Macau rising
On Saturday, I’m flying to Macau to speak at the Gaming Industry and Public Welfare International Conference. If I go back next year, I might be able to say that I’m going to the world’s leading gaming destination.
Strange warning
We’re all pretty used to spam by now. Every day, my inbox is cluttered with solicitations for a new mortgage, male enhancement products, discounted software, and the interminable 419 scam emails. But today, I fired up my email to find something quite different–a matter, literally, of life and death.
Real sports betting?
The article from The Onion about seniors being able to put some of their social security money into sports betting was, it’s safe to say, a satire. But the New York Times has an article that might or might not be legit.
Real sports betting? Read More »
gambling & cultureFunny news from The Onion
This week, there are not one, but two gaming-related articles in The Onion online: The Onion | New Social Security Plan Allows Workers To Put Portion Of Earnings On Favorite Team INFOGRAPH: Trump Casinos Bankrupt Check it out if you get the chance.
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gambling & cultureLine of the day
For a while, I’ve been unsure of what to call my next book, the one on the Wire Act and gambling prohibition. I tentatively settled on a title of something like “America’s gambling Prohibition,” but I wasn’t sure whether the title was apt. I think I’ve found some proof.
A must for Atlantic City
I’ve said it for years…legal sports betting is essential towards Atlantic City cementing its place as the casino capital of the East. Now, it looks like it has a shot of happening.
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atlantic cityBack from Chicago, NJ
I’m back from my cross-country trek, the fruits of which are readily apparent. Already I have added an Atlantic City casino carpet gallery. I had a great time in Chicago. Here’s me with a horse: I think it says something that I go to a conference with dozens of historians and social scientists in one
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what's newOff to Chicago
I’m going to be at the Social Science History Association annual meeting in Chicago for the next few days, so don’t expect much in the way of posts. It’s my first time in Chicago so I’ll probably have some interesting impressions. If I’m lucky enough to get to a computer, I’ll be sure to share
Now that’s unlucky
There were a bunch of stories in the British press about a guy being the country’s “unluckiest punter” because he barely missed a 6-way horse bet that would have made him a millionaire. Then, when the winner was about to give him a consolation prize, the poor guy died.
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gambling & culture, haphazard worldAnalysis of WTO case
As I’ve been saying for about a year, Antigua’s suit against the US before the WTO is about more than Internet gaming: it is about the integrity of international borders in the Internet age. So I was happy to see legal analyist Joost Pauwelyn discuss the implications of this case.
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news about gamblingJust keep showing up?
As I learned last night in the course of a really interesting discussion, Woody Allen once said that 80% of life is just showing up…at least that the way I heard it. Apparently, Benedict College has taken this to heart, as freshmen are guaranteed passing grades just for…showing up.
Just keep showing up? Read More »
haphazard worldEstonian problem gambling
Estonia, the small Baltic republic and recent addition to the European Union, apparently has had some problems with problem gamblers.
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gambling & cultureGambling book gimmick
Although there are many books about gambling published each year, including mine, I really didn’t have a handle on how lucrative the market could be until I read this story about the stupid hype around a forthcoming “winner tells all” book:
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gambling & cultureOnline gambling, Czech style
The US isn’t the only country trying unsuccessfully to stop foreign companies from offering Internet gaming to its citizens. The Czech republic is facing similar problems:
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news about gamblingBanning cards in high school
One of the questions I often get is, “What are the effects of the popularity of poker on teenagers?” I think that if you think about it for a second, that’s a really stupid question. First of all, it assumes that someone could measure exposure of teenagers to poker like it was a caustic substance
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gambling & cultureWTO releases decision
The WTO panel which decided in favor of Antigua in that country’s suit against the United States has released its 287-page report. From the Register: US laws banning cross-border gambling break international trade rules, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruled yesterday. The judgement in favour of the tiny Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda, home
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news about gamblingGoodbye to the Boardwalk
I guess that’s the pessimistic way to look at this story, but since no one in the media mentioned that aspect, I figured it was my duty. MGM Mirage has announced it will build a 4000-room casino resort and urban complex on the site of the Boardwalk casino. From Forbes via AP: MGM Mirage officials
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life in vegasPayday at the casino
Locals casinos in Las Vegas often cash paychecks, which can be viewed as a convenient amenity or an inducement to gamble, depending on your humor. Since they don’t do this in New Jersey, it’s a practice I’ve always looked askance at, but what do I know? Here, Adam Goldman of the AP dissects the issue:
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life in vegasGambling: Bad for you?
Intuitively, casinos seem like unhealthy places, what with all of the drinking, smoking, and all-you-can-eat buffets. According to one British professor, problem gamblers have a host of health problems to worry about. From Medical News Today: Gambling is bad for your health and the truly addicted can suffer depression, insomnia, intestinal disorders, migraine and other
Gambling: Bad for you? Read More »
gambling & cultureNearly incomprehensible English
It’s always amusing to read things on the Internet, where people can post their thoughts without editorial control or even a spell check. Take for example some excerpts from this post on the moneycontrol.com messsage board: What would you have to return in order to make a chance of 11% a profitable play? Answer: 100/11
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haphazard world