In 1991 one of the big questions the State of Texas faced was whether legislators should allow a lottery to help fund some of the states needs. Many supporters of the lottery promised that proceeds could be used to help fund public schools so during the first special session of the 72nd Texas Legislature House Bill 54 and House Joint Resolution 8 called for a vote on the lottery. The following November, Texas voters approved Proposition 11 allowing the institution of the Texas Lottery.

Today we face a similar issue in the state with those who want to allow sports betting. In January of this year House Bill 1121 was filed by Rep. Harold Dutton in the Texas House of Representatives to allow sports betting in Texas. Behind the push for the bill is the Sports Betting Alliancea coalition of sports betting franchises and platforms. Major sports teams, including the Dallas Cowboys, the Dallas Mavericks, and the Texas Rangers are working with them to ensure that the bill passes.

According to his office, Rep. Dan Huberty is working on another sports-betting bill that would use some of the proceeds for special education. While 90% of the proceeds would go to bettors the other 10% would go to fund education for special needs students. The bill could generate several hundred million dollars, according to Huberty. The bill has currently been drafted but not filed.

Opponents of sports betting in Texas include owners and operators of gambling venues in neighboring states like the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations from Oklahoma. The two tribes have given over $5 million to Texas legislators since 2006 to stop gambling in the state. An opponent with strong political clout is Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, who recently stated that sports betting is not even an issue thats going to see the light of day this session. While Patrick has let it be known that he is not a proponent expanding legal gaming, he indicated that the Senate is not supportive of it this session, stating We are nowhere close to having the votes for it.

But many ask, if sports betting were to pass in Texas, would we use the funds to support public education? How we distribute funds from the Texas lottery may provide a hint. Close to 26% of lottery funds are currently allocated to the Foundation School Fund to support Texas public schools, accounting for about 5% of the funds budgeted for public education. The lions share of lottery proceeds around 62% go to lottery winners. Historically, at least some lottery proceeds have gone to public schools. Whether it is the amount that was promised by some or expected by many is another story.

Finally, some wonder if we should use gambling proceeds for public schools from a moral standpoint while others feel the additional revenue outweighs and such problem. An old joke tells the story of a gambler offering a portion of his winnings to a minister. The preacher pondered it for a moment and then said, The devil has had it long enough. Give it here!

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Will Gambling Proceeds Support Education in Texas? - Reform Austin

A Missouri-based company accused of operating illegal gambling devices filed a lawsuit alleging state law enforcements crackdown on rogue slot machines is a campaign of harassment and intimidation.

Torch Electronics, LLC, filed its lawsuit Friday in Cole County against the Missouri Department of Public Safety, Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Missouri Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control.

The company alleges the state exceeded its authority by removing Torch machines from Warrenton Oils convenience stores, as well as other locations. Warrenton Oil joined Torch in the lawsuit.

These government officials continue to threaten to remove Torch devices based solely on their own incorrect interpretations of Missouri gambling laws, the lawsuit, filed by Jefferson City attorney Charles Hatfield, states.

As such, the lawsuit continues, judicial intervention is necessary to prevent the department and the Highway Patrol from exceeding their authority by continuing to remove Torch amusement devices from convenience stores.

The lawsuit comes as Missouri legislative leaders are pushing for tougher regulations to root out illegal gambling machines across the state.

On Monday, the Senate briefly debated a bill sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, that would grant the Missouri Gaming Commission authority to go after these machines.

It also allows for the revocation of a liquor license of any businesses found to be allowing the machines to operate on their premises.

I just want them to stop violating the law, Schatz said of the illegal machines.

Torch Electronics opposes the bill, arguing that it would put the company out of business.

The machines in question operate similarly to what youd find in a casino. A player inserts money, selects a game and decides how much they wish to wager. Winners get paid by the store cashier.

Missouri officials estimate there are 14,000 of these machines across the state.

The Missouri Gaming Commission has deemed them gambling devices, which are prohibited outside of licensed casinos, and the state highway patrol considers them illegal.

Torch disagrees, saying its machines reveal the outcome of the wager before the player moves forward. Thus, the company argues, they are not a game of chance and therefore not illegal.

Sen. Dan Hegeman, R-Cosby, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, doesnt buy Torchs argument that its machines are not illegal gambling.

Because these machines operate outside the law, Hegeman said, there are no consumer protections in place and they do not abide by the same restrictions as other slot machines including that a portion of proceeds goes to fund public education.

Im passionate about getting after these illegal machines who are stealing money from our kids for their own personal benefit, he said. It makes me mad. It makes me upset. They need to be taken out. They need to be destroyed. They need to get out of the state of Missouri.

Last year, Hegeman earmarked $150,000 in Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitts budget to crack down on illegal gaming machines around the state.

Schmitt initially declined to spend the money until a case involving illegal gambling machines in Platte County was resolved. That case ended last month, with Kansas-based Integrity Vending paying a fine after being found guilty of promoting gambling in the first degree.

Integrity Vending chose not to appeal the ruling.

The attorney generals office then said the case proves that these cases are local matters that should be handled by local prosecutors.

Hegeman said if the attorney general doesnt spend the money, we will probably make an adjustment to that. If we give them the resources to do that, and they dont, then we will find something else to do with it.

The attorney generals office declined comment.

I heard for two years that we need to wait for the Platte County case. As soon as that is adjudicated, well take action, Schatz said Monday. Well, that case is resolved.

In addition to filing a lawsuit, Torch Electronics also earlier this month donated $10,000 to a political action committee connected to its lobbyist, Steve Tilley.

Last summer, the company gave $90,000 to a different PAC connected to Tilley, and that money was doled out to various lawmakers in the run-up to the November election.

Tilley is also a longtime friend and adviser to Gov. Mike Parson, as well as one of his top fundraisers. Torch donated $20,000 to a PAC supporting Parsons bid for governor.

In its lawsuit, Torch is asking a Cole County judge to declare that its machines are not gambling devices and that the state overstepped its authority when it removed machines from convenient stores.

The company also wants the judge to prevent the state from removing or participating in the removal of any Torch machines from convenience stores moving forward.

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Mo. company accused of illegal gambling sues the state - Griffon News

Novak Djokovic says he could potentially cause more damage to his body by continuing to compete at the Australian Open following the abdominal injury he sustained during his third-round match against Taylor Fritz. On Sunday the world No 1 returned to beat Milos Raonic 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-1, 6-4.

After stating following his match against Fritz on Friday night that the ATP physio had told him his injury was definitely a tear, on Sunday he declined to describe his injury in detail. He said he had spent the previous 48 hours doing different treatments with different devices, including pills and painkillers, having coordinated with medical staff of Tennis Australia, ATP physios and his own physiotherapist.

Its kind of a gamble, said Djokovic. I mean, thats what the medical team told me. Its really unpredictable, you cant know whats going to happen with you once youre on the court. Youre not gonna save yourself or think about going for that point or this shot or that shot. It just pulls you. Its normal. Playing at this level, you just want to give it all.

It could cause much more damage than it is at the moment, but it also could go in a good direction. So thats something that I dont know, and I dont think I will also know until I stop taking painkillers. As long as Im with high dose of painkillers, I guess, you know, still can bear some of the pain.

Djokovic said he did not know whether he would play until a few hours before the match but he produced a highly competent performance to overcome Raonic. Although he sometimes grimaced, he won 78% of first serve points, fired 41 winners to just 25 unforced errors, moved smoothly and broke Raonics considerable serve three times.

Playing best-of-five with kind of an aggressive mover that I am on the court doesnt help much with this kind of injury, but I think the combination of pills and treatments and also some willpower and of course certain degree and level of bearing the pain. Mentally I think you have to kind of accept that I did come into the match knowing that Ill probably feel pain all the way through, which was the case, said Djokovic.

Injuries were the theme of the day as the 21st seed Grigor Dimitrov produced a shock 6-4, 6-4, 6-0 victory against the third seed Dominic Thiem to reach the quarter-finals. Thiem offered little energy or resistance throughout, scoring just six points in the 21-minute third set. Afterwards, he noted physical issues but declined to further elaborate.

Some little physical issues, he said. I dont want to go closer to them. I dont want to find any excuses. But the thing also is that Im also not a machine. I mean, sometimes I would like to be, but there are really, really bad days. As soon as youre not a 100% there on the court on this level, then results like this come up and thats exactly what happened today.

Dimitrov will face the surprise of the tournament, Aslan Karatsev, a 27-year-old Russian qualifier who defeated the 20th seed Felix Auger Aliassime 3-6, 1-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 to become the first male player in 25 years to reach a grand slam quarter-final on debut.

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Novak Djokovic 'gambling' on fitness after Australian Open win over Raonic - The Guardian

Alabama lawmakers finished what they considered urgent business the first two weeks of the legislative session, passing three bills related to the COVID-19 pandemic with overwhelming bipartisan support, but face more controversial topics in the weeks ahead.

They will first take a week off to evaluate how well efforts to meet safely during the COVID-19 pandemic are working.

If they dont find problems and return as expected on Feb. 23, they will dive into a plan for a lottery and casinos, a major gambling expansion that would raise a half-billion dollars or more a year for state programs.

The money would go to college scholarships for high-demand careers, expand access to broadband internet, support health care and mental health care, and other needs.

The bill is a constitutional amendment that would go to voters for a final decision if it clears the Legislature.

Besides the gambling bill, legislators will consider a range of bills on other timely or controversial topics, including Alabamas overcrowded and violent prisons, election law changes related to last years disputed presidential election, and issues that come up every year, such as gun control laws and medical marijuana.

Bills awaiting consideration would:

The legislative session can last up to 15 weeks, or until mid-May.

Some of the bills are likely to cause sharp disagreements. That will be a change from the last two weeks, when Republicans and Democrats, with just a handful of exceptions, voted for three priority bills to help the state cope with and recover from the pandemic.

On Friday, Gov. Kay Ivey signed the three bills. They will:

House Speaker Mac McCutcheon and Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed said the legislation is an important response to the pandemic, which cut short last years legislative session and killed those bills and others.

I think we accomplished what we needed to do, McCutcheon said. We got the three major bills out between the House and the Senate.

Weve had good progress on our budgets. And honestly, what we have gotten done over these two weeks has just really been phenomenal. Weve done better than I even thought we would do.

Reed sent out a statement saying the session was off to a strong start.

These are trying times for many across our state, and the Legislature, working with the governor, identified these three pieces of priority legislation to help Alabamians recover from the economic hardships endured throughout this pandemic, he said.

While these have been a strong first two weeks of session, we still have a lot of important work ahead of us. I look forward to continuing the bipartisan collaboration we have seen over the past few weeks as we continue to deliver results to the people of Alabama.

The Senate elected Reed as pro tem when Sen. Del Marsh stepped down after holding that post for a decade. Marsh, who is not running for reelection in 2022, said he wanted to concentrate on major legislation during his last two years in office. He is the sponsor of the constitutional amendment to allow a lottery and five casinos that would offer a full range of casino games and sports betting.

The Legislative Services Agency estimated the lottery and casinos could raise net revenue for the state of $450 million to $670 million. Read the fiscal note, which describes how the money would be used.

Senators discussed the bill Thursday but did not vote. Marsh said he expected to make changes to the bill in response to what he has heard from senators, representatives, and others, and would return with a revised version on Feb. 23.

Ive got to determine what is a package that I can truly, one, get through the Legislature and get to the people, Marsh said. And when they look at it they can say, They checked all the boxes. Im comfortable with this. I believe the money is going to the right places.

Alabama voters have not had a chance to vote on a lottery since 1999.

The Legislative Services Agency estimated the lottery would raise net revenue of $194 million to $279 million a year for the state. The money would go to a Lottery Trust Fund that would be used to pay for scholarships to community colleges. The intent is to help Alabama build a workforce needed to fill high-demand jobs in growing industries like automotive plants and aerospace companies. Scholarships would also go to students seeking teaching degrees in math and science, where there is a shortage of teachers.

The Legislature would hammer out more details in separate legislation. Marsh said his intent is to pass that before the amendment goes on the ballot so that voters will know the specifics.

The bill would allow casinos at the states four greyhound tracks in Birmingham, Macon County, Greene County, and Mobile, plus a fifth in northeast Alabama operated by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.

Senators who spoke Thursday generally praised the bill but some complained that their districts would have no casino and would lose revenue they now receive from bingo. The bill would prohibit electronic bingo except at the casinos.

Marsh said he might change the bill to allow up to two more casinos but said he strongly believed that voters want a limit on the number.

For several years, lawmakers have taken steps to expand high-speed internet access. They created the Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund to offer grants to help bring fiber connections to areas where providers might not otherwise serve because theres not enough return on the investment. But the funding is a fraction of what is needed. The pandemic has reinforced the importance of broadband, with public schools switching to online classes and many adults working from home.

Marshs bill would apply almost half of the revenue from casinos to broadband expansion until that total reached $1 billion. A companion bill would set up a new state agency, the Alabama Digital Expansion Authority, which would develop short-term and long-term plans to expand broadband and enable the state to issue bonds for that purpose. Read the summary.

The gambling bill would also direct money to rural health care. Marsh said Ivey wanted that to be part of the plan because she wanted to help rural hospitals.

Funding would also go to mental health services. Marsh said that was the result of discussions with House Majority Leader Nathaniel Ledbetter, who has led efforts to expand mental health care.

If the plan is approved, the governor would enter a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians that would allow the tribe to offer the full range of casino games at their electronic bingo casinos on tribal land in Atmore, Wetumpka, and Montgomery.

The plan would also authorize betting on sports events at the casinos and online.

Marsh said he wanted his bill to be as close to a final document as possible if it passes the Senate but said he understand the House will probably want to make changes.

House Speaker McCutcheon did not commit to supporting the bill or speculate on it. McCutcheon said the comprehensive nature of the bill -- with the lottery, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, the four greyhound tracks, and county-based bingo all included -- is an important stating point.

It would be too early for me to start making a comment about what I would support and what I would not support, McCutcheon said. I do know, and Ive said this from the very beginning, is that weve got to bring all of these different entities together where we can sit down at the table and not fight against each other but try to look for the things that bring us together so that we could have a hope of passing something.

Prisons are a major topic. The Department of Justice sued the Alabama Department of Corrections last year, alleging that the state violates the constitutional rights of inmates by failing to protect them from violence. Alabamas prisons hold far more inmates than they were built for and their supervision suffers from a severe shortage of correctional officers.

The House Judiciary Committee has approved about a half-dozen bills related to the prison problems. They would give judges more discretion in sentencing parole violators; allow some nonviolent offenders to petition courts for shorter sentences; promote community corrections and other programs that divert offenders from prison; and temporarily create a second parole board to help relieve a backlog of inmates eligible for parole hearings.

McCutcheon said he expects those bills to receive consideration in the House.

Ivey has signed lease agreements for two new mens prisons and is negotiating a third. The leases do not require legislative approval. Legislators have said they are worried about the cost, projected at about $3 billion over 30 years. McCutcheon said the House has a backup plan to the lease agreements, but no bill has been introduced.

At least two bills propose changes to a law that prohibits cities and counties from moving historical monuments that are 40 years old or more from public property. The Legislature passed the Memorial Preservation Act in 2017 in response to Confederate statues coming down in other states. The law imposes a $25,000 fine for removal of monuments. Still, Birmingham, Mobile, and Madison County all took down Confederate monuments last year.

The House Judiciary committee did not approve a bill by Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, that would repeal the Memorial Preservation Act and allow cities and counties to move monuments to parks, cemeteries, or similar sites, or transfer ownership to other cities, counties, or a state agency. But the bill is in a subcommittee and could still be considered.

Another bill takes the opposite approach, making it harder to move monuments by increasing the penalties for removal. Rep. Mike Holmes, R-Wetumpka, is the sponsor.

McCutcheon said he did not want to speculate on what the House would do but said he expects representatives to debate the issues.

I think that there is a good possibility that that issue is going to be addressed. And I think theres a good possibility there may be some changes. To what extent that will be, I dont know, McCutcheon said.

The speaker said Givans bill had some merit because it would increase local control but did not endorse it.

A lot of the members have talked about thats a positive, they would like to see more local control because every area is not the same in the state. But, there again, the bills got to go through the process, McCutcheon said.

A Senate committee approved a bill that would prohibit puberty-blocking drugs, hormone treatments, and surgeries for minors seeking transgender therapy. The House Judiciary committee held a public hearing on a similar bill but did not take a vote.

A bill to legalize and regulate the production, sales, and use of medical marijuana products won approval by a Senate committee and awaits consideration by the Senate. It has passed the Senate the last two years but died in the House.

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Gambling bill tops list of tough issues when Alabama Legislature returns to work - AL.com

The comprehensive gambling bill filed this week by Republican state Sen. Del Marsh is a good bill. That statement will undoubtedly anger both many of my progressive friends, who view gaming and specifically, a states reliance upon gaming revenue to pay important bills as a tax on the poor, and many anti-gaming conservatives, who believe gambling in any form is a sin (except for, of course, the church raffles and the church bingo).

But both groups, while likely well-intentioned, are off-base. Their arguments are superficial and ignore key, indisputable facts about the current gaming reality in Alabama, and about how legalizing gaming in this state could drastically alter the tax structure and opportunities facing the states poorest citizens.

So, first things first, lets explain the bill and what it does. The short version is that it would authorize voters to approve a constitutional amendment allowing for a lottery, full casino gaming at five locations, a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians that would allow three additional full casinos and would allow all casino locations to operate a sports book. It also creates a new gaming commission to oversee all of this gaming.

All told, this gaming bill is projected to bring in somewhere in the range of $750 million to $1 billion annually. That money will go towards a college scholarship program (similar to Georgias HOPE program), IT infrastructure, rural health care, mental health care and the general fund.

To determine if this is a good bill, I have three questions that must be answered:

Lets start from the top.

Marshs bill probably has the best chance of passing of any gaming bill that has come along in at least the last 15 years. There were a couple of close calls on video poker bills in the 90s, and then more near-misses in the early 2000s, but nothing that had the backing of several major players. And certainly nothing this ambitious.

There are two reasons why: First, the Poarch Creeks and the dog track owners sat down and reached an agreement. Second, the agreement spreads the wealth around to several different districts, making it far more likely that they can eliminate wishy-washy lawmakers by promising millions in revenue and thousands of jobs for their areas.

People can ignorantly whine about the dog tracks getting casinos, but you wouldnt have a deal otherwise. Because those tracks are huge money-makers for the local communities the very poor and economically depressed local communities and have been for decades. So, the lawmakers representing those areas protect the jobs of their constituents, as they should.

Historically, that has meant that no gaming or lottery bill gets through unless the tracks are included. Alternatively, until this deal, the tracks getting a piece of the pie has always been a non-starter for the Poarch Creeks, who didnt want to see their potential revenue diluted.

But over the last year-plus, the right people from those two groups got together and hammered out a compromise that didnt make any of them completely happy, but will ultimately make them and the state of Alabama a lot of money. Assuming this deal passes and voters approve it.

There are a few problems here. Overall, I think the bill strikes the correct tone, in terms of where the money goes, but the pathways to those locations arent clearly defined. And a couple of locations need to be changed, or at the very least the amount of money going to those locations changed.

What constitutes rural health services or mental health services isnt defined at all, and it needs to be. Or you could remove the rural services and simply expand Medicaid a move that would help every area of the state and would also generate billions of dollars and thousands of jobs.

Also, Id like to see the distribution of revenue altered to allow a repeal of the grocery tax and make it clear that career tech and certification programs can be covered by the lottery revenue, in addition to the college scholarships.

Theres enough money to do those things and still also improve our IT infrastructure and expand broadband throughout the state. Depending on the compact deal worked out between the tribe and Gov. Kay Ivey, there might also be enough to offer free pre-K to all Alabama children.

If we get anywhere close to this level of change, you have just fundamentally altered for the better the future of millions of Alabamians for generations to come.

Marshs bill taxes casinos at a 20 percent rate. Thats pretty close to average. Most other states have a variety of tax rates for example, taxing gaming machine revenue at a much higher rate than table game revenue making it difficult to assign an overall tax rate, but of those with flat rates, the rates vary from mid-teens to 30 percent.

That rate can be adjusted in the future, if needed. Although, the Poarch Creeks are currently (and rightfully) making the case that the rates shouldnt be changed during a licensing term.

So, thats it. Thats why I think its a good bill now, and one that could be life-altering for this state with just a few changes in revenue disbursement.

But theres also one other thing that I need people to understand: We already have gambling in this state.

Whenever this debate pops up, the go-to argument for gaming supporters is that theres gambling in states all around us. But you dont have to go that far. The Poarch Creeks already operate three casinos in Alabama. VictoryLand, GreeneTrack, the Birmingham Race Course and various smaller locations around the state also are already offering some form of gaming. So, theres already gambling occurring at seven of the eight proposed casino locations.

And that means all of the negative aspects of gaming that you complain about, we already have them here. What we dont have is revenue that would allow the state to implement changes that could positively affect all Alabamians, particularly poor Alabamians, and offset some of that harm.

That only comes by passing good, comprehensive gaming legislation that legalizes gambling at certain locations, regulates it and taxes it.

Marshs bill does that.

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Opinion | Marshs gambling bill is already good, but it could be great - alreporter.com

The charges stem from an investigation into Sinners Swing Gentlemen's Club in Mayfield.

MAYFIELD, Pa. A state trooper in Lackawanna County is one of four people charged with illegal gambling and prostitution.

Investigators say Trooper Robert Covington, 45, of Olyphant, is a co-owner of Sinners Swing Gentleman's Club in Mayfield.

State police say an investigation revealed the club was being used for illegal gambling, prostitution, and money laundering.

Co-owner David Klem, 38; club manager Michael Ball, 48; and club employee Deanna Tallo, 31, were also charged.

Of the four people arrested on Thursday, one is a Pennsylvania State Trooper, one is a convicted drug dealer, and another pleaded guilty to smuggling drugs into the Lackawanna County Prison.

They're all accused of running an illegal operation out of a gentlemen's club in Mayfield since 2018.

Sinners Swing Gentlemen's Club co-owner David Klem flashed a smile at our cameras as he left the Lackawanna County Criminal Justice Center, followed by the three others who were charged with running an illegal gambling and prostitution ring out of the club in Mayfield.

One of the four arrested is Trooper Robert Covington, a 13-year veteran of the Pennsylvania State Police, who's assigned to enforce gambling regulations at Mohegan Sun Casino in Wilkes-Barre.

Investigators say Trooper Covington and David Klem own the club together.

Michael Ball is the club's manager, and Deanna Tallo is an employee.

After a year and a half long investigation, state police convinced a grand jury that these four people were running a corrupt organization and laundering money to cover it up.

Sharon Earyes works at an auto repair shop across the street from the club. She was surprised to learn of the illegal activities that were allegedly taking place there.

"If they were doing something bad, they did a very good job of keeping it secret because we didn't know anything," Earyes said. "I really didn't see much action over there. At night, we'd come by after dinner, and there'd be no cars in the lot, maybe one or two in the back you figure are employees. But in all honesty, I thought the place was closed."

Two of the four people arrested have a criminal history.

David Klem did time for using his pizza shop in Olyphant as a front for a drug trafficking operation. He was released on parole in 2015.

Deanna Tallo pleaded guilty in 2019 to smuggling drugs to inmates in the Lackawanna County Prison. Her sentencing in that federal case is scheduled for April.

According to court paperwork, Trooper Covington sent a text to another state trooper in February of last year, saying, "did I tell you I'm a silent partner in a strip club? I went halves with my friend in 2018. I told him I can't have any hand in daily operations till I hit my 20 yr mark lol. I'm almost making my PSP salary there."

Covington is currently suspended without pay from the Pennsylvania State Police.

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State trooper, three others charged with illegal gambling, prostitution - WNEP Scranton/Wilkes-Barre

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Gov. Ned Lamont penciled in $50 million in revenue from new digital gambling platforms in his two-year budget released Wednesday, betting that the legislature and Connecticuts two tribal casinos will approve sweeping changes in the states gambling enterprises.

The governor, legislative leaders, Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino have negotiated unsuccessfully in the past few years an agreement to expand gambling to digital platforms such as the internet, phone apps and sports betting. The sides now are close to agreement, prodded by a shared need for revenue cut sharply by the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Our neighboring states are moving forward with sports betting and iGaming and Connecticut should not leave these opportunities for other states to benefit from our inaction, Lamont said in his budget address to the General Assembly.

Lamonts budget anticipates revenue from sports betting, iGaming and iLottery.

Rodney Butler, chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, which owns Foxwoods, said the governors revenue projection based on sports betting and digital gambling shows a level of commitment.

Butler said the Lamont administration and casinos are really, really close in reaching agreement on legislation.

Were at the one-yard line. We just need to punt it in, he said.

James Gessner Jr., chairman of the Mohegan Tribe, said said Connecticut is poised this year to modernize its gaming laws, realize significant new state revenue and grow our local economy, just as neighboring states are already doing.

Even as the tribes negotiate with Lamont, money the governor budgeted in his spending plan is very much achievable through an agreement with the tribal nations, he said.

Lamont said his administration has been in active negotiations with the tribes to bring the states gaming economy into the digital age. He said he is submitting legislation that he believes is the best bet in ending this stalemate of inaction.

The $50 million in expected revenue for the fiscal year beginning July 2022 is a conservative estimate and will likely grow with added digital gaming, he said.

Melissa McCaw, Lamonts budget director, said at a budget briefing that modernizing the industry is critically important.

We believe theres alignment with our tribal partners on that goal, she said.

The tribes say their state compacts that have resulted in more than $8 billion in slot revenue to Connecticut since the early 1990s gives them exclusive rights to gambling. Commercial operators of casinos and sports betting are fighting efforts that would block them from competing for gambling business.

Sports betting operates in 20 states, including in neighboring New York and Rhode Island and nearby New Hampshire, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, according to the American Gaming Association.

Its legal, but not yet operating in five states.

In New Jersey, internet gambling generated nearly $1 billion in revenue last year, doubled from 2019, and delivered $145 million to the state, according to Howard Glaser, global head of government affairs and special initiatives at Scientific Games Corp., a Las Vegas gambling and lottery company.

In Pennsylvania, online lottery sales were $1 billion by May 2020 after its first year, he said.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Conn. expects $50M in revenue from online gambling; tribes close to deal with state - The Union Leader

The worlds richest horse race, the $20 million Saudi Cup, holds its second running on Saturday. The Kingdom have done what theyre known for, built a state of the art facility and thrown a shed-load of money at an event. The race fits into the racing calendar in the region and provides competition for the other Gulf states who hold their racing festivals at this time of the year. Its a two day meeting with a wide range of events. Were here to concentrate on Saturdays main attraction heres your Saudi Cup Gambling Analysis and Picks.

The King Abdulaziz course in Riyadh is a new track so we dont have a ton of data, but in this instance we dont really need it. Its your standard left handed dirt oval, the 9f event held around one sweeping turn. Jockeys have been very complimentary about the surface and its lack of kickback. In short, therell be no excuses here. Theres not a huge field so everybody should be able to run their race. Maximum Security won last year having stalked the pace. Midnight Misu finished second having come from way back. The nine furlong trip looked to be a true test so Id want a horse with a bit of stamina and guts. Try and give the undercard a watch if you can, therell be clues on both days and you can pivot if there is an obvious trend.

Charlatan 7/4. Trained by Bob Baffert, Charlatan is 4 for 4. Having missed the Triple Crown races through injury, he returned from an eight month layoff to win the Malibu Stakes at Gulfstream in January. That was over seven furlongs, but the horse has won over this trip and that Malibu win was impressive. He could be anything and is a worthy favorite.

Knicks Go 9/4. Brad Cox trains this Pegasus World Cup winning star. I found his Breeders Cup Dirt Mile win even more impressive, going wire to wire and setting a track record. Hell be the one to catch and sets a daunting standard.

Mishriff 6/1. He hasnt been seen since finishing down the field in the Champions Stakes at Ascot. The horse overcame traffic to win the Prix du Jockey Club impressively, and trainer John Gosden has said the hed like a wide draw in order to drop in behind and pick his position. I think the layoff and lack of big race dirt experience may prove too much to overcome here.

Tacitus 11/1. Ran in this race last year and was always near the front without getting truly competitive. The horse doesnt have a Grade 1 winning record and I think we can expect more of the same here.

Military Law 12/1. He won a Grade 2 at Meydan and won it really well, though has previously finished behind horses not good enough to take this.

Chuwa Wizard 14/1. The Japanese raider interests me. Won an invitation here by taking the Grade 1 Champions Cup over todays trip at Chukyo. He travelled well and came home from midfield to win cozily. If anything is going to come from the back this might be the one.

Max Player 16/1. (pictured) Became a SGPN darling after filling out exotic placings in last years Belmont Stakes. He was the only horse to compete in all three Triple-Crown races, running with credit each time. However, we get it now. Max Player will run well and finish fifth.

Sleepy Eyes Todd is admirable but wont win today. Bangkok has taken an interesting route having won the Lingfield Winter Derby Trial in the UK, however this is a huge leap in class and its hard to see him getting involved at the finish. British phenom Hollie Doyle rides Extra Elusive who has G2 and G3 wins, but on a form line through Mishriff is up against it here. Alzahzaah is here representing the Saudis but nothing else.

Knicks Go has the form in the book and will take some passing. The presence of Charlatan makes Knicks Go an attractive price too. I think hell scoot off the front and come home untouched. Charlatan will need to get into a drive off the turn and may get picked up by closers for a place. Military Law has shown class and a good attitude, if he doesnt try to rate with Knicks Go he could stay on for a minor prize. Chuwa Wizard represents an element of the unknown, but didnt do a lot wrong last time and if the frontrunners cut each others throats then he could fly late and run in the money. Good Luck.

1st Knicks Go 9/4

2ndMilitary Law 12/1

3rdChuwa Wizard 14/1

The Saudi Cup meeting is covered on Fox Sports (US) and Sky Sports (UK)

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Saudi Cup Gambling Analysis and Picks - The Sports Gambling Podcast

Land-based casinos are often considered as holiday destinations for the power-packed enjoyment they offer. But not everyone is aware of this. Yes! Only a bunch of patrons who visit these establishments regularly remain accustomed with everything that is associated with the land-based casinos.

If youre one of the new casino-enthusiasts who is planning to visit a luxurious gambling destination, let us tell you what all you can do there other than gambling! Keep reading!

Attend Concerts and Theatre Shows

Most of the huge gambling houses make it a point to include stadiums or halls to host concerts and theatre shows. The owners run a series of shows from popular bands and acts. Remember, there will be a specific time for when these shows will be hosted. So, check with the management for the days schedule and get to know the timings.

Relax at the Pool or Go to Spa

Swimming pools are also common at the gambling resorts. You can swim and enjoy the cool waters on a sunny day. You can also chill with friends or family and have a blast for a while by the poolside. Alternatively, try to soak yourselves in sun rays and get that much-needed vitamin D for your body.

Furthermore, you can even get a spa treatment to relax your body!

Munch on their Exotic Foods

Land-based casinos often hire experienced chefs to cater to their foods. These chefs are absolutely indulged into cooking and bring to you some of the most exotic dishes for you to enjoy. From local foods to continental delights, these establishments have a lot to offer their guests.

Try out their list of food options for as long as you are there. Sometimes, the food is complimentary, and usually, you pay for it in advance as a part of the entire stay. So, you might as well take advantage of whatever is available to you!

Nightclubs and Bar

The bar is one more thing that is ordinarily seen at the casinos. You can meet up with new people here or even have a blast with your friends. But we suggest you not to drink too much before hitting the casino for the game.

Sip on those drinks and dance to the loud discotheque music at the nightclubs. Make the best of the clubs which are usually open through the night till morning.

Tour the Casino

The prestigious casinos generally show multi-floor establishments. They are designed and decorated like some royal palace showcasing exuberance at every corner. Take a tour of such casinos because it is an experience in itself.

You can usually find artistically-built hallways, corridors, staircases, and so on which are breathtakingly designed to bring a style to the establishment. Moreover, the other added items like paintings, fountain etc. are also worth admiring.

Watch Other Players Gamble

Yes! Watching a live game played at any table is also thoroughly entertaining if you know the game already. However, if you are new to the game, you can learn by watching others play!

Furthermore, if you are new to gambling, we suggest you practice at online casinos before visiting a land-based casino. At totokazino, you can look for some of the best online casinos to gamble at and learn the casino games!

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Things to do Other than Gambling at Land-based Casinos - The African Exponent

Voters in most parishes supported the legalization of sports gambling last Nov. 3, but it may be 2022 by the time bettors are legally allowed to wager in Louisiana on football and other games.

With 55 of the 64 parishes voting in favor of the proposal, legislators will use this springs session to set tax rates and create a plan for betting on sporting events.

The Louisiana Gaming Control Board will then create a regulatory model for gamblers and bet takers to use. Board chairman Mike Noel says he expects the rules to be similar to ones recently approved for fantasy sports betting.

Noel says the State Polices gaming enforcement division will begin taking applications from fantasy sports operators after the rules are published Feb. 20. The gaming board decided last year that it would levy an 8% tax on the net revenue from fantasy gambling to help fund early childhood education. Louisiana was one of only seven states that did not allow fantasy sports betting in 2020.

Louisianans eager to bet on real sports hope that legislators and the board will not take as long to create the rules this time.

Sen. Ronnie Johns, R-Lake Charles, sponsored the bill that legalized sports betting, and he expects lawmakers to have a plan before the Legislature gathers in April for a two-month session.

I will assure you that we will have an agreement between all parties before the Legislature in April with the final proposal, Johns says. There is absolutely a lot of discussion going on right now, among all parties involved.

One key decision will be whether to allow online gambling or limit betting to in-person gambling on casino grounds. If the legislators approve online gaming, the gaming board will have to set up geolocation borders, technology that would keep the apps from working in the nine parishes that did not approve the betting.

Ive personally looked at the mechanism of geofencing, and its a very safe way of regulating gaming and betting, Johns says. The technology has been proven in many other states.

In the two-and-a-half years since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a 1992 ruling against state-authorized sports gambling, 20 states have legalized sports betting. Louisiana and five other states have passed legislation and are working toward taking their first bet.

This story was first published by Manship School News Service.

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Sports gamblers may have to wait until 2022 to legally bet in Louisiana - Greater Baton Rouge Business Report

Gamblers globally know how rigid Thailand is regarding the countrys gambling activity.

Many Asian countries as Vietnam, Laos, Singapore, and Cambodia have loosened their rules. But unlikely in Thailand, they are very, very strict, and everything is banned while leaving out horse race bets and government lotteries. Even bullfighting and cockfighting with gambling purposes are determined as illegal.

But despite the legislation being so strict, surprisingly, gambling sport has increased dynamically. It is a really big deal now. Many happen to hidingly serve the act at hotels and resorts while the biggest is going on underground.

And an estimation value of all these activities in secrecy generates about 6 USD Dollars each year. Both dwellers and tourists have contributed their part in the estimation, though gambling is strictly prohibited.

The national lottery was functional from the year 2003. Its objective was to cover up the ill practices of private lotteries and, instead, bring something official and fair.

Why local casinos are dangerous for farangs

Farangs, on the first hand, must know that Thailands governments are against gambling of any form, and even the internet versions arent so impressive to them.

There are none mortars opened freely. From the Gambling Act of Thailand, it is noted that engaging in any sort can punish you that can even go up to imprisonment. However, most of the penalties are charged with a fine. Or even both, 1000 Baht and then the jail.

Farangs mostly are fans of casinos & gambling, and Thailand knows it already. As such, being introduced to casinos might take way less time than you think. It is not even a day of arrival, and you already have locals inviting to mortars.

But these mortars are illegally confined. And almost all of them are surfacing in secrecy- resorts, hotels, underground, and dark. Or even the private office and funerals.

Thailand was the only country in the region that had not been colonized by foreigners. Perhaps, this is why foreign influence is not a mere text. As such, poker is not widely seen or played in the nation. As stated by Play Pulse, Thailand origin games have no international appeal. For example, the Hi-Lo dice game is left underrated.

Similar to Baccarat, Hi-Lo needs cards, but the government officials have ceased the manufacturing. Indeed, gambling is so strict in Thailand, and the government leaves no chance to show it.

Can you get in jail for gambling?

Yes, gambling prohibition is so serious that it can get you into some severe problems like jailing. You can also be fined up to 1000 baht or more and less according to how troubling the situation is.

Government is rigid with gambling, yet many netizens still have themselves involved in it. However, Games are contradictory in Thailand.

And no matter how hard governing bodies try to abolish gambling, none of it is effective. Rather, it has been reported that the industry has grown to an unbelievable peak.

Those who are caught gambling have their hands in punishments, while those who successfully sneak are referred to as lucky. This is why hidden casinos still have their spot. Unless and until they are caught and taken action against, the practice isnt stopping.

Even if you are lucky for the night, it carries a lot of risks. Firstly, your name and everyone who was a part is certain to get on the list when the casino head is caught. Do not trust the bookie specifically.

Second, how fair the entity is, is concluding with a big question mark? Winners are charged with no money sometimes, and there is no chance they can complain about it.

How to safeguard yourself from problems with authorities?

The internet is your savior here. Online casinos such as Gclub imitates a very safe platform. They are regulated as such that members are safe and can barely reach an offense against the legislation.

But the games and algorithm Gclub offers are to die for. No rules have been altered, neither are additional elements subjected. With the site, you can explore foreign games like poker, roulette, and blackjack. You can also check vpn-th.com to find the latest information on how to access different sites from Thailand.

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Expat's guide on gambling in Thailand - The Sports Bank

Last December, a Connecticut lawmaker said that You can bet on sports betting becoming a legal activity in 2021. On Wednesday, the states governor echoed those sentiments and made it seem like all forms of online gambling would be legal as well.

Gov. Ned Lamont released his two-year state budget Wednesday and he allotted $47.3 million in tax revenue from the second year of expanded gambling, according to a report from the Hartford Courant.

Based on comments made by Lamont at the time of the release of his budget proposal, it appears expanded gambling includes both retail and online sports betting, as well as online casino gaming.

Our neighboring states are moving forward with sports betting and iGaming, and Connecticut should not leave these opportunities for other states to benefit from our inaction, said Lamont. My administration has been in active negotiations with our tribal partners to bring the states gaming economy into the digital age. And I am submitting legislation which reflects what I believe to be the best bet in ending this stalemate of inaction in a way which is in the best interest of the entire state.

Both Rhode Island and New Hampshire already offer online and brick-and-mortar sports betting, and New York seems set to expand its sports betting market after recent comments made by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Pennsylvania has also seen increased revenues after legalizing all forms of online gambling.

The tribal partners Lamont was referring to is the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, which runs Foxwoods Resort Casino and the Mohegan Tribe, which is in charge of Mohegan Sun. Currently, nearly all forms of gambling, outside of the lottery and off-track betting, runs through those two tribes.

The pandemic has hurt the brick-and-mortar revenue of those two tribes casinos, which in turn has put a dent in the state coffers. Connecticut is facing a $1 billion deficit at the time of Lamonts budget proposal.

Lamont made comments in December that seemed like he was ready for Connecticut to mirror the models in place in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

If we found out anything in the course of this horrible COVID cycle, more and more of the world is going virtual, said Lamont at the end of last year. More and more of the world is going online. Thats tele-health and tele-learning, but its also iGaming and sports betting. And I dont think you want Connecticut left behind.

With any proposed gambling expansion, those two entities will be at the center of the negotiations. The Courants report says that the governor and the tribes have been in long-running talks about whether the tribes will have exclusive rights, like they currently do, for any form of gambling expansion.

Foxwoods announced a partnership with daily fantasy sports giant DraftKings at the end of 2020, which gives the Boston-based online sportsbook a track to the Connecticut market regardless of any pending agreements.

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Connecticut Governor Has Tax Revenue From Online Gambling In Budget Proposal - CardPlayer.com

Gamblers play slot machines during the reopening of The D hotel-casino, closed by the state since March 18, 2020, as part of steps to slow the spread of COVID-19, in downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, on June 4, 2020.Credit: REUTERS/Steve Marcus

Supporters of expanding gaming options in Texas say they are playing a long game this legislative session and remain convinced that the GOP-led Legislature could come around on the issues they are pushing at the Capitol.

The gambling empire Las Vegas Sands, which has mounted an ambitious campaign this year to bring casinos to the state, has acknowledged the challenge in getting lawmakers on board with such a massive policy change especially after Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick raised questions this week about whether the issue has enough support to make it far in the legislative process.

But Andy Abboud, Sands senior vice president of government affairs, told reporters Thursday that such skepticism does not impact how the company proceeds this session, and that he is confident the companys nearly 60-member team of lobbyists can change enough minds at the Legislature to at least make meaningful progress.

Well see how things feel toward the end of the session, later this spring, Abboud said, noting that gambling legislation could be filed sometime within the next month. I believe that we can change anybodys mind if we do it effectively.

Sands was founded by Republican megadonor Sheldon Adelson, who died last month.

A broader gaming conversation has played out over the past few months and as the 2021 legislative session has gotten underway. Aside from casinos, a push to legalize sports betting in the state has gained attention, with several Dallas-area professional sports teams, including the Texas Rangers, Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Cowboys, mounting an effort to push the issue at the Legislature, as first reported Monday by The Dallas Morning News.

Both gambling and sports betting already faced uphill climbs at the Legislature past efforts have not made it far, and since both would require a constitutional amendment, they would need two-thirds support from the 31-member Senate and 150-member House to pass before going to the voters in the state to decide.

Other wrinkles have also surfaced over the past week. Patrick, the head of the Senate, said Tuesday he did not think sports betting had enough support to make it far in the upper chamber this session. Later that day, a report that Mavericks owner Mark Cuban had decided to stop playing the national anthem at home games this season sparked immediate backlash among Republicans, and soon after prompted Patrick to announce one of his top priorities this session: a bill to require the national anthem be played at all events which receive public funding.

[Cuban] just pulled the rug out from every other sports team in Texas with this stunt, Patrick told Dallas radio host Mark Davis on Wednesday. There were already people saying, Well, why would I approve sports betting, these are people who dont even make people stand for the flag, why would I do this? Again, because it doesnt generate much money for Texas, it generates a lot of money for them.

Patrick has argued that the potentially new tax revenue streams from expanding gaming would only help a fraction of the states budget, and that if casinos want to push their issue, they should sell it on tourism sell it on jobs a point Abboud agreed with Thursday.

For [Patrick] to be cautious about it makes sense, Abboud said. Because unlike other industries, we need legislative approval and we need voter approval Thats why were building a big coalition and [doing] everything we can to communicate the benefits of the jobs.

Patrick also told Davis that if the casino issue is taken to GOP voters in the state, theyre going to do it for big casinos, theyre going to go for the full monty not just sports betting.

Abboud said Sands talks with groups pushing the sports betting issue all the time sports betting is its part of the casino experience, he said and that the two will continue working together and hopefully join forces.

None of this really works if this is a pain in the neck for legislators, Abboud said. So weve worked very hard to get as many of the existing interests here in Texas in the same boat, rowing in the same direction. And we continue to do that, and I think were about there.

Abboud on Thursday said the company has also had productive meetings with other state leaders, including Gov. Greg Abbott and new House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont.

If they told us to skip town, we would, Abboud said. But they havent, so were here.

Abbott, for his part, said in an interview last week he wants to get a feel for where members are on the issue. And Phelan has said casinos must be treated as a long-term commitment instead of a short-term fix for the states fiscal forecast. In a statement for this story, Phelan spokesperson Enrique Marquez reiterated that position, saying the speaker has stated consistently that gambling will not plug the current budget hole.

Each Member of the Texas House will bring a distinct perspective informed by their communities when considering proposals to expand gaming and sports betting, Marquez said. Members should judge the merits of each proposal based on whether it has long-term value to the state and their districts.

Still, Abboud is bullish about the companys chances or at least progress this session.

Does it happen this legislative session? We will see, he said Thursday. Does it happen in the near future? It is inevitable.

Continued here:

GOP leaders have expressed skepticism about expanding gambling in Texas. But supporters see hope in the long run. - 550 KTSA

This is part ofa series of articles inspired by questions from our readers. So thank you to Charlie B for prompting this piece by asking about the hidden struggle football players have with gambling/addiction.

Scott Davies was 16 years old, earning 50 a week as a scholar at Readings youth academy, when it started. Living in digs, away from friends and family, he often found himself at a loose end after training, wandering through the town centre, looking for somewhere to go or something to do. Anything to pass the time.

He wandered into a bookmaker. Legally he wasnt old enough to place a bet, but nobody batted an eyelid as he sat at one of the fixed-odds terminals. He doesnt recall how much money if any he walked out with a couple of hours later. What sticks with him is the rush of excitement he felt with each spin of the virtual roulette wheel. The machine gave me a hit, he tells The Athletic. For...

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Inspired by You: Footballers and gambling - The Athletic

The pandemic has altered the behavior patterns of many Americans. It has also forced states to reexamine their thinking in several areas, especially in taxation and spending. One of the biggest winners in this process appears to be gambling.

Clearly, with most of the nations leisure activities shut down, more and more Americans are looking for something to occupy their time. At the same time, thanks to massive losses in tax revenues, states are scrambling for ways to make ends meet. Sports and other forms of online gambling are an easy answer to shoring up state budgets while satisfying the consumers demand for more action in this burgeoning leisure market.

The trend toward legalizing gambling both on and off the internet has been around for the last several years, but the pandemic has added momentum to that process. Back in 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states have the right to decide the status of sports betting for themselves. As a result, more than 24 states have legalized betting either online or at casinos or both.

Sports betting is only the latest offering in a field crowded with other gambling pastimes. Whatever your poison poker, slots, sports betting, or live casino games you can increasingly access it online. More and more Americans are doing just that.

For those veteran gamblers who enjoyed the excitement of the bricks-and-mortar atmosphere of established gambling casinos, it took the pandemic to lure them onto the internet side of things. They found that online sites offered their own brand of adrenaline rush. Slot machines, for example, tend to be much more fun than the traditional, one-armed bandits of yesteryear. If that is not your cup of tea, you can access live studios where the game and dealers are in real time and the light shows are often dazzling.

Another benefit of online sites is safety. Gamblers can feel safe because there are plenty of reliable websites that have been licensed by the state. They offer a transparent and fair game with high-security protocols. They are also open 24 hours a day, and you dont need to wear makeup or comb your hair to gamble. In addition, there are no lines, social distancing requirements, expensive dinners, hotels, or worries about costly transportation to the casino.

The nations attention was drawn to sports betting last weekend, thanks to the Super Bowl. Wagers on the game were expected to break all records in legal sports betting. The American Gaming Association predicted that as many as 23.2 million people would be wagering bets on the outcome of the game. That would be a 62 percent increase from last years wagers, totaling $4.3 million.

The nations media featured a Texas businessman and owner of a furniture store, Mattress Mack (Jim) McIngvale, who placed a $3.46 million bet on the game and won $6.18 million. It was thought to be the largest bet made at the game.

Mattress Mack placed the bet on his smartphone through DraftKings (DKNG), a public company that is one of the top betting platforms in the nation. The publicity has been good both for the furniture store, as well as for the price of DraftKings. The companys stock price has climbed substantially over the last few months, as investors became aware of just how large the betting public has become.

Worldwide, the online gambling market is valued at $59 billon, according to Statista, a data research firm, and is expected to reach $92.9 billion by next year. That has investors excited. And like so many other areas affected by the pandemic, gambling could become even bigger in the future, with online betting leading the way.

Bill Schmick is registered as an investment adviser representative of Onota Partners Inc. in the Berkshires. He can be reached at 413-347-2401, or email him at billiams1948@gmail.com.

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Bill Schmick | The Retired Investor: Gambling the vice we love - Berkshire Eagle