THE Aussie tradition of taking a punt is reaching new heights with online gambling leading to an explosion in sports betting.

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• LONDON (Reuters) – The European Commission has criticised revised proposals from 15 German states for a new treaty on Internet gambling, saying it needed evidence that the planned restrictions, which have also drawn criticism from gambling companies,…

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Here is todays That Sounds About Right news story. Massachusetts is pushing hard for casinos and leading the charge is chairman of the states Gaming Commission, Stephen Crosby. The only problem is Crosby has never been to casino to gamble! Someone should probably get this guy a copy of Casino Gambling for Dummies. Oh wait, his stepson already did. Seriously.

CLEVELAND, OH (WOIO) -

Cleveland Police say two friends shot each other over money after a night of gambling.

Cleveland Police were first called out to Clearview Avenue where they located Anthony Smith. Smith had been shot in the both of his arms and his stomach. Moments later, officers were called to Beachwood Avenue where the other friend, Charles Lenix, was found with a gunshot would the stomach.

Both males were transported to MetroHealth Medical Center for treatment.

Upon further investigation, Smith had borrowed some money from Lenix for gambling purposes. When they wrapped up their night, an argument ensued over the money escalating into a physical fight. Smith said he didnt have the cash but offered to pay Lenix with his food stamp card. Lenix said he wanted the cash, and the argument continued. During the fight a handgun was produced and both males ended up shot.

Both males were placed under arrest for Felonious Assault and are awaiting charges.

The Cleveland Division of Police is asking that anyone with information about this incident to contact the Fourth District Detective Bureau at 216-623-5418.

Copyright 2012 WOIO. All rights reserved.

DRISCOLL – Two people were arrested, and dozens of eight-liners confiscated, following a raid at a business in Driscoll last night by Nueces County Deputies.

They began investigating more than a month ago, after getting complaints about illegal gambling.

Its called The Game Room and investigators from the Nueces County Sheriffs department first heard complaints about illegal gambling here five weeks ago.

That kicked off an undercover investigation that wrapped up at seven last night when the game room was raided.

Ernest Colin has been living in Driscoll for 28 years. He tells us he and other locals never wanted the business there in the first place, I was told by other citizens, and been approached by other citizens, you know, how do you feel about it and they say I dont want it here, I didnt want it here from the get go.

Fifty eight-liners, some cash, and a loaded gun were found inside the game room when it was raided.

They were being removed today by county jail inmates, but eight-liners remained inside the game room when we arrived.

We also saw signs saying no cash prizes, and others said $100 give-a-ways.

Investigators say their undercover deputies actually received cash prizes during their probe.

Around 50 gamers were in here playing on the machines when the raid happened. Deputies tell us they wont face any charges, however two arrests were made.

Two employees working that night, Ruby Lee Barrera and Beatriz Cedillo have been charged with engaging in organized criminal activity.

If theyre found guilty, they could get maximum of two years in jail and a $10,000 fine.

The eight-liners that were removed from The Game Room will be sold to business that can use them legally.

Residents meanwhile continue debating over eight-liners. Ernest Colin tells us; its good that it is out of our city now because if anything it was putting a bad name to the city of Driscoll.

Another resident complained to Colin asking him if the business actually did anything illegal to Colin himself.

The investigation continues and more arrests could be made.

The Victorian Government has been forced to pulp pamphlets aimed at problem gamblers which directed them to a phone line encouraging them to bet.

The pamphlet for people who want to exclude themselves from gaming venues directs callers to a TAB hotline, where gambling products are promoted.

Victorian Gaming Minister Michael OBrien says it was an oversight.

The telephone number that was used for self exclusion was the Tabcorp customer service number, he said.

It is possible to access self-exclusion services from that general number, but the Victorian Government believes, and Tabcorp and Gamblers Help also agree, that its far better if the distinct self-exclusion number is used in the future.

The bungle comes as the State Government announces it has decided to delay the introduction of pre-commitment technology for poker machines.

The Government promised before the last election to introduce voluntary pre-commitment by 2013, giving punters the option to set a gambling limit.

But Mr OBrien says the plan is being delayed until 2016 because confusion around the Federal Governments plans for mandatory pre-commitment would make it too complicated.

Theres the risk that that may be incompatible with what the Federal Government requires, he said.

He says the Victorian Government is committed to introducing voluntary limits.

We believe that every gaming machine in this state should have pre-commitment on it, we think thats an option that is there for every single player who wants to track their expenditure, help set themselves limits, he said.

We think that will lead to a much more responsible gambling industry and thats what we want to see here in Victoria and thats what we thing the community wants to see as well.

The move has angered anti-pokies campaigner, Tim Costello, who says the Government is making excuses for doing nothing.

Proof again of the utter capture of state governments by the gambling lobby, he said.

Topics:
gambling,
community-and-society,
state-parliament,
vic

KANSAS CITY, Kan. o Lesa France Kennedy strode through the Art
Deco-inspired lobby, past rows of blinking slots machines and
spinning roulette wheels, her eyes trying to take in the homage to
old Hollywood.

The chief executive of International Speedway Corp., which owns
and operates Kansas Speedway, could only marvel at the new casino
overlooking Turn 2 of the race track — a $411 million facility that
has created 1,000 new jobs and is expected to attract 4 million
visitors annually.

All the different screens, all the colors, Kennedy said. Im
blown away.

Kennedy is gambling on the Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway,
which had its grand opening on Friday, to generate interest, drive
ticket sales and increase revenue for ISC during a sluggish time
for motorsports. Its a bet shes confident will pay off.

Anything we can do to bring more entertainment to the area, and
also for our fans, will help not only us but the overall region,
Kennedy said. The group here has been so supportive and so
interested in bringing tourism that its made it really easy.

Long lines of cars snaked out of the parking lots and along the
access roads running parallel to the backstretch in anticipation of
the opening. After a ribbon was cut and Sprint Cup drivers Clint
Bowyer and Kasey Kahne threw the ceremonial first dice, people
began streaming through the doors and taking up seats at slot
machines and blackjack tables.

The casino, a partnership between ISC and Penn National Gaming,
is the first to open in the Kansas City market in 15 years, and the
first land-based, Las Vegas-style casino in the area.

All of the gambling is on a single, 95,000-square-foot floor,
with a bar and restaurant that overlooks Turn 2 of the speedway,
providing a unique vantage point for its two race weekends.

The first is in late-April, when the Truck Series and Sprint Cup
Series visit the track. The second weekend, in mid-October, brings
an ARCA race, the Nationwide Series and one of the Chase races that
make up the Sprint Cup playoff system.

The casino is only the latest development on the Kansas side of
Kansas City.

The speedway, which opened in 2001, served as the cornerstone of
a building boom that took advantage of good economic times. Several
outlet stores, theaters, a minor-league ballpark and the new
stadium for MLS team Sporting Kansas City have popped up around the
facility.

But the economic downturn has hurt motorsports, and suddenly
its become tougher to sell the 80,000-plus seats at Kansas
Speedway, along with a dozen other tracks that are owned and
operated by International Speedway Corp.

Kennedy believes unique entertainment options such as the casino
can help bring people back to the track.

A recent illegal gambling bust is straining already difficult relations between Fairfax County Police and the Vietnamese-American community.

Earlier this week, police raided three businesses at the Eden Center in Falls Church and arrested two people for illegal gambling and money laundering.

This comes after a raid in August of more than a dozen area bars and restaurants in the same area.

That sweep netted 70 gambling machines and a million dollars in cash.

Community leaders say all of the people arrested back in August were either indicted or had the charges dropped.

Due Tran, a member of the Vietnamese-American Chamber of Commerce, had harsh words for Fairfax County Police.

Its either incompetency on the police force with improper investigations, or its just straight racism.

Despite cries that the community can police itself, Fairfax County Police say there will be more arrests in the future.

Gambling, junk food and the NFL

0

RANDALL THE HANDLE, Special to QMI Agency

First posted:

Saturday, February 04, 2012 04:27 PM EST

| Updated:

Saturday, February 04, 2012 08:41 PM EST

NEWPORT, Ky. – It’s will take longer than expected to get a proposed constitutional amendment on legalized gambling before Kentucky voters.

Gov. Steve Beshear, a Democrat, said Friday that filing the necessary paperwork is being delayed by a Republican challenge to the legislative redistricting bill he’s already signed.

A hearing on that challenge is scheduled for Monday before Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd.

Until that issue is cleared up, the gambling measure can’t move forward.

“The good thing about the gaming amendment is that it really won’t require much education,” Gov. Beshear said in Newport.  “We’ve been talking about this for 20 to 25 years now.  Everybody understands what we’re doing.”

The governor said he’s heard arguments for and against expanded gaming, but hasn’t heard one good argument against putting it on the ballot and letting the people decide.

“I think it’s a good thing for us,” he said.

Time is of the essence, according to Gov. Beshear.  He said in 2010 Kentuckians went to neighboring states and spent about $541 million of Kentucky money on expanded gaming entertainment.

“It’s like us backing up dump trucks full of cash to the Ohio River and dumping the dollars in the river,” Beshear stated.  ”We need to keep that money at home.”

Gov. Beshear went on to say, “Right now, our money is educating kids in Ohio and Indiana, building roads, building libraries and school.  Let’s keep that here and help our own folks.”

The Governor’s trip to Northern Kentucky was to deliver a $1 million check to Newport officials to help build 10 new homes in the 19th Street and Summer Hill area.

It’s federal money from the Community Development Block Grand passed through Kentucky’s Department of Local Government.

“I know it’s going to fill a real need here in the city,” Gov. Beshear said. “Newport officials have been very aggressive and creative with projects like this one we’re celebrating today.”