Daily Archives: January 25, 2020

WASHINGTON D.C., DC The adrenaline keeps coursing through everyone's veins, building up to that transcendent moment in D.C. sports history: the advent of legalized betting on games. And it's happening at actual reputable businesses, like Capital One Arena and a DC Lottery mobile App.

While most serious, casual and degenerate gamblers still need to illegally go through their online and on-probation bookies for their favorite Super Bowl prop bet -- like how many plays Tony Romo will predict correctly before the snap -- there is a hope that by the time March Madness rolls around, residents of the District will be able to wager away.

WUSA(

RELATED: VERIFY: Will sports betting be ready by Super Bowl Sunday?

Now, I don't want to be that rain-on-your-parade guy, the rotten-luck Charlie Brown or Kenny from South Park type. But memo to those eagerly awaiting their first legal sports bet: You do know the owners of these establishments got into this business because they'd like to part people with their money, right?

I know this might be a revelation, but you can lose. And you cannot play for the teams you pick to win, giving you less control of the outcome than your average Texas hold' em or blackjack game. I know this because I lost several thousand many years ago. I know this because a guy I met who used to be head of the Virginia Problem Gamblers Association, lost everything. His wife. His job. Nearly his freedom.

See, legalizing gambling in the District is like ending prohibition. Some people will have two glasses of wine per night and go happily to bed. And others will have a scotch, another and another and by the end of the week end up in detox or a recovery room. The term "Responsible Gambling" is among the worst oxymoron known to man. Gambling is not responsible. It's a huge risk. Especially if you have kids, a mortgage and plans for summer vacation.

RELATED: Daniel Snyder and MD lawmakers discuss allowing sports betting at a future Redskins stadium

And as much as I want to celebrate this new revenue stream that's going to allegedly create more jobs and make it so convenient to win big, while actually attending an NBA or hockey game, I also know for some this will create the loss of wealth, health and sometimes families. One person's new entertainment venue can be another's nadir in life.

Here's hoping the purveyors of betting in town have enough resources to help those who have no control over the impulse to bet. Because if that doesn't happen, nobody is going to win.

That's my take. Agree or disagree, I'd love to hear yours. You can get me at mwise@wusa9.com or @MikeWiseGuy on Twitter. And if you got a question for #TheQandA, hit us up at TheQandA@wusa9.com.

RELATED: Wise: Morgan Wootten was the high school coach that time forgot

RELATED: Girls wrestling grows nationally, but Virginia still has yet to form a female-only high school league

RELATED: Wise: Gun violence is the burden of white, American men who own, shoot and kill more than any other race

Download the brand new WUSA9 app here.

Sign up for the Get Up DC newsletter: Your forecast. Your commute. Your news.

Continued here:

Wise: Anticipation over sports gambling in DC has one minus: parting with your money and possibly your sanity - WUSA9.com

A couple of clicks to bet on the football: a win. Little did I know that in such a short space of time those clicks would lead me to losing my home and my job. I started gambling during a period of intense loneliness in my life. I was in an abusive relationship and my self-esteem was at an all-time low.

My partner introduced me to online gambling in passing, sitting on the sofa one evening. It didnt feel like a big deal, just something to do on your phone while the TV played in the background. I won the very first time I made a bet. It gave me an instant buzz a feeling of gratification I think I had been missing in my life.

This first win would come to shape the way I viewed gambling. It hooked me in, and I gradually spent more and more time over the following months chasing that initial high. Many others are like me, seeking a buzz that they dont find in other places. For other women, its not a buzz but a numbness they seek from being in the gambling bubble. Gambling can sometimes be a reaction to depression or anxiety; in other cases it may be a cause. More often than not, its the people who are already struggling who are most at risk of developing an addiction.

Gambling was something I never sought out: Id never been in a betting shop, casino or arcade. Instead, through apps on my smartphone, gambling came to me. My experience isnt unique more and more women who would never think to enter the all-male spaces of high-street bookies are finding themselves using online gambling sites and apps. Gambling online allowed my addiction to escalate. If you can hide the screen, you can hide the problem.

I thought I could win millions and escape somewhere. But the more I chased this hope, the worse the problems I was trying to escape from became

It seemed as if by hitting a few buttons I could make money. This promised to become the answer to my debts another issue I was struggling with at the time. I thought I could win millions and escape somewhere. But the more I chased this hope, the worse the problems I was trying to escape from became. The longer you gamble, the more you lose; the more you lose, the more you gamble.

The debts began to rack up to the point that I lost not only my job but my home. That was when I reached rock bottom. The companies I was gambling with didnt question where I was finding the money. I was never offered a deposit limit that would restrict the amount of money I could spend, self-exclusion for a period of time or support when I began to realise I was struggling with an addiction.

I almost lost everything, including my life at my lowest point. As a woman, it somehow felt harder to ask for help: I worried Id be judged for not being able to cope. Women are usually the ones who hold everything together, and I felt embarrassed that I wasnt able to. Gambling addiction is still seen as an issue that only affects men. The reality is more and more women are gambling, and we need to raise awareness so they can access support. Specialist services available across the UK arent gender specific, theyre available to everyone and most importantly theyre provided for free.

At the time, not knowing where to go, I reached out to my GP and was referred to GamCare. Through them I accessed therapy and support that helped me make positive changes to my life. I was able to view my situation from a different perspective, and to understand the aspects of my life that made gambling so attractive. I can now recognise what might trigger me to want to gamble, so I can make a healthier choice for me and my family.

There is light at the end of the tunnel if we talk. Talk to one another, talk to your GP, talk to your therapist and talk to an adviser on the national gambling helpline. Rebuilding my life has been tough, but now I have a lovely home again, and Im the happiest Ive been in a long time. Ive finally been honest with my loved ones, and with their ongoing support Ive said goodbye to gambling for ever.

Free help and advice about problem gambling is available online at BeGambleAware.org or by calling the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133

In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at http://www.befrienders.org

Originally posted here:

The rising tide of female gamblers need help. I know, I lost my home and job - The Guardian

Casino gambling is a lot of fun, but are there other ways to make your experience even better? This post features four ways to take your casino gambling to the next level.

These four ways are simple and easy to start doing. Learning to gamble at casinos online is perfect for some gamblers, and playing in tournaments is something a lot of players never even consider.

Getting free stuff is also pretty easy, and youd be surprised at how many casino gamblers just ignore that opportunity. Lastly, advantage play is beyond most of us, but for the right player, its worth a shot.

Here are more details on each of these techniques.

Most of my readers are from the United States, so I need to provide a quick warning before getting more into the following tip

Online casino gambling isnt 100% legal everywhere in the United States.

Ill leave it to you to decide whether thats important to you, what the risk levels are, and whether its a good decision to gamble online from a legal perspective.

Its never a bad idea to check the legality of online gambling in your area.

Assuming youve decided to try casino gambling online, here are some things to keep in mind.

i

Always remember that the odds of winning are, of course, against you. But thats just the nature of all casino games, whether its online or in person. Theyre negative expectation games, and thats how casinos stay in business.

If you can win $100 and cash it out without too much trouble, take it to the next level. Every time you want to play for higher stakes, try winning a larger amount and making a larger withdrawal.

Once youre comfortable that a casino will honor your payout requests, have as much fun and gamble as big as you want.

Most people are familiar with the concept of a poker tournament. The recent popularity of the World Series of Poker has ensured that.

But did you know that casinos also offer tournaments in their casino games? These are most often slot machine tournaments, but youll also find video poker and blackjack tournaments.

The rules for these tournaments can vary widely. Ive seen slot machine tournaments where the players who can make the most spins during the tournament period win, and Ive seen tournaments where the players with the biggest winnings at the end of the tournament win.

Its a good idea to review the rules for the tournament before buying in.

Often, youll be able to experience more gambling entertainment during the hour or two of the tournament for less money than you would if you were just playing the game to begin with.

For example, if you pay $100 to play in a slot machine tournament, youll get to spin the reels until the hour is up.

If youre like me (and most other slot machine gamblers), you can and probably do lose twice that amount per hour playing slots with real money.

Casino game tournaments are a fun way to take your casino gambling career to the next level, but theyre not for everyone. Try one and see if you like it.

Comps is just a fancy word for free stuff that casinos give gamblers to keep them coming back. Theyre a marketing cost for the casino, so the casino doesnt really mind giving this stuff away.

You may be wondering, What kind of free stuff can you get from the casino?

Well, at most casinos in Las Vegas, free cocktails are the most basic form of comp. All you have to do to get a free drink at most casinos is sit down and start gambling. Slots are the easiest way to get a free drink.

If you tip generously, the cocktail waitress will remember you and keep the drinks coming. Tipping $1 per drink is the standard, but I always tip $5 or $10 on the first cocktail to prime the pump.

And since the drinks are free, I take it up a notch. Im more likely to drink Heineken than Budweiser if a drink is comped, if you get what I mean.

The next comp level is free food. You can often get a free meal from a pit boss, but in modern casinos, you probably need to be using a players club card to get free meals.

Getting a players club card from the casino is easy, though. You just fill out a form and present an ID at the appropriate counter in the casino. Theyll give you a card similar to a credit card to present to the dealers as you play. You can also insert this card into the slot machines as you play.

The card tracks how much youre betting, and the casino awards you with comps based on a percentage of that action, usually 0.2% or 0.3%. This adds up over time.

Food and drinks arent the only free things available either. Casinos will also comp your stays in their hotels, and theyll buy you airline tickets once youve accumulated enough points. Theyll even pay for entertainment by getting you tickets to sporting events or shows.

If you gamble enough, youll get your own host, whose job is to make sure youre enjoying your stay at the hotel. Just dont forget that all this free stuff comes with a price!

If you have plans to head out to Sin City soon, take a moment to compare the different Vegas loyalty programs. The casinos in Las Vegas love to treat their customers and depending on what property you plan on visiting, they each have their own perk.s

At the end of the day casino expect, mathematically, that youll lose more moneymuch morethan the value of the freebies youre getting.

This is the real Jedi Knight stuff when it comes to casino gambling. Getting a mathematical edge over the casino is impossible in most games, and difficult in the few games where its possible.

But if youre dedicated, persistent, and stubborn, you can pull it off.

The most commonly known method of advantage gambling, as its called, is card counting in blackjack. Its both easier and harder than most people think.

You dont have to memorize the cards that have been played or figure out which cards are left in the deck. You do need to keep up, in a general way, the ratio of high cards to low cards in the deck.

When you have a proportionally larger number of aces and 10s in the deck, you have an edge over the casino because the probability of getting a blackjack goes up. Since a blackjacka two-card total of 21pays off at 3:2, its easy to see how betting more when you have a better chance of getting this hand can make you more money in the long run.

But advantage gambling isnt limited to counting cards. Other techniques involve spotting the dealers hole card or spotting dealer tells, subtle shifts in the dealers body language during certain situations.

Most advantage gambling doesnt take place in casino games. Its more common in sports betting and poker, but casino gambling does offer opportunities to get an edge if youre willing and able to put in the work.

Now that Ive shared four techniques for taking your casino gambling activities up a notch, what are you going to do with that information?

Are you already using any of these techniques for getting more out of your casino gambling? If not, are you going to start using any of these?

Here is the original post:

How to Take Gambling to the Next Level - 4 Ways to Improve Gambling - BestUSCasinos.org

Tony Andreu claims the presence of gambling in Scottish football was the first thing he noticed when he arrived over seven years ago.

The issue of betting on football returned to the news agenda last week when Hamilton boss Brian Rice was charged with breaching Scottish FA gambling rules from 14 July 2015 to 15 October 2019, stating that he wrote to the governing body to self-report.

PFA Scotland visited St Mirrens training ground on Friday to, among other things,remind their members that there is a blanket ban on gambling on football.

Andreu has been aware of the issue since he signed for Livingston from Swiss side Nyon in June 2012 the Frenchman has since had spells at Hamilton (twice), Norwich, Rotherham, Dundee United and Coventry before signing for the Buddies last summer.

Ahead of the visit of Aberdeen on Sunday, he said: The first thing that struck me when I came here that everything surrounding football is about gambling.

It is getting bigger in France, there is no getting away from that, but the first thing that struck me when I arrived here seven years ago is that it is a big thing.

It makes sense that every year you need reminded that it is not allowed and then you can get help if it gets out of hand and you get addicted. It is important.

I dont gamble. I cant speak for everyone else but it is really clear, we are reminded of the rules.

Andreu is aware that he plays in the Ladbrokes Premiership and takes part in the William Hill Scottish Cup and the Betfred League Cup.

He said: It is a bit ironic. WhatPFA Scotland do is important, they are here to help you but on the other side football in general, not just the UK, the shadow always behind the game is gambling and that is ironic.

It is not just footballers but it is a big thing in the world and something to be addressed.

Looking forward to taking on the Dons, Andreu takes a philosophical approach to missing a late penalty when St Mirren lost 2-1 at Pittodrie in November, his spot-kick and rebound saved by keeper Joe Lewis.

He said: What can I say? It is football and I missed a penalty.

It could have been a draw, it would have been a well-deserved draw but I didnt score. Thats football.

We played very well there and if we do the same here we will win for sure, but we need to put on the same amount of pressure.

Read more:

Andreu: Gambling influence was first thing I noticed in Scotland - FourFourTwo USA

Theres no doubt the online gambling industry will grow a lot in the future and its only a matter of time the majority of the states will completely legalize it.

Not so long ago, almost all states in the U.S. started updating their legislation regarding online gambling. The entire industry is moving forward at a rapid pace and it looks like this trend will continue for quite some time. In fact, according to some reports, the sector will be worth almost $100 billion. Its anticipated that in 2020, well get to see plenty of new trends starting to take over, with some of them already developing. But what exactly can we expect from the U.S. gambling industry in 2020? Read on to find out.

Legalizing more forms of online gambling

With the rise of online gambling, the U.S. is now looking to become the number one gambling market in the world. However, the biggest issue with gambling in the U.S. is that it isnt centralized. In other words, each state gets to decide what kind of gambling they allow and what kind they prohibit. In fact, there are two states that completely prohibit gambling Utah and Hawaii. These two states prohibit gambling, but allow games that involve a certain set of skills such as poker, which only brings more confusion. With online gambling evolving, its safe to say more and more states will legalize some forms of it in 2020. Still, when it comes to centralization, its hard to assume any changes will take place and each state will still be able to determine their own online gambling laws. We already saw plenty of changes take place in Europe making online gambling safer for players and we might soon get to see the same thing happen in the U.S.

Top states most likely to legalize online gambling

Right now, only four states in the U.S. have completely legalized online gambling Nevada, Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. While might have to wait a bit longer to see some other states doing it, its expected some of them will make steps towards it. New York is looking to change its laws regarding online gambling, but these changes havent yet taken place. This doesnt mean that there are no online casinos operating in New York, it just means the state doesnt offer any sort of licensing to these online gambling operators. Quite recently, the state of Michigan was looking to legalize online gambling but the proposition was eventually vetoed as the change would affect the Michigan lottery and the states education funding.

Types of games that are currently available

As mentioned above, the issue of decentralized gambling has made the entire concept quite unclear. Some players arent aware of which games are legal in their state and often have to do research before visiting an online casino website. The problem is that there are a number of different online casino games and the laws arent the same for all of them. For example, just take a look at the lottery which is still a form of gambling. The lottery is run by 48 jurisdictions in the U.S. 45 states and the districts of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Hopefully, 2020 will be the year when we get to see the laws becoming a bit clearer and players will finally be aware of which games are considered legal in their states.

Alternative currency payments

If youve been paying attention, you probably heard a lot about digital currencies in the last few years. People now pay for everything using these things and online gambling is no exception. In fact, cryptocurrencies are one of the reasons why online gambling gained so much attention in the U.S. lately. The reason behind this is that digital currencies make playing casino games online both easier and safer. For example, players no longer have to include their credit card numbers when signing up as all they need is a crypto wallet. Similarly, they can remain anonymous and gamble using only their usernames. These new types of payments will continue to impact the U.S. online gambling market and its expected theyll play a big part in the way the market shapes in the future.

Sports betting is growing

Online gambling in the U.S. is currently undergoing a lot of change and the same can be said for sports betting. More and more states are starting to accept sports bets; it looks like its only a matter of time before all of them will do so. According to experts, we might get to see sports betting becoming legal in nine states over the course of 2020 and eight more states in 2021. Massachusetts, Louisiana, and Kansas are among those that are expected to legalize sports betting in 2020 while those like Texas, Georgia, and California are among those wholl do it in 2021. The legalization of sports betting has the potential to propel the growth of online casinos and make other states rethink their laws regarding the iGaming industry.

The bottom line

Theres no doubt the online gambling industry will grow a lot in the future and its only a matter of time the majority of the states will completely legalize it. 2020 will be the year more of them will start thinking about the idea of it but whether theyll make any actual moves to fully legalize iGaming, remains to be seen. One things for sure, the online gambling industry is definitely worth keeping a close eye on, both in 2020 and the years to come.

Read more:

US Online Gambling Legislation: What to Expect in 2020 - Legal Reader

When you think about traveling somewhere for a break that includes gambling, it doesnt matter whether you are from the USA, in Europe or somewhere else around the world, the first place you will automatically think of is Las Vegas.

This has been the heart of gambling for many years now, with visitors continuing to flock there from all over the world to play inside the many fantastic state-of-the-art casinos that they have. However, are we starting to see the beginning of the end as far as the appeal of Vegas goes? Other destinations around the world are staking their claim to gambling lovers, and with more and more US states changing their laws to allow gambling, will the draw of gambling in Las Vegas go away?

Macau in Southern China is part of the mostdensely populated part of the world, and soon we could see even more peoplearriving to take part in gambling. Since making gambling legal in the 1850s,Macau has been a hub and described as the gambling capital of the world.

Recent figures show that it has overtaken the Las Vegas gambling strip in terms of the revenue made from gambling, and with more and more foreign nationals choosing to visit, this could quickly become the worlds favorite gambling destination.

Just like Las Vegas, the survival of Macaudepends on the gambling industry. It makes up 50% of the economy, brings hugenumbers of visitors, mainly Chinese, to the area and of course, employs a hugenumber of people who would otherwise be struggling to find work.

The arrival of foreign casinos from Australia and America in 2007 led to Macau overtaking Las Vegas in terms of revenue from gambling, and Macau has not looked back since then. The big advantage that Macau has even more so now is that it is the only place in China where gambling is legal. This used to be the case for Vegas in America, but it no longer is, and for that reason, Vegas is expected to fall behind even further, with the need to travel to Vegas to bet no longer there.

One thing you cannot do in Macau is betonline. This is currently outlawed and is something that keeps the casinos andsports betting kiosks full of people. The downside is that without online gambling,players wont be able to take advantage of one of the many bonuses availablewhen playing online. In many other places across the rest of the globe, onlinecasinos are able to draw in customers by offering up a casinobonus to new players when they sign up with an operator. It is a great wayfor players to try out a casino and see if it fits their playing style.

With online gambling so popular in countries all over the world, it may only be a matter of time before this is allowed to happen in Macau so that the region can keep up with everyone else. However, for now, players who travel there are going to have to use the many casinos and betting halls in the region which continue to be hugely popular and provide a huge amount of revenue to the area.

Read more:

Will Macau Ever Overtake Vegas as the World's Favourite Gambling Destination? - SCOOP EMPIRE

I

n a joint address to the Vermont House and Senate to deliver his 2020 budget proposal on Tuesday, Gov. Phil Scott said his $6.3 billion state budget plan would help grow Vermonts stagnant population and revitalize its rural communities.

"Our demographic crisis is without question the greatest challenge we face as a state, "Scott said, repeating his oft-stated warning. Addressing this reality is crucial to Vermonts future."

As reported by Seven Days, the governors proposed budget would not raise any existing taxes or fees, but it would create two new ones: Scott pitched legalizing and taxing online sports betting, as neighboring New Hampshire recently did, and he called for the introduction of Keno lottery machines.

The two forms of gambling would generate at least $4 million in new revenue, according to Finance Commissioner Adam Greshin. Of that, $2 million would help boost childcare subsidies, rather than support the Education Fund, as lottery proceeds currently do.

Scotts gaming proposals, which he barely mentioned in his 38-minute address, are likely to meet resistance from the Democratic legislature. At a press conference following the governors speech, House Speaker Mitzi Johnson (D-South Hero) and Senate President Pro Tempore Tim Ashe (D/P-Chittenden) threw cold water on the ideas, noting that the legislature had previously rejected them.

"We'll certainly wait and listen to the details," Johnson said. "Expanding the lottery and stealing money from the education fund haven't gone all that well in the House in the past."

Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman, a Progressive-Democrat who is challenging Scott for governor, said that such revenue schemes tend to be regressive. "I just don't think that hooking people in with gambling and taking lunch money and heating bill money and gas money to pay for state services is the best way to help people who are struggling," Zuckerman said.

Scotts budget proposal signals just the start of a four-month process during which the House and Senate must approve their own spending plans for the fiscal year that starts in July. They will then send a reconciled version to the governor for his signature or veto.

View original post here:

Vermont governor seeks to expand gambling - Yogonet International