Monthly Archives: May 2024

Sports betting is having a big moment across the United States. While gambling on sports has been legal for decades in countries such as the U.K., it wasnt until 2018 that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states could legalize sports betting. Before then, sports betting had been permitted only in Nevada.

After the Supreme Court decision, the floodgates opened. Many states were happy to legalize sports gambling, enticed by the opportunity for more tax revenue. As of May 2024, sports gambling is legal in 38 states and Washington, D.C. Americans wagered nearly US$120 billion on sports in 2023 alone.

Until about 10 years ago, sports leagues in North America were apprehensive about if not totally against legalizing sports betting. The long history of sports gambling scandals in the U.S. led many to worry that legalizing sports betting would tarnish their sports credibility and image. The NCAA was one of many governing bodies that objected to legalizing sports gambling nationwide.

But now that the Supreme Court has blessed it, sports leagues have embraced gambling, forming partnerships with brands like Caesars Entertainment. The sportsbooks and platforms have integrity monitors to track potential inconsistencies. Still, a number of scandals involving athletes and the people around them have emerged since the Supreme Court ruling.

As a professor of critical sports studies, I teach students about the history of sports betting scandals. And I think they offer lessons for the present day.

The Black Sox Scandal of 1919 helped to further organize baseball, leading to the creation of the position of commissioner of baseball, which was first assumed by former judge and known racist Kennesaw Mountain Landis. Along with maintaining the color line, arguably his most notable action was banning, for life, the players on the Chicago White Sox involved in the fixing of the 1919 World Series.

Early professional baseball regulations explicitly banned gambling, but the money was too tempting for many players to ignore and that included members of the 1919 White Sox. The players hated the teams owner, Charles Comiskey, and felt that they were underpaid. But they were unable to change teams due to the reserve clause in their contracts, which gave owners exclusive rights to their players in perpetuity.

A faction of the team agreed to throw the World Series. Those players were ultimately indicted by a grand jury and went to trial. They were acquitted of criminal charges, but Landis suspended all of the players connected to the fix including superstar Shoeless Joe Jackson, who admitted taking money from a teammate but maintained he was innocent of game fixing.

This was the the most notable of several attempts to fix baseball games early in the 20th century, as the game grew in popularity and a number of people associated with baseball, including players, managers and even umpires, looked to cash in.

Athlete salaries have soared in recent decades. However, this money hasnt shielded players and others involved in sports from the grips of gambling addiction.

There are no rules banning athletes from sitting at a blackjack table or even gambling on other sports. Numerous players have wagered millions of dollars, with some athletes building up massive debts due to addiction.

These debts can lead to such desperation that athletes decide to risk their careers. Baseball legend and admitted compulsive gambler Pete Rose continues to sit outside the Hall of Fame because he bet on baseball games.

The most substantial gambling scandal in modern sports came in the NBA during the 2000s, involving referee Tim Donaghy. He admitted to providing information on NBA games, including those he officiated, which allegedly influenced his calls. Donaghy served time in prison as a result. So it isnt just players who get in trouble.

There have been several major point-shaving scandals in college basketball history, most famously at the City College of New York in the 1950s and at Boston College in the late 1970s the latter of which involved Henry Hill, the subject of the blockbuster film Goodfellas.

The increasing use of prop, or proposition, bets, which focus on a specific outcome within a game rather than the overall result, has created a new point of vulnerability for student-athletes. While influencing an entire team is hard, history shows that individual players are more susceptible to pressure. A point guard or quarterback can slow down the game and reduce the margin of victory.

And while todays unpaid student-athletes have the same financial incentives to cheat as earlier generations did, they face a new pressure: Theyre often surrounded by gamblers on campus and on social media. Betting is pervasive not only at large universities but at smaller schools, too. According to NCAA surveys, 1 in 3 student-athletes have faced harassment from gamblers, ranging from derogatory comments to death threats.

The sportsbooks have very little incentive to address potential violations, so its up to organizations that oversee sports to ensure the integrity of their games.

NCAA President Charlie Bakers suggestion to ban prop bets is a good first step: The more individual players and gameplay are isolated, the easier it is for improprieties to occur.

Providing more guidance for players and different types of punishments for different transgressions could also be useful. Gambling violations that dont affect competition outcomes should be treated differently from ones that do. The NCAA already does this by meting out lighter penalties for student-athletes who wager on other teams and sports as opposed to their own.

Providing treatment for players and others suffering from gambling addiction would be helpful as well, and theres some evidence that open discussions of gambling addiction in European soccer have had a positive impact.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has suggested implementing federal oversight to eliminate the uncertainty of state-by-state regulations. Although scandals are still likely to occur, gambling commissions like the one in the U.K. can provide a framework for federal licensing and oversight.

The suddenness of states adopting sports betting has led to a windfall of profit for gambling companies and tax revenue for the states. But it may also endanger the integrity of sports. As policymakers mull how to address the issue, they might be wise to learn from history.

Read more from the original source:

Sports gambling creates a windfall, but raises questions of integrity here are three lessons from historic sports-betting ... - The Conversation...

Summary

Among all leisure destinations worldwide, few are as unique in their scope as gambling hubs, to which millions flock annually in search of luck at some of the world's largest casinos. As a result, passenger demand for these major centers for the gaming industry is extremely strong, and airlines are quick to compete on some of these lucrative routes.

The airlines serving gambling hubs often include a mix of low-cost leisure-focused carriers in addition to the long-haul legacy carriers one would expect. Equivalently, the large airports that serve as major gateways for these gaming areas are similarly massive and often service traffic from multiple continents.

Photo: Philip Pilosian | Shutterstock

Across the board, however, gambling hub airports have a uniquely large number of flights from leisure-oriented airlines and are less oriented toward business travelers. In this article, we will examine five of the world's largest gambling hub airports and what makes these facilities so special.

Category:

LAS specification:

Operating base for:

Number of runways:

4

Unarguably the world's largest gambling hub, Las Vegas attracts tens of millions of passengers annually from all corners of the world. The city is not only notable for the many casinos located across its famous strip, but is also host to a number of events and professional sporting teams. In 2024, the Super Bowl was held at the city's Allegiant Stadium, named for the popular hometown leisure airline.

Photo: ZikG | Shutterstock

The airport is among the busiest that serve any of the world's major gambling hubs and is, as one might expect, heavily bolstered by leisure-focused low-cost carriers. Nonetheless, there are a number of major international legacy carriers that also serve Las Vegas, such as KLM from Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport (AMS) and Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow Airport (LHR).

In fact, passenger demand has been so overwhelming for Las Vegas that the city has begun the process of developing another airport. Nonetheless, this facility will not be operational until at least the mid-2030s.

Category:

ACY specification:

Operating base for:

Number of runways:

2

Atlantic City International Airport is a unique, small airport located in Southern New Jersey that serves not just the nearby gambling center of Atlantic City, but also the greater South Jersey region as a whole. The facility, which is also a joint operating base for the New Jersey Air National Guard, is also home to the 177th Fighter Wing's F-16 fighter jets.

Photo:Robin Guess | Shutterstock

The only commercial operator at the airport is, unsurprisingly, leisure-focused Spirit Airlines. Interestingly, however, is that the carrier serves a number of leisure destinations in the American Southeast from the facility, demonstrating a lack of interest in Atlantic City from major population centers.

Category:

MFM specification:

Hub for:

Number of runways:

1

Located in Eastern Macau, this facility serves as the primary gateway to the largest gambling hub in Asia. The relatively small facility sees traffic from across the continent and serves as the primary hub for flag carrier Air Macau.

While a mid-size airline by Asian flag carrier standards, Air Macau does operate flights from the facility to over a dozen destinations across China and Southeast Asia. Most major Asian airlines operate nonstop flights from their hubs to this popular gambling destination, but the airport does lack service from major European, American, or Middle Eastern airlines.

Category:

NCE specification:

Focus city for:

Number of runways:

2

Arguably, the largest gambling hub in Europe is in the city-state of Monaco, where the legendary casino of Monte Carlo is located. The small nation, however, lacks a proper airport due to its small size and, as a result, relies heavily on nearby Nice Airport to serve as its primary gateway.

Due to its nearby proximity, a number of airlines operate nonstop services to Nice and market the nearby gambling destination. Many carriers also offer helicopter transfers to Monaco, notably including Emirates, which recently announced new connections via helicopter operator Blade.

Category:

RNO specification:

Number of runways:

3

The second-largest airport in Nevada, RNO serves the greater Lake Tahoe area, and offers flights to dozens of destinations across the United States from all major airlines. The city, which is home to casinos, is a popular gambling destination nestled amid a picturesque alpine lake.

Photo: EQRoy | Shutterstock

The airport offers services to most major destinations in the Western United States, with a few nonstop flights to East Coast transportation gateways. For example, JetBlue operates seasonal service to the airport from its primary hub at John F Kennedy International Airport.

It is also important to note that not all traffic to RNO is driven by the gambling industry. The airport, like many others in the alpine west of the United States, serves a number of world-class ski resorts in the area.

Read more:

Casino Hubs: 5 Airports That Serve Major Centers Of The Gambling Sector - Simple Flying

L.L. Bean has just added a third shift at its factory in Brunswick, Maine, in an attempt to keep up with demand for its iconic boot.

Orders have quadrupled in the past few years as the boots have become more popular among a younger, more urban crowd.

The company says it saw the trend coming and tried to prepare, but orders outpaced projections. They expect to sell 450,000 pairs of boots in 2014.

People hoping to have the boots in time for Christmas are likely going to be disappointed. The bootsare back ordered through February and even March.

"I've been told it's a good problem to have but I"m disappointed that customers not getting what they want as quickly as they want," said Senior Manufacturing Manager Royce Haines.

Customers like, Mary Clifford, tried to order boots on line, but they were back ordered until January.

"I was very surprised this is what they are known for and at Christmas time you can't get them when you need them," said Clifford.

People who do have boots are trying to capitalize on the shortage and are selling them on Ebay at a much higher cost.

L.L. Bean says it has hired dozens of new boot makers, but it takes up to six months to train someone to make a boot.

The company has also spent a million dollars on new equipment to try and keep pace with demand.

Some customers are having luck at the retail stores. They have a separate inventory, and while sizes are limited, those stores have boots on the shelves.

See the original post:

Shohei Ohtani's ex-interpreter agrees to plead guilty in $17M sports gambling scandal - NBC Los Angeles

The most talked-about baseball player in the modern era. The largest contract in sporting history. And a relatively well-known interpreter stealing millions from said baseball star, while also impersonating him over the phone to banks more than 20 times; the whole Shohei Ohtani-Ippei Mizuhara affair always seemed like it had the potential to be made into a TV drama series. And it looks like that is exactly what is going to happen. Lionsgate Television is already developing a script to tell the story of Ohtanis rise to the top and the recent gambling scandal involving his interpreter, which has sent shock waves through the world of Major League Baseball.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Scott Delman and Albert Chen are set to produce the as yet unnamed show. The former is most well-known for adapting the TV series Station Eleven. He also produced many Broadway hits, including Death of a Salesman and The Curious Incident of The Dog in the Night-Time. Chen, meanwhile, wrote the book, Billion Dollar Fantasy, about the rise and fall of online betting sites, FanDuel and DraftKings. He previously covered baseball as a senior editor at Sports Illustrated and has written for Time and Fortune magazines.

With a strong track record of creating daring, boundary-pushing series, Lionsgate Television is the perfect partner to bring this unbelievable story to the screen, said Delman in a statement. In addition, Alberts extensive sports journalism background will enable us to connect the dots to make sense of the startling turn of events weve seen play out on the world stage.

Chen added: This is Major League Baseballs biggest sports gambling scandal since Pete Rose and at its center is its biggest star, one that MLB has hitched its wagon on. Well get to the heart of the story a story of trust, betrayal and the trappings of wealth and fame.

The news about Mizuharas gambling debts first broke in March, a day after the opening MLB game of the season. Last week, it was announced the former interpreter had agreed to plead guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of subscribing to a false tax return. The two crimes are punishable by up to 33 years in jail. As part of the deal, prosecutors will recommend a reduced sentence. In addition to his prison term, Mizuhara will also be asked to pay $16,975,010 as restitution to Ohtani.

More:

Gambling Scandal of Ohtani's Ex-Interpreter to Receive TV Series - Tokyo Weekender

The evolving technology of the digital age has pushed digital currencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum to a notable demand in online gambling.

Cryptocurrencies regulate more than finance. These digital currencies transform standard gameplay and cash-out procedures while providing safe and secure transactions that are transferred immediately and anonymously. This change not only acknowledges the wish for more privacy and efficiency, but it also provides a wider market for online casinos, including across borders.

Having said that, a company specializing in the Finnish gambling industry, Uusimmatkasinot.com, concluded, "That crypto is here to stay." It looks like all new online casinos are moving into a more innovative and inclusive experience for online gamblers.

Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin are revolutionizing online gambling by providing speed, privacy, and cost reduction. The daily $3 million volume of bets placed in cryptocurrencies worldwide signifies that digital currencies are accepted more widely in gambling.

Similarly to traditional banking methods such as bank transfers and credit cards, cryptocurrencies are much cheaper for players and operators. "Their flexibility and speed are the main game changers in casino payment systems," says Roni Jokisalo, an expert in online casino payment methods from uusimmatkasinot.com.

Cryptocurrencies offer online casinos:

Industry insights project significant growth in crypto gambling. In fact, the crypto segment is expected to capture $250 million of Finland's $1.31 billion gambling market in 2024.

The integration of cryptocurrency payments in the online gambling business poses special challenges in regulatory and security areas. Because of their anonymity, illicit activities such as money laundering are a concern.

The European Union is tightening crypto currency regulations in an attempt to eliminate money laundering and funding of terrorism. The pieces of legislation like the Directive (EU) 2018/843 and the 5th Anti-Money Laundering Directive (AMLD5) are at the forefront.

Advanced security means like SSL and TLS encryption are deployed progressively to eradicate this issue. Transaction monitoring systems, blockchain analytic tools such as Chainalysis and Elliptic, mandatory KYC procedures, and geolocation restrictions are providing access to the issues.

As a result, fraudulent activities related to cryptocurrencies have considerably droppedfrom 35% in 2012 to 1% and below today.

The unstable nature of cryptocurrencies is also extremely dangerous to the financial stability of both the players and casinos. Casino operators are starting to use stablecoins like USDT in their operations to counter price volatility.

Even though the regulations are strict, Finnish crypto adoption is increasing. The adoption of the number of coinowners in Finland has reached 300K in 2024, and it is likely to go up to over 1M in 2034. Cryptocurrencies can be treated as goods by the government from the point of view of the Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority (FIN-FSA). This is a look that is affecting, in a great way, the local gambling culture.

Only verified casino licenses and strong KYC measures can assure safe gambling. Platforms like Bitkingz and CryptoLeo feature a high level of protection and provide users with different opportunities for crypto transactions. These first movers are now modernizing and lifting standards in the online casino business.

Underground licenses let online casinos function without terms of use or regulation. An eCOGRA license defines an extra level of trust. Effective implementation of KYC is a key aspect that helps stop the abuse of the gaming platform for criminal activities like money laundering. Casinos with robust identity verification prohibit fake objectives and make the process more secure overall.

Key Considerations Include:

Digital currencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum are widely accepted now and on the rise. By 2028 approximately 34.26% of all players might switch to crypto, being security and simplicity measures. By 2028, nearly34.26% of all gamblers could be using cryptocurrencies because of their security and ease of use.

Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are gradually changing the sphere of the internet for online wagering. They offer security, reliability, and convenience. In line with that, online casinos now hold the capability of going beyond the traditional ways of transaction. Using digital currencies, online casino players gain the ability to postpone or even diminish service fees and speed up the gaming process.

This article was written in cooperation withuusimmatkasinot.com

Read more from the original source:

The rise of cryptocurrencies in online gambling - The Jerusalem Post

A stalled gambling package in the Senate could be dead unless a member flips their vote or theres some real fancy jumping through hoops, Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, said Monday.

Albritton, who handled the package in the Senate but ultimately ended up voting against it, said that unless the Senate can get unanimous consent to suspend the rules for a new conference report, the upper chamber is stuck procedurally.

I dont think [unanimous consent] would happen. Were stuck. We either have to vote the [constitutional amendment] up or down or just leave it in the basket, Albritton said.

But he said the bill could still come up for a vote in the last days of the session, and any one of the nay votes could change.

That sounds easy enough, but the other problem that comes in is how many of the yes votes have already turned back to no. Every time we bring this up, we lose votes, Albritton said.

GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

SUBSCRIBE

And Albritton said his no vote wont change this year. He said he might change it next year if he gets a more palatable bill that [he] can vote for.

Albritton said the compromise would constrict the Poarch Band of Creek Indians (PCI) involvement in the industry while allowing other entities to grow. The Poarch Band, a federally recognized tribe that operates casinos in Atmore, Montgomery and Wetumpka, had sought to submit a final bid on any casino licenses issued.

In the compromise, Albritton said, there is no mechanism for PCI, based in Atmore in the senators district, to enter into a compact with the state because the state isnt offering something of value, such as another site off tribal land.

He said that while PCIs opposition was part of the reason for his nay vote, he voted in support of the bill before going to the conference committee, when he said PCI had been lobbying against it.

Gambling bills stalled in Senate as Alabama Legislature nears adjournment

Two other aspects of the bill kept him from voting for the compromise from the conference committee. There was no authorization for sports betting, which he said is a growing industry; there was no regulation for online gaming, whether it be slots, poker or roulette.

We have not done anything to control, restrict, oversee or tax that. Those are two growing portions of the industry that we just ignore with this bill, he said.

Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, one of the lawmakers assigned to the conference committee, said in a phone interview Monday that the Senate thought expanding casino gaming, especially with an open bid process, and legalizing sports betting was too much for right now. Gudger said addiction is a concern when it comes with electronic sports betting, especially for young people.

It changes the whole course of, really, their life, just based on something they really didnt know that much about except were having fun or were trying to get out of some other debt or just make some easy money, Gudger said.

But he said that from their estimates, over $1.2 billion is being spent on sports betting in-state currently. He sees the need for lawmakers to have that discussion, but he said that it came on too quickly.

We felt like in the Senate, from the House version, that we werent ready for that, but I do think there is an appetite to look into that as time goes on, Gudger said.

House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, said last week that hes not in the mood to work on another piece of legislation, saying its one of those things you cant win.

Rep. Chris Blackshear, R-Smiths Station, sponsored the original gambling proposal in the House. When asked about the chances of working on another piece gambling legislation in next years session, he had a definite, one-word response.

ZERO! Blackshear responded in a text.

See the rest here:

Key no vote on Alabama gambling bill suggests looking to next year Alabama Reflector - Alabama Reflector

According to a comprehensive report from the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), Chinas stringent laws against gambling, both offline and online, have inadvertently driven organized crime groups into Southeast Asia. This movement allows them to exploit the regions thriving gambling market while maintaining a safe distance from Chinese law enforcement.

Exploiting regulatory gaps:

The USIP report highlights how theproliferation of scamming operationsin Southeast Asia can be traced back to a network of loosely regulated casinos and online gambling platforms. These establishments, encouraged by some governments in the 1990s and 2000s as drivers of economic development, have now become breeding grounds fortransnational crime.

The report underscores the global threat posed bytransnational syndicatesoperating from Southeast Asia, impacting consumers worldwide, including those in the United States. It estimates that these syndicates steal funds amounting to nearlyUS$64 billionannually, underscoring the scale of the problem.

Chinese nationals emerge asprimary targetsof the overseas gambling industry due to Chinas strict prohibition on gambling within its borders. With an estimated annual gaming market ofUS$40 billion to US$80 billion, Chinese citizens become lucrative targets for criminal networks operating in Southeast Asia.

Growing concerns for Chinese citizens:

As criminal networks gain strength, the Chinese government faces mounting concerns about thesafety of its citizensabroad. As GGRAsia reports, Chinese nationals fall victim to various scams, including forced labor through fraudulent trafficking, prompting increased scrutiny from Chinese authorities.

In Southeast Asia, illegal activities often hide behind a veneer of legitimacy, leveraging casinos, resorts, hotels, and special economic zones toevade law enforcement. The dispersion of these networks correlates strongly with areas of weak governance in the region, further complicating efforts to combat transnational crime.

While China has achieved some success in curbing online gambling and fraudulent activities in collaboration with other countries, there remain challenges. Criminal networks adapt swiftly to enforcement measures, relocating scamming operations across borders to evade crackdowns, as witnessed in the closure of scam compounds onMyanmars borderwith China.

Despite efforts to tackle transnational crime, the closure of scam compounds in Myanmar merely displaced criminal activities to neighboring regions such as the Karen Stateand border areas ofThailand,Cambodia, andLaos. This pattern highlights the complex and dynamic nature of combating organized crime in Southeast Asia.

Chinas stringent stance on gambling has inadvertently fueled the expansion of transnational crime in Southeast Asia, posing significant challenges for regional security and law enforcement efforts.Addressing this issuerequires enhanced international cooperation and targeted strategies to dismantle criminal networks operating across borders.

Read the original post:

Transnational Crime and Southeast Asia's Gambling Underworld - World Casino Directory

The Senate did not take the bill on the sessions final day.

US.- Alabama lawmakers have ended the legislative session without approving a bill that would have put gaming to a public vote. The Senate did not take the bill up on the sessions final day. It had failed by one vote earlier in the session.

The bill approved by the House would have allowed a lottery, sports betting and up to 10 casinos with slot machines and table games. The Senate favoured a stricter version that only included a lottery and historical horse racing.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, who expressed support for the bill, told reporters she was disappointed in the outcome. Republican represenative Chris Blackshear, the sponsor of the legislation, said gambling would have provided more money for education, roads and other needs.

Original post:

Alabama legislative session adjourns with no final vote on gambling bill - Alabama legislative session adjourns with no ... - Focus Gaming News

The Bank of England has revealed figures showing a post-pandemic spike in desperate first-time buyers in their 30s signing "ultra-long" mortgages that they will still be paying off in retirement. This has raised fears that many will be left with less to live on in their later years.

The data was revealed following a Freedom of Information request by LCP pension consultant Steve Webb, who said the ever-worsening housing market for younger home buyers is forcing them to "gamble" their retirement. Since 2021, there has been a 30 per cent increase in people signing onto these extra-long mortgage terms.

Overall, 42 per cent of mortgages signed in the last part of 2023 will continue to be paid off after the homeowner retires and quits the workforce, either forcing them to take money out of their pension to pay off the remainder or take a large hit to their living standards. This rise has been fastest among young first-time buyers, who might otherwise not meet the affordability criteria for a mortgage.

READ MORE: Date when DWP will send letter telling 1.7 million claimants payments will stop

Steve Webb said: The huge number of mortgages which run past state pension age is shocking. The challenge of getting on the housing ladder is forcing large numbers of young home buyers to gamble with their retirement prospects by taking on ultra-long mortgages.

"We already know that millions of people are not saving enough for their retirement and if some of that limited retirement saving has to be used to clear a mortgage balance at retirement they will be at even greater risk of poverty in old age. Serious questions need to be asked of mortgage lenders as to whether this lending is really in the borrowers best interests.

The long-term effects of this shift in the market could change how people behave in their pre-retirement years, with more workers trying to pay off their house before they retire, rather than adding to their pension pots. It could also result in people defaulting on their mortgages, as a bank cannot accurately assess what someone's pension income will be thirty years before they claim it.

Read this article:

Huge increase in young people 'gambling' on mortgages that expire in retirement - Yahoo News UK