee."

Lorri Pickens with Citizens Against Expanded Gambling believes its just a matter of time before every Wisconsin casino is allowed to offer sports betting.

"It's a game of inches, right? As we inch closer and closer and it becomes more normalized, then less people seem to really have concerns about what might happen down the road, she said.

Pickens says her organization is against sports gambling inside Wisconsin casinos, but her biggest fear is the state allowing an online sports betting platform that people could use anywhere in Wisconsin. 19 states including neighboring Iowa, Illinois, and Michigan allow online sports gambling.

"These sports betting portals are tied to your credit card, oftentimes it's just a click of a button, she said. It's an impulse, they prey on that impulse and before you know it, you're in a wealth of debt."

While Pickens worries about the addiction aspect, Grant Ryback thinks regulated sports gambling is a much safer option than placing black market bets through bookies and illegal websites, or having to cross state lines.

"My brother lives in Illinois, he bets on sports, Ryback said. I think it's good for the state, especially, why would we go to Illinois to bet when we could bet here in the state."

Legalsportsbetting.com says sports gambling is a $150 billion industry and it generates millions in tax revenue for states where its legal.

Wisconsin received $29 million in taxes from casino revenue in 2019. The money went to the states general fund. Now that sports gambling is coming into the equation, Governor Evers administration says it isnt expecting a large increase in tax dollars.

"We do not anticipate a windfall for the state given the fact that the compact agreements for sports betting do not increase the percentage of revenue that Tribal Nations are required to pay, said Tatyana Warrick with the Department of Administration.

Quentin Prince of Milwaukee says they wont be getting any of his money.

"I'm not a gambling man, I don't have that excess cash to do that but I can understand why people do it, he said.

It remains unclear if and when Potawatomi Hotel and Casino will get the green light from Governor Evers to offer sports gambling, but the agreement is expected to come with the same conditions in which Oneida Nation is operating under. Sports bets will have to be made at the casino or on tribal land.

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360: Sports gambling expected to become commonplace in Wisconsin casinos after Oneida Nation paves the way - WTMJ-TV

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --Gambling.com Group Limited (Nasdaq: GAMB)("Gambling.com Group" or the "the Group"), a leading provider of player acquisition services for the regulated global online gambling industry, today announced it has won the most prestigious award for affiliates in the online gambling industry: the Affiliate of the Year award presented by eGaming Review ("EGR"). The Group accepted the honor at the 2021 EGR Global Operator Awards in London on November 25th. It is the second time the Group has won the award, following its win in 2018.

Gambling.com Group beat out 15 other affiliates shortlisted in the Affiliate of the Year category by delivering outstanding financial performance during the July 2020 to June 2021 judging period. Not only was the Group a leader in revenue growth, based on public disclosures, but 100 percent of its growth was achieved organically, without any contribution from acquisitions. The Group considers organic revenue to be the hardest thing to achieve in the affiliate industry and the most important financial metric affiliate companies report. This revenue outperformance helped fuel a successful initial public offering (IPO) on the Nasdaq Global Market in New York, making the Group the first online gambling affiliate publicly traded in the United States.

Charles Gillespie, Chief Executive Officer of Gambling.com Group, said of the honor, "Being named the 2021 Affiliate of the Year is the crown jewel on top of a monumental and historic year for the Group. I am grateful to work with our first-class, professional and dedicated team which drove significant growth in the business as well as delivered on our key, strategic projects."

For the Group'sAffiliate of the Yearnomination, the judges commented, "They have had a stand-out year and quite a lot going for them. Stellar growth and they have done so much over the past year. Differentiation, quality and scale they cover it all off with a data-driven approach."

The EGR Awards are judged by a team of independent, external judges with a diverse range of in-depth online gambling expertise. The awards were given by EGR Global, a B2B publisher and networking group for the online gambling industry.

For further information, please contact: Media: Derek Brookmeyer, Gambling.com Group, [emailprotected], 616-528-0882 Investors: Ross Collins, Alpha-IR Group, [emailprotected], 312-445-2877

About Gambling.com GroupGambling.com Group Limited (Nasdaq: GAMB) is a multi-award-winning performance marketing company and a leading provider of digital marketing services active exclusively in the online gambling industry. The Company operates from offices in Ireland, the United States and Malta. Through its proprietary technology platform, the Company publishes a portfolio of premier branded websites including Gambling.com and Bookies.com. Founded in 2006, the Company owns and operates more than 30 websites in six languages across 13 national markets covering all aspects of the online gambling industry, which includes iGaming and sports betting.

SOURCE Gambling.com Group

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Gambling.com Group is the 2021 EGR Affiliate of the Year - PRNewswire

The American Gaming Association has urged the federal government not to allow illegal gambling machines to be manufactured. In a letter to the Justice Department, Bill Miller, AGA President, and CEO wrote that support and resources from the Department of Justice and federal law enforcement agencies are critical to eliminating illegal gambling devices from our communities.

The association is asking the government to adopt a well-established law that requires any company that manufactures, sells or ships gambling devices that are sent across state lines to register with Justice Department. This is similar to what happens in the regulated gaming sector. The Johnson Act is a law that punishes those who violate it. They can face a maximum $5,000 fine and up to two years imprisonment, as well as forfeiture of their machines.

The call follows news that Congressional leaders on Capitol Hill are exploring skill gambling machine legislation, as well. Jessica Feil, AGA vice president of government relations and gaming policy counsel, stated that illegal and unregulated machines continue to evade the law, putting consumers at risk. She asserted, The AGA and its members are urging the Department to utilize the Johnson Act to investigate and prosecute illegal gaming machine manufacturers. This important step will protect players and, ultimately, root out these pervasive, bad actors.

In 41 states, commercial and tribal casinos must comply with state and federal laws that cover a wide variety of reporting and procedural requirements. According to the AGA, machines that exploit legal loopholes and openly disregard the law are frequent at bars, convenience shops, and gas stations across many states. The machines are also known by different names, including nudge, sweepstakes, or no chance games. They function in the same way as casino slots but dont have to undergo the regulation or testing required for licensed operators.

The AGA, which has addressed the issue before, also states that such machines are not compliant with federal anti-money laundering laws, have not been tested or monitored to ensure fairness to consumers, and prey upon the most vulnerable consumers, including problem gamblers and minors who have been excluded from regulated casinos.

An AGA report published in April states that gambling beyond the reach of regulators is rampant, with opportunities for money laundering and other activities that nefarious actors hope will go undiscovered.

The issue stems from a lack of a clear definition of what skill games are. This has led to a number of problems with enforcement across the US. A Canadian company settled a lawsuit with California in October. The company was accused of operating sweepstakes cafs that were unfairly competing and misleading Californians. It agreed to pay $3.5 million and stop California operations permanently.

In October, five gambling machines were publicly destroyed by officials of Platte County, MO, after the vendor was convicted for felony promotion.

Feil stated that some analysts believe there are tens to thousands of illegal machines operating in certain states.

She said that it can be difficult to identify how many machines are really operating in the shadows. These machines can still be found in other places, even if they are located in one location. These operations can range from just a few machines in a convenience shop to hundreds of machines in illegal mini-casinos. These operators and manufacturers are constantly trying new ways to avoid regulation and law enforcement.

Feil added that the regulated casino industry collaborates with legislators and law enforcement at all levels to understand gray areas and legal loopholes used by illegal gambling machines. Enforcement against illegal operators should be given priority in areas where laws are already adequate.

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AGA Calls on the Justice Department to Stop Illegal Gambling Machines - GamblingNews.com

With baseballs lockout looming, the Red Sox have reportedly added another starting pitcher, though one who may not be ready to contribute until the second half of next year.

Early Wednesday morning, the Red Sox agreed to a one-year, $10 million deal with left-hander James Paxton, according to multiple reports. The deal has club options for 2023 and 2024.

After a strong 2019 season, the 33-year-old Paxton has been plagued by injury the past two years, resulting in Tommy John surgery in April. Over 29 starts for the Yankees in 2019, Paxton posted a 3.82 ERA, striking out 29.3 percent of the batters he faced in 29 starts and 150 innings. But the following year, he was limited to just five starts over 20 innings due to elbow soreness. This past spring, he signed a one-year, $8.5 million deal with the Mariners, was brought along slowly in spring training, but exited the mound in the second inning of his first regular-season start for Seattle with elbow pain that led to surgery later that month.

Hes not going to be ready for Opening Day, chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said. But we do expect to see him sometime in the second half of the season if all goes well. Were hopeful that when he does come back, hes going to be able to give us a lift. Weve seen before injuries really started to impact his career, he was one of the better lefthanded pitchers in the American League.

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Red Sox agree to deal with James Paxton, gambling on injured starter - The Athletic

You might want to enjoy a game of poker or try out roulette. The pandemic made everything different and sometimes you cant just go out to the nearest casino and play, but what you can do is turn on your computer, find a secure website and start playing. Online gambling is a huge industry, serving millions of clients worldwide. But is gambling with bitcoins legal in your region? Is it legal in the EU and the US? Is it legal in African countries and Asia and South America? read this article to find out.

The legality of online gambling depends on the jurisdiction. There are countries where its completely legal to play online casino games, sports betting and poker. Then there are states where the activity is considered illegal, even if its allowed by the authorities, because of certain laws or regulations. And finally, there are regions where gambling is completely prohibited.

Online casinos are now very popular among players. Its now possible to play casino games without leaving home or having to visit a land-based casino. The best part is that you can play for free or for real money. You can play your favourite slot machines, try out various card games like blackjack, baccarat or poker. Its up to you! Best of all, online casinos are completely legal in many countries around the world.

There are different types of casinos that you might want to check out; the most popular ones are:

Slots these are the simplest casino games that anyone can play. They are usually powered by a slot machine emulator that can be found online. Slots are easy to understand and have one goal to get the highest payout possible! These are usually very popular.

Table games these are roulette, craps, blackjack and other card games where you play against the dealer or other players. Table games are also easy to understand and require little effort from the players side. If you have played table games before, chances are you know what to expect.

Video poker this is a combination of slots and playing cards. You can choose from multiple variations of video poker that are available online. You can choose the number of coins that you want to bet on each hand and then start playing. Like slots, video poker is extremely popular among gamblers.

Bingo bingo is a bit different from the rest of the games mentioned above, but its also very popular. You can win big jackpots if you hit enough numbers on your card first. Bingo is also very simple and easy to understand. All you have to do is mark off matching numbers on your card and if you hit enough numbers first, you win!

Casino software developers must obtain a license from a gaming regulator in a certain jurisdiction to be able to legally provide their services to customers in that region. For example, to obtain a license in the UK, a company must obtain a gaming license from the UK Gambling Commission. To obtain an online casino license in Curacao or Malta you need to obtain a license from both regulators. To obtain a European Union (EU) Antillean license, an operator must obtain a license from Curacao, Gibraltar, Malta or any EU jurisdiction. Some licenses from offshore jurisdictions which allow residents from certain countries to gamble there have been challenged as contravening European law.

Sports betting can be done legally in many countries around the world, but only in specific regions. Sports betting has been around for ages and its a very popular activity among people who enjoy watching sports and who enjoy gambling at the same time. In some regions, betting on sports is completely legal, while in others it is completely prohibited. To find out how legal sports betting is in your region, you have to consult with your local authorities and find out whether they regulate this type of activity or not.

Its important to check your local laws and regulations before you start placing bets because there are some things that youre not allowed to do no matter where you live. For example, you cannot bet on international sports events that arent regulated by your countrys authorities; otherwise, you could get into trouble with local authorities and even get arrested.

Unfortunately, there are some scams on the Internet that claim they provide gambling services when in fact they dont operate legally or they simply run illegitimate operations. So be careful when choosing a site and make sure you pick a reputable platform that has been around for years and has millions of happy customers and great support. Only then you will know that youre betting at a safe and secure site, and the chances of getting scammed will be reduced significantly! In this post, I could not cover every country on the map, but I was rather aiming to give a general image of what you can expect. I think its better to be safe than sorry, and double-checking facts given here is actually always advised. I hope your journey with online gambling will bring you a lot of fun!

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Where Is Online Gambling Legal in 2021? - Crypto Mode

Ordering unlicensed operators to stop passively accepting bets from Dutch customers has helped channel players to licensed igaming sites, a Dutch government report suggests.

The report, presented to the Dutch parliament by Minister for Legal Protection Sander Dekker, included included data on the number of visits to gambling websites recorded in the Netherlands from 1 October, when the countrys igaming market opened.

Just ahead of this date, the Dutch government changed its stance towards operators passively accepting bets from Dutch players, without offering their services in the local language or providing local payment services. This saw a host of high-profile operators fail to secure licences for the launch of igaming, including Entain,Kindred Group, 888,Betsson, LeovegasandCasumo.

The report looked at traffic to gaming websites, which it split into three groups: the 10 initial licensees in the Dutch market, a number of websites that opted to block Dutch customers when the market opened, and a number of other unlicensed websites that failed to block access.

On 1 October, traffic to those that blocked Dutch customers plummeted, but did not disappear entirely, Dekker explained.

The customers of these sites did not appear to switch to the other unlicensed operators, the sites that did not block Dutch players also declined slightly. The licensees were the main beneficiaries, with their traffic soaring from 1 October.

That doesnt necessarily mean there are more players, or that more money is being spent than before, Dekker added, however.

The figures cited by Entain and Kindred in the wake of cutting access to Dutch players, he added, had also prompted H2 Gambling Capital to revise its estimates for the size of the Netherlands igaming market upwards. Kindred said earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) would be cut by 12m per month as a result of its withdrawal, while Entain said its earnings would be reduced by 5m per month.

The report noted that 33 licence applications had been submitted as of 1 November, of which a number were still pending. There is likely to be an influx of new submissions once the cooling-off periods for operators that took bets from Dutch customers before the Remote Gaming Act came into force can apply, it added.

Early signs suggested that customers were also using the countrys self-exclusion system Centraal Register Uitsluiting Kansspelen (Cruks). As of 1 November, around 3,500 people had registered.

There were 288 calls to problem gambling support service Loket Kanspel, with callers referred to professional treatment providers in two instances.

Dutch regulator de Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) is continuing to take action against unlicensed operators. Last month, it selected 25 gambling websites to monitor to determine if they were blocking Dutch customers.

The regulator also granted its 11th online gambling licence last month, to JOI Gaming, a division of Dutch land-based casino operator JVH Gaming & Entertainment Group. It joins Bet365, UK-based bingo operator Tombola, which has since been acquired by Flutter, Play North, land-based operator Holland Casino and state lottery Nederlandse Loterij with its Toto Online brand.

The Janshen Hahnraths Group with FPO Nederland, Italy-based Betent, Belgian brand Bingoal, NSUS Malta, which runs the GGPoker.eu brand and sports media and betting business LiveScore Malta also secured licences in the initial wave.

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Dutch government hails success of hardline stance on unlicensed gambling | Compliance - iGaming Business

By: Josh Sens December 1, 2021

Justin Thomas flashing some earnings during a 2020 practice round at the RBC Heritage.

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Welcome to Stuff Golfers Should Know, aGOLF.comseries in which we reveal all kinds of useful golf (and life!) wisdom that is sure to make you the smartest, savviest and most prepared player in your foursome.

***

To get a sense for the kind of on-course wagers Erick Lindgren has been known to make, take a gander at this clip. It chronicles the day, in 2007, when Lindgren, a 12-handicapper at the time, cashed in on a $350,000 bet that called for him to walk four consecutive rounds in the searing heat of a Las Vegas summer, shooting under 100 for each 18.

An outsize proposition for the average weekend duffer, the wager was par for the course in those days for Lindgren, a professional poker player and golf junkie (and bettor) who routinely pegged it against friends and rivals with six-figure sums on the line.

Time moves on, though. A man matures.

Now 45, and a father of two, Lindgren has less appetite for risk, which doesnt mean hes gone cold turkey on his gambling. He still plays poker. And he still likes a little action on the course, just enough to get the juices flowing without raising the prospect of financial pain.

Because thats the comfort zone for many of the rest of us and because $2 Nassaus get old after a while we asked Lindgren for a rundown of his favorite money games. These 5 formats oughta hold your interest, even if youre playing for nothing more than pride.

In this 2-vs.-2 partners game, 6 potential points are available on each hole: 2 for low score; 2 for low total; 1 for closest to the pin in regulation; and 1 for birdie. If one side gets all 6 points, thats called an Umbrella. The win total doubles to 12, mushrooming in size, like an umbrella opening.

There are several variations of this feral game, which requires at least three players. But in every format, the tee-off order rotates from one hole to the next. After hitting first, Player A has the option to go solo against the group, or, after watching each subsequent player hit, select a partner. If theyre feeling bold, Player A also has the option to declare themselves the lone wolf before anyone hits. The stakes then triple on that hole.

There are a lot of ways to beat yourself in golf. In Hammer, you also get the chance to bludgeon your opponent. You can play it with two golfers, 1 vs. 1, or as a two-person team game. As with many golf gambling games, rules and formats vary. But the gist is this: each hole is played for a designated sum, but at any point, you can hammer your opponent (an especially good time to do this is after your opponent has hit one in the weeds). If your opponent declines the hammer, they forfeit the hole. If they accept, the stakes double. Lets say you then hit a lousy shot yourself. Your opponent has the option of hammering you back. On it goes like this until the hole is completed. Stakes can get high, and things can get ugly, as they often do when people fight with hammers.

In this 2 vs. 2 game, team scores are registered as a double-digit number. So, lets say you make a 4 and your partner makes a 5, that counts as a 45. If your two opponents make a 5 and a 6 their score is a 56. The differential between 45 and 56 is 11, so 11 is the number of points you win. Where things get interesting is if you make a birdie. In that case, your opponents score inverts, with the higher digit going first, turning a 56 into a 65. The differential between your two scores (45 and 65) is now 20, a significantly bigger win.

It is often said that matches are decided on the first tee, before the opening shots are struck. Weve all been part of such lopsided affairs, when it quickly becomes clear that one side simply doesnt stand a chance. In poker, thats whats known as drawing dead. No one wants to draw dead on the course. As a precaution, when playing matches against people outside his usual group, Lindgren sometimes proposes an opt-out clause. At any time during the round, after the completion of a hole, the white flag can be waved, ending the match.

A golf, food and travel writer, Josh Sens has been a GOLF Magazine contributor since 2004 and now contributes across all of GOLFs platforms. His work has been anthologized in The Best American Sportswriting. He is also the co-author, with Sammy Hagar, of Are We Having Any Fun Yet: the Cooking and Partying Handbook.

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5 golf betting games guaranteed to liven up your rounds, according to a pro gambler - Golf.com

Daniel Jurilj, the head of sales at SofaScore, joined Gambling News to discuss how the companys data solutions are helping improve the sports betting industry. Available to leagues, teams and operators, the solutions provide access to over 500 sports events each year, providing real-time results, statistics, highlights and more. All of that enables a more robust experience for the sports bettor, as well as better player engagement for operators.

The data solutions also help improve integrity in sports. While this hasnt been the primary focus, compiling larger amounts of data and making it available through a single solution enhance transparency in all sports.

SofaScore already provides data solutions for soccer, tennis and basketball. Additional sports are constantly being added, especially for the North American market, which is a major target for the company.

All other industries have relied on large amounts of data to aid their activity, but the gaming community has been behind. It has dedicated more resources to launches and acquisitions, relying on rudimentary data solutions. This is changing, however, and more operators are increasingly focusing on the ability to enhance the information they use behind the scenes, as well as what they are able to provide to the consumer.

SofaScore is in the process of developing new solutions that will drive engagement even more. 2022 is going to see a great deal of innovation in the gaming space, with SofaScore able to provide substantial support and growth opportunities. The next few years are going to be crucial for how the gaming ecosystem evolves, and SofaScore is positioned to be a frontrunner in that process.

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SofaScore and Gambling News Discuss Datas Role in Gaming (Podcast #15) - GamblingNews.com

Gambling adverts around the pitch remind my son of 'the thing that killed his dad'

Leicester City have been urged to end their relationship with multiple betting firms by a mother who says her husband took his own life because of a gambling addiction.

The Foxes have more betting partnerships than any other professional team in English football, with ties to five of the 31 gambling sponsors in the Premier League.

But Annie Ashton, whose husband Luke was a huge Leicester fan, says she cannot take her 11-year-old son to games because gambling advertising around the pitch is "a reminder of the thing that killed his dad".

She told BBC Sport: "Luke loved going to football with his son, so I promised I'd take him to football games to continue the tradition.

"But while there, we would just see gambling adverts flashing around the pitch. It made my son feel uncomfortable. He sinks right into his seat.

"He asked me why the adverts are there and I couldn't give him an answer.

"For him, it's a reminder of the thing that killed his dad. For an 11-year-old it's a challenging thing to get your head around and when I can't give him the answers, we walk out of there not knowing."

Annie has written a letter to the 2016 Premier League champions asking them to change their policy so she can take her son back to watch games at the King Power Stadium.

She said she was "really shocked" to learn the club had five betting partners and says she fears for other children who might also be discouraged from going because of the adverts on match days.

In response to the letter, Leicester said it would invite her to meet club representatives to discuss the issues raised.

Leicester do not have a gambling sponsor on their shirt, but adverts appear for five companies on illuminated advertising boards around the pitch, on the first-team's training clothing and in the club programme and on its website.

Norwich City are the only Premier League club who do not have a betting partner. Tottenham, Wolves and Newcastle have three, Everton and Burnley have two and the remaining 13 teams have one gambling sponsor each.

A Leicester spokesperson said: "The club is committed to activating all of its commercial partnerships responsibly and shares the resolve of stakeholders throughout sport to ensure gambling is safe and appropriately regulated.

"We support the Premier League's contribution to the government review [of the Gambling Act] and await its recommendations."

Annie only discovered the magnitude of her husband's addiction three weeks after he took his own life in April, and attributes it to free bets offered on horse racing. An inquest into Luke's death has been adjourned until January.

She says Luke was in control of bets he placed on football, but when he started betting on racing during a period of furlough, it became unmanageable. Annie has since campaigned for a change in law, called Luke's Law, to stop gambling firms offering free bet bonuses. A petition she started has attracted almost 30,000 signatures.

Asked what she would say to Leicester at a meeting, she replies: "If Leicester can tell me why a potentially really harmful product is advertised around the pitch, that has nothing to do with the sport, then maybe I can give that answer to my son [about why they are there]," she said.

"But I don't think there is going to be a good enough answer, because I don't feel like gambling advertising around a pitch is there for anyone's benefit. There are children there, sat next to us. They don't need to see it; they don't know what it is. But it's flashing around the pitch, so their eyes will be drawn to it when the match is being played."

She adds: "I'd like to tell the club about Luke. I'd tell them about their biggest fan, and ask: do the adverts need to be there?

"It would be nice if Luke's legacy was for them to make changes to stop that happening in the future. They are now part of a problem. It's devastating."

Football teams are allowed to have gambling sponsors by law. However, the issue is being debated as part of the Gambling Act review, with a government white paper expected early next year. The Premier League and English Football League (EFL) have both contributed to the review.

Campaigners have called for an end to all gambling advertising in football because of the potential for harm. A recent Public Health England report estimates there are 409 gambling-related suicides in England each year.

But the EFL says the money provides vital funds for teams and claims there is "no evidence" that adverts increase the number of problem gamblers - of which there are 245,000 in England, according to a 2018 study by NHS Digital.

Annie describes football's relationship with gambling as "unnecessary".

She says: "In the future if gambling becomes distant from football, they will feel ashamed and look back and think, 'Wow, we did that?' Why would we ever have gambling advertised in a sport? I don't think it's for anyone's benefit within the community or the football world.

"To think about the children and the next generation of football players, they should definitely consider that this is the time when they could start making positive steps into taking it away from a sport which people genuinely love.

"Luke started off with the odd football bet and was what would be considered a responsible gambler but that changed, and that can happen to anyone.

"Free bets are not free. They're dangerous. They hook you into potentially dangerous, risky products that can have devastating consequences.

"I would never in a million years have thought Luke was gambling to an extent where he was going to end his life and I now have to pick up those pieces. There are no words to describe the shock. If it happened to Luke, it could have happened to anyone.

"It's going to happen to the next generation of gamblers, who are now taking up those free-bet offers and be the next suicides in a couple of years."

A spokesperson for the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), which represents the gambling industry, said its members spend millions of pounds on problem gambling prevention and treatment programmes.

"The BGC's largest members committed to spend an additional 100m for the treatment of problem gambling and we are also spending 10m on the Young People's Gambling Harm Prevention Programme," it said.

"Millions of people enjoy a bet and the overwhelming majority do so safely, and we are encouraged by a recent report by the Gambling Commission that showed the rate of problem gambling in the UK fell from 0.6% to 0.3% over the past year.

"But we have taken steps to reduce the exposure of young people to betting adverts by introducing the whistle-to-whistle ban on TV commercials during sport before the watershed.

"And as part of sponsorship agreements, our members work closely with football clubs to promote safer gambling. We also introduced new rules to ensure children cannot view betting ads on football clubs' social media accounts.

"We are committed to going even further and have strongly supported the government's Gambling Review as an opportunity to further drive change."

If you've been affected by issues raised in this article, there is information and support available on BBC Action Line.

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'Gambling adverts at games remind my son of his father's death' - BBC Sport

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A new partnership is being set up to protect children and young people in Wales from gaming and gambling related harms.

The Young Gamers &Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM) and the National Education Union have established the programme to train people who work with children and young to provide education to safeguard them from dangers.

YGAMs training, which is provided free to organisations across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, is being rolled out to all NEU members in Wales.

It will provide delegates with tools and resources in Welsh and English to deliver harm prevention programmes within their settings.

YGAMs training will provide them with an oversight of gaming and gambling, the blurred lines between the two and key issues as well as advice and guidance on where they can find more information and signpost to support.

Sam Robinson, YGAMs Education Manager for Wales told Nation.Cymru: It is great to be working with the National Education Union within Wales again, and working with the NEU Cymru Team to offer this training to their members is an important part of our offer for Wales.

Teachers working across Wales know what is best for their students, so by giving them this training and the tools they need to deliver impactful harm prevention sessions they can have these meaningful conversations and prevent harms amongst their students.

Dangers of gambling and gaming

Beth Roberts, WULF Coordinator at NEU added: Our partnership working with YGAM over the past two years has presented opportunities for our education sector colleagues to gain invaluable insight into the dangers of gambling and gaming as well as providing them with the skills and high- quality curriculum-mapped resources to deliver awareness training to their own pupils and students.

Our jointly badged training courses, accredited by City & Guilds, have been well attended and well received, and we are excited to continueour collaborative work with YGAM in supporting young people in Wales who may be experiencing gambling and gaming related harm.

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Partnership set up to protect Wales' kids from gaming and gambling related harms - Nation.Cymru