Locks

NBA (0.5 Unit) Minnesota Timberwolves/Atlanta Hawks Over 241 (-110; Odds via Caesars): 7:00 PM CT on Bally Sports North

Not only do we get to see two fast-paced offenses here, we get to see the return of Karl-Anthony Towns tonight. If Anthony Edwards somehow plays through his ankle injury we could see the Wolves full roster for the first time since November. And on the other side we have a Hawks team that has averaged 244.4 points per game since the firing of former coach Nate McMillan.

In addition, we saw these two teams combine for 251 points just last week so I expect that pace to pick up where they left off in a shootout with minimal defense tonight. Atlanta is on a back-to-back here with travel, making a team already not interested in defense even less likely to try on that end of the floor. Lets hope the return of KAT boosts Minnesotas offense, they pick up where they left off in the Knicks win, and we see plenty of points here.

NBA (0.5 Unit) Joel Embiid Over 32.5 Points (-110; Odds via Caesars): 7:00 PM CT on NBA League Pass

Its that time of the year again, where Joel Embiid knows he needs to put the finishing touches on his MVP campaign to avoid finishing second again. In the month of March alone, Embiid has gone over this number in 8 of 10 games and is averaging over 36 PPG. Weve seen how much Embiid dominates Nikola Vucevic in the past and after Mondays upset loss to the Bulls, Embiid and the Sixers will be even more motivated here. That should create another high-scoring game from the odds-on favorite for this years MVP.

NBA (0.5 Unit) LA Lakers +1 Vs Phoenix Suns (-110; Odds via Caesars): 9 PM CT on ESPN

I feel as though the wrong team is favored here with these teams current situations. Since the Kevin Durant trade the Suns have been short-handed pretty much every game, and today will be no different without Durant or Deandre Ayton. The Suns are 0-5 ATS in the 5 games since they learned Durant would miss extended time. With no Ayton or Durant here, Anthony Davis should be able to have a field day inside against the thin Suns frontcourt. This Lakers team has been rejuvenated since adding much of the Wolves play in champions team from last year, and I see that momentum carrying over to tonight in what should be a Lakers win.

Degenerates

No degenerates today.

Tiny Nick is 1162-1009 ATS (+74 Units) on his Locks since joining Zone Coverage.

Every day he will offer his Locks and Degenerate picks. Locks are the games hes confident in. Degenerates are entertaining but riskier picks.

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Tiny Nicks Gambling Picks: 03/22 - Zone Coverage

Americans are expected to wager $3 billion on the NCAA March Madness mens basketball tournament in 2023. With sports betting legal in Louisiana since January 2022, the Louisiana Department of Healths (LDH) Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) reminds Louisianans to have a solid game plan before gambling.

Now in its 20th year, Problem Gambling Awareness Month coincides with March Madness as an opportunity to raise awareness of problem gambling, which includes all gambling behavior patterns that compromise, disrupt or damage personal, family or vocational pursuits. The month-long observance also promotes awareness of the resources available to those experiencing problems associated with gambling.

The Office of Behavioral Health is committed to raising public awareness about what problem gambling is and the resources available to get help, said OBH Assistant Secretary Karen Stubbs. Before you gamble, get your game plan ready: Set a budget; know your limits; use licensed, regulated operators; and bet responsibly. If you or someone you know needs help, confidential gambling treatment is free and available 365 days a year to Louisiana residents.

Governor John Bel Edwards has also proclaimed March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) in Louisiana, in collaboration with the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG).

While most adults view gambling as entertainment, all should know that risks are involved. Sports bettors are at particularly high risk for developing a gambling problem. According to the National Survey on Gambling Attitudes and Gambling Experiences 2.0, 4 out of 5 sports bettors reported they often needed to gamble more for the same feeling of excitement.

It is estimated that approximately 2 million U.S. adults (1% of the population) meet criteria for severe problem gambling and another 4 to 6 million (2-3%) for mild or moderate, according to Mayo Clinic. The rates are higher in Louisiana, where 2.9% of Louisiana residents meet severe problem gambling criteria and another 5.4% of residents may have a gambling problem, according to a 2016 study conducted by OBH.

Call or text the Louisiana Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-877-770-STOP (7867) if you or someone you know has a gambling problem. For more information about problem gambling, go to ldh.la.gov/ProblemGambling.

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Problem Gambling Awareness Month highlights help for gambling ... - Louisiana Department of Health - Louisiana.gov

MANCHESTER, England (AP) No matter how many blows Ivan Toney takes, the goals just keep on coming.

There has been the racist abuse on social media and a potential ban after he was charged with 262 breaches of English soccers gambling laws.

There was also his exclusion from Englands World Cup squad last year, despite his prolific scoring form for unfashionable Brentford.

Toney, however, continues to find the back of the net at such a rate that only Erling Haaland and Harry Kane have scored more than him in the Premier League this season.

As such, England coach Gareth Southgate could not ignore the 27-year-old striker when naming his squad for the European Championship qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine this week, even with so much uncertainty surrounding the players future.

Should Toney be found guilty of the gambling charges that date back to 2017, he is likely to face a lengthy ban.

There hasnt been a trial as yet or any judgment so I dont know on what basis we wouldnt pick him, Southgate said after his selection last week.

While Toneys form arguably made it impossible for his national team to overlook him, Southgate has no way of knowing his availability for the remainder of the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign in light of the charges.

Former Manchester City and Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton was banned for 18 months in 2017 after admitting placing 1,260 soccer-related bets over a period of more than 10 years. That was later reduced by almost five months on appeal.

Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge received a four-month suspension in 2020 for breaching rules on inside information related to gambling.

Toneys punishment could fall somewhere between those two cases if he is found guilty.

His England call-up was perhaps even more surprising after he publicly questioned the FAs handling of his case following reports he could be ruled out for six months. Writing on Instagram this month, he said he was worried about the process.

If a potential ban is weighing on his mind, it has not been evident when playing for Brentford this season.

He has scored 17 goals in 27 appearances in all competitions for the London club, which has confounded expectations by holding its own in the top flight since Toney helped lead it to promotion two years ago.

His 16 goals in the league have only been bettered by Manchester Citys Haaland, with 28, and England captain Kane, who has scored 21.

Even if, as is likely, Toney remains benched against Italy and Ukraine, his ascent during such a turbulent time is remarkable, with his form apparently unaffected by the noise surrounding him.

He demonstrated his resilience in November, when, just days after learning he would not be part of Englands World Cup squad, he outshone Haaland by scoring twice in a shock 2-1 win against City.

Hes having a brilliant season, playing well for Brentford, scoring a lot of goals, said England teammate and Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell on Tuesday. As someone to come up against as a player, he is obviously a handful, a very physical player, but technically very good as well and in front of goal hes potent.

Toney has also had to contend with racist abuse.

In October he shared a screenshot of an Instagram direct message containing racist language.

I wasnt even going to post this but I woke up angry, he wrote on his Twitter account.

A man has since been banned from every soccer stadium in Britain for three years after Toneys tweet led to a police investigation.

But Toney was the target of more online racist attacks after scoring against title-chasing Arsenal last month.

We are disgusted and saddened that Ivan has had to deal with this yet again, Brentford said at the time.

That Toney has shown such strength of character is not surprising given the setbacks he had to endure in his early career after failing to make it at Newcastle.

He was sent out for six separate loan spells at lower-league clubs, including Barnsley, Shrewsbury and Scunthorpe, and less than three years ago was playing in Englands third division for Peterborough.

Brentford provided his route to the Premier League, but only after his 33 goals helped the club secure promotion in 2021.

He has proved he belongs in the top flight and, ordinarily, his form would have seen leading English clubs make their move.

For instance, Manchester United is in the hunt for a prolific striker this summer, with Kane and Napolis Victor Osimhen potential targets. Toney would represent a cheaper alternative.

Newcastle could also look to strengthen in attack at the end of the season, paving the way for a potential return for Toney.

It would be difficult, however, for any team to make a bid before the FA charges are resolved.

Any thoughts of a big transfer will have to be put on hold for now, with Toneys career in something of a state of limbo despite his reputation growing game by game.

___

James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson

___

More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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Racism, gambling, goals; the remarkable rise of Ivan Toney - The Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. The states that have legalized sports betting are reporting record levels of wagering and revenues, but with that growth comes questions about gambling addiction and whether regulators and sportsbooks are doing enough to fight it.

Two dozen states have active online sports betting, and other states are on the verge of joining them. As legalized gambling spreads, state legislatures, regulatory agencies, addiction experts, sportsbook operators and sports leagues all say they are working to address gambling addiction.

Jim Whelan, a psychology professor who runs the Institute for Gambling Education and Research and the University of Memphis Gambling Clinic backed by the state of Tennessee, said that in the past, gamblers seeking treatment for addiction at his clinic were older and almost evenly split by gender.

Now, theres been an influx of men ages 25 to 35.

They pretty quickly got themselves, in a year or two, to where the gambling has created harms in their life, Whelan said. He said spikes in problem gambling arent unprecedented, since they often happen when a new casino opens or a state adds a lottery game, so Im a little reluctant to say the sky is falling yet. We fear this is going to create some sort of addiction pandemic. We dont know if it is or not.

Whelans observations in Tennessee reflect similar patterns around the country.

Stateline StoryJuly 12, 2022

Ohio launched its legal sports betting market Jan. 1. Immediately, its addiction helpline saw call volumes triple, said Mike Buzzelli, associate director of the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio.

The state saw the same trends as Tennessee: Younger men rather than the older, mixed-gender cohort of casino bettors. Additionally, he said, people were reaching the breaking point sooner than before sports betting became legal.

Previously, Buzzelli said, most callers reported that their gambling had been problematic for three to seven years, but now most bettors who call the helpline say they reached a problematic stage in less than a year.

Gamblers often seek treatment when they recognize their financial distress or because a loved one told them to get help, Whelan said.

So far, according to Whelan and other experts, counselors are finding they can help younger gamblers by using the time-tested behavioral therapy strategies theyve employed with longtime problem gamblers. In addition, some states and sportsbook operators allow gamblers to put themselves on a self-exclusion list that prevents them from gambling for a certain period.

In Ohio, officials are offering educational programs in schools and enforcing restrictions on advertising to students. Buzzelli said that as more funding for addiction programs continues to come in from sports betting tax revenue, the state could build partnerships with Ohio colleges.

He considers it a benefit that many states legalized online sports gambling before Ohio did.

We took a little bit longer, but thats because we decided to really get prepared for it, Buzzelli said. His group has educated social workers and addiction counselors on problem gambling and trained them to discuss luck and odds using the language of sports betting, so they can better reach bettors who need help.

We were really able to look at what [other states] did right and what they did wrong and work with legislators, he said.

Vermont also has moved more slowly. State Rep. Matthew Birong, a Democrat, said he has been working on sports betting legislation since early 2020. The latest version of his bill has cleared a House committee and could make it through the legislature this spring.Since he started working on the legislation several years ago, Birong has seen other states wrestle with how to prevent young people from being aggressively targeted by sportsbooks.

There was a hesitance towards expanding that style of gambling with a lot of policymakers, he said. Yes, there was money on the table, but the big question was, were talking about legalizing something that has a dark side to it. Do we want to go there?

Limits in the Vermont legislation include restrictions on marketing to young people and accepting wagers on some college sporting events, plus a ban on extending credit to bettors.

Matt Holt is vice chair of the Fantasy Sports and Gaming Association and founder and CEO of U.S. Integrity, which contracts with sportsbooks, regulators and sports leagues to help them identify suspicious gambling activity, abnormalities in referees calls or the misuse of insider information. Holt said some states rushed their sports betting programs into place because they were desperate for revenue during the confusing early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Everyone was, Legalize, launch, learn, Holt said. We did the first two. Now were learning. I think the industry as a whole has embraced the fact that there were probably some holes to fill on the integrity and responsible gaming side.

Holt thinks U.S. Integritys tracking technology could be used to identify problem gambling sooner and streamline self-exclusion lists. He added that, in general, the states legalizing now have more robust regulatory frameworks. Regulators and operators are learning side by side, he said.

Everyones starting to put those in place now, he said. I think if we check back in 12 months, well see how successful it is.

Stateline StoryMay 17, 2018

Under the Vermont bill, 2.5% (and no less than $250,000) of overall gambling tax revenue would pay for programs to combat gambling addiction. Some other states also reserve some gambling revenue for treatment or prevention, including Tennessee (5%) and Virginia (2.5%).

Birong said his bill would use sports betting revenue to publicize the availability of addiction resources provided by the state Department of Mental Health. For now, the state contracts with an outside helpline.

Since launching in November 2020, Tennessees sports betting industry has grown rapidly.

In the first month of legal gambling, bettors placed $131.44 million in wagers, bringing the state $2.36 million in tax revenue. In January 2023, the most recent month for which data is available, that number jumped to $410.77 million in wagers and $7.27 million in tax revenue.

In fiscal year 2023, $1.2 million was allocated to the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to combat gambling addiction. Thanks to increased revenues from betting, the fiscal year 2024 budget proposal nearly doubles that, to $2.3 million, according to department spokesperson Matthew Parriott.

Some of that funding helps support the Tennessee REDLINE, a hotline for people experiencing problem gambling. And while Parriott notes the hotline has seen a significant increase in calls since legalization, the vast majority of gambling calls are people seeking the latest winning lottery numbers or help with gambling apps rather than treatment, a phenomenon identified in other states.

Thats one reason why spikes in hotline calls are a fairly weak predictor of gambling addiction, said Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling.

Tennessees gambling revenue also supports addiction research and treatment programs based at the University of Memphis and East Tennessee State University.

Virginias online sports betting program has been live for more than two years. State Del. Paul Krizek, a Democrat, is one of the lawmakers still focused on the issue. He led this years effort to create a new state advisory committee on problem gambling, establish March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month and commission a study to determine whether Virginias gambling regulatory bodies should be consolidated.

Im hoping we can take a pause on any more expansion for a while and really start to focus on the problem side of it, Krizek said, noting recent efforts to expand poker and casino gambling in the state.

Legalization brought gamblers out of the shadows and made betting easier and safer, he said, but by doing that it increases the numbers of players and the number of people engaged, and it does then increase the number of problem gambling issues, and that is something Im not sure we were really prepared for.

The amount of money wagered on sports in Virginia increased by more than 50% from 2021 to 2022, according to the state. Calls to the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling increased by a similar amount during the same period.

We need to promote responsible gaming if were going to keep at it, Krizek said. We cant have situations where people are going broke and becoming criminals because theyve lost all their money. Weve got to be very careful.

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States Are Learning on the Fly About Sports Betting Addiction - The Pew Charitable Trusts

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Legislation authorizing and regulating sports gambling in North Carolina advanced through two more House committees on Wednesday, laying the groundwork for key chamber-wide votes next week.

The finance and judiciary committees approved the measure one day after the House commerce panel also advanced details of a proposed infrastructure whereby people across the state could wager online and at or near pro sports stadiums and arenas. From 10 to 12 interactive sports wagering licenses would be awarded by the state lottery commission.

Although sports gambling happens lawfully now at three American Indian casinos in the state, North Carolina is a largely untapped market in a country where over 30 states allow some kind of in-person or online sportsbooks, including neighboring Virginia and Tennessee. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper also supports legalizing sports gambling.

A sports gambling measure passed the Senate comfortably in 2021. But the effort collapsed in the House last June after a coalition of social conservatives and hardline liberals weakened and ultimately defeated the legislation. This years measure also would have to pass the Senate as well before it could go to Cooper.

Determined forces behind the measure gambling companies and North Carolina-based sports franchises among them have pushed robustly for the idea again in the new two-year session. They say such gambling is already happening in the state through local bookies and online work-arounds.

There were 1.75 million attempts based in North Carolina to log in to online sportsbooks in other states during the past National Football League season, said John Pappas, an executive with a cybersecurity company that works to ensure bettors live in states where such gambling is lawful.

Sports betting is here today, Pappas said.

Over 50 House members nearly half of the chamber from both parties have sponsored the latest legislation. And some past opponents are no longer in the legislature.

It is a new year and we have new legislators, Rep. Jason Saine, a Lincoln County Republican and chief bill sponsor, said in the judiciary committee, where the measure passed by a 7-3 vote.

If the bill became law, people within the state over age 21 could cast bets starting next January on professional, college and amateur sports, as well as horse racing. There are prohibitions on betting on high school and youth sports. Wagering licensees would have to pay $1 million application fees

The state would collect a 14% tax on the operators gross wagering revenue, minus winnings and other expenses. Promotional credits given to encourage new players to bet and become customers also would reduce revenue levels until 2027.

Coopers state budget proposal projects the state collecting $60 million through sports betting in the 2024-25 fiscal year. But the legislatures fiscal staff paints a more conservative picture, with a $21 million net revenue boost in 2024-25 that doubles within three years.

The states proceeds would go to local, regional and state athletics initiatives, athletic programs at smaller University of North Carolina system schools and problem-gambling programs.

The bill cleared the committees after several amendments by bill opponents were rejected. Outside speakers attacked the measure in the judiciary committee, saying it would create a massive expansion of legalized gambling and more betting addictions that would harm tens of thousands of families and normalize the activity for children.

Their favorite athletes are endorsing gambling. Every advertisements gambling, Les Bernal, national director of the group Stop Predatory Gambling, told legislators. Youre not a sports fan anymore unless youre betting on the game.

Brandt Iden, an executive with Fanatics Betting & Gaming supporting the measure, pushed back against Bernals comments.

We do not support predatory gaming, Iden said. We do not support advocating for children getting involved in this.

Rep. Abe Jones, a Wake County Democrat opposed to the measure, said pro-sports gambling forces appear to be in a better position compared to last year.

I know the train is on the track and its going to happen, Jones said. I hope it will help our state more than it harms our state.

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Sports gambling legislation advances in North Carolina House - The Associated Press

Joe Bidens economy sucks but these Sweet 16 picks dont.

With a busy weekend ahead in NYC, March Madness continues to excite and dominate as a thrilling tournament, featuring a couple of tough matchups.

First of all, how can you hate Mr. March, a.k.a. Tom Izzo? The guy is like the Andy Reid of college basketball: brilliant and even better with time to prepare.

Itll be a sweet week for these eight winners, so lets dig into the best gambling picks from todays OutKick The Show for the regional semifinal matchups.

Here are the Sweet 16 picks stamped by the Clay Travis Seal of Approval:

I love Tom Izzo very few coaches are better than Izzo. The guy has been electric for 20-plus years as a head coach. I am all in on Izzo, minus one and a half against Kansas State.

Tennessee will grind it out. One of the best under teams in the NCAA tournament has been the Vols.

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There are underdogs to love going into this round of March Madness action.

Cant wait.

First-time DraftKings users can get up to a $1,000 deposit bonus and receive a 20% first deposit match up to $1,000 when they sign up.New users can lock in this offer NOW by clicking this link.

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OutKick The Show: Get Filthy Rich With Clay Travis' March Madness ... - OutKick

Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

Locks

NBA (0.25 Unit) Cleveland Cavaliers -4 @ Brooklyn Nets (-110; Odds via Caesars): 6:30 PM CT on NBA League Pass

I have watched a lot of Cavalier basketball this year and I will say they are very underrated with the addition of Donovan Mitchell. This is just a matter of teams moving in the opposite direction and taking advantage of momentum. Cleveland has won 4 straight by an average margin of over 15 while Brooklyn has lost 3 straight and is starting to look more like the team we expected after the Kevin Durant Trade. And its not a fluke either. Cleveland not only has some elite scorers such as Darius Garland and Mitchell, they also rank 2nd in the NBA in defensive efficiency. Look for Cleveland to win this one by more than 4 tonight on their quest to remain in the 4 seed in the East.

Degenerates

No degenerates today.

Tiny Nick is 1161-1009 ATS (+73.7 Units) on his Locks since joining Zone Coverage.

Every day he will offer his Locks and Degenerate picks. Locks are the games hes confident in. Degenerates are entertaining but riskier picks.

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Tiny Nicks Gambling Picks: 03/21 - Zone Coverage

When was the last time you made a bet? With sports betting applications like FanDuel and mobile lottery apps on the market, it has become easier than ever to make a wager with the tap of our fingerprints.

Last year, the amount of money spent on gambling in the United States hit a record high. Forbes reported that casinos and mobile gaming apps racked up a whopping $54.93 billion in revenue during the first 11 months of 2022 which was up 13.5% from the year prior.

One of the largest contributors to capital going into gambling in the U.S. is Gen Z, in which a majority of the cohort partakes in gambling more than older generations.

Its safe to say that the intersection of technology, social media and gambling has indeed created a breeding ground for pursuing community amongst them.

In fact, Hashtag Sports reported that 53% of the generations bettors gamble as a social interaction, with friends or family, while only 34% of Millennials reported the same act.

Through online platforms, Gen Z is able to forge friendships to discuss betting decisions and trends. Moreover, media platforms also serve as a place for them to engage with influencers who analyze sports to lay out prediction tips for wagers.

Whats particularly interesting to me is that social media platforms have become the new casino floors.

Our generation is known to crave interactive, unique, #Instagram or #TikTokWorthy experiences. Traditional casinos with lingering scents of cigarettes dont necessarily match the Gen Z vibe check.

However, what has become an interactive entertainment experience to Gen Z is digital wagering, even in the smallest amounts, according to Mark Beal, the author of Engaging Gen Z.

Technology without a doubt is the catalyst that propelled Gen Zs interest in gambling. Over the COVID-19 pandemic, Gen Z fostered community over platforms Zoom, Instagram Live, Club House and Twitter Spaces.

There, Gen Z realized there was room to adapt to a hybrid lifestyle in which interactive experiences can be just as engaging online as they would be in-person.

Keeping it gee, as sports betting continues to legalize nationwide and digital waging continues to grow as a trend, it will be interesting to see the impact Gen Z dollars have on the economy.

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The Gee Code: Techs Impact on Gen Zs Gambling Habits - YR Media

Jordan Poole and teammates of the Michigan Wolverines celebrate Poole's 3-point buzzer beater for a 64-63 win. Jeff Gross/Getty Images hide caption

Jordan Poole and teammates of the Michigan Wolverines celebrate Poole's 3-point buzzer beater for a 64-63 win.

The NCAA College Basketball tournament kicks off Tuesday. Millions of Americans are expected to watch the games and bet on them.

According to a new survey from the American Gaming Association, 68 million Americans are expected to place over $15 billion in bets on the tournament this year.

As sports gambling becomes increasingly popular on mobile platforms, colleges and universities are getting in on the action through multi-million dollar partnerships that allow companies to advertise on campuses.

Investigations from The New York Times and the PBS Newshour found at least five major colleges (Michigan State, LSU, Maryland, University of Denver, and the University of Colorado) have partnered with companies like Caesar's Sports Book and PointsBet.

These partnerships concern Saul Malek. He's a graduate student at Southern Methodist University near Dallas, Texas.

He found himself tens of thousands of dollars in debt after two years of betting on sports that started his sophomore year of college:

I really needed the action, like a heroin user would need that next fix. I wasn't acting like a rational person who would see that they have a problem. I was so anxious I needed to have the next bet, that's how I'm going to fix this.

What do responsible gambling practices look like?

Business and Economics Correspondent for the PBS Newshour Paul Solman, UCLA Gambling Studies Program Co-director and Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at UCLA Dr. Timothy Fong join us for the conversation. Also with us is Vice President of Strategic Communications & Responsibility for the American Gaming Association Cait DeBaun and The New York Times' Alexandra Tremayne-Pengelly, and The San Antonio Express News' Elizabeth Sander.

Like what you hear? Find more of our programs online.

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Colleges And Universities Are Betting Big On Sports Gambling : 1A - NPR

As casino and online gambling revenuecontinued its pandemic-precipitated climb, state lawmakers worried that gaming addiction has kept pace passed a series of measures Monday meant to discourage youth from gambling and divert problem gamblers from the criminal justice system.

Assemblyman Ralph Caputo (D-Essex) sponsored measures that wouldcreatea gambling treatment diversion court program,prohibitsports betting advertising at public colleges and universities in New Jersey, andrequireschool districts to instruct high school students about the risks of compulsive gambling as part of their health curriculum.

Caputo chairs the Assemblys tourism, gaming, and the arts committee, which unanimously advanced the bills Monday.

At the same time, Caputo has been a decades-long champion of gambling in New Jersey. A former casino executive, Caputo has anotherbillpending that wouldextend online gaming,first legalized in 2013 for a decade, to 2033. He also was behind afailed 2016 effortto allow slot machines at state racetracks.

Monday, he said he introduced his newest legislation to fight addiction, which he called gamblings unintended consequences.

We all voted for these things, but at this point, theres some negative impact of some of the things that we did do, and were trying to pull it back a little bit, he told the New Jersey Monitor.

The committee split along party lines on a separate resolution that urges the Assembly tocondemnthe overproliferation of pro-gambling advertisements in New Jersey due to the addictiveness of gambling and urge sports betting companies and casinos to exercise restraint and good judgment when advertising.

Casinos and betting companies fight for revenue is just getting out of hand. And thats what it is its a vicious fight for market share. And the public is suffering for it, Caputo said. This advertising is way over the top.

Assemblyman Don Guardian (R-Atlantic), who served as Atlantic Citys mayor from 2014 to 2018, said he voted against the resolution with the panels other two Republicans because internet and sports gaming are in their infancy.

The only way that they expand is to advertise, and the more advertising they do, the better they do, Guardian said. So I cant be hypocritical if, as a state, were so excited about having internet and sports gaming and collecting 200-plus million dollars in taxes just on those two types of gaming, and then say no, the one way that you cant promote it is to advertise.

Concern about youth

The legal age to gamble in New Jersey is 21, but gambling addiction experts saymany people start far younger.

The National Center on Problem Gamblingestimatesup to 6% of kids ages 12 to 17 have a gambling problem, while up to 14% are at risk of developing an addiction. And the Responsible Gambling Councilsaysyoung adults risk becoming problem gamblers because they act more impulsively and their decision-making hasnt matured.

Thats why two of his bills center on young people, Caputo said.

The fact that theyre marketed to a lot of young people, whose addictions have picked up, is a problem, Caputo said.

The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey began piloting new lessons two weeks ago in a West Orange high school.

The bills drew a steady stream of ex-gamblers and addictions experts who implored legislators to pass them.

Dan Trolaro of Morris County told lawmakers he was a financial planner who embezzled $2 million from his clients because of his gambling addiction. He spent eight months of a six-year sentence behind bars and another 37 months in an intensive supervision program. He has been in recovery for 13 years.

Trolaro urged lawmakers to pass the bill that would create a diversionary court, modeled after a similar program in Nevada, for law-breakers who commit crimes to support their gambling addiction. Under that bill, three courts would be created in northern, central, and southern vicinages.

Prison is not a place where gambling addicts can heal, Trolaro said.

There was gambling every day in prison, and thats part of the issue, he said.

The bill had one detractor the court system.

Andrea Johnson of the state Administrative Office of the Courts told lawmakers the courts system supports the spirit of a diversionary court but urged them to instead divert these offenders to existing diversionary programs, instead of creating a new program at a time when courts are overwhelmed by record-highjudicial vacancies.

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As gambling revenue climbs, lawmakers advance bills to curb ... - New Jersey Monitor

More women are trying online gambling or gambling for the first time, a phenomenon that will need to be thoroughly researched in the coming years, researcher Sylvia Kairouz says.

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While gambling has generally been associated with men, women are not immune to addiction to problematic habits, said Kairouz, a professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Concordia University. Kairouz interviewed around 100 study participants and noted distinct trends between women and men, particularly with respect to the type of games they prefer.

Women end up with totally random games, while men are more likely to go for poker and table games. By making these choices and having these tastes, the risk is much greater for women, Kairouz said.

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Research indicates that women frequently use slot machines, scratchers and lottery tickets as a means of escape, relaxation and to withdraw from reality. Men tend to seek thrilling gaming experiences, while women tend to opt for longer games with lower stakes.

Often, they will tell us: We feel a little hypnotized when we play we decompress. Thats why they like scratchers especially those that take a long time to scratch and slot machines, said Anne Elizabeth Lapointe, general manager of addiction treatment centre Maison Jean Lapointe.

Statistics Canada data from August 2022 shows that higher proportions of women than men reported playing bingo.

The survey noted that among people who gambled in the 12 months preceding the surveys, two per cent of men and about one per cent of women were at moderate to high risk of developing addiction problems. That translates to around 304,000 Canadians.

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Women often make fewer requests for help than men in terms of dependency, Lapointe said. They are still very stigmatized, yet they are clearly targeted by the industry, whether it is alcohol or something else. What stops women is a lot of shame and guilt.

Although the gap in participation in online games is narrowing between the women and men, research models have focused on men. Women are underrepresented in surveys and their results tend to be generalized. Kairouz says the phenomenon of addiction in women must be targeted in studies.

If you dont make a distinction with women, the data reflects the male reality much more. We know the experience of women is totally different: the meaning they give to the game and the function of escape and compensation in their lives are much more present, she said.

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The next survey will take place from April to September, which will allow us to paint a more complete portrait of the situation over a period of more than two years.

Its really one of my lines of research, the relationship between gender and play. We will be able to observe the trajectories of the participants, and if they are the same for men and women. The gender dimension is going to be extremely important for us, she said.

This article was produced with the financial support of the Meta Fellowships and The Canadian Press for News.

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Women's gambling habits must be studied, Concordia University researcher says - Montreal Gazette

Posted on: March 22, 2023, 08:10h.

Last updated on: March 22, 2023, 06:16h.

Several high-profile government leaders in the Dominican Republic, including the gambling regulator and two former casino directors, were arrested this week on corruption charges in what the government called Operation Squid. Twenty of these officials appeared in court on Tuesday.

The 20 defendants appeared in a packed courtroom this week.They wore masks, helmets, and other security protection in court. Soldiers escorted them as an added measure to prevent them from being attacked.

These individuals are allegedly the ringleaders in the scheme that embezzled more than $350 million from the government. The group faces preliminary of fraud, falsifying public and private documents, bribery, money laundering and illegal campaign financing on an unprecedented scale, according to reports from the Attorney Generals office.

Judge Kenya Romero ultimately postponed the hearing until next Sunday following a motion by the defendants lawyers, who want more time to read through the accusations.

The Public Ministry has a file of 2,120 pages and 1,200 pieces of evidence, according to official court statements. Prosecutor Yeni Berenice Reynoso has asked for an 18 months sentence.

The Attorney General released a statement on Monday stating the National Police raided 40 locations Saturday night, leading to the high-ranking officials arrests.

The scandal began during Danilo Medinas presidency from 2012 to 2020. Medina is facing his own investigation for corruption and unlawful accumulation of wealth.

The current president, Luis Abinader, took office in 2020 and pledged to remove what he called deep-rooted public corruption.

In addition to the gambling regulator and two former casino directors, the defendants charged in Operation Squid operation:

Those named represent just a portion of the people involved that the public prosecutors office accuses of corruption.

The former directors of Casinos and Gambling, Oscar Chalas Guerrero and Julin Omar Fernndez, are also implicated. Prosecutors havent yet explained their roles.

Specific political figures in the DR, which has had to deal with unexplained deaths and different levels of controversy for years, have tried to rid the country of political corruption. Several scandals have occurred over the past decade, including Medina and his family.

The Squid case occurred after 16 months of inaction by the Public Ministry in corruption cases. The last one presented was on November 18 of last year. That included Medinas second-in-command of security, General Julio de los Santos Viola, and Juan Carlos Torres Robiou, the former head of the Specialized Tourist Security Corps.

Last year, the Dominican National Lottery faced a scandal after allegations that someone had rigged a draw. Despite what appears to be widespread fraud and government corruption, DR President Luis Abinader has been silent. He gave a speech at the end of February that lasted over two and a half hours but didnt address the corruption or a desire to clean up the government during his dialogue.

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Dominican Republic Begins 'Operation Squid' Corruption Trial ... - Casino.Org News

Golf has always been a sport that has captivated peoples attention for centuries. From its origins in Scotland to its current status as a global sport, golf has evolved to become a source of entertainment for many. While the game of golf itself is a display of skill, precision, and patience, it has also become a popular venue for gambling.

The practice of betting on golf matches is not new, and it has been a part of the sport for a long time. However, with the rise of technology and the internet, the popularity of golf gambling has increased significantly. Golf enthusiasts now have more access to information, allowing them to make informed decisions when placing bets on golf tournaments. The idea is to improve your bankroll as much as possible, therefore, if you use these Nicosia betting sites, you will be given fantastic odds, promotions, bonuses and much more. Alongside this, you will have available access to a variety of betting markets and even the chance to play a wide range of traditional games.

Nevertheless, one of the primary reasons why gambling in golf is so popular is the structure of the golf tournaments. Golf tournaments are usually four-day events, which means that there are more opportunities to place bets. Unlike other sports that have weekly matches or games, golf tournaments are longer, which makes them more attractive to gamblers. Additionally, golf tournaments offer a variety of betting options, such as predicting the winner of the tournament, predicting the player who will have the lowest score in a particular round, and predicting the number of birdies that a player will make in a particular round.

Another reason why golf gambling is popular is the unpredictability of the sport. Golf is a game that is known for its unpredictability, and anything can happen on the course. This makes it more exciting for gamblers, who can place bets on unexpected outcomes. For instance, a player who is not considered a favourite to win a tournament could end up winning the event, resulting in big pay-outs for those who placed bets on the underdog.

The proliferation of daily fantasy sports websites over the past few years has been a significant factor in further boosting the appeal of golf betting. These websites give users the ability to put together their own golfing teams and compete against other users for rewards. Because of this, golf betting has taken on a whole new level of excitement, as followers can now compete against one another and put their golfing expertise to the test.

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Exploring the Reasons Behind the Popularity of Gambling in Golf - National Club Golfer

Express News Service |Published: 23rd March 2023 07:56 AMImage used for representational purpose only. (File Photo)

CHENNAI: The state assembly will re-adopt the bill to ban online gambling on Thursday, and send will send it to Governor RN Ravi for his assent. Legal experts have already said as per the Constitution, the Governor has to give his assent to any Bill when it is sent for the second time.

The Governor returned the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gambling and Regulation of Online Games Bill, 2022 with a note on March 6 stating the state Assembly has no legislative competence to enact such legislation.

Leaders of almost all political parties criticised the Governor for returning the bill citing the increasing number of suicides due to online gambling particularly the Online Rummy in Tamil Nadu.A few political parties even staged demonstrations against the Governor.

The state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister on March 9, decided to resend the bill after adopting it again through the Assembly since already the Madras High Court had said that the state Assembly is competent enough to enact such legislation.

When asked whether the 2022 Bill would be reintroduced in the Assembly, Law Minister S Regupathy said, During the discussions, if some new views are expressed, they will be added. But this will be decided after the discussion.

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Tamil Nadu assembly to re-adopt online gambling bill today - The New Indian Express

It is 22 years to the day since Maria felt the familiar rush of dopamine after feeding her last $50 bill into a poker machine.

What started as a frivolous 20-cent flutteron the Sunday raffles quickly developed into a dangerous addiction one that would end before a magistrate.

"That was probably the beginning of the start of my real life," the Newcastle resident, now in her 60s, reflected.

"Most compulsive gamblers don't recognise the depth of what they're doing until they hit rock bottom."

Maria, whose surname the ABC has chosen not to use, said heraddiction intensified after her husband suffered a work-related accident and she became the sole breadwinner.

"Then came the day I won something big. The first big win is usually how it starts," she said.

"You don't equate the numbers on the screen to the dollars in your hand until you run out."

Maria turned to "white-collar crime" to sustain her addiction.

"I knew what I was doing wasn't good but just couldn't stop," she said.

Confessing to her husband was "an unbelievably horrendous day".

"When it came to the court case, I was ready to say, 'take me away' because I felt I deserved it," she said.

"But the judge said to my solicitor, 'Aren't you going to bring up her illness?'

"I could well have gone to jail but I didn't. Because the judge recognised that I had a problem."

Maria vividly remembers the day her husband dropped her at her first Gamblers Anonymous meeting.

"I went through a whole box of tissues, probably broke the hand of the lovely little lady who was sitting next to me.

"When [my husband] picked me up, he said, 'How was it?'

"All I remember saying was, 'I'm not alone.'"

It is a feeling she now channels into her work to help others struggling with gambling addiction.

"The mind of a compulsive gambler is no different to someone who's addicted to substance abuse.

"It's such a soul-destroying addiction."

According to experts, Maria's situation iscommon.

Associate Professor Charles Livingstone is a gambling researcher at Monash University.

He said, in NSW, the ratio of people to poker machines was88 to one.

"It's not as high as Nevada but it's probably about the second or third-highest-rated poker machine per capita in the western world."

He said, last year, NSW residents spent more than $7.5 billion on poker machines.

"NSW is clearly the throbbing heart of Australia's gambling business," he said.

A pilot project is currently underway in the NSW Hunter region to reduce gambling risk.

The cashless gaming trial started at Wests New Lambton in Newcastle in October last year.

Participants are able to set limits over a number of parameters, including session length and amount spent.

The trial is expected to finish later this year with a report to be prepared for the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority.

Professor Livingstone said, if successful, people would need to be convinced to use the technology.

"You've got to persuade people to use this system; it's certainly the best solution that's been developed so far," he said.

While Maria saidit wasnot the whole answer, she saidanything that could "slow down" an addiction was a step in the right direction.

"At least with somethinglike that, you can gain some sort of control," she said.

"I know that if I hadn't been able to accelerate the way I did, I think the outcome would have been different."

Get local stories told by the people who are living them with the Newcastle Hunter Catch Up podcast.

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Reformed NSW gambler helping others recover from addiction to poker machines - ABC News

During a global gaming industry conference held in Sydney from March 6 to 10, the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) announced the launch of a new specialist unit to combat the rising threat of money laundering in the gambling sector. Serious non-compliance throughout the sector has previously been noted by AUSTRAC, with casino operator Star Entertainment receiving a record fine of $100 million in November 2022.

The creation of the new anti-money laundering (AML) unit means there are now two specialist teams in Australia dedicated to helping industry officials better detect and prevent money laundering through gambling.

The new AML unit follows a string of recent investigations centered around compliance failures across multiple betting and gambling facilities. A few months before Star Entertainment received a financial penalty, AUSTRAC started federal proceedings against the countrys largest casino operator, Crown Resorts. Crowns alleged failings include not undertaking appropriate ongoing customer due diligence (CDD) on high-risk customers and not having a risk-based transaction monitoring program to identify suspicious activity.

In November 2022, Sportsbet and Bet365 also became subject to investigation following suspicions of failing to meet AML and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) obligations. In each case, AUSTRAC gave external auditors 180 days to report back to the regulator on whether the betting agents undertook appropriate risk assessments. Speaking about the investigation, AUSTRAC CEO, Nicola Rose, said the proceedings should speak volumes to the whole industry about lifting up their game.

Furthermore, in December 2022, AUSTRAC commenced civil penalty proceedings against SkyCity Adelaide for alleged serious and systemic non-compliance. Similar to Star Entertainment, it is alleged that SkyCity failed to include appropriate risk-based systems and controls in its AML/CTF program.

While proceedings against Crown Resorts, SkyCity, Sportsbet, and Bet365 are ongoing, some including a federal judge have criticized the length of time it has taken AUSTRAC to prosecute.

Responding to the criticism, Hodge acknowledged that Crown Resorts had yet to make any formal admissions despite lengthy talks but the regulator was very serious about running this case. Crowns barrister, Kane Loxley, also said his client was very likely to admit breaches regarding its programs.

AUSTRACs move to instate a new gambling AML unit forms part of a wider trend of the regulator paying closer attention to the finances of businesses across high-risk sectors. Rose articulated this at FINSIAs The Regulators event in May 2022, saying AUSTRAC will educate and raise awareness of risks and AML/CTF obligations to nearly 300 pubs and clubs as well as bullion dealers, betting agencies and bookmakers, remitters and regtech/AML advisors.

From 2021 to 2022, the regulator also conducted 11 supervisory campaigns involving over 150 reporting entities. These campaigns covered a range of industry sectors, two of which had an intersection with the gambling industry: bookmakers and pubs and clubs. In each campaign, AUSTRAC assessed how firms could improve their AML protocols and standards.

Compliance staff should ensure they are familiar with the guidance provided by AUSTRAC that relates to gambling and betting facilities. These advisories should be reviewed in detail, noting the best practices that are highlighted for risk assessments, ongoing monitoring, threshold transaction reporting, and record keeping. Some relevant materials include:

Explore Australias AML/CTF framework, including FATF recommendations and reforms to the countrys AML/CTF regulations.

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AUSTRAC Announces the Launch of New Gambling AML Unit - ComplyAdvantage

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IrelandUruguay, Eastern Republic ofUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuela, Bolivarian Republic ofViet Nam, Socialist Republic ofWallis and Futuna IslandsWestern SaharaYemenZambia, Republic ofZimbabwe

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Mavromates arrested in 1917 Mount Vernon for allowing gambling - Knox Pages

During a recent appearance on The Bill Simmons Podcast, Brian Gewirtz discussed the possibility of WWE being regulated for legalized gambling on match outcomes. Below are some highlights (via WrestlingInc.com):

Brian Gewirtz on the possibility of legalized gambling for WWE: It wouldnt seem realistic when I was there, but I have a lot of faith in Nick Khan. I think the structure is just different now. The fact that Dave Meltzer exists is a reason why it might not work, yknow? Hes antithetical to the whole concept of can the wrestlers or whoever the quote-unquote sources are shut their mouths for a little bit.'

Gewirtz on how to keep things secret in WWE: It was possible to do secret stuff back when I was there. John Cena returning in the Royal Rumble, I think it was 2008, that was a secret. Eric Bischoff, when we named him [general manager] in 2002, that was a secret. WhenRock returned to host WrestleMania. You really, really need to put in the work to keep it a secret,or you just really truly need to crack down on people. And most people arent like this in terms of blabbing.

On how the betting on matches should be capped: I left in 2015, and no one on this writing team would dare to consider it for not just moral reasons, but practical reasons.

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Brian Gewirtz on the Possibility of Legalized Gambling on WWE - 411mania.com

A boom in legalonline sports betting as well as slot machines and lotteriesis fueling a rise in gambling addiction on Long Island, experts said.

Starting last year, anyone 21 and older in New York could legally place sports bets on their phones at any time and anywhere in the state. As New York has turned into one of the nation's top online sports gambling locations,with $16.2 billion wagered last year, gambling treatment centers are strugglingto keep up with demand. The problem is particularly pronounced among young males, experts said.

Every college student now has a casino in their back pocket, since they can gamble online with their phones, said Jeffrey Reynolds, president and CEO of the Family & Childrens Association in Garden City. Thatcan lead to serious problems, he added.

He's seen young men betting online max out their credit cards, and then resort to loan sharks to keep gambling.

Ive spoken to parents who have had loan sharks come to their homes looking for their kids in order to pay off debt and making pretty significant threats, said Reynolds.

Jeffrey Reynolds, president and CEO of the Family & Childrens Association,says his group is at capacity for people it can treat for gambling addiction. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.

Once confined to Atlantic City and Las Vegas, and then AmericanIndian casinos, most legal gambling was introduced relatively recently on Long Island.Slot machines arrived in 2017whenJake's 58 Casino Hotelopenedoff the Long Island Expressway in Islandia.Gamblers have lost more than $1 billion since, with 45% of that money going to state education.

The doors to sports betting opened nationwide in 2018 with a U.S.Supreme Court decisionallowing states to legalize it.About three dozen have, with New York joining the listin January 2022. The state broke national records in its inaugural year of online sports betting in 2022, earning $693 million in tax revenue on the $16.2 billion wagered.

$16.2 billionwas wagered last year in NY online sports books

Now, New York and Long Island are poised for even more gambling as the state decides where to approve licenses for three full-fledged casinos in the New York City area. There's a widely held view that Resorts World at Aqueduct Raceway in Queens and Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway are expected to get one. Las Vegas Sands has proposedoneat the Nassau Coliseum site. Jake's 58 will double its number of slot machines to 2,000 over the next two years.

With gambling opportunities mushrooming, the number of people statewide who received treatment for gambling addiction through the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Support (OASAS) and private therapistsin its network jumped by 20%in the last four years, the agency said. From 2019 to 2022, itwent from 3,174 to 3,820.

Nonprofit groups said they are seeing evidence of a similar rise, or worse.

The advent of online sports betting last year triggered a 41%increase in people calling the Long Island Problem Gambling Resource Center for help compared to 2021, growing from 171 to 242, according to OASAS officials and Pam Brenner-Davis, head of the local group.

Herstate-funded agencyhelps connect problem gamblers with services such as therapists andGamblers Anonymous groups, and provides public education about the issue.

Government and private gambling companies acknowledge gambling addiction is a problem, but contend it is a small percentage of those who go to casinos or bet online. And they say they are trying to minimize the numbers and help those who need it.

We always support responsible gaming and, for those who believe that gambling may be becoming an issue for them, we partner with dedicated organizations such as the Problem Gambling Resource Centerto let these players know where they can obtain assistance and resources, said Phil Boyle, president and CEO of Suffolk OTB, which oversees Jake's 58 casino.

Jake's 58turned over$113,673,755 to the state education fund in 2022, the casino said, and a half-billion dollars $512,247,387 since it opened in February 2017.

Maria-ChristinaAnnaloro, director of government relations and responsible gambling for Las Vegas Sands, said experts estimate 1% of the U.S. population are problem gamblers. Sands has various programs to try to reduce that number, she said, such as "ambassadors" who roam casino floors watching for gamblers developing an addiction, and then connecting them with services to get help.

Our goal is to have zero percent of problem gambling on our gaming floors, Annaloro said.The majority of people can go to a gaming floor, can have a great time, can enjoy what we have offer, can go to restaurants and shops and gamble and have fun. There is that percentage that cannot.

Two years ago, Reynoldsgroup, the Family & Childrens Association, treated about 25 problem gamblers on a regular basis, he said. Now, it's 35 all the capacity they have.

There is this whole underground of sports betting on Long Island that most people dont know about, he said.

Therapists saidthe costs of problem gambling can be devastating: fractured families, failed careers, insurmountable debt, homelessness, depression and even suicide.

It destroys their life, said Dr. Marc Shulman, a clinical psychologist based in Nassau County who is also seeing a significant uptick in people calling for help.

Christine Hunter, a licensed clinical social worker based in Glen Head, said she has treated one gambling addict in 15 years of practice. Last year, she handled a dozen through referrals from the Long Island Problem Gambling Resource Center.

Ranging from the very rich to working class, many of her patients inadvertently fellinto gambling addiction, she said.

Theyre usually mostly responsible people who say, What happened? Where did all that money go? Ive lost six figures in the last year. How could that happen? she said.

recommended reading'Even more addictive now':Malverne man's gambling problem made worse by legalized sports betting

Almost everybody that I see is shocked when they are told that its an addiction, she added. They just think that they have a gambling problem.

State officials saidthey are watching closely for an increase in problem gambling, and taking action.

OASAS, which provides therapy and other services for problem gamblers,said in a statement that it "continues to monitor gambling trends, and work on expanding and enhancing services for problem gambling throughout the state."

Gov. Kathy Hochul said last month that the state is trying to balance the benefits of gambling revenueswith the downside of people developing gambling addictions.

"We can continue dedicating funding to help the problem gamblers, absolutely," she told NY1. But if a casino or two open in the city, "This is also an enticement for conventions to come here and tourists. And you know, to casual gamblers, it just makes it part of their experience of visiting New York City."

Under state law, OASAS will get $6 million each fiscal year from mobile sports gambling revenue.

The agency saidit will use the money partly to increase public awareness about how to prevent underage gambling, the signs of problem gambling, and where to find treatment.

Experts on problem gambling saidfar more help is needed.

Nationwide, an estimated 6 million people, or about 2% of the adult population, have a gambling addiction, said Keith Whyte, president of the National Council on Problem Gambling based in Washington, D.C.

Even though the legal age for gambling ranges from 18 to 21, about three-quarters of college students gambled in the past year, with 6% addicted, his group states, citing published research.

Experts saidthe rise in problem gambling is not surprising, since betting opportunities are more abundant. Besides online sports betting and the Islandia casino,Resorts World Casino in Queens opened in 2011.

Even lotteries have reached astronomical heights for bettors: Arecent Mega Millions jackpot, a multistate lottery, hit $1.35 billion.

It all has led to a culture where gambling has become normalized and a lot more acceptable, Reynolds said.

Online sports betting has allowed people to wager not just on game outcomes but on individual plays within games.

People can bet on the coin toss at the start of games or the color of the Gatorade dumped on winning coaches heads after events such as the Super Bowl.

There are literally hundreds of opportunities to bet on things within one game, said Brenner-Davis. Its just a constant ability to get the rush, to move money around, to place bets."

It deters from the love of the game, because youre not just watching and rooting for your team, she added. You become fixated on your phone and your device, betting one bet after the other.

Brenner-Davis' group is the regional chapter of the New York Council on Problem Gambling, which is funded by the state OASAS. The group runs a hotline: 516-226-8342.

Many cases of gambling addiction dont get officially recorded, Whyte said, and there is not much in-depth data on the problem for New York and other states, which makes it harder to address.That, he believes, is intentional.

Gambling is so lucrative for the government that they dont necessarily want to know how many people have problems, he said. Far too many people are interested only in the benefits;theyre not interested in the costs.

Reynolds noted that, while problem gambling is on the rise, most people can gamble without it becoming addictive.

Lots of folks felt like the world was going to stop spinning on its axis if they opened Jake's 58, he said. Well, some of our worst fears havent come true.

Still, heavy advertising is luring more people into gambling, especially sports betting, Brenner-Davis said.

You can hardly turn on the news, the radio, without seeing ads for it that are captivating and alluring, she said.

And instead of having to drive to Atlantic City or Connecticut to visit a casino, they can simply pull out their phones. Partly for that reason, experts call problem gambling of all types the hidden addiction.

Because its something they are doing on their device, nobody else around them is necessarily aware of it, Brenner-Davis said. With alcoholism or drug abuse, The people around you become aware of it because you wear signs of it on your face and on your body. Eventually, your body gives out.

But you can gamble every dollar that you have in your bank account and then some, and you maintain a smile on your face, she said. People around you have no idea.

Counseling agencies and private therapists want state governments to devote more money to preventing gambling addiction or treating it. This should be the most well-funded disorder in America, because it generates so much legal revenue for state governments, Whytesaid.

The approach could mirror programs against alcohol and drug abuse, starting with public education programs focused on kids, he said. He called it a public health issue.

OASASsaid it is monitoring gambling trends and trying to increase help for problem gamblers. It funds groups such as Brenner-Davis throughout the state, along with 12 addiction treatment centers, including one on Long Island, in Brentwood.

Even with that help, Bishop Lawrence Provenzano, head of the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island, believesthe entire notion of gambling is misguided.

There have to be much more life-giving ways than sitting at a card table or a gaming table or at those one-armed bandits as they are called slot machines mindlessly throwing your money away with the hope of some kind of big windfall, he said.

I think this is a deterioration of our societal norms, he added.

Bart Jones has covered religion, immigration and major breaking news at Newsday since 2000. A former foreign correspondent for The Associated Press in Venezuela, he is the author of HUGO! The Hugo Chavez Story from Mud Hut to Perpetual Revolution.

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Fueled by legal sports betting, gambling addiction rises on Long Island, experts say - Newsday