
Backers of a North Jersey casino expansion ad campaign, the one that supported a referendum vote to take gaming to the part that is north of Garden State, have thrown within the towel.
Investor and estate that is real Jeff Gural (right) with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (left) says that general public mistrust of politicians is just a major reasons why New Jersey’s casino expansion myfreepokies.com proposal is doomed to failure. Gural was a backer of the expansion push.
OUR Turn NJ, that was backed by billionaire investor Paul Fireman and estate that is real Jeff Gural, pulled its media advertising, apparently reluctant to plow more cash into what seems like a lost cause. Fireman and Gural had hoped to build one casino apiece, within the north associated with the state near the border with New York.
The OUR Turn NJ (OTNJ) group said that polling showed little appetite among voters for the proposal to split Atlantic City’s longstanding monopoly on casino gaming and produce two new licenses in the north. Voters are set to select the issue on A november 8 ballot, but otnj now seems resigned to the indisputable fact that residents will likely vote overwhelmingly against expansion.
Blindsided by Media Blitz
the Turn NJ stated on Thursday said that a poll that is internal just 37 percent of the latest Jersey residents supported amending the constitution to pave the way for the new casinos. Meanwhile, an external poll released this week by Rutgers-Eagleton put the number also lower, at just 35 percent, while noting that 57 percent were up against the idea.
The pro-expansion group admitted that it been blindsided by the news blitz launched by the opposition campaign, ‘Trenton’s Bad Bet,’ which focused nearly totally on the recognized untrustworthiness of the state’s politicians, instead than the casinos themselves.
‘Trenton political bosses are up to their old games,’ proclaims one TV spot, which continues on to suggest that politicians will use the new casino revenue nonetheless they want, ‘just like they did when they bailed out Donald Trump’s failing casinos.’
Mistrust of Trenton
The campaign has been markedly effective in making use of general public distrust of lawmakers. Polling by OTNJ discovered that just ten per cent of voters believed politicians would deliver on utilizing the revenue for the purposes promised. Voters had been also worried about the not enough details, such as precisely where the casinos could be built, or the rate that is exact of they would likely pay.
‘We think profoundly that gaming expansion to Northern New Jersey is a remarkable opportunity that shouldn’t be squandered,’ Gural and Fireman said in a formal statement.
‘ We now have committed $4 billion in private investment for this state to create resort that is world-class with video gaming. The huge benefits include 43,000 new jobs and billions of dollars in recaptured revenue, an opportunity that is rare nj.
‘The data, however, speaks for it self,’ the investors noted. ‘The current political environment in brand New Jersey and voters’ concerns about the dearth of details relating to the effort have proved overwhelming.’
United States Gaming Association Recommends Repealing Sports Betting Ban
American Gaming Association boss Geoff Freeman, left, wants sports wagering legalized, but that could hamper DraftKings CEO Jason Robins’ day-to-day dream recreations market. (Image: Jeff Scheid/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
The American Gaming Association (AGA) is recommending to Congress that it repeal the nearly quarter-century old ban that is federal sports wagering.
The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) passed in 1992 prevented states from offering gambling lines on sports. Nevada, Oregon, Delaware, and Montana were given special exemptions, as all four of these states were offering some variation of sports lotteries in 1992.
Now 24 years later, the AGA believes it is time to annul PASPA.
This past year, the AGA formed its Illegal Gambling Advisory Board (IGAB) led by former FBI Deputy Director Tim Murphy. This week, the board issued five conclusions as to the reasons PASPA should be revoked.
Murphy’s IGAB consists of former law enforcement officials now attempting to expose the massive unlawful gambling black market in the United States.
‘ The approach that is current sports wagering in the United States is no longer working,’ Murphy stated this week in a statement. ‘It’s fueling criminal enterprises. Enough time has come to repeal the current recreations ban that is betting replace it with rigorous regulations that benefit states, protect consumers and keep the integrity of the games.’
PASPA Strikeout
In its ‘Law Enforcement Summit on Illegal Sports Betting,’ the IGAB opines that PASPA did precisely the reverse of what it designed to accomplish.
‘Instead of curbing betting that is illegal the law has driven activities betting underground, making a thriving, $150-$500 billion black market with no consumer protection,’ the IGAB reports.
The IGAB thinks illegal sports wagering fuels unlawful syndicates, and that an open, transparent, and regulated activities industry that is betting deliver a blow to those rogue gambling bands.
Though the NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL, along side the NCAA, recently won a federal appeals court decision against New Jersey to block the state from providing sports gambling, the leagues are slowly easing their hardline stances.
The NHL is bringing a franchise to Las Vegas for the 2017-18 period, and NFL owner Mark Davis is wanting to bring his Oakland Raiders to Sin City. Leagues have traditionally opposed Las Vegas due to its legalized sports gambling.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is also on board. ‘we now have no idea what’s happening and there’s no transparency,’ Silver said in May. ‘I think it should be legal; I think it ought to be managed; it should be transparent.’
Canada Battling Too
Sports betting in Canada is still unlawful, but that was very nearly changed recently, almost.
Unfortunately for those looking to place wagers legally on sporting occasions in Canada, a bill to authorize single-game betting was refused within the House of Commons this week.
The ‘Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act’ legislation failed 155 votes against to 133 in support.
Much like the AGA, the Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) happens to be campaigning for a governed sports wagering industry.
‘I regret that I don’t have better news for Canadians,’ CGA President Bill Rutsey said in a declaration. ‘ Those who understand what is at an increased risk, and the advantages that could exist by implementing legislation, are frustrated and dissatisfied by the vote.’
The CGA estimates over $10.5 billion is wagered illegally on sports by Canadians every year.
Maryland Lottery Controversy Over-Inflated $262 Million Tech Contract
Maryland Lottery Director Gordon Medenica had been a executive that is senior a business venture that was partially owned by Scientific Games. (Image: Kaitlin Newman)
The Maryland Lottery deliberately inflated the price of a $262 million technology contract, wasting an incredible number of dollars that would otherwise have been spent on general public education and health programs, in line with the losing bidder, London-based IGT.
In a letter of complaint seen by the Associated Press, IGT complains that lottery officials overstated the value of the contract, an eight-year deal to provide central monitoring and a control system for ticket sales, by including forms of internet gambling that aren’t legal into the state.
The contract was ultimately awarded to incumbent provider Scientific Games, the highest bidder by $50 million.
Flawed Assessment
IGT says lottery officials later told them that they bloated the contract to include online gambling to be able ‘to avoid future review and approvals by the [Board of Public Works,’ in the event that on line gambling is legalized. The Board of Public Works, is required to approve all contracts over $200,000 by state law.
But this amounted to ‘materially problematic evaluation,’ stated IGT, particularly for the continuing state facing an $800 million spending plan shortfall.
Curiously, Maryland is not making any noises about regulating online gambling in the future that is near. Senator Edward Kasemeyer (D-Baltimore and Howard counties), the Senate’s main spending plan writer, told the Baltimore Sun recently that the legislature is ‘strongly opposed’ to legalizing gaming that is online.
Questions over Lottery Directors’ Links to Scientific
IGT noted that since the incumbent provider, Scientific Games should have been in a situation to produce a lower offer because it already has staff and infrastructure in place.
And now, conservative news blog RedState.com is questioning whether Lottery Director Gordon Medenica’s past professional relationship with Scientific has such a thing to do with the situation.
It quotes an anonymous ‘industry insider’ who stated: ‘ The bid that is multiple and legislative scrutiny will really be uncomfortable for Gordon Medenica. Medenica ended up being an executive that is senior a nj-new jersey business venture that was partially owned by Scientific Games. Offered this direct and well-known relationship, it is curious from the entire bidding process. that he did not recuse himself’
But Scientific Games’ senior vice president of worldwide Lottery Systems, Patrick McHugh, said his company won the bidding process square and fair since it outperformed its competitors in testing. He also noted that in 2016 the lottery generated record ticket sales of $1.9 billion producing $570 million to be utilized for good reasons.
‘ Our high score reflects Scientific Games’ investment in new products and services created to continue the lottery’s sales and profitability momentum for the beneficiaries for the state of Maryland,’ he said in a statement.
Wisconsin Gambling Addict Gets Probation for Delivering Hundreds of Pounds of Marijuana
Gambling can be business that is risky but a Wisconsin gambling addict discovered that spending for your wagers by delivering cannabis is a bet that certainly doesn’t repay. As a result of Judge James Peterson, pictured above he’ll be getting a chance that is second. (Image: Scripps Media/rightwisconsin.com)
Wisconsin gambling addict Kongsaden Khammanivong has been given a second opportunity by a Madison judge.
In July of 2015, Khammanivong ended up being indicted by a federal jury that is grand conspiring to distribute more than 50 kilograms (100 pounds) of marijuana between January 2014 and his arrest in July of 2015.
Khammanivong admitted he turned to delivering medications to fuel their gambling addiction. During their September sentencing that is 20th Khammanivong sobbed to the judge as he explained how gambling took over his life.
Khammanivong revealed he’s attended Gamblers Anonymous and contains prevented casinos since his arrest 445 days prior.
In total, Khammanivong faced up to 25 years in prison. But this week District Judge James Peterson in the Western District of Wisconsin went easy on Khammanivong in hopes that the gambling addict are able to turn their life around.
Instead of sending the 49-year-old behind bars, Peterson sentenced Khammanivong to 11 days in prison. With credit for time served stemming from 2015, Khammanivong left the courtroom a free guy.
‘He hasn’t relapsed. He’s doubled straight down on helping his family members. He gets just how serious this is,’ Khammanivong’s attorney Marcus Berghahn told the Wausau Daily Herald.
Khammanivong’s casino addiction reportedly cost him his marriage, though it’s ambiguous where or how much cash he lost gambling. The court was told by him he was compensated several hundred dollars for every single marijuana transport.
Pretty Peterson Please
The Western District of Wisconsin estimated Khammanivong delivered as much as 176 pounds of marijuana during the 17-month period.
According to Narcotic News, a lb of cannabis is presently selling for upwards of $4,000 in Wisconsin. Which means Khammanivong helped transport over $700,000 worth of cannabis.
Of course, marijuana isn’t heroin. Peterson apparently thought Khammanivong’s claims that he didn’t play a role that is integral the medication ring, but merely served as a transporter.
Regardless, Peterson’s sentencing is undoubtedly light thinking about the amount of cannabis Khammanivong was moving.
Simply final month, a former steel company CEO in Alabama was sentenced to 72 months in federal prison for making use of insurance funds to cover off gambling debts incurred at Wynn Las Vegas.
Also in August, a strange tale broke about two similar yet separate incidents involving female gambling addicts. Both women had stolen precisely $1.7 million from their employers that are respective Connecticut and Minnesota, and both lost most of the money gambling.
Diane Eiler of Minnesota ended up being sentenced to 42 months in jail and three years of supervised probation. Patricia Meehan of Connecticut, who was first charged in 2010 and served 46 months behind bars, violated her parole in 2016 and was handed one more 8 weeks in jail and two years of supervised home release.
Like Brother, Like Brother
The feds still have a full case against Khammanivong, yet not Kongsaden Khammanivong but their younger brother Khongkha Khammanivong.
Khongkha, 43, is facing more serious costs. A total of nine counts for distributing methamphetamine, marijuana, and cocaine have been levied on younger Khammanivong, and he’s also being accused of facilitating money laundering.
He’s dealing with a total of 60 years in jail and $5.5 million in fines.
Kongsaden Khammanivong is simply another instance of a Vietnamese or Thailand migrant living in the US whom has developed a gambling addiction. The problem that is rampant recently gained much unwarranted attention as Little Saigon communities have a problem with illegal gambling houses.