Monthly Archives: June 2017

The UK's hung Parliament is more likely to mean an aggressive cut to the size of stakes allowed on gambling machines - a move that could hit revenues across the industry, experts have said.

Punters can bet up to 100 a time on fixed odds betting terminals, known as FOBTs, but MPs had been considering whether to reduce this level as part of a wider triennial review ofthe gambling industry by government.

The terminals havebeen dubbed the "crack cocaine"of the gambling industryand both Labour and the Liberal Democrats stated in their manifestos an intention to slash the size ofbet a gambler could make at one time on a FOBT to 2.

This level could see some of the UK's biggest bookmakers lose hundreds of millions in pounds of revenue on the changes, according to analysis from Barclays.

The Conservative Party did not state a preference for limiting the size of stakes on FOBTs, but the Democratic Unionist Party, upon which it must now depend for votes, has previously indicated its opposition to gambling terminals.

Analysts at Barclays said the make-up of the new Parliament meant the "probability of a maximum stakes being cut to 2 has increased", something likely to worry investors.

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Gambling industry bets hung parliament will lead to tougher action ... - Telegraph.co.uk

For ten years, coordinators of an after-school anti-gambling program have been growing the number of students they reach in an effort to stop problem gambling and teach students money management skills.

The program, called Betting on Our Future, is hostingparticipants from throughout California at their annual, three-day conference in Anaheim starting on Monday.

We know that young people arent necessarily the primary problem in problem gambling, but theyre affected by it in their families and their communities, said Jim Kooler, who administers the program as head of the California Friday Night Live Partnership at the Tulare County Office of Education.

Problem gambling affects about 10 percent of teenagers and 4 percent of adults in the state, according to state officials. Kooler said its a much bigger problem when you think about the ripple effects.

You may have a young person who has a family member, a parent who is gambling, and theres no money for rent, theres no money for food, and theyre affected by it as well, Kooler said.

The goal of the program is to help students learn how bets at school, online games, and financial risk-taking like high-interest loans can feed gambling tendencies while helping them identify the skills needs to engage in healthy gambling defined as that which is under control. Organizers say the program reinforces leadership skills, community problem solving, and civics lessons by pushing students to find out how prevalent a problem is in their school and neighborhoods.

Taking part in the program helped some of the teens see the harmful side of everyday behavior at their school, students said.

My friends like to play basketball or sports and like, play for money, said eleventh grader Breanna Martin, who took part in the program at Citrus Valley High School in Redlands. And they sometimes end up losing a lot and getting into fights over it.

Her school and 28 other sites across the state, including ones in San Bernardino, Riverside, and Anaheim, received grants that paid for video production equipment. Students met during lunch, after school, or on weekends to learn about problem gambling and to plan and shoot a short video about the effects of gambling addiction.

It was the first year Martin's school took part in Betting on Our Future.

Next year it would be interesting to get a little more in depth as to what exactly is going on at our school, said Pam Martin, a teacher at school who advises the group and who is Breannas mother. We heard about dice throwing and cards and whatnot, but maybe looking at it a little deeper and possibly trying to track down some these kids that are in trouble, in order to help them.

The videos produced at this and 28 other sites will compete at the Betting on Our Future annual conference in Anaheim this week. The videos are about 30 seconds long each and all have an anti-gambling messages.

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Statewide teen program tackles gambling addiction - 89.3 KPCC

The NFLs silence on its gambling policy is deafening, and now the heat is starting to get turned up. Maybe its not the silence, but the hypocritical stance the NFL keeps taking when it comes to gambling. USA TODAYs Brent Schrotenboers piece on the NFLs do one thing but say another strategy proves that the league cant stay the current course. Whether the league and teams are courting casinos for sponsors, or making it illegal to gamble inside a stadium even though gambling on phones is legal in Las Vegas, its all just public posturing.

This is simply about public perception. The NFL has no problem with gambling when it gets to make money off sponsors. They are courting casinos as partners, while telling players they cant hold events, fundraisers, and conferences on casino grounds. The league is willing to take $750 million dollars in public money to move the Raiders to Sin City, but wants to stress that it is against legalized sports wagering expansion. Wait until Sands, Wynn, or Caesars wants to slap its name on the Las Vegas stadium through a multi-million dollar naming rights deal. Its way past the point of do as I say, not as I do. Its almost blatantly hypocritical.

The NFL has had the opportunity to change its stance. It would have been easy to come out in concert with the NBA and simply say that maybe the league could benefit from legalized sports gambling. It could even take the high road and say that legalizing gambling or at least doing research into the effects of legalization would take away a large revenue stream from organized crime. Instead, Roger Goodell has steadfastly said that gambling has no place in the NFL.

That stance is pretty rich. The NFL is one of the most wagered on leagues in the United States. Spreads are discussed on almost of their television partners programs. The injury report is almost exclusively designed to make sure that people cant take advantage of inside tips to have a better chance at winning a bet. The NFL and its teams already have official partnership deals with DraftKings and FanDuel. Both companies are involved with gambling even if they call it a different name.

We are way past the point of pretending that football and gambling dont go hand in hand. Its almost to the point that the NFL is insulting a large portion of its fans intelligence. Maybe its all about public relations, but three out of four sports fans are in favor of legalized sports gambling.Its time to come clean, but theres no sign of the league changing its stance. That means more articles, social media chatter, and television debates on the NFLs hypocritical stance.

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Heat being turned up on NFL in regards to gambling policy - Touchdown Wire

In this April 15, 2015, file photo,Resorts Casino Hotel Internet gambling lounge. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry, File)

Pennsylvania is considering the expansion of slots and internet gambling by placing machines in bars and restaurants. Atlantic Citys long-awaited turnaround seems to have started. Is this a new threat for AC?

Gaming expert Roger Gros, publisher of Global Gaming Business Magazine, says there is plenty of opposition in that state from Pennsylvania casinos.

I doubt if you will see all of this stuff (in Pennsylvania) get to the governors desk. It is going to be changed markedly if it even reaches it.

The (Pennsylvania) House has passed a bill that was very different from the bill that the state Senate passed. So what you are seeing stipulated in the House bill, and in the state Senate bill in Pennsylvania, for that matter, will change markedly. We really have to see what the final version of the bill is and whether the governor will sign it.

Gros says that further expansion into bars and restaurants would be questionable.

But we are not talking about any new casino. So I think that is not going to impact Atlantic City that greatly any more.

Gros also suggests that this internet gambling expansion could actually benefit both states.

If New Jersey and Pennsylvania should create a compact allowing them to share players, that would be very good for the market.

There is already a deal between Nevada and Delaware for their online gaming.

Basically it is where youre gambling from, the taxes will go to that state.

Pennsylvania needs revenue, so Harrisburg is considering this.

Joe Cutter is the afternoon news anchor on New Jersey 101.5.

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Pennsylvania off-site gambling a threat to Atlantic City? - New Jersey 101.5 FM Radio

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Economic Zone Authority is not closing its doors completely to online gambling firms wanting to locate in PEZA-accredited buildings and sites, agreeing to a compromise that will enforce much stricter rules for locators in accordance with President Dutertes war against illegal gambling.

PEZA director general Charito Plaza said she is now amenable to hosting online gambling firms in PEZA-accredited buildings and sites, provided they first secure a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) license from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).

Plaza said the POGO license will also be required even if the locator has already been given license to operate by the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) and Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA).

So now it is already the decision of the building owners, they have the last say. They will ask us permit to locate if they are willing to host this online gambling locators but no incentives from us. We will give them permit to locate in our PEZA accredited buildings provided they fall under EO (Executive Order) 13 as the legal entities to operate online gambling, Plaza said.

Its already a good compromise because of course we want to support the program of the President, especially when what he is really after is the social funds which Pagcor provides, 70 percent of their income accordingly goes to the social fund of the President, she added.

Executive Order (EO) 13 signed by Duterte last May directed the Philippine National Police, the National Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agencies to intensify the fight against illegal gambling. It likewise recognized Pagcor, CEZA, and APECO as authorized to operate gambling facilities or give licenses to operators.

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But online gambling operators in CEZA and APECO should still get POGO license from Pagcor to operate in PEZA buildings, said Plaza, noting she still has reservations about hosting APECO and CEZA authorized online gaming operators in PEZA accredited facilities.

She said she has sought guidance from Malacanang regarding the matter.

I have reservations thats why Im getting guidance from the Office of the President on the CEZA and on APECO case because what Pagcor is saying is they should only operate in their territory, Plaza said.

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PEZA agrees to compromise on hosting online gambling - Philippine Star

SANTA FE COUNTY, New Mexico Police in New Mexico have released body camera video of a man accused of leaving his three children in the car while he went into a casino to gamble.

Around 10:00 p.m. on June 1st, Santa Fe County sheriffs deputies were called out to the Camel Rock Casino on Highway 285. They confronted 34-year-old Andrew Martinez in the parking lot. He told investigators hed been in the casino for about 15 minutes.

Deputies were called by casino security, who noticed Martinez left his three kids a four-year-old and twin two-year-olds in his SUV in the casino parking lot.

Martinez claimed he wanted to get a burger on special.

McDonalds has specials. I mean, you can get a burger for a buck, Martinez is heard saying in the video.

The video makes it clear that the deputy grew irritated by the minute when dealing with Martinez.

Deputy:So if I go watch surveillance, youre not playing a card game?

Yeah, I was, Martinez said.

Deputy: So thats not getting refreshments. Youre gambling. Do you think its a good idea to leave your kids out in the car for 20, 30 minutes while you go gamble a hand, right? This was a poor mistake.

The deputy checked on the kids in the car, who were quiet, but OK.

Deputies tested Martinez to see if he was under the influence. Investigators believed hed been drinking, but he swore he did not.

Either way, he was taken to jail, and the kids went home with their mother.

You going in that casino and leaving your kids out in the car is child neglect, the deputy said.

Martinez is charged with three counts of child abuse through abandonment.

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You're gambling Man accused of leaving 3 kids in car at casino - fox6now.com

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Greek company wins renewed contract for Ohio's gambling operations despite objections - Akron Beacon Journal

Smart Talk

Smart Talk is a daily, live, interactive program featuring conversations with newsmakers and experts in a variety of fields and exploring a wide range of issues and ideas, including the economy, politics, health care, education, culture, and the environment. Smart Talk airs live every week day at 9 a.m. on WITFs 89.5 and 93.3.

Listen to Smart Talk live online from 9-10 a.m. weekdays and at 7 p.m. (Repeat of 9 a.m. program)

Host: Scott LaMar

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives approved a sweeping gambling bill last week to generate money for the cash-straved state. House Bill 271 was introduced by Republican lawmakers and passed narrowly by a 102-89 vote with legislators from both parties voting for and against the proposal.

The bill would allow video gaming machines to be operated by bars, truck stops, bowling alleys, VFW's and private clubs. It could lead to about 8,000 establishments operating nearly 40,000 machines - each generating tax revenue for state and local governments. It would also facilitate the development of online gaming and lottery playing and allow online fantasy sports gambling.

Supporters point to the much-needed tax revenue. House Majority Leader Dave Reed (R-Indiana Co.) said the bill would " . . . actually enhance revenue a little further." These machines have been used for years, they should be regulated, contend Lancaster Democratic Representative Mike Sturla. "This issue has been around for 30 years and for 30 years there have been members who have turned a blind eye to this," he said.

Opponents are concerned with the speed with which the bill was passed. "If you all had the chance to read it, I don't know how you did it," said Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Montgomery County. Others are worried about the impact on their communities. Philadelphia Representative Jason Dawkins worries that "when you live in communities like mine, when you see poverty, addiction and opioid abuse, you can't understand how we are putting another potential problem in our city."

Tuesday's Smart Talk discusses the merits and potential consequences of the gambling expansion bill with Representatives Mike Sturla and Dawkins as well as Josh Ercole, COO of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania and Robert Howard, co-founder of the Pennsylvania Coalition for Responsible Government.

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PA's Gambling Expansion Bill - witf.org