What’s it like owning an island? These people can give you a heads up – ABC News

You may wonder what it's like to actually own and run an island: Is it all sunshine and lazy afternoons on the beach, iced tea in hand and a good book?

Or is it filled with challenge after challenge, pushing the owners to question whether they made the right decision, or if they should abandon ship?

In the early 2000s, Clem Newton-Brown and his family bought Picnic Island and used it for regular camping trips.

Based in Melbourne, they would fly to Tasmania, hire a car, drive two and half hours to Coles Bay on the east coast and then try to organise a lift out to the island or hire a tinny.

"When our family bought the island 15 years ago, we never thought we could do anything with it," he said.

"We knocked up a little shed to store camping gear and used to come down from Melbourne for wild camping trips with our young kids.

"They grew up appreciating the wild outdoors."

The Newton-Brownsthink it is, but they also admit it's hard work.

"Running an island is hard really hard, but we also love it. There is a lot that can go wrong and often does. You have to love the challenges, be self-sufficient and a little bit mad," Clem said.

"The environment is harsh, so there is always maintenance to do."

It took two years and dozens of boat trips to and from Tasmania to set up and build the current accommodation on the island.

"Having all the systems running for power and water is a real challenge, as we do not have [an] on-island manager however, we have set the place up such that most people can enjoy the island on their own and in comfort," he said.

The 5-bedroom retreat is now used for private bookingsof up to 10 people for$2,200 per night.

"We spent a lot of time working as labourers, carting materials out to the island by tinny," Clem said.

There are about 5,000 islands off Tasmania's coast and only nineare freehold.

One of them is Satellite Island, which a Melbourne-based couple, Kate and Will Alstergren, inherited 12 years ago from Will's uncle, Ian Alstergren, one of the founders of Tasmania's salmon-farming industry.

It's situated in the D'Entrecasteaux Channelin southern Tasmania, a five-minute boat trip from Bruny Island.

"It is hard to describe the magic of staying on your own private island," the couple has said on the island's website.

"Time seems to stand still. Satellite Island is about slowing life down and enjoying the simple things."

The owners are also sharing their island life with paying guests.

Their renovated summer housetakes private bookings, at $3,350 a night for two people.

Queensland investor Peter Huang saw an advertisement for Ninth Island off Tasmania's north-east coast in a Chinese newspaper in 2015, and called to make an offer shortly after.

He hadn't seen the island but said it was an opportunity he couldn't pass up.

Seven and a half years on, he said it was time to part ways.

"It's very sad the decision to sell was made clear for my family during COVID," he said.

Ninth Island is about 1.3km long, 550 metres wide and covers 16 hectares (40 acres). It's 11 kilometres from the Tasmanian coast.

It has been on and off the market for years.

"We had big plans for it, to build an eco-resort, but then the pandemic happened and we had to reconsider," Peter said.

In 2016, nearby Waterhouse Island sold to Singaporean businessman James Koh the owner of Fragrance Group for $5.5million.

Flinders Island deputy mayor, David Williams, said buying and running an island comes with a lot of responsibilities.

"There's a lot to it. You do need to have regard for the environment, otherwise it just destroys everything," he said.

"You need to be very eco-friendly and conscious."

For lots of reasons, it seems, life on aTasmanian island may not be for everybody.

Set the ABC News website or the app to "TasmaniaTop Stories"from either the homepage or the settings menu in the appto continue getting the same national news but with a sprinkle of more relevant state stories.

Here's a taste of the latest stories from Tasmania:

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What's it like owning an island? These people can give you a heads up - ABC News

MSC Cruises to Sail Five Ships from the US During Winter 2023-2024 Season – Porthole Cruise and Travel

Today, MSC Cruises is moving forward with its continuedexpansion throughout the United States by revealing plans for arecord 5 ships set to sail from American homeports by the end of 2023. The company is diversifying the range of itineraries offered in The Bahamas, Bermuda, the Caribbean, the Northeast,and Canada beginning in the Winter 2023-2024 season.

The brand-new MSC Seascape will lead the way with Eastern and Western Caribbean 7-night cruises after the ships inaugural voyage from Port Miami later this year. MSC Divina will join MSC Seascape in Port Miami, and both will offer a range of itineraries, including 3-night cruises to The Bahamas and 11-night cruises through South and Central America. MSC Magnifica will also join the record-breaking 5 ship fleet and offer shorter cruises to destinations like Key West and The Bahamas.

Sailing from Port Canaveral, MSC Seashore will offer a variety of shorter cruises to The Bahamas and 7-night Western Caribbean expeditions. This marks the very first time that one of MSC Cruises innovative Seaside EVO ships will set sail from Port Canaveral, providing travelers who prefer shorter cruises to enjoy all that MSC Seashore has to offer.

Setting sail from New York, MSC Meraviglia will travel to destinations like Florida, Bermuda, and The Bahamas after finishing up the ships inaugural summer season in the Northeast. Like every ship in MSC Cruises U.S. fleet, MSC Meraviglias trips to The Bahamas will include stops at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the companys own eco-friendly private island focused on the ever-so-important topic of sustainability.

Rubn A. Rodrguez, President of MSC Cruises USA, said:Bringing more ships to the U.S. allows us to offer a wide variety of itineraries, adding new destinations and providing more opportunities for travelers to discover our unique international flavor. Its especially exciting to know how many of those guests will experience Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve and see firsthand how weve embraced the islands natural beauty, and how committed we are to sustainability. Caring for the ocean and showing our guests the true extent of its wonders drives everything we do at MSC Cruises.

AVAILABLE NOW- MSC Seashore:

Sailing from Port Canaveral with options including:

o 5-night Western Caribbean cruises: Calling at Costa Maya (Mexico), Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (The Bahamas)

o 6-night Western Caribbean cruises: Calling at Cozumel and Costa Maya (Mexico), Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (The Bahamas)

o 7-night Western Caribbean cruises: Calling at various combinations of Belize City (Belize), Cozumel and Costa Maya (Mexico), Nassau, and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (The Bahamas)

o Shorter 24-night cruises: Calling at Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (The Bahamas)

AVAILABLE NOW- MSC Seascape:

Offering 2 different 7-night itineraries sailing from Port Miami

o Western Caribbean cruises: Calling at Ocho Rios (Jamaica), George Town (Cayman Islands), Cozumel (Mexico), Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (The Bahamas)

o Eastern Caribbean cruises: Calling at San Juan (Puerto Rico), Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic), Nassau, and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (The Bahamas)

AVAILABLE NOW- MSC Meraviglia:

Sailing from Brooklyn, New York to Bermuda, The Bahamas, or Florida

o 5-to-6-night cruises: 2 or 3 days docked at Kings Wharf (Bermuda)

o 7-to-11-night cruises: Destinations include Miami and Port Canaveral (Florida), Cozumel and Costa Maya (Mexico), Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (The Bahamas)

AVAILABLE SOON- MSC Magnifica:

Offering short cruises sailing from Port Miami

o 3-to-4-night cruises: Calling at either Nassau (The Bahamas) or Key West (Florida), plus Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (The Bahamas)

o 7-night Christmas Cruise: Calling at Ocho Rios (Jamaica, Christmas Day), George Town (Cayman Islands), Cozumel (Mexico), Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (The Bahamas)

o 7-night New Years Cruise: At Sea (New Years Eve), Isla de Roatan (Honduras, New Years Day), Belize City (Belize), Costa Maya (Mexico), Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (The Bahamas)

AVAILABLE SOON: MSC Divina:

Setting sail from Port Miami

o 3-night cruises: Calling at Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (The Bahamas)

o 7-night cruises: Calling at various combinations of Isla de Roatan (Honduras), Belize City (Belize), Costa Maya and Cozumel (Mexico), George Town (Cayman Islands), Ocho Rios (Jamaica), Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (The Bahamas)

o 11-night cruises: Destinations include Montego Bay (Jamaica), Cartagena (Colombia), Puerto Limon (Costa Rica), Isla de Roatan (Honduras), Oranjestad(Aruba), Cozumel (Mexico), Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (The Bahamas)

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MSC Cruises to Sail Five Ships from the US During Winter 2023-2024 Season - Porthole Cruise and Travel

The countries unashamedly selling themselves to rich (and responsible) tourists – Stuff

New Zealand isnt the only nation to court rich foreign visitors in the era of Covid-19, with others also choosing to market themselves as exclusive destinations better suited to big spenders than backpackers.

Tourism Minister Stuart Nash has said Aotearoa will unashamedly target high quality tourists who spend more and stay longer as opposed to those who travel around our country on $10 a day eating two-minute noodles.

Aiming to boost tourism spending after the sector was devastated during the earlier part of the pandemic, countries looking to lure wealthy visitors often argue that welcoming fewer, but higher-spending visitors will also benefit local people and the environment.

Below are five destinations which have made no secret of their attempt to woo the rich as international travel rebounds. Fortunately for those of us of more modest means, most cater pretty well to budget travellers too.

READ MORE:* Kiwis top resort bookings in Fiji as holidaymakers put pandemic behind them* This is what it's like to snorkel with manta rays at night in Hawaii* What could New Zealand learn from Bhutan?

123RF.

Bhutan protects its unique cultural and natural heritage with a policy of high-value, low-volume tourism.

Often referred to as the last Shangri-La for its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has never been a cheap place to visit, taxing tourists to help protect its environment.

Before the country reopened to international visitors in September, its high-value, low-volume tourism policy saw it charge them at least US$250 (NZ$440) a day, which covered accommodation, meals, a tour guide and a US$65 sustainable development fee.

Now, tourists are required to cough up US$200 a day to visit, and pay separately for their accommodation, meals, tours and other travel expenses, significantly increasing the cost of a stay.

Officials said the new policy would rebrand Bhutan, which is wedged between China and India, as an exclusive destination attracting discerning tourists (Nash, by the way, said New Zealand was after discerning travellers.

Bhutans foreign minister and chairman of the Tourism Council of Bhutan, Tandi Dorji, said the aim was to create high-value experiences for visitors and well-paying jobs for citizens while keeping the countrys carbon footprint low.

Those who can afford a trip can look forward to hiking through a network of pristine national parks, soaking up the Buddhist culture in well-preserved traditional villages, visiting intricate temples clinging to bare cliffs, and generally experiencing daily life in a country that measures its wealth and prosperity through a national happiness index rather than its gross domestic product (GDP).

BROOK SABIN

Bali has made it easier for remote workers (aka digital nomads) to work on the island.

Indonesias coordinating minister for maritime affairs and investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, caused quite a kerfuffle in 2021 when he said the country would ban backpackers from Bali when it reopened to overseas visitors.

We'll aim for quality tourism in Bali, so we won't allow backpackers to enter once the reopening plan for international travellers is officially put in place in the near future, local media quoted him as saying.

Pandjaitan later clarified that he had meant Bali wouldnt welcome those who might violate Indonesias health or immigration rules, but there are signs the country is looking to change its image as a budget traveller haven.

The Indonesian government has announced that remote workers from overseas (aka digital nomads) will be able to conduct online work in the country for up to six months without paying tax on a B211A visa. A five-year digital nomad visa is under discussion in the hopes it will lure more high-spending foreigners to Balis shores.

The islands mountainous hinterland, wild surf beaches, plethora of elaborately decorated temples, and famously hospitable people have attracted travellers of all budgets since it opened to tourism in 1914.

In recent years, Bali has become a hotbed for digital nomads, while a proliferation of luxury hotels (2022 arrivals include Banyan Tree and Jumeirah) draw travellers with plenty of Deutsches (or rather rupiah) to spend.

Brook Sabin/Stuff

VOMO resort in Fiji.

During the pandemic, Fiji famously advertised itself as a haven for the mega-rich, with Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama inviting billionaires to make the Pacific Island nation their temporary home.

So, say youre a billionaire looking to fly your own jet, rent your own island, and invest millions of dollars in Fiji in the process if youve taken all the necessary precautions and borne all associated costs, you may have a new home to escape the pandemic in paradise, he tweeted.

With tourism accounting for 38% of GDP, Fiji has made luxury travel a focus since reopening to foreign visitors.

The country aims to attract and expand high value customer segments and encourage a growth in visitor spend to promote sustainable tourism, Tourism Fiji says in its corporate plan for 2022 to 2024.

Private island resort Vomo is among the many accommodation providers in Fiji aimed at high-end visitors, but there are options for all budgets.

Brook Sabin/Stuff

There are more than 160 resorts scattered among the islands of the Maldives, most with overwater villas.

A once-in-a-lifetime destination for many visitors, the Maldives is famed for luxury resorts set on private islands boasting some of the best beaches in the world.

But in September 2020, the tourism-reliant Indian Ocean nation launched a loyalty programme it hopes will encourage people worldwide to make a Maldives getaway a regular treat.

Developed by Maldives Immigration and the Ministry of Tourism, the Maldives Border Miles programme rewards tourists for multiple visits.

Each of the programmes three tiers abaarana (gold), antara (silver) and aida (bronze) offers its own set of perks, with visitors rising up the ranks by paying repeat visits, staying longer and celebrating special events there.

While widely regarded as a playground for the rich and famous, its possible to hit up its powder white beaches for less than $100 a night.

RYAN ANDERSON/Stuff

Hawaii, a dream destination for many.

A dream tropical destination for many, Hawaii has become a victim of its own tourism success, with a record number of visitors in 2019 prompting locals to lament its effects on the environment and cost of living.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) aims to better protect the states citizens and natural resources by attracting mindful, respectful and high-value travellers.

HTA chief executive John DeFries said the organisation wanted to change the popular perception of the state as the playground of the Pacific to a diverse destination with a rich culture and fragile ecosystem.

New initiatives include requiring visitors to make a reservation to visit popular parks, such as Waianapanapa State Park and Kauais Kalalau Trail (non-residents must also pay parking and entry fees).

Some attractions have also put up their prices Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve in Oahu, for one, has capped visitors at 720 a day and hiked fees for non-residents from US$5 to US$20. Visitors also have to watch a nine-minute video before entering the water which aims to educate them on topics such as coral regeneration and marine life.

Oahu is lobbying for a regenerative tourism fee that would support conservation and environmental management programmes, while Hawaiian Airlines and various hotels have taken steps to raise cultural and environmental awareness among visitors.

The state has also launched a campaign similar to New Zealands Tiaki Promise, based on the concept of malama, or caring for the land. Participating hotels reward guests with a free nights stay if they spend a day helping to clean beaches or reforest land.

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The countries unashamedly selling themselves to rich (and responsible) tourists - Stuff

‘Catcalling, Animal Cruelty & Litter’: The Dark Side Of The Gili Islands – DMARGE

Indonesias Gili Islands look like heaven. But are they now a paradise lost? Allegations of catcalling, animal cruelty, pollution, damage to the reef and thievery now have some people questioning the impact of tourism on this once chilled-out trio of islands, with one Tripadvisor user calling it the Magaluf of Australia.

An Indonesian woman and former flight attendant recently shared a video on TikTok about being catcalled on the holiday island Gili Trawangan. The video has now been set to private, but it reportedly got 9 million views in just four days. It has been reported by Radar Lombok that in the video it was said: [This] catcalling thing is not playing anymore.It also makes me emotional if I remember until now.

This is so fucking annoying.Im really angry.I wont be going back to Gili Trawangan again, to be honest.

Honestly, Ive travelled everywhere, of course because I used to be a cabin crew, Ive travelled to various islands, like Love Island in Gorontalo, Papua, Manado, Bali, even every month to Bali, because I love its with Bali.Every time I go to Bali I dont have to be boring about the cat calling thing, because in Bali the people are that kind.

The woman also allegedly said (translated from Indonesian): I never got catcalling in Bali.What kind of clothes do you want me to wear?But when I go to Gili yesterday, thats so fucking disgusting.The catcalling is really amazing, its unbelievable.

Just arrived at the port, dragging the suitcase already has a lot of cat calling.Where are you going, sis, beautiful, beautiful;Do you want to snorkel for free or not, Ill give you free snorkelling;Ms. Asking for your WhatsApp number;Ms. come here first, let me accompany you;do you want to accompany me?And they are so fucking annoying.But they dont catcall Caucasians, they want Caucasians to use bicycles while wearing bikinis, they dont care.

So if you ask, dont blame the island, yes, the island is indeed good, but the people should change if they want tourism to progress.

Later on she posted a follow-up video, which was captioned: Hopefully the clarification I made can be accepted, I hope Gili Trawangan will be better and take action against these people, because honestly the island is very beautiful. Thank you. In the comments section of this video she wrote: The Minister and the local government have intervened. Thank you very much Mr. Minister @Sandiaga Uno [the minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia] may you always be healthy and blessed by Allah SWT.

For those who want to take advantage of my problems, remember that karma exists.

Her video also sparked lots of comments from other travellers, with comments like: Is it true that the local authorities have investigated thoroughly? Want to go there [sic] so Im afraid where is a solo traveler flowing in.

According to news outlet Coconuts (who appear to have sourced this piece of information from tribunlombok.com), a resident who represents the North Lombok community,filed a complaint with the West Nusa Tenggara Police over [the video].

According to Coconuts, the complainant said the video suggested that North Lombok people are perverted and therefore damaged the islands image as a tourist destination.

Whats worse is that she claimed that the [harassment] was conducted by many people there, the complainant reportedly said.

RELATED: The Ugly Truth About Staying In An Instagram-Famous Treehouse

Coconuts reported in September that the woman was now facing defamation charges.

This isnt the first time the Gili Islands have got some bad press. As we reported earlier this year, one tourist complained of a boat ride from hell while trying to leave. On Tripadvisor, too, there are a slew of complaints about (alleged) animal abuse, litter, poor protection of the reef and the proliferation of partying.

One Tripadvisor user wrote: While Gili T itself is quite pretty with beautiful beaches, I could not get [sic] passed the extreme animal cruelty. The only means of transport in all of the Gili Islands is bike or horse, and the horses are actually a single small pony carrying loads of often 3+ people and luggage, whipped and beaten, underfed etc We only stayed for three days and while Id love to come back, I simply wont until the island considers a more sustainable form of transport (solar powered Tuk Tuks have been proposed).

Another Tripadvisor user wrote: Litter is everywhere all over the island! Whether it be on the beach, in the sea or into the centre, you cant help but get annoyed at something that should be dealt with! It seems tourism became too much for this small island.

Another wrote: What I seen was animals being abused while working in the baking hot sun without any water, food or shade! I felt physically sick every time I seen one! What I would say is yes Gili T is great if you want a party, even to see turtles and grab a sunset pic on the famous swings. However apart from that Gili T left me sad, knowing that the environment, local people and animals are the ones suffering!

Yet another said the island had been totally ruined by tourists and that I was shocked to see what became from Trawagan after I visit it before, 6 years ago, by that time it was a magical place, now sadly it became a hell with drunk kids [and] screamingfamilies.

Another Tripadvisor user spoke of the Gili Islands dark side, writing: This is a nice island. A pretty chilled, unique but affordable location. Lots of fun to be had. However it has a dark side. There are no motorised vehicles on the island. Sounds cool. The major form of transport is bikes and horse drawn carts. Romantic? NO. The way these little ponies are treated is criminal and appalling.

Others claimed things like locals they dont like you and shared stories where they claimed they were robbed. Further Tripadvisor users bemoaned the dead coral, with some claiming that they had seen people being allowed to walk on it.

Whether you believe tourists are the real problem, or whether you think Indonesian tourism authorities need to take a closer look at how the Gili Islands are managed, it seems many people can agree the situation on the Gili Islands needs to be improved for the sake of the environment, the people and the economy.

The rest is here:

'Catcalling, Animal Cruelty & Litter': The Dark Side Of The Gili Islands - DMARGE

Heres Who Profited from Connecticuts Legalized Digital Gambling – Governing

(TNS) Legalized online gambling and sports betting, now marking their one-year anniversary, have delivered a revenue bump for the two casinos that lobbied for digital betting and the state thats benefiting from a modest tax boost.

From October 2021 to August, the most recent period for which data are available, online gambling generated $96.2 million in revenue for Foxwoods Resort Casino and $80.6 million for Mohegan Sun, according to the state Department of Consumer Protection.

Sports betting produced an additional $84 million in revenue at the two casinos.

Its a nice windfall for the state and for us to keep our heads above water, said Rodney Butler, chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, which operates and owns Foxwoods.

For the state, which operates on a $24 billion annual budget, the impact is much smaller. Bettors using tablets, laptops and phones have generated $41 million in tax revenue since the launch in September and October 2021 of online gambling and sports betting, according to the state Department of Consumer Protection.

In the states 2022 budget year that ended June 30, the administration of Gov. Ned Lamont budgeted $27.8 million from online gambling and sports wagering at the Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort casinos and Connecticut Lottery, according to the Office of Policy and Management.

Officials are optimistic about future tax revenue, which is based on bets placed online and at the casinos and Connecticut Lottery Corp. Estimates show annual revenue nearly doubling to $52.9 million by 2026.

Underlying casino and state government money-making were online wagers of $7.9 billion and $1.1 billion in sports betting in the 11 months between October 2021 and August. Patron winnings accounted for more than 94 percent of bets.

Following a difficult few years brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic that shut the two casinos and limited reopening, revenue from online gambling has made a difference.

Being online smooths out the bumps, Butler said.

Revenue from online gambling and sports betting has helped make it possible for Foxwoods to reinvest in its Mashantucket site, including plans for an $85 million casino, Butler said.

Ray Pineault, chief executive officer of Mohegan Sun, said the roll-out of expanded gambling has been a success.

Were very pleased with the results we saw in year one, he said. Weve learned some things about the marketing program, how to utilize bricks and mortar and online.

In addition to generating revenue, digital gambling helps promote the Uncasville casino, entertainment, hotels and restaurants, Pineault said. And Mohegan Sun leans on its casino and other entertainment venues to promote digital gambling.

A spokesperson for DraftKings, the sports betting partner of Foxwoods, said that since launching mobile sports betting and iGaming in Connecticut a year ago, weve seen tremendous engagement and are pleased with the results.

FanDuel, Mohegan Suns sportsbook partner, did not respond to an email seeking information on its first year in operation in Connecticut.

Finding a legislative compromise establishing online gambling and sports betting in law was arduous. Then-Gov. Dannel P. Malloy began negotiating with tribal officials in 2018 after the U.S. Supreme Court lifted a federal ban on state authorization of sports betting. A major snag was how to approach a state compact giving the Mohegans and Mashantucket Pequots exclusive rights with slot machine gambling.

Talks foundered with the Malloy administration. Lamont, who succeeded Malloy in January 2019, sought a broader update of Connecticuts gambling rules to adapt it to digital technology.

Legislation Lamont signed into law in May 2021 sets an 18 percent tax for the first five years on new online commercial casino gaming, or iGaming offerings, followed by a 20 percent tax rate for at least the next five years. It also establishes a 13.75 percent tax rate on sports wagering.

Pineault said the past year was a ramp-up phase for expanded gambling in Connecticut.

The first year is not an end all be all, he said.

2022 Hartford Courant. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Continued here:

Heres Who Profited from Connecticuts Legalized Digital Gambling - Governing

Best Online Casinos USA | Top Online Gambling Sites | October 2022 – New York Post

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Many of the welcome bonuses have requirements, so we take into consideration the lengths and difficulty of claiming them. Some of the aspects we look into were:

If we are satisfied that a bonus answers all these questions, and the sign-up offer is a strong one, then thats a major plus in our eyes.

The content and depth of games are also right up there as one of the most important ranking factors for the best online casinos. We scanned and tested a number of games at all the online casinos in this piece to see how fun, profitable, and easy they are to play.

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Most online casinos will offer the same most popular casino games, so if youre after a specific one, its worth taking a look around to see which offers that choice.

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Each online casino will have a different preferred method, so it was important for us to check which offers the most variety. In this case, the more payment options offered, the better, as this means more players will be able to enjoy the benefits of the online casino.

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All of the best online casinos will offer some sort of welcome offer, but not everyone offers existing promotions. These are fantastic incentives, which real money gambling sites use to keep you returning to their casino and give you more incentive to play.

Many of the best online gambling sites will provide their existing customers with rolling incentives, bonus funds, free spins, and much more. We assessed the different existing promotions.

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BetMGM really stands out as a premium online gaming product. The casino comes with a large library of games for all players. It has a large range of slots, the best table games, and HD live dealer games. You can play for millions from some of the featured progressive slots. And an excellent mobile interface means you can always take the action with you.

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FanDuel Casino is a reliable and very enjoyable online casino. Whilst their brand may not be known for expertise in the casino world, they pose a strong threat to any dedicated sites.

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The bonuses and promotions at FanDuel Casino are unique but nonetheless worth taking advantage of. Weekly bonuses are aplenty, with constantly changing games for which the bonuses apply. While only legal in a few states, wed recommend checking out FanDuel Casino.

On the whole, Virgin Online Casino is a strong choice for your gambling. They have a decent amount of games on offer, with more than 200 slots titles and a lot of variations of table games.

There are great existing customer rewards, with constant benefits for the most loyal players. While their mobile side of the casino is not as strong as their desktop site as a whole, they have an offering that will suit the needs of most players. A strong suitor and definitely an online casino worth checking out.

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betPARX Casino began life in July 2019, originally under ParxCasino.com branding. Casino management changed the name to betPARX in early 2022 to better establish its brand as a standalone online gambling operator and not just the extension of a single casino in a single state.

Now, betPARX online casino offers a little over 150 games, including slots, table games, and video poker. Its a smaller collection than most, but betPARX has never shown much inclination to vastly expand its library of online games.

Borgata Online Casino is one of the true heavyweights in the US iGaming industry. With a glitzy look and impeccable functionality, Borgata brings you one of the heftiest portfolios of games you will find anywhere in the United States and definitely in New Jersey.

Borgata Casinohas plenty to offer players who enjoy live online gambling and would not mind having a shot at some of the latest games developed by dozens of dedicated software suppliers.

That and more awaits in what is arguably one of the best online casinos in the US, bringing you dedicated customer support, a spectacular variety of over 1000+ games, and, not least, a casino app that will make playing on the go a lot of fun.

The Party Casino online platform has been on the scene for many years. Therefore, they know what players are looking for when it comes to gameplay. This is why there is a wide range of different types of games on offer through the platform.

They are one of a few online casinos in New Jersey that are currently operating live. Their game offering is constantly expanding, and there are great promotions for new and existing customers alike. There is a drawback that there is no mobile app for Android users, but overall, as you have seen through this review, they otherwise have a great all-around offering.

Mohegan Sun Casino is legit and has a lot going in its favor for players old and new. They have a large selection of leading games to choose from and plenty of table games, too. Their mobile platform still offers more than 200 different titles, and it has a seamless gaming experience.

There is a comprehensive loyalty program and a good welcoming bonus package, but their offers for existing customers are usually far and few between. While the design of the site is a bit old-fashioned, its usability is still very good for players and is easy to navigate as well.

Resorts are levels clear of most other online casinos when it comes to megaways slots and Slingo games. Their range of table games, as well as their live dealer section, also proves to be impressive.

With a generous new customer sign-up offer to boot, Resorts are one of the top online casinos if youre a slots fan, with plenty of other valuable games to choose from.

Unibet has been one of the biggest sites for online gambling in the world, and their online casinos place in our rankings is no shock. They have a massive range of jackpot slots and live dealer games, with their offerings here being some of the best among their competitors.

With a forever-changing list of games in-store for both new and existing users, Unibet is easily one of the best in casinos for players out there.

BetRivers Casino is the online casino brand for Rush Street Interactive, a growing casino operator which owns the Rivers brand of casinos in three states, including Pennsylvania.

Navigating around the casino site is easy, thanks to a filter system that allows users to choose the types of games that they want to play. Where BetRivers shines over the other casinos is that they offer one of the lowest rollover requirements on bonuses. All casino bonuses come with a 1x playthrough requirement, making it one of the better options for real-money casino players.

Bally Casino has something for everyones budget, no matter what games they love. Theres a host of exclusive games offering a variety of thrilling titles that are not available anywhere else.

If youre looking for value, you should know Ballys doesnt charge for depositing and withdrawing your funds, something we at The Post particularly respect. It also has regular exciting promotions with fantastic prizes ranging from Bonus Money to luxury trips and more. Ballys also takes security seriously, so you can be comfortable knowing your personal information is safe.

On the whole, 888 Casino is a fantastic online gambling site, with their wide options of slots and games available. The ability to use the casino on mobile devices is right up there as one of the best.

Fans of slots and blackjack games will particularly enjoy the variety they have to offer.

Their live casino is not available 24 hours a day, which is an aspect wed like to see added in. However, 888 Casino is still a great option to go with for those looking for a site to play their favorite casino games.

Hard Rock boasts an impressive casino, with their selection of slots and poker games being particularly appealing. Their live casino section, as well as the blackjack games they have on offer, are also good, making them a very competitive casino site.

They could improve in some areas, such as by offering users the chance to wager on virtual sports, as well as more withdrawal methods.

However, overall Hard Rock Casino is definitely worth your time.

The Ocean Casino brand has been a long-standing member of the casino world, with their site launching in 2018. Theyve become a firm favorite with players thanks to rewarding regular promotions offering free spins, cashback, and competitive leaderboard events.

Another area it excels in is the range of payment options available, with these including most major withdrawal options for added convenience.

They may not be the most well-known online casino, but we for sure recommend still checking out Ocean and seeing what they have to offer.

Harrahs Casino is a great choice for your online casino action, with their poker and slot offerings proving to be two of their strong points.

They also offer a top-of-the-range selection of jackpot slots, with their blackjack options also proving to be decent. It has to be said that there are some areas of Harrahs Casino that can be improved, such as the fact that they currently dont offer any live casino games, variety games, or virtual sports for you to play.

Despite this, its fair to say that Harrahs Casino is still quite impressive, so wed recommend heading over and giving it a try.

WynnBet is a recognizable brand in the world of sports betting, and theyve migrated well into the online casino game. Theres a fantastic range of slots and table games, with a super selection right up there with the best online casinos in the USA.

Their live casino section is easily one of their strongest points, with their jackpot slots also proving to be a big plus. In general, WynnBET runs a casino that is strong in a number of important areas and is one thats definitely worth checking out the next time youre looking for a new gambling site.

All of the online casinos mentioned have fantastic new customer offers and bonuses, which you are able to take advantage of. However, there are a few different sign-up bonuses, which can sometimes be difficult to understand. Take a look at the different offers available, and youll be sure to understand how they work when you sign up to a new online casino.

The most common variety of online casino bonuses is the deposit bonus or match bonus. It is given away as a percentage of players deposit amounts. For example, a 100% match or deposit bonus of up to $100 means that the deposit amount of a player will be doubled to a maximum of $100.

The bonus will be paid out usually in the form of free credits, which will have wagering requirements attributed to them. Players have to meet these requirements before they can attempt to withdraw their winnings.

Online casinos offer no-deposit bonuses to new players who have just created an account. This is an instant bonus, with no deposit needed to claim. Essentially, this is an online casinos way of saying thank you.

New players can claim no-deposit bonuses even before making a first deposit. Usually, none are in the form of small cash bonuses or free spins.

A new, interesting bonus offer, which many online casinos do not offer. This promotion entails a certain period of time in which your wagering is risk-free. For example, a real money online casino may offer you 24 hours of risk-free play, up to $1,000. This means that any losses accrued in this period of time will be paid back to you in the form of free credits. Be aware that the free credits will have wagering requirements.

Connecticut launched in late 2021 with two online casino options & online poker. The state has only tribal casinos no commercial ones and two tribes have exclusivity, has partnered with major national online casino operators.

While online casinos are up and running in Connecticut, the state is still waiting for the launch of online poker. The Mohegan Sun Online Casino, owned by the Mohegan Tribe, is powered by FanDuel, while DraftKings Online Casino is in partnership with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation.

Delawares nickname, the First State, stems from the timeliness of its ratification of the US Constitution but is an apt nickname for the state regarding online casinos, as it was the first to legalize online gambling.

However, Delaware has chosen to keep its online casino offerings largely as an in-house thing, with all three of the states casinos hosting brands powered by 888. In turn, 888 works closely with the Delaware Lottery, the state gambling regulator. The states size limits its prospects of expanding its online gambling anytime soon.

Michigan is one of the newer members of the online casino fraternity, but the Great Lakes State is already making plenty of waves since its launch in 2021.

There are more than a dozen online casino apps for you to try, and you can find options both from big-name companies like Caesars and WynnBet and smaller Michigan-based brands like Firekeepers and Four Winds. This diverse mixture of options is available under the umbrella of the Michigan Gaming Control Board.

New Jersey is home to more online casino options than any other state and was one of the first to legalize online casino gaming in 2013. Nearly two dozen different apps, including offerings from top brands like DraftKings, FanDuel, MGM, and Golden Nugget, are available to almost anyone with an internet connection in the Garden State.

After a lengthy wait, Pennsylvania joined the online casino party in 2019 with just two online casino options. In relatively short order, however, there were more than a dozen different apps available in the Keystone State.

West Virginia was one of the first states to legalize online sports betting and is, at present, one of the few. There are four online casino options in the Mountain State, and more should be joining the group soon.

While online sports betting is moving swiftly across the US, the same cannot be said for online casinos. It is not clear when Indiana will soften its stance on online casino gaming. There has been talk Illinois and Indiana might legalize it in 2023, and if this were to happen, it could open the door for online casinos in many states across the country. However, there has been no concrete evidence of a launch, merely whispers.

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Raising the stakes: Momentum builds to allow online casino gambling in Indiana – Indiana Lawyer

If you want to play online real-money casino games in the state of Indiana, you dont have to travel to Michigan, where the practice is legal, to place your bets.

Hundreds of cyber casinos operated by offshore gambling sites allow anyone with a virtual private network to win or lose money without much fear of prosecution.

We have to be honest with ourselves: People are doing it here in Indiana, said state Sen. Jon Ford, a Republican from Terre Haute who authored a bill earlier this year that would have allowed Indiana casinos and racetracks to offer online casino games. We theoretically already have iGaming. Its a matter of putting it into a regulated environment similar to what we did with sports wagering.

Ford is one of a growing number of elected officials, lobbyists and casino operators pushing Indiana and other states to allow brick-and-mortar casinos to host interactive online gambling, often called iGaming. The idea is to lure customers away from the black market and potentially bring in hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for state government each year.

To bolster their case in Indiana, casino lobbyists point to a new study that finds that a legal online gambling market in the state would not negatively impact revenue at the Indianas 12 state-sanctioned casinos. Thats important, given that last year Indianas casinos generated $691million in wagering taxes.

And online gambling could add to the total.

In February, the Indiana Gaming Commission hired Pennsylvania-based Spectrum Gaming Group LLC to study internet casino gambling. The consulting firm found that Indiana could bring in $392million to $883million in tax revenue over a three-year period, depending on the tax rate the state applies to online wagering.

The findings in the report mirror what we as an industry have been telling policymakers for the last several years said Matt Bell, president and CEO of the Casino Association of Indiana. Online casino gambling is a viable market for Indiana and can be a profitable endeavor for casino gaming properties in Indiana, and it can do that without cannibalizing business from brick-and-mortar casinos.

There are six statesConnecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginiathat offer the full spectrum of online gambling, from virtual slot machines to online card games. Nevada also allows online gambling but limits it to online poker.

Adopting the sportsbetting model

Recent history would suggest Indiana is poised to join the small roster of states to legalize online gambling.

In 2019, Indiana joined Montana to become only the second state to legalize sports betting after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, which had effectively outlawed sports betting nationwide.

In the three years and four months since wagering on sports was legalized, Hoosiers have placed more than $4billion in bets, and the state has realized more than $62million in sports wagering tax revenues, according to the Indiana Gaming Commission.

While states differ in their approach to regulating online gambling, there are three basic models: The open model, which allows any company to offer online gambling; the closed model, which limits licensure to state casinos; and the hybrid model, which requires third-party companies to offer digital gambling through licensing agreementsalso called skinswith existing casinos.

Indianas sports betting framework allowed existing land-based casinos to partner with third-party sportsbooks, such as FanDuel and DraftKings, to ensure the states existing casinos would not be hurt by the introduction of sports betting.

Casino operators say they would benefit if a similar model was applied to legal online casino gambling.

Because of all the money that we as an industry have invested in brick and mortar we would hope that online gaming expansion would work through us like it did with sports betting, said Alex Stolyar, chief development officer for Full House Resorts, which owns Rising Star Casino in southeastern Indiana.

Previous efforts to legalize online casino gambling in Indiana have come up short.

Earlier this year, the Hoosier Lottery announced plans to offer internet games, a move that angered retail lottery ticket vendors. That prompted lawmakers to step in and pass legislation requiring legislative approval before the State Lottery Commission can begin online gambling or ticket sales.

Ford, one of several Indiana lawmakers to introduce online casino bills earlier this year, declined to say whether he planned to take the issue up next year, though he expects the Indiana Gaming Commissions recent study to serve as an impetus for the topic to come up again.

The majority of people who play online casino games fall between the ages of 21 and 39, according to the states report, a demographic the casino industry has struggled to attract.

It brings a new, younger demographic to the marketplace that every industry is struggling to connect with, Ford said of online casino games. I think its very clear that younger generations want to do things on their mobile phones or through a digital process.

It also would add another revenue stream to a growing pot of money.

The $691million in taxes Indiana collected from its 12 casinos in the last fiscal year was up nearly 19% from about $583million in fiscal year 2021, according to an Indiana Gaming Commission annual report released in September.

Senate President Pro Tempore Rod Bray told IBJ that while conversations about internet casino gambling remain ongoing, its too early to say whether the concept could win the General Assemblys approval.

Funding recommended for addiction treatment

If Indiana goes forward with allowing online casino games, it should dedicate a portion of its new revenue stream to gambling treatment and addiction services, said Christina Gray, executive director of the Indiana Council on Problem Gambling.

Her organization acts as a resource and advocate for people struggling with gambling addiction and their family members, although she stresses that it does not take a position on the legalization of gambling.

Ninety-five percent of people can do it responsibly, Gray says. Were here to advocate for the 4 to 5% that may have a problem.

Gray believes that legalizing online casino gambling could open the door for more young people to become addicted.

Youre legalizing it for someone out there that may not go to a brick-and-mortar, Gray said. I think the possibility is there that more people will have problems.

When it comes to funding for gambling addiction services, the most recently proposed online casino bills mimic the same language as the sports betting legislation, which allocates just over 3% of its revenue stream to such programs.

If online casino gambling becomes legal, Gray hopes that lawmakers will consider allocating a larger funding pot to help people struggling with problem gambling.

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Raising the stakes: Momentum builds to allow online casino gambling in Indiana - Indiana Lawyer

RUE-LETTE: The human cost of online gambling – Economic Times

Siphoning off money from employers, faking their own kidnapping for ransom, robbery and even taking their own lives, online gamblers can be pushed to desperate lengths. While gambling for money has been a timepass for decades in India inside homes or even outdoors on open lawns and street corners where men gather to pay teen patti and rummy the pandemic has pushed, much like everything else, the games online. Add to it the availability of cheap data, an uptick in digital transactions, higher penetration of smartphones, and rapid expansion in supply and quality of games, and you have a potent mix before you.

Delhi-based psychiatrist Dr Pankaj Kumar says there has been a 15-20% increase in the number of people seeking treatment for gambling addiction after the lockdown. For most people, it starts as entertainment which grows into an addiction. Gamblers are lulled by the false belief that they can leave anytime.

Which is what happened to 17-year-old Ashwini* who started playing some games as a way to redeem reward points. He received some gifts which spurred his interest further. What started as fun and games quickly became a habit. He moved from casual gaming to playing for money, borrowing from friends and pilfering valuables from home, even managing to access his fathers bank account.

It was only then that the father realised that his son could even kill him in thisfit of rage, Dr Kumar says. The teen was brought to the doctor for help earlier this year and is now under psychiatric treatment.

Gambling releases dopamine which is what makes it addictive. Dr Manoj Sharma, professor at NIMHANS Bengalurus SHUT (Service for Healthy Use of Technology) clinic that tackles tech de-addiction, says that people were driven by boredom and lack of work to go online during the pandemic.

These risks are even more in the case of minors. Some websites do not conduct know-your-customer (KYC) or other age verification checks. This allows minors easy access to these websites, exposing them to unsuitablecontent and enticing them to engage in illegal activities, says a study on online gaming by tech policy think tank ESYA Centre. It also notes that gambling is associated with higher financial distress and lower financial inclusion and planning, higher rates of future unemployment and physical disability, and at its most acute, with substantially increased mortality.

But what about the legality?

While betting and gambling are illegal across India (except in some states like Sikkim and Nagaland) under the 1867 Public Gambling Act, the colonial-era law does leave room for an exception by legalising games of skill. Subsequent court orders have recognised rummy, chess and poker as games of skill rather than chance. But concerns related to gambling addiction have prompted the southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu to bring in laws banning gambling for money. However, some of these bans have been successfully challenged and overturned with the courts recognising games like rummy and poker to be skill-based and legal. The Tamil Nadu and Karnataka governments have challenged this in SC where the matter is currently pending. In fact, the Tamil Nadu governor on Friday approved an ordinance to ban online gambling.

Domestic gaming companies contend that there is no uniformity in laws which differ from state to state. They also argue that while Indian companies are being subjected to taxation laws with a Bengaluru-based online gaming company being charged with the largest indirect showcause notice in history that of Rs 21,000 crore companies registered outside the country are exempt from the legislative framework.

Meanwhile, advertisements for such websites continue with disclaimers. For example, in December 2020, advertisements of offshore betting websites were shown during the live-streaming of cricket matches between India and Australia. Many use cricket and Bollywood stars for endorsement. Self-regulatory organisation E-Gaming Federation (EGF) has demanded a central regulation that will protect the interests of players and industry.

We understand that gaming is an immersive experience and players can go overboard but bans are not the answer. We are seeking a soft touch regulation that will help the legit industry grow and protect players interests too, says EGF CEO Sameer Barde. The federation has already put in place a code of conduct for its members that include age-gating, putting limits on the time and money a player spends and KYC norms so minors do not play money games. In August, the government set up a task force to frame policy for the sector.

Technology and gaming lawyer Jay Sayta says all games should be regulated. All games whether skill or chance based should be regulated and taxed so that there is compliance, otherwise the industry will go underground and continue illegally.

* Name changed

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RUE-LETTE: The human cost of online gambling - Economic Times

Can gambling online improve your mental well-being? – HealthTechZone

These days, people talk a lot about mental health. People have found mental solace in meditation, vigorous exercise, art, and travel. But few people will have asked, "Can playing at online casinos help your mental health?" And we're looking for many different ways to boost it.

Most people will be happy to tell you what they're doing to improve their mental health, such as going to the gym more often or taking trips, but not many people will tell you that online casinos, in particular, have been of great help.

Not just because they're fun but also because they're a great way to keep your mind active. Yes, it's true: playing at online casinos can make you feel better. You can try some mind-soothing casino games at Hellspin login.

How Online casinos can help your mental health

The following are ways by which online casinos can help boost your mental health:

Endless Fun

Your mental health improves when you're having fun. In essence, you will feel better if you are having more fun. Although it appears clear, many people are unaware of this straightforward fact.

There aren't many options better than online casinos right now for nonstop entertainment. Whether you're using a smartphone or tablet, online casinos replicate the excitement and activity of real casinos on your screen.

Makes You Happier

Everyone needs something to make them happy in life. In the end, happiness keeps the world going and your mental state balanced.

Signing up for an online casino will make you very happy and improve your mental health.

For example, you can grab your phone and play the best online casino games if you've had a bad day at work or a big fight with your spouse. A round of roulette or a few spins on the slot machines might be all you need to feel better.

Better functioning of the brain

Playing online, especially casino games is a good way to boost your grey matter. Grey matter helps control things like movement, memory, and control in your brain. So, just by playing online casino games, the way your brain works will get better. This shouldn't be a surprise since you need to focus and think critically to do well and win these games.

A Useful Diversion When You Need One

People occasionally require diversions. You might be on a three-hour train ride or taking the subway to work. Whatever the situation, playing at an online casino can help you avoid boredom and increase your mental health when you need it.

Remember to bring your smartphone wherever you go so you can play whenever you want.

Conclusion

You have learned of the numerous mental health benefits of Online Casino games; you may choose to play video poker against other players, the easy-to-use slot machines, or even try your hand at blackjack. There are so many games you can play that you should try them all to find out which ones you like the most.

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Can gambling online improve your mental well-being? - HealthTechZone

The technologies behind casino payment methods – Retail Technology Innovation Hub

PaySafeCard

The PaySafeCard e-payment method was originally designed for online shopping, until other sectors embraced it. Now, the gambling industry's financial systems thrive on swift transactions when using PaySafeCard.

As one of the most preferred gambling payment options, it allows you to bank online without exposing your financial information. This is possible using an encrypted card and your ten PaySafeCard PINs.

When you choose PaySafeCard as your preferred casino payment method, you're redirected to the website for verification procedures. This expert review on how to choose PaySafeCard casino deposits here would help you to get started.

It's also a guide on PaySafeCard casinos in Canada for Canadian gamers who love making real money. The timeout for online gaming requests is 30-min. PaySafeCard only approves your request after this timeout elapses.

The future of online gambling payments is in decentralised transactions. Since the intent of digital currencies became known over a decade ago the online gambling industry has welcomed the idea of crypto payments.

The anonymity online casino operators get with digital currencies is the reason its one of online casino safest features. Most websites today accept cryptocurrency payments for users that have existing digital wallets.

By using either of the available cryptocurrency payments, you can deposit as much as you want anonymously. Blockchain technology enables highrollers and heavy gamblers to make huge deposits for having fun on the web.

With common cryptocurrencies like Ethereum, Bitcoin, and Litecoin, gamblers can make seamless deposits online. Playing casino games has now become interesting for cryptocurrency investors looking to spend fractions of their digital currencies.

Skrill is popular in this industry for its reliable multiple currency processing ways for online gamers.

Canadian players can now select Skrill as a payment option when playing at casinos. Read through this review of casinos with Skrill deposit options for the best Skrill sites for Canadian users.

You must have an account with Skrill to get the most from these sites. The traditional alternative of making a transfer directly to a casino operator can be avoided with Skrill.

Skrill offers secured recurring billing like most online casino payment methods. The saved card feature allows users to save the details of their credit cards on the platform. Withdrawals and payments can be made easily using Skrill's e-payment features.

With Skrill, online casinos offer free invoices to their players. They can also deposit directly with their prepaid cards on online gambling sites. Online casinos accept Skrill from users all over the world.

PayPal is an online payment option with world-class e-payment technology and features.

It is one of the few payment selections widely acceptable in the online casino industry. This e-banking selection allows you to verify transaction requests on the internet in milliseconds.

PayPal is one of the secure e-payment platforms you'd find on the internet today. Betting sites guarantee their users easy, swift, and secure money exchange on their sites.

With over 300 million current users, PayPal is doing something right with its unique e-payment features. Their seamless multiple currency support enables gamers from different parts of the globe on live dealer games.

Interac is a common e-payment selection used by Canadian gamers on the internet.

Take a few minutes to read through a list of available Interac casinos in Canada for the best e-transfer banking methods. It is a preferred payment method, especially for gamers that play at Canadian-owned betting establishments.

The CAD is the conventional currency acceptable on Interac, which enables its users to send funds to any Canadian bank. Unlike your local bank, Interac supports mobile wallets with reduced fees and credit cards for e-payment platforms.

Interac offers an in-app payment flow with cards connected to popular platforms like Google and Apple Pay. Like your local bank, Interac requests your personal and financial information to set up your e-banking profile.

Gamers can get more betting points from the reduced fees Interac charges on every withdrawal or deposit request. Online casinos in Canada benefit from the cost-effective and low risk chargebacks when users pay with Interac.

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The technologies behind casino payment methods - Retail Technology Innovation Hub

UK Online Gambling Gets More Complicated as EU Compliance is Scrapped – Casino.Org News

Posted on: October 4, 2022, 10:56h.

Last updated on: October 4, 2022, 11:30h.

As the UK continues to transition away from its participation in the European Union (EU), the country is going through a significant period of financial turmoil. The decision to exit the EUs General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) program could spell more disaster, including for gaming operators.

The UKs new prime minister, Liz Truss, has decided that the country doesnt need the GDPR. Its an idea that has been circulating as long as talk of Brexit, but which is now apparently becoming a reality.

Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Michelle Donelan confirmed Tuesday that the UK will replace the EUs data privacy act with a new set of rules. This can only mean that gaming operators will have to contend with two systems, one for the EU and another for the UK.

The decision to dump the GDPR isnt a surprise the UK announced four months ago that something was in the works. The country will introduce its own data protection and digital information bill at some point, although its taking longer than the government initially hoped.

Although the UK has discussed creating its own rules for a couple of years, the overall concept remained aligned with the EUs guidelines. The EU signed off on the recommended proposals last year, though it said that it would be ready to pull back if the UK implemented too many changes.

I am announcing that we will be replacing GDPR with our own business and consumer-friendly, British data protection system. Our plan will protect consumer privacy and keep their data safe, whilst retaining our data adequacy so businesses can trade freely, Donelan said.

Donelan has tried to calm any concerns, explaining that the country can protect consumer data without far-reaching regulations. She stated that this is already done in countries like Japan and New Zealand, and that the UK will learn from those policies.

She also asserted that the move would make it easier for businesses to operate. However, this sentiment isnt shared by those businesses. UK companies that serve the EU will have to comply with two sets of rules.

The same applies to companies outside the UK. They have to implement solutions that can ensure adherence to both the GDPR and the UKs own solution. For many, this means double the expense related to consumer protection.

When the EU introduced the GDPR in 2016 it was hailed as one of the biggest achievements in modern history. Europe said at the time that the new rules would save billions of dollars in expenses. Introduction of the policy would also lead to efficient operations across the continent.

The data paints a different picture. Economists with Oxford University dove into the outcome of GDPR and what it meant for commercial activity earlier this year. What they found was that EU businesses lost on average 8.1% of their profits.

Small- and medium-sized enterprises lost 8.5%, while large companies lost around 7.9%. Even larger tech companies, like Google and Apple, saw no significant impacts from the implementation of the GDPR.

This doesnt instill confidence in the UKs latest effort. With inflation out of control and no fix in sight, the economy could potentially take another hit.

The good news is that, at least for now, the countrys version of the GDPR isnt moving forward. Just like new gambling regulations, theres an outside chance that nothing will change. The UK will hold new general elections in 18 months, which could usher in a new batch of political leaders.

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UK Online Gambling Gets More Complicated as EU Compliance is Scrapped - Casino.Org News

The success of software development in the mobile casino industry | Gaming – Telemedia Online

Online gambling is a burgeoning industry at present thanks to the increase in the numbers of players turning to mobile devices. With advancements in technology spearheading moves by traditional casinos to occupy a presence online, as well as the rise of newer web-based and mobile-based casinos, the market has become highly competitive.

So with every mobile and web-based casino company striving to get ahead of the competition in any way they can, they are turning to the software and app development industry for help. In turn, those software development companies are keen to demonstrate that they can transfer their expertise to creating websites, apps and games that appeal to customers in this industry.

In this article, we will highlight some of the top software developers and their work in helping the big players in the mobile casino industry.

These days, most of our lives are conducted in the palm of our hands and this extends to entertainment activities. The popularity of easy-to-play online slot games at Paddy Power Casino, for example, which possess the pick up and playability that mobile-savvy consumers are looking for is now equal to streaming movies, TV shows and live sports events on mobile devices.

Simply put, many modern casino players are playing online because it is convenient. Slot games in particular are considered the easiest form of online casino for players to play as all they require is the player to spin a reel and await the outcome.

And with the majority of online gambling companies now providing high-quality and highly-compatible mobile apps to suit the needs of their customers, the choice for players is almost limitless. But how are companies able to provide all these choices?

In order to provide an optimal experience to their customers, online gambling companies are increasingly working with some of the worlds best software and mobile gaming developers.

Arguably the most recognised of these companies is Playtech, which is widely considered to be the major player in software development within the online gambling industry. The business has grown into a behemoth that now incorporates many other developers, including YoYo Games and its GameMaker Studio software and QuickSpin both of whom have enjoyed a great deal of success in video slot development.

Its dominance is such that any budding player will have certainly visited an online Playtech casino game notably Irish Luck and King Kong slots.

Another such company, Net Entertainment, has been involved in this industry for almost 30 years. They have created software for online versions of almost all classic casino games including those with live dealers but generally specialise in slots. Gonzos Quest and Starburst are their biggest hits but they are also officially licensed to develop some of the best music, movie and TV-branded slot games, such as Motorhead, and have even branched into virtual reality slots.

With the likes of Microgaming and IGT having lent their hand to popular slots like Mega Moolah and Wheel Of Fortune, respectively, it is clear that the proliferation of software development for the online casino industry is proving successful. All of the above examples of games are popular with players for a variety of reasons namely visual appeal, ease of use and mobile compatibility.

The input of such companies to provide these key components is a major reason behind that success

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newsGP – How to make gambling harm part of ‘that general medical conversation’ – RACGP

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The RACGP wants to support GPs to identify patients at risk of gambling harm in order to better implement targeted specialist treatment.

One of Dr Hester Wilsons patients recently discovered that her husband had re-mortgaged their family home.Up until that point, she was unaware he had a gambling problem. Now, with young children to look after, they were losing their family home.As Chair of RACGP Specific Interests Addiction Medicine, Dr Wilson works closely with patients experiencing addiction in various forms and the adverse impacts it has on their health and relationships.She told newsGP that although she estimates 7% of people experience some gambling harm and 1% of those people have a gambling addiction, it is not often evident when they present in general practice.Gambling does cause harm, and we are going to be seeing people that are experiencing that harm in our practices, she said.One of the tricky things for us in general practice is that people wont tell us because either they feel ashamed or they dont realise they have a problem, or they dont think its our area.To help overcome this barrier RACGP Specific Interests Addiction Medicine is presenting a responsible gambling webinar series, sponsored by the Office of Responsible Gambling GambleAware NSW and hosted by Dr Wilson.The webinars aim to help GPs to identify management and referral strategies for patients experiencing issues with gambling, and what specialist care is required for the associated psychosocial factors.The activities will also outline how to initiate conversations with patients to investigate the potential harms, where Dr Wilson said the therapeutic relationship GPs have with patients is paramount.We need to be asking [about gambling], people wont volunteer to discuss it for a whole heap of reasons, she said.I do it as part of my lifestyle check with patients. First of all asking permission, I want to ask you about your lifestyle, is that okay?Then: Do you drink? Do you smoke? Do you use any illicit drugs or pharmaceuticals that have caused you any problems? Do you gamble? Do you game?Make it part of that general medical conversation.Once a gambling issue has been flagged, Dr Wilson assesses whether it is causing any harm or if the patient is concerned by using gentle and exploratory questions that can help them to reassess the role that gambling has in their lives.The thing we do so brilliantly as GPs is that longitudinal relationship we know our patients, we see them over time, we can follow up with them, she said.[Its about] understanding that important role GPs have in screening and raising awareness, and referring onto specialist services if its appropriate.Once they engage, they may not be ready to seek treatment, so we can check in with them around how its going, do they want that referral. And once theyve taken part in treatment and things have improved, we can support them around maintaining that change and to remain well.Aside from the obvious financial issues caused by gambling, the range of long- and short-term issues cause a ripple effect, according to Dr Wilson.It affects you overall, the way you live your life, she said. Its not just those people that experience the harm, its their family one person who is experiencing gambling harm will impact six other people in their lives.Psychological issues such as depression and anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, and a higher risk of suicide are all linked to people with gambling issues, as well as physical issues associated with the gambling lifestyle such as drinking or smoking more, being sedentary while doing the activity and not exercising, and not eating well.Dr Wilson says it is important to be aware of the co-occurring issues that can happen with people who are gambling or vice-versa, and how they interact.If you can help people to change the gambling, quite often that will improve their mental and physical health, she said.It is estimated around $25 billion was lost on legal forms of gambling in 201819 in Australia.Easily accessible and available 24-hours a day, online gambling is the fastest growing gambling setting. In 2022, more than one in 10 Australians reported participating in online gambling in the previous six months, up from 8% in 2020.Like with many health issues, Dr Wilson says the value of early assessment and intervention of gambling cannot be underestimated.You can have someone who has a very significant gambling addiction, but we want to be catching people before they get to that point, she said.It might be that they are just starting to experience some gambling and they or their families are concerned or theyre starting to have some problems. Then we can actually get them into treatment, get them to think about changing that before they develop a really serious issue that means they lose their house.While there are no medicines or pharmacological treatment options for gambling, the psychological therapies that are available is where the gold is at, Dr Wilson says.Funded gambling services are available in every state and territory across metropolitan, rural, regional and remote areas, that can be accessed in person and online.These are specialist services with psychologists and counsellors who are trained and experts in helping people with gambling, Dr Wilson said.They are set up so that we as GPs, once we flag that this is an issue, can say to someone, Wed really like you to come in and get some help with this.That can also involve relationship counselling and financial counselling, as well as working on how they can begin to manage their issue with gambling.According to Dr Wilson, the take-home message for GPs is the importance of initiating the conversation around gambling and using it as part of a lifestyle assessment and whether it is, or has the potential to, cause any harm.We cant forget our role as GPs, Dr Wilson said.We can have a real positive impact in our patients lives, and in their familys lives as well.Registration for the free, CPD-approved webinar series is available on the RACGP website:Webinar 1: Gambling harm: comorbidities, treatment and referralMonday 17 October, 7.00 8.00 pm (AEDT)Webinar 2: Opening the door: How the GP can facilitate conversations with patients facing gambling harmWednesday 26 October, 7.00 8.00 pm (AEDT)Log in below to join the conversation.

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newsGP - How to make gambling harm part of 'that general medical conversation' - RACGP

KGO officially jumps in the sports gambling toilet – SFGATE

KGO radio personality Ronn Owens.

After not-so-subtly hinting at it over the weekend, Bay Area news radio stalwart 810 AM completed its switch to a sports gambling station Monday.

Longstanding programming was abruptly canceled by owner Cumulus Media on Oct. 6, leaving hosts stunned. The slow death of KGO, the former name of the station, was a familiar story for legacy media, though. "KGO has been in steady decline for years, and thats unfortunate, but thats kind of the industry overall," longtime reporter and writer David Lazarus told SFGATE last week. Lazarus, who worked for KGO from the late 1990s until the early 2010s, is now a reporter for a Los Angeles television station.

On Monday, the station formerly known as KGO officially rolled out as "810 The Spread." If its early programming is any indication, the switch is more of a cost-cutting move than an aggressive investment in sports gambling. As of 7:45 a.m. local time, The Spread was airing "BetQL Daily," a syndicated podcast with two guys named Joe. The Spread's weekday lineup appears to be three syndicated betting shows and The Jim Rome Show, followed by CBS Sports programming overnight, according to Barrett Sports Media.

The new station touts itself as "The Bay's Best Bet on Sports." But its own biggest bet on sports gambling becoming legal in California might not hit. California has been slow to legalize betting on sports since the floodgates opened with a 2018 Supreme Court ruling. There are two sports gambling propositions on the ballot this fall, one to legalize casino and racetrack wagers and another to allow online gambling. Both appear likely to fail, as a UC Berkeley poll shows California voters opposing them by double-digit margins.

Dennis Young is the SFGATE sports editor. He can be reached at dennis.young@sfgate.com

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Supporting schools to tackle and prevent gambling harms – Schools Week

A new framework is designed to help teachers and leaders approach the growing concern of gambling harms with confidence, writes Jane Rigbye

A new framework is designed to help teachers and leaders approach the growing concern of gambling harms with confidence, writes Jane Rigbye

Dr Jane Rigbye

Chief executive, YGAM

11 Oct 2022, 5:00

Teachers are coming to us more and more seeking support to talk about gambling. Thats a good thing. Its in part due to gambling being included in the new PSHE curriculum introduced last year. But there are other reasons too.

In 2019, the Gambling Commission estimated that as many as 350,000 11-to-16-year-olds were spending their own money on gambling each week, that 55,000 young people in that bracket were experiencing social or emotional difficulties due to their gambling, and that a further 87,000 were at risk of doing so.

Britain is home to one of the largest online gambling markets in the world and is one of the only jurisdictions where some forms of gambling can be legally participated in by those under the age of 18. So while most regulated gambling products such as the National Lottery, online gambling and sports betting are restricted to over 18s, it would be nave to think young people are unfamiliar with gambling prior to entering legal adulthood. Therefore, it is more important than ever that we work together to safeguard our future generations from potential gambling harms.

Gambling disorder has been recognised by the World Health Organization as an addictive behaviour, and online gambling marketing is listed alongside marketing of fast food and sugar-sweetened drinks as an unhealthy commodity, which can harm relationships, school achievement and mental health.

However, gambling disorder is complex and its sometimes known as the hidden addiction because it can be difficult to spot the signs of harm. Looking out for changes in a young persons behaviour, ensuring they have a strong support network and monitoring their actions can help identify issues sooner.

Common emotional harms include individuals becoming more secretive, stressed, and withdrawn. The impact of gambling on a young persons mental health might result in them struggling to focus or disengaging from normal life. Physical signs of harm include fatigue, headaches, borrowing money and money going missing. These are signs we should all recognise.

We dont hesitate to talk with children about other risky behaviours

We dont hesitate to talk with children about the risks associated with other behaviours such as consuming alcohol, tobacco, or drugs. Our conversations in schools formal and informal, in lessons, assemblies and on the playground can help inform young people about the risks of gambling.

We engage with the education sector daily. Although the new PSHE curriculum is an encouraging step forward, teachers tell us they need resources to help them address the issue more than ever. Whats more, we know this is not an issue that can be visited only once during a childs time at secondary school. Knowledge needs to be built over time and reinforced regularly.

But teachers are busy and the curriculum is already loaded. We shouldnt expect every teacher to become a gambling harms prevention specialist as well as everything else, but we can help them approach the issue with more confidence. Thats why we have worked with GamCare and Fast Forward to produce the Gambling Education Framework a practical, evidence-based resource launched last week.

The frameworks principles have been developed in line with PSHE Association guidance on effective preventative education. It is designed to help teachers deliver high-quality teaching about gambling and manage the difficult conversations that can arise in schools. It will be just as useful for designated safeguarding leads who might have to help pupils who have a gambling problem, or who might be impacted by someone with a gambling disorder at home.

We know education is an invaluable protective measure against gambling harms, just as it is against other dangers young people are exposed to. But teachers must be equipped with the knowledge, resources and confidence to talk about the issue. We hope our framework helps to fill that gap.

For further support and advice around gambling harms, contact the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit ygam.org

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What is the NSA actually doing in China? – Tech Monitor

The breach was deft, even artful. It began, according to Chinas National Computer Virus Emergency Response Centre (NCVERC), with a man-in-the-middle attack earlier this year on the networks of Northwestern Polytechnical University (NWPU) in Xian. A type of breach that allows hackers to intercept electronic communications mid-transit, the attackers then used a total of 40 zero-day exploits and viruses to strengthen and advance their position within the institutions network. By the time they were discovered, the groups access to the universitys systems was near-total and even extended to a national telecommunications firm.

This attack was one of five that NCVERC has attributed in recent months to the US National Security Agency (NSA). I want to stress that what the US has done has seriously jeopardized the security of Chinas critical infrastructure, and institutional and personal information, said Mao Ning, a spokesperson from the countrys foreign ministry, who went on to urge the relevant US authorities to stop organising such breaches. Even so, its the kind of conduct that the Chinese government has publicly stated it has come to expect from the worlds leading superpower, with another government spokesperson excoriating the US as truly the hacking empire of the world.

Such highly charged accusations made against the US are nothing new and, indeed, there is a rich seam of claims dating back to the Snowden revelations of the NSA making a mockery of Chinese cybersecurity by hacking civilian computers while maintaining a sophisticated network of informants. There is also, admittedly, a whiff of plausibility in some of the new claims: NWPU has, in the past, been described by the US Justice Department as an institution thats heavily involved in military research and works closely with the Peoples Liberation Army. Even so, the new reports have been viewed with suspicion by cybersecurity experts. Indeed, a common thread between all of these reports is the use of threat intelligence and technical details designed to mimic the ways in which Western cybersecurity companies produce evidence and attribution of state-sponsored cyberattacks.

In April for example, another spokesperson for Chinas Foreign Affairs Ministry responded to a question from Global Times a state-funded media outlet about a report from NCVERC on alleged US cyberattacks on allied countries. The report points out that if existing international internet backbone network(s) and critical information infrastructure contain software or hardware provided by US companies, it is highly likely that various types of backdoor(s) could be installed, making them targets of US government cyberattacks, said Wang Wenbin.

His statement was strikingly similar to the way in which the US has previously warned about the risks in allowing Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei to work on critical national infrastructure around the world. Theres likely a cynical motive behind such attributions, argues Robert Spalding, CEO of Sempre and a former US Air Force Brigadier General. The CCP wants to lay the foundation for saying that the US is guilty of what they blame China for, he says.

The timing of these reports release is also crucial to understanding Chinas intentions, argues Chih-yun Huang, a cyber threat intelligence analyst at Team T5, a Taiwanese cybersecurity firm. On 30 August, the American cybersecurity company Proofpoint released a study on recent cyberattacks on the Australian government and wind turbine fleets in the South China Sea, with the trail leading to a group called TA423/Red Ladon. According to Proofpoint researchers and the US Department of Justice, the group is a China-based, espionage-motivated threat actor targeting a variety of organisations in response to political events in the Asia-Pacific region, with a focus on the South China Sea.

Several weeks later, Global Times published an exclusive detailing how the NSA allegedly conducted its cyberattack on NWPU, which aimed at infiltrating and controlling core equipment in Chinas infrastructure and stealing private data of Chinese people with sensitive identities. Huang believes the timing of the story is suspicious, and likely a tit-for-tat accusation.Indeed, other industry experts have pointed out a pattern where Chinese cybersecurity companies publish reports on US cyberattacks, followed by exclusive stories run by Global Times, indicating a coordinated campaign between the state, private sector and the media.

Other cybersecurity experts have also argued that these reports are a patchwork effort at best, mentioning malware that has existed in the public domain for over five years. For her part, Huang notes that many of the reports issued by NCVERC omit crucial information like IP addresses and other indicators of compromise. In that sense, these reports are not credible because we cant confirm whether its true or not, she says.

However, focusing on the technical credibility of these reports misses the broader point about Chinas efforts to push out detailed threat intelligence on alleged American offensive hacking operations. The interesting thing is that you wont be able to find an English version of these reports, says Huang. Its probably part of wider anti-US propaganda efforts intended to stir the emotions of the domestic population of China, or even the wider Chinese diaspora.

But Huang also believes that what she has seen in the last few months is just the beginning, and that propaganda efforts to portray Chinese cybersecurity as vulnerable to attack from Western powers will likely become more sophisticated in the future as US-China relations continue to deteriorate. They will find new ways to make it more persuasive, she says the best lies, after all, contain elements of truth. China might find ways to make these reports more legitimate by providing more technical details, for example.

While publishing cyber threat intelligence reports about American hacking adventures represents a new front in US-China relations, such methods fall squarely within the long-held tradition of accusing the West of double standards.

There have been multiple times when the US accuses China of human rights violations of Uyghurs and you would see China retaliating with the USs poor human rights record, for example, says Huang. As long as the Western cybersecurity industry continues to keep a close eye on Chinas activities, I think China will continue to fight back through propaganda whenever they feel attacked.

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NSA Affiliates Donate More Than 86 Tons of Food To Help Fight Hunger – HS Today – HSToday

National Security Agency (NSA) affiliates across the Enterprise banded together to donate more than 172,700 pounds of food thats 86+ tons to theFeds Feed Families (FFF)campaign this year.

The 2022 Feds Feed Families campaign ran from June through August. The theme this year was Fighting hunger. Giving hope.

The contributions we are able to make individually and together will give hope to so many who are less fortunate, said GEN Paul M. Nakasone, Commander, USCYBERCOM, Director, NSA/Chief, CSS.

This years FFF goal was to collect 140,000 pounds a little more than 10% increase from the previous year.

Donations started off slow, but NSA affiliates rose to the occasion and surpassed last years donations by nearly 36%, FFF Program Manager Ciera Barnes said.

The Cryptologic Centerswere instrumental in helping the Agency reach its goal, collecting over 138,000 pounds.

NSA/CSS Georgia came out on top with more than 82,900 pounds, of which 78,600 pounds were converted from online donations. The Department of Agriculture uses a standard conversion formula for all participating agencies that every $1 donated equates to five pounds.

NSA/CSS Utah collected 19,465 pounds, with an astounding 19,000 pounds received from online donations.

NSA/CSS Colorado (NSAC) collected 14,340 pounds, of which 3,650 pounds were non-perishable donations. NSACs goal this campaign was to reintroduce in-kind donations to the workforce following restrictions in 2021.

NSA/CSS Texas increased its online donations by 10,500 pounds and brought in a total of 13,931 pounds when combined with non-perishable donations. Similar to NSAC, the focus this campaign was to reintroduce in-kind donations to the workforce following restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

NSA/CSS Hawaii also increased its online donations to over 5,625 pounds this year. The Cryptologic Centers total donations received was 6,729 pounds. Sugar Grove Research Stations 1,550 pounds of donations in 2022 was almost triple the donations received last year.

Overall, when combined with current Combined Federal Campaign pledges, NSA collected more than 1.07 million pounds of food in this years campaign, an overall 2.35% increase from 2021.

NSA/CSS Washington (NSAW) donated more than 33,800 pounds of food and toiletry items to the Maryland Food Bank, a Combined Federal Campaign charity located in Baltimore. The Maryland SPCA received nearly 740 pounds of pet food, treats, and toys collected during the Community Dog Walk, second annual Family Bike Ride, and various Stuff the Truck events around NSAW.

I am once again impressed and touched by the generosity of the NSA family, said Barry Boseman, chief of the State and Local Affairs office.

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NSA’s National Cryptologic University will host a reaffirmation of accreditation site visi – National Security Agency

FORT MEADE, Md. The National Security Agencys (NSA) National Cryptologic University will host a reaffirmation of accreditation site visit for the Council on Occupational Education (COE) 12-13 October 2022. National Cryptologic University received its initial accreditation with COE in 1990, and has undergone subsequent site visits and rigorous self-studies in order to maintain this recognition. Affirmation of accreditation occurs every six years to determine compliance with the standards and criteria for accreditation.To maintain COE accredited status, National Cryptologic University must abide by educational standards and criteria established by COE. Accreditation requirements and standards for National Cryptologic University are in accordance with DoDM 3115:11 DoD Intelligence and Security Training Standards, March 24, 2015.Persons wishing to make comments should send comments directly to the commission by 12 October 2022. To submit a comment, write to the Executive Director of the Commission, Council on Occupational Education, 7840 Roswell Road, Bldg. 300, Suite 325, Atlanta, GA 30350. Persons making comments must provide their names and mailing addresses.

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NSA offers opportunities to young sheep farmers – Agriland.co.uk – Agriland.co.uk

The National Sheep Association (NSA) has opened applications for young sheep farmers to apply to be a part of the Sheep Breeders Round Table (SBRT) that takes place from November 11-13.

The farmers will have the opportunity to join key names and other representatives from the UK sheep industry at the biennial event.

The cross-industry three-day event conference is a technical event involving sheep farmers, breeders, researchers and vets from across the UK and beyond.

To show its support for the future of the industry, the NSA Next Generation programme is offering to fund one young sheep farmer's attendance at the conference which, the NSA said, would lead to "expanding their knowledge and appetite for the latest thinking on sheep genetics".

NSA South East and NSA South West regions are also offering to fund 50% of two places each at the conference giving two more young farmers the chance to attend.

NSA communications manager, Katie James, said: "Attendance at SBRT can provide young farmers who have an interest in developing their sheep flock or career as a shepherd with the perfect opportunity to hear from some of the country's leading experts on a range of research topics."

"It is also an excellent networking event with chance to speak informally with some well-known names from the world for sheep breeding research and fellow pedigree enthusiasts."

Both the fully-funded and part-funded places offered include the full three days at the conference as well as accommodation and meals.

The event is held from Friday, November 11, to Sunday, November 13, at the Raddison Blu hotel, Pegasus Business Park, East Midlands Airport.

"This event is well suited to young sheep producers with a keen interest in pedigree breeding and research," James said.

"We look forward to receiving applications from sheep farmers aged 18 to 35 who believe attendance at the conference could truly benefit them at this time."

Young sheep farmers who wish to apply for the opportunity to attend the conference should visit the NSA website.

Applications close for this opportunity on Friday, October 21, at 5pm.

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Dating in a world of NSA: ‘I want someone to love me for me’ – SBS

Like a lot of twenty-somethings Dane Noonan wants to find love, but he is tired of online dating.

The experiences that I've had! A lot of the menthat I noticed on some of the apps are either in open relationships, (and I'm completely monogamous), or they're looking for NSA (no strings attached)".

While continuing to scroll diligently through Scruff and Grindr;, the 26-year-old has decided to absorb the exhaustion of dating to focus on his work as an actor and model; going to therapy and self-care.

I've been on all the apps! I'm sort of taking the time for myself and working on myself. If that man comes along, so be it, he said.

I just want it to happen naturally, at the end of the day so as far as dating, that's where I'm at, he concedes.

Noonan admits finding love in a disposable online dating culture that privileges hook-ups and unrealistic body ideals can be emotionally draining.

Society today, I feel like it paints this perfect picture of what a person is supposed to look like. There's a standard as well, you've got to be over six foot tall with, a masculine build which is not me, it's never going to be me.

Noonan who has MPS type 6, says this is compounded by ableism and discrimination he has experienced when online dating, which at times sees him the recipient of some cutting messages.

"I think from looking at me, they think I'm a child, I can't speak for myself or do they have to look after me?" Noonan says.

I have fully accepted myself as a person with a disability and a gay man so I don't really have any issues around that.

(But) when I go on a date it's, it's almost like the person, they don't know how to interact with me or how to take me, if that makes sense. They obviously see a four-foot-tall person (and) they dont how to interact, and the thing is I'm quite confident. I am quite extroverted.

Noonans dream man is respectful, kind-hearted and treats him and his loved ones well.

I love going to drag shows. (I want) someone that's quite fun, likes to dance and loves to travel. I also like the small things like going on a picnic, walking my pups, going to the theatre or going for a walk."

Despite the frustrations Noonan has not lost hope he will find Mr. Right soon, either online or the old fashioned one through social connections.

"I think everyone wants to feel loved," he said.

"I don't ask for much just someone to share memories with, my life with, and to love me for me, all of me.

Watch season four of the Swiping Game on SBS airing in January.

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