Monthly Archives: January 2021

"At a time when New York faces a historic budget deficit due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the current online sports wagering structure incentivizes a large segment of New York residents to travel out of state to make online sports wagers or continue to patronize black markets," Cuomo said.

An industry study found that close to 20% of New Jerseys sports gambling revenue comes from New York residents, the governors office said.

Properly regulated, sports betting is an appropriate source of revenues and entertainment, and there is no reason that New Yorkers should not enjoy those benefits as much as other states that have subsequently legalized the practice, said Kathryn Wylde, president and CEO of the Partnership for New York City.

The organization added that it hoped the decision by the governor wouldhasten the development of a casino in the city.

Hopefully, approval of a competitive process to authorize the development of three casinos in New York City will follow, with a similar rationale, but also adding the creation of thousands of new jobs in the hotel and entertainment industriesthat havebeen devastated by the pandemic, Wylde said.

Sports gambling, or wagering, is legal online in 14 states and in four commercial and Native American facilities in parts of upstate New York, the governors office said.

State Sen.Joseph Addabbo Jr. initially proposed legalizing online sports gambling in New York. Addabbo's bill would implement an 8.5% tax on sports wagering gross revenue and would require a licensing fee of $12 million for each agent or company that'sallowed to conduct mobile betting.

Addabboestimated the legalization of gambling on professional sports would bring $1 billion in revenue per year.

"It moves the ball ever closer to the goal line," Addabbo said, referring to his bill. "It's going tobe about the details. I'm hopeful we can work with the governor's administration on this."

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In reversal, Cuomo backs online sports gambling to boost state revenue - Crain's New York Business

Express News Service

KOCHI: Over the past few months, two persons died by suicide owing to the mounting pile of debts caused by online gambling, a dangerous addiction.Experts highlight the loopholes in the Betting and Gaming Act of 1960 and the vulnerable population that falls prey to such games

29-year-old man from Thiruvananthapuram recently took his life to escape from the debts he incurred due to his addiction to online gambling. Identified as a contract labourer at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, he was found hanging in a rubber plantation near his house in Kuttichal.On enquiry, the youths family informed the police that he spent his time and money playing online rummy (a card game). When he ran out of money, he would borrow more from his friends, thereby running up a debt of I4 lakh. Addicted to online gambling, he suffered losses and had a massive debt, eventually leading him to take his life.

However, officials at the Neyyar Dam police station said that the case was registered under CrPC Section 174 (police to inquire and report on suicide) as the cause of the death is yet to be ascertained.As per the statement by his family members, the youth died by suicide.

However, an investigation is ongoing and we cannot confirm anything before retrieving the details from the victims mobile phone. We have already approached the Cyber Cell for more information, a police officer said.

A few months ago, another case of online gambling addiction was reported wherein Bijulal, an accountant in the Vanchiyoor treasury, swindled I2.70 crore from the treasury due to his addiction to online gambling.An impenetrable ActAs per the Betting and Gaming Act of 1960, money betting and gambling are prohibited. However, the Supreme Court has exempted skillful games from the Act.

Therefore, rummy and poker are still being played by a large number of people. Police officials also say that cases cannot be registered against gambling apps since there are no suitable laws.Since there is no ban or rule on online gambling in our state, we cannot register cases. Even though many have lost money due to online gaming, only a few come forward to register complaints, said T Shyamlal, DySP, Cybercrime police station, Thiruvananthapuram.

What experts sayAccording to an article titled Should Gambling be Legalised in India published in the Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine in July 2019, the Public Gambling Act of 1867 restricted most forms of gambling and discriminated games of pure chance (betting on the day-to-day price of opium or cotton, rainfall).

Till today the law regulates gambling other than on horse racing across India. As a result, online gaming in India (legal games such as online poker and rummy) has increased manifold with the rise in internet use.

A 2017 study by Dr Sanju George, senior consultant psychiatrist at Lisie Hospital, Kochi,published in the Journal of Gambling Studies, said that gambling has adversely affected less than one per cent of the population.

Preying on the vulnerableThere are many loopholes in the Public Gambling Act as it has been differently interpreted in various states. For instance, if lotteries are considered legal in Kerala, it is banned in Tamil Nadu, says Dr Sanju.He also added that gambling-related problems impact mostly the vulnerable which include youth and those undergoing psychological difficulties.

His study among people in the age group of 15 to 19 also revealed that around 30 per cent of the 5,000 surveyed admitted to having tried gambling.Also, one in four students who gambled has had academic failures, suicidal tendencies and history of sexual abuse, said the psychiatrist.

According to Dr Sheena G Soman, consultant psychiatrist, Mental Health Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, online gambling is not usuallyconsidered addictive, thereby leading people to indulge in the same.The lockdown had led to unsupervised internet consumption among children and youth falling into the trap of online gambling, she said.

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Gambling with lives - The New Indian Express

Press release:

The new year symbolizes fresh starts and new beginnings. People use January as a benchmark to reprioritize their lives, and with the unique challenges that last year brought, many of us are looking ahead with even more fervor.

Something that 2020 brought clearly into focus is the importance of mental wellness. A variety of factors can impact mental health, including thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Problems related to gambling can influence each of those components. If gambling, yours or someone elses, has negatively affected you, know that you are not alone and there is support.

Nearly 668,000 New Yorkers have experienced a gambling problem in the past year. The effects can include sleep issues, strain on relationships with loved ones, financial problems and increased alcohol or drug use. People who struggle with problem gambling are also at a higher risk for other mental health problems. Two out of three individuals reported that their mental health suffered as a result of their gambling. Gambling disorder may also occur with other existing conditions like anxiety, depression, mood disorder or personality disorder.

Emotional and psychological distress is not exclusive to just the person gambling either each of those individuals can affect up to 10 of the closest people in their lives. A study found that nine out of 10 people impacted by someone elses gambling problems felt emotional distress. Between the people gambling and their close friends and family, nearly 6.7 million New Yorkers are affected by problem gambling and may experience mental health issues because of it.

Most importantly, help is available if you or someone you love has been exhibiting warning signs of a gambling problem, such as being absent from activities with friends or loved ones because of gambling; feeling stressed or anxious when not gambling; low work performance due to absence or preoccupation with gambling; or lying to family and friends about how much money and time is spent on gambling. January is a great time to reach out to the Western Problem Gambling Resource Center (PGRC).

The Western PGRC is here to help anyone who is looking to reprioritize their lives and overcome the problems that gambling has caused. Private-practice counselors, behavioral health and treatment facilities, recovery groups and other community services throughout Western New York make up a vast referral network.

When people call (716) 833-4274 or email [emailprotected], they confidentially connect with a knowledgeable PGRC staff person who will listen to and connect them with the resources that best meet their needs.

Whether you are ready to get help, or you are just curious about your options, call us today. Were here to help.

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Gambling problem? Now is the time to reprioritize your life - The Batavian

In the midst of budget shortfalls and pandemic-fueled roll backs in services, Massachusetts lawmakers decided to eliminate sports gambling from their economic development bill sent to the governors desk Wednesday. The question remains, will sports gambling legislation have a resurgence and become legal there at any point in 2021?

The answer: Not likely.

Massachusetts may soon be the only state in the region without the passage of some kind of sports gambling laws. New York is currently on the cusp of legalizing sports betting, and neighbors Pennsylvania and New Jersey pulled in record returns from the activity last fall.

Just over the border New Hampshire and Rhode Island, with newly lifted restrictions, are also increasing their legal sports gambling footprints.

But Massachusetts, mired in more pressing matters, remains stalled.

Its most-recent opportunity for passage of sports gambling legislation started last summer when state Senate minority leader Bruce Tarr (R) 1st Essex and Middlesex submitted a budget amendment to legalize gambling on sports.

While the Massachusetts House of Representatives approved the amendment as part of its economic development bill 156-3, including issuing licenses for the states three casinos (MGM Springfield, Encore Boston Harbor, Penn Nationals Plainridge Park), DraftKings, and FanDuel, along with two future applicants, the Senate rejected the amendment without a roll call vote.

While the amendment was still under consideration, Penn National and Wynn Resorts sent a joint letter opposing online sports gambling.

Before the amendments removal, most lawmakers sided with the casinos in sessionnoting theyd opt to take online gambling off the table with a possible exception for Boston-based DraftKings.

But the inability to move at all to open sports gambling even at brick-and-mortar casinos may have closed the window for sports betting in Massachusetts.

The states 2021 legislation session, which began Wednesday, has shifted priority to more pressing matters during a crisis moment, according to Senate President Karen Spilka (D) 2nd Middlesex and Norfolk district,

The focus is going to be on conference committees, resolving the budget, and COVID, Spilka told the State House News Service this week.

In the meantime, legalizing sports betting still has bipartisan support in Massachusetts. This week, Sen. Patrick OConnor (R) Weymouth said a failure to pass sports betting legislation meant Massachusetts would leave free money on the table. Sen. Marc Pacheo (D) 1st Plymouth and Bristol said the state is currently losing revenue that its already folded into the budget.

Indeed, Republican Gov. Charlie Bakers 2021 budget already had folded in at least $5 million in sports gambling revenue. The Democratic-controlled General Court agrees that Massachusetts, with a tech-savvy and sports-crazed base, has the potential to be one of the nations biggest markets.

A spokeswoman for the Baker administration said in a statement on Wednesday: Governor Baker filed comprehensive sports betting legislation in January 2019 to make Massachusetts competitive with other states, and will carefully review the final economic development bill on his desk.

In the meantime, other states in the region coming online this year include Maine, whose legislature legalized sports betting in 2019. However, a measure to enact regulations and go live was vetoed by Gov. Janet Mills last year. In Connecticut, sports betting has bipartisan support, but the tribes that operate the states two casinos cannot agree on proposed regulations. And Vermont is likely to advance a bill to legalize sports betting in its 2021 legislature.

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As Other Northeast States Set Sports Gambling Records, Massachusetts is Left in the... - OnlineGambling.com

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI)-According to the Indiana Licensed Beverage Association, more than 900 of Indiana's bars signed a petition asking the Indiana general assembly to pass legislation that would allow video gaming inside their establishments. The legalization is something bar owners say is needed to make up lost revenue due to the pandemic.

"There is a lot of people that just won't come out because of COVID and it's been rough," said Stan Balser the owner ofBen Hur Tavern in Lafayette.

That message has been echoed by bar and restaurant owners across the state of Indiana. According to the Indiana Licensed Beverage Association, the legalization of video gambling could create 100 million dollars in revenue in one year.

"Many states around us already have it," said ChrisThielen the co-owner of Rookies Sports Pub in Lafayette. " We need this, especially during COVID. It's one more source of income that helps small businesses and especially the serving industry get through."

Chris Thielen and his business partner own multiple bars and restaurant establishments in the Lafayette area, he says this petition is a cry for help.

"Most of us need this," added Thielen. "We either need to get through this or we need to find other ways for everyone and their families to sustain an income."

Governor Eric Holcomb says he isn't opposed to the idea.

"I'd want to see the bill I'd want to see the language I'd want to see all the ramifications," said Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb.

He feels passing legislation based solely on the fact that it would create revenue, isn't good policy. He says if businesses are struggling, there are options out there.

"I don't want small business owners to wait on potential legislation because we have resources," added Governor Holcomb.

For bar owners like Stan Balser, he says this would create new opportunities.

"I would like the governor to really take a look at this instead of giving us the assistance," added Balser. "This is something that we would be earning. It would give us more revenue to do more things for the establishments and for our customers."

Allowing video gambling is something bar owners say will help the state as well.

"For a lot of us to keep moving forward, we need things like this to change," said Thielen. "This change in particular will help the state as well. The state makes 30 percent of all revenue off of it also. So it seems like a big win-win."

As of right now, there is one bill that has been filed that would allow electronic gaming in veterans' service organizations. But no bill has been filed at this time that would allow it in all bars and tavern establishments. For more details on theIndiana Licensed Beverage Association's research on legalization click here.

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Bars urging lawmakers to legalize video gambling to help with revenue losses amid the pandemic - wlfi.com

While its neighbors on all sides begin to legalize sports gambling, Kentucky seems content to allow much-needed revenue to continue to slip through its fingers.Since the U.S. Supreme Court showed lawmakers they were wrong and reversed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) almost three years ago, a number of states have scrambled to introduce their own legalized sports gambling markets.This has proven to be especially beneficial during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Kentucky continues to remain on the sidelines and is apparently happy with not getting onto the field.

An initiative to introduce sports gambling to the Bluegrass State fell flat last year after legislators fumbled the ball and couldnt recover it. Now, as the new legislative session got underway yesterday, it seems that there will be a repeat of last years performance.State lawmakers gathered for the first time in 2021 yesterday, but neither Kentuckys House nor Senate is overly anxious to explore sports gambling opportunities.

Two Kentucky legislators, Senate President Robert Stivers and Speaker of the House David Osborne, participated in an interview with media outlet Kentucky Education Television (KET) and its Kentucky Tonight program.With Tennessee, Maryland, DC, Virginia and others getting in on the sports gambling movement, the conversation eventually turned to whether Kentucky lawmakers would push for a legalized market, and the legislators made it clear that it isnt a priority. Stivers, a Republican, seems to be under the impression that horse racing and sports gambling are synonymous, explaining that the states horse racing industry needs to focus on its own activity before new gaming options are introduced to the state.He asserted, I think the horse industry and individuals who are interested in the wellbeing of the horse industry need to focus on historic horse racing before they start thinking about sportsbook and gambling in that realm.

Osborne, also a Republican, supported a sports gambling bill last year drafted by Representative Adam Koenig. However, he showed his hand when addressing the issue, explaining, [Horse racing facilities] are existing facilities that have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in Kentucky, and I think that because of that, it will probably take most of the focus initially away from sports betting.He added, That doesnt mean that theres not support for sports betting amongst the members of the House, amongst the members of our caucus. It remains a bit of a divisive issue, certainly. Theres ongoing interest in discussions about it, but I do believe it will take a back seat initially to historical horse racing.

Virginia will issue its first sports gambling licenses soon and, when it does, five of Kentuckys neighbors will have established legal sports gambling markets.This equates to direct losses in Kentucky, as it has already been proven that gamblers are willing to cross state lines, or use offshore books, to place their bets.The fact that some of Kentuckys lawmakers continue to fight the measure is detrimental to the states residents and the lack of a legal sports gambling market is best summed up by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.The Democratic governor said recently, The fact that we havent done it at this point is not only silly but puts us at a competitive disadvantage.

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Another year, another defeat for sports gambling in Kentucky? - CalvinAyre.com

E

lys Game Technology announced Tuesday that it has joined the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) to further the development and implementation of responsible gambling practices.

NCPG is a leading U.S. non-governmental organization (NGO) serving as the national advocate for programs and services to assist people and families affected by problem gambling. Through its NCPG membership, Elys (formerly known as Newgioco) will support NCPGs wide-ranging problem gambling prevention, treatment, education, and research programs, as well as innovative responsible gambling policies.

Michele Ciavarella, Executive Chairman of Elys Game Technology, Corp., stated: As we prepare our first U.S. deployment in Washington D.C., we are delighted to become a member of NCPG and support their invaluable work in addressing the critical and widespread need for responsible gambling practices. We are proud to join forces with the esteemed board of directors, members and stakeholders of NCPG to develop and promote national U.S. industry standards in responsible gaming, including the Safer Sports Betting Initiative and Internet Responsible Gambling Standards, which provide critical player services and protections."

"There is no bigger responsibility for us than ensuring the best and safest possible experience for our gambling operators and their players, while providing assistance for those individuals who show signs of problem gambling behavior. Partnering with NCPG further deepens our commitment to become a leader in responsible gaming and provides us valuable resources as we are preparing for the launch of our sports betting platform in the U.S, Ciavarella added.

Keith Whyte, Executive Director of NCPG, said: We are excited that Elys has become a member of NCPG, as they bring extensive experience around engaging with millions of players across their sports betting and iGaming platforms. Elys broad reach and commitment to responsible gambling will be a tremendous asset to NCPG as we continue raising awareness about problem gambling and the resources available to support those impacted. We look forward to working together with Elys to increase our mutual understanding of player behavior and reduce the risks for gambling problems.

Since there is no federal regulation of gambling or federal health insurance for all residents in the U.S., each state makes its own rules to meet its unique structure and goals. B2B and B2C companies like Elys become valuable partners for NCPG, a leading source of objective state-specific information on responsible gambling and problem gambling for the public as well as the gambling industry in the U.S. Companies may create, adapt and update their responsible gambling tools and practices with expert assistance as they work with the varied U.S. state gambling control entities, gambling operators and healthcare providers. In addition, NCPGs National Problem Gambling Helpline Network is the only source of problem gambling help in many areas of the country.

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Elys joins the National Council on Problem Gambling ahead of its US sports betting entry - Yogonet International

The Philippine government has temporarily stopped collecting its controversial online gambling turnover tax, while a new controversy swirls over whether 100k Chinese gambling workers received an unauthorized COVID-19 vaccine.

On Tuesday, the Philippine Department of Finance announced that it will halt collection of the 5% franchise tax on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). The announcement followed a Supreme Court ruling on Monday granting a temporary restraining order (TRO) sought by 14 POGOs who felt the tax was a violation of their right to equal protection under the law.

The Philippine government announced the tax last September and began collecting it the following month. The tax was justified as a means of funding the governments pandemic response but POGOs felt they were being asked to bear an outsized share of this burden.

The Manila Bulletin quoted Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III (pictured) saying that his department would respect the restraining order without indicating the governments long-term response. The Philippine treasury has been severely depleted by COVIDs impact on the overall economy and the governments share of gambling revenue fell by as much as 80% last year.

The governments increasingly strict oversight of the POGO sector has not only impacted direct gambling tax revenue but also the economy as a whole. Many POGOs who were forced to shut down last spring due to the pandemic declined to resume operations once the all-clear sounded, leaving a major gap in the commercial real estate market.

In December, Leechiu Property Consultants estimated that POGOs vacated 277k-square-meters of office space in 2020, resulting in the loss of around 127k jobs and P1.4b (US$29.1m) in rental income.

POLICE TO VET ONLINE GAMBLING APPLICANTSTo date, only 35 POGOs have received permission to resume operations from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue. The latter required all POGOs to settle outstanding tax bills before being permitted to restart operations but POGOs may now have yet another hurdle to clear.

Late last month, Philippine media reported that PAGCOR chair Andrea Domingo had worked out a deal with Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Debold Sinas in which the PNP would have a role in vetting all gambling license applicants, including POGOs, to determine if their operations are legitimate.

Details of this arrangement have yet to be finalized, including whether the PNP plans to vet existing POGO licensees who have not yet received clearance to resume operations. But one detail is clear; the PNP will have to verify the legal status of an operator with PAGCOR before staging a raid on any online gambling business.

POGO WORKERS GOT SMUGGLED CHINESE VACCINEMeanwhile, local media is abuzz with reports that as many as 100k Chinese nationals many of whom employed by POGOs had been inoculated with a Chinese-made COVID-19 vaccine last November. At the time, this vaccine had yet to be authorized by either Philippine or Chinese medical bodies and was reportedly smuggled into the Philippines without the knowledge of local authorities.

Harry Roque, spokesman for Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, dismissed concerns over POGO workers being given unauthorized vaccines, saying that if the reports were true, there will be 100k less possible carriers of the coronavirus in the Philippines.

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Philippine gov't to respect online gambling tax ruling ... for now - CalvinAyre.com

When the state legislature convenes Wednesday, one of its first tasks will be to approve new rules, same as every year.

This time around, Sen. Martin Looney declared, the rules will bring as dramatic a shift as the legislature has ever seen.

Its like moving from the quill pen to the computer all at once, said the New Haven Democrat whos president pro-tem of the Senate, starting his 41st year in the General Assembly.

Thats because of COVID and social distancing, with remote hearings and votes. Its a budget year the legislature debates and approves a state budget once every two years and, with a lost session in 2020, more than the usual number of contentious issues could hit the governors desk.

The legislature could approve retail cannabis sales, for example. This could be the year for online sports betting and voting reform. We can expect debates about affordable housing and maybe even school desegregation measures, along with the fight over mandatory school vaccines that ended suddenly when the pandemic struck last March.

The question, then, is how and whether the coronavirus rules will bend the path for the toughest, most complex and controversial bills. Are they more likely to become law, or less likely?

We truly dont know the answer to that question, Looney said, calling the situation unprecedented.

As a general rule, some insiders including incoming House Speaker Matt Ritter, D-Hartford, say old, familiar battles could reach a vote easily, while debates that havent aired will face higher hurdles.

Some nuts and bolts of the legislative process had to be overhauled. Previous rules required bills to be hand-delivered or sent by interoffice mail. Thats no longer possible.

Obviously the inability for us to see each other in person in many ways will make lots of legislation more difficult, said Rep. Jason Rojas, D-East Hartford, the House majority leader.

The upshot will be more small-group discussions held by video conference. Rojas, previously co-chairman of the tax-writing finance committee, said committees in particular will find it difficult this year.

Committee chairs, he said, will have to be far more assertive in reaching out to members.

Were all just going to have to be more intentional about the work that we do, he said. We need to do a lot of that work we otherwise take for granted in other circumstances.

I would admit that the committee process is going to be a lot different, Ritter said.

Some of the more controversial bills might sail through simply because theyve been discussed for years, he said.

Online sports gaming? We all know the issue, he said. Its not like theres going to be some new wrinkle.

Legalized cannabis sales? Its been debated for six years, Ritter said. Early voting? People know what early voting is. Election reform I put that into the category of been debated for a decade.

Complex issues that have not yet been vetted, though, will have a harder time being passed. Legislators will be spending more time in one-on-one discussions before a bill ever comes to a vote.

Newer concepts would require a lot of time individually lobbying people, Ritter said. Its not impossible, but its going to take a lot of work, or the issue has to resonate with the public.

There are, however, some advantages to conducting legislative business remotely. State budgets are ultimately decided by legislative leaders and chairs of the budget committees, a group of about ten people.

By contrast, the legislatures housing committee consists of 14 legislators. The public safety and security committee has 25 members. The appropriations committee, which sets a spending plan, has 51 members from every corner of the state.

Scheduling a time that every one of those members could be in a room together in Hartford has, in the past, been a challenge. Not this year.

It might be easier to set up those meetings, because of Zoom, Rojas said.

The same was true for public hearings. In previous years, if a person wanted to testify on a particular issue, they had to take the day off and spend it at the capitol in Hartford. This year, all testimony will be submitted electronically.

Youll actually get more public participation, potentially, Ritter said.

But there is something lost. There will be fewer if any impassioned speeches before the assembled committee members, affecting the dynamic of the legislative process, Rojas said.

Those speeches on the most contentious bills can actually sway a legislators vote.

We all lose something when theres less in-person contact, Rojas said. Absolutely you lose that human element. You can hear the emotion, you can feel it through Zoom but it;s certainly not the same as when its in person.

This year, the deadlines for legislators to submit new proposals are being moved back a week, Looney said.

Its just one example of how the process of passing bills will take more time.

Everythings just slower, and when you slow things down you get less bills, Ritter said. It takes time in a normal circumstance, its going to take extra time with COVID.

Its not that no bills will get passed. Theres going to be tons of bills, according to Ritter. We dont have the ability to do as many bills as we normally do. Everybodys working from home. The speed at which the legislature works is based on factors that are not at play here.

Incoming House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora, R-North Branford, agreed.

I think that we all need to recognize COVID is going to slow down our process, he said. Its going to be more difficult to complete bills. In the September special session it took well over three weeks to get seven bills in position to vote on them. And even though they were bipartisan, it took 14 hours for them to get through.

Staff writer Ken Dixon contributed to this story.

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Pot, gambling, election reform: How COVID will sway controversial legislation - CT Insider