Let your mouth speak archive

Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested in her New York apartment Thursday night on charges of reckless endangerment, tampering with evidence and criminal possession of marjuana, NBC New York reported.

The doorman of the building called police to report that Bynes was smoking marijuana in the lobby, sources told the station. Before officers arrived, Bynes, 27, had gone back to her 36th floor apartment, and when police came to her apartment, she reportedly tossed the water pipe out the window.

Sources told NBC New York that Bynes was taken to Roosevelt Hospital to undergo a psychiatric evaluation, then to a Midtown police station to be processed, and was expected to spend the night in jail and appear in court on Friday.

Bynes is on probation for three years for driving with a suspended license and also has a DUI case pending in southern California. She moved to New York last fall.

In April, Bynes drew attention for shaving half of her head, and she's been a vocal poster on Twitter. In December, charges in two separate hit-and-run incidents against her were dismissed.

As a child actress, she starred in the sitcom "All That" and in her own sketch comedy show, "The Amanda Show." She also appeared in numerous films.

In 2012, Bynes announced that she had retired from acting, an announcement she had also made in 2010 and later revoked.

Online gambling is set to become a reality in New Jersey, which recently legalised the practice, late this year or early 2014. The precise timing is not important, as the legislation has been passed and, at this point, the real issue is just how much the market will be worth.

A number of European operators, including Paddy Power, are understood to be eyeing the opportunity that New Jersey’s liberalisation of its gambling laws might create, although the Irish bookmaker was adamant at its annual general meeting this month that entry to any US state would depend on the cost of getting in and the size of the market involved.

David Jennings and Simon McGrotty, analysts with Dublin stockbroking firm Davy, yesterday published an introductory look the opportunity that might present itself to European players. Their first point is that the 12 bricks and mortar casinos in Atlantic City will be the first beneficiaries.

Some of those 12 are struggling, and the legislation opens the door for them to take on partners already experienced in offering online gaming, specifically poker and casino games, as sports betting is not included the new regime. The obvious candidates are European operators such as Paddy Power, Bwin, Playtech and William Hill, according to the Davy note.

Along with that, Jennings and McGrotty suggest that New Jersey may offer the Europeans the chance to introduce their own brands to an online audience, which could give them some insights into what other US markets might – or might not – offer.

Bwin has already dived in, with a strategic agreement with Boyd operator of the biggest casino in Atlantic City. It will get 65 per cent of any joint operation and 10 per cent to 15 per cent of any Boyd standalone venture that uses Bwin technology.

In terms of scale, there are some very optimistic numbers coming from New Jersey governor, Chris Christie. His current budget is projecting a $180 million tax take from gambling. Jennings and McGrotty say that this implies an overall value for the market of $2.1 billion.

“That number looks excessive to us and others,” they say. Instead, they point out that the independent New Jersey Office of Legislative Services this week estimated that the market – rather than the actual tax take – could be worth $220 million in 2014.



Cantillon: New Jersey bets big on online gaming - Retail News | Service Industry News | The Irish Times - Sat, May 25, 2013

The World Series of Poker starts in five days and will sap the attention of the entire poker community for seven weeks. While all the hoopla happens in Las Vegas, lobbyists and industry executives are still taking THE FIGHT to statehouses around the country — including Massachusetts.

About a month ago I mentioned that a Massachusetts House budget proposal was amended to include a section providing authorizing online gaming and allocating revenue derived from it. The amendment envisioned three licenses that would be available only to companies that never accepted wagers in the U.S. after October 13, 2006, the date the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act was signed into law. Licenses would have cost $10 million to obtain, with monthly upkeep fees required, and would have been valid for 10 years.

That provision never made it into the final version of the House budget. But this week a Massachusetts newspaper reported that a similar provision could back to life in a Massachusetts Senate budget proposal – and it has the support of several prominent Republicans, traditional opponents to online gaming.

State Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr told the Taunton Daily Gazette that the amendment is being considered alongside other proposals that could boost the economy and state revenue. To date, no other mainstream media outlet has picked up the story, nor has the proposal yet been attached to the budget bill.

Is the report accurate? Almost certainly a proposal is “being considered”. In politics, though, “being considered” doesn’t mean much. The proof is in the pudding. Attaching the proposal to the budget bill would go a long way toward showing how serious Massachusetts Republican Senators really are about online gaming.

As long as the story is in play, we may as well consider the reported provisions of the online gaming proposal. The initial licensing fee, which in the House version of the bill would have been $10 million, has been dropped to a paltry $300,000, although annual renewal fees of $150,000 make the 10-year cost of a license $1.15 million. Licenses would only be available to the state’s three licensed casinos and certain slot parlor licensees. Online gaming revenue would be taxed at 20%.

To be honest, this one seems like a bit of wishful thinking. It’s hard to imagine an online gaming proposal with a licensing fee as low as $300,000, even if the 20% tax rate puts the proposal in the middle of the road among online gaming proposals being considered across the country.

What’s more, the chances of success of the Senate proposal are hard to gauge. The House proposal didn’t stay attached to the budget bill for more than two weeks before meeting a quiet death. The House version of the budget was passed without the amendment that authorized online gaming.

Thus if the version in the Senate has any hope of success, not only does it need to make it onto the budget bill and then out of the Senate but it also will need to face up to opposition in the House for a second time. The issue is further complicated by opposition to existing proposals to expand gambling in the state and from state lottery officials, who fear erosion of their revenues.

In some ways then, the current Massachusetts Senate proposal is a bit like those weekend warriors who will head out to the WSOP this summer with dreams of winning a gold bracelet. It’s unlikely to happen, but you just never know.



THE FIGHT: Massachusetts Flirts with Online Gaming

THE grave of Hollywood star Michael Clarke Duncan has been vandalised in an apparent racial attack, say the Green Mile star's family.

TMZ reports that a family friend stopped by Forest Lawn Cemetery in the Hollywood Hills to deliver flowers to the spot where Clarke Duncan was buried in 2012, only to see a figure of a cartoonish black face had been attached to the centre of his tomb.

The friend believes the black face is an image of "Sambo" - a character that has long been considered an offensive and racist depiction of a black person.

Clarke Duncan's family were shocked and has contacted the LAPD.

Police told them the incident could be considered a hate crime.

Online Gambling on Return to US .....thats nice!!

Amanda Bynes claims she was "sexually harassed" by a police officer who arrested her on Thursday night (05.23.13).

The 'She's All That' star - who was charged with attempted evidence tampering, reckless endangerment and marijuana possession in court on Friday (05.24.13) after being arrested at her New York City apartment - has accused an officer of slapping her vagina and lying about her throwing a bong out the window.

The 27-year-old actress addressed her legal troubles in a lengthy rant on Twitter on Saturday (05.25.13), writing: "Don't believe the reports about me being arrested. It's all lies. I was sexually harassed by one of the cops the night before last which is who then arrested me. He lied and said I threw a bong out the window when I opened the window for fresh air. Hilarious. He slapped my vagina. Sexual harassment. Big deal. I then called the cops on him. He handcuffed me, which I resisted, quite unlike any of the reports stated."

The actress is upset she was initially sent to hospital, a move which she describes as "offensive."

She said: "Then I was sent to a mental hospital. Offensive. I kept asking for my lawyer but they wouldn't let me. The cops were creepy. The cop sexually harassed me, they found no pot on me or bong outside my window. That's why the judge let me go. Don't believe any reports."

Amanda's parents are reportedly worried she is bipolar or schizophrenic.

A source told gossip website TMZ.com that the 27-year-old actress's recent erratic behavior is not enough for her to be placed under a 5150, California's Welfare Institutions Code, to be evaluated under involuntary psychiatric hold for 72 hours.

The insider said that her parents Lynn and Rick are eager to secure an involuntary conservatorship, similar to Britney Spears, but have been told her conduct has not been severe enough for a judge to take away her legal rights and she has not been diagnosed with any mental illness.

Parents and community leaders here are up in arms over the proliferation of Internet gambling outlets of late.

They can’t figure out why Miri City Council (MCC) and the authorities concerned, especially the police, seemed to be keeping a blind eye to this social menace which is luring a growing number of youths to become addicted to gambling.

A Rukun Tetangga chairman here, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said the number of youths, including teenagers, who were now into gambling online were worrying.

He told The Borneo Post that there were a lot of such illegal gambling outlets here and they seemed to be operating 24/7 undetected by the authorities.

“The police and MCC must monitor these gambling activities as it is sprouting out not only in shoplots but also at residential areas.”

Rosline Wong, a resident of Tudan, said the number of cyber gambling dens in the city was worrying.

“Why are these negative activities not stopped promptly? Don’t the authorities realise that the moral values of the people can cave in because of their existence?” she asked.

A committee member of a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Samuel Roger, noted that some of the internet gambling outlets were shrouded with tinted glasses and equipped with CCTV.

“It is sad that our city is fast becoming a gambling den,” he lamented.

A village headman, who too requested anonymity, hoped the police would conduct operations regularly to nail the culprits.

“I have heard stories of youths stealing cables and sell them for cash in order to feed their gambling addiction,” he claimed.

Read more: Miri folk wail proliferation of Internet gambling – BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News | Largest English Daily In Borneo

Microsoft has unveiled its new Xbox One console which integrates TV, internet, gaming any many other special features. Microsoft believes that the new console will change users’ lifestyle by integrating the cloud with voice and gesture control technology in one easy to use device.

While the Xbox is still a games machine, Microsoft wants to become an all in one entertainment solution which allows users to quickly switch between live TV, video on demand, internet and games.

Microsoft has also announced a deal to integrate coverage of the NFL with game elements such as a Fantasy Football game which will allow users to create fantasy teams while watching live games. Furthermore Steven Spielberg will be producing a TV series based on the Halo games which will only be available on the Xbox One.

Analysts were optimistic about the success of the console. Brian Blau, a director of Garner Research said, “The Xbox One really looks to advance the state of video game technology and entertainment in a way that we haven’t seen before. The Xbox One is a real advancement, one that will transform the way we experience TV, games, music, movies and more.”

If you listen carefully, you can almost hear the silence at the heart of Memorial Day — the inward turn that thoughts take on a day set aside to honor the men and women who have died in the service of this country. It is the silence of soldiers who have not yet been, and may never be, able to talk about what they learned in war, the silence of grief so familiar that it feels like a second heartbeat. This is a day for acknowledging, publicly, the private memorial days that lie scattered throughout the year, a day when all the military graves are tended to, even the ones that someone tends to regularly as a way of remembering.

It always seems strange the way the fond, sober gestures of memory coincide with the last flush of spring, while the trees are still lit from within by their chartreuse leaves. The year is still rising, just. And yet it is something you often see recorded in the books and diaries of men and women at war — the sharp interruption of beauty, the moments, hours even, when the vivid tenacity of life itself feels most tangible, even in the midst of death. On a bright, beautiful Memorial Day, you feel, as clearly as you may ever feel, the profound separation between the living and the dead. This is the strangeness of the day, because that separation is a source of both joy and loss.

A nation at war — trying to end its war — needs to remember that despite the simple stories we tell ourselves about why we go to war, every soldier who has seen combat knows there is no simple story. The dead have taken that awareness with them, but the living carry it, usually silently, within them. That, too, is the strangeness of this day — to honor men and women who know things about living, dying, and the character of war that we can never really imagine. It should arouse a humility in all the rest of us, and in humility there is a silence, too.

The competition in the field of online gambling is tough and unfair on the territory of Montenegro, says the Games of Chance Administration.

The Administration told Mina-business agency that the services of a large number of foreign operators offering online gambling to the citizens of Montenegro are completely available to the people whose IP address shows that they are located in Montenegro.

Determining how much Illinois casinos should pay in taxes is a “logjam” that’s stalling a gambling expansion bill in the House.

Rep. Robert Rita, D-Blue Island, lead House sponsor of the expansion bill, said tax structure is the major one of several issues still being debated before the gaming bill is ready for a vote in the House.

“The tax rate is the big one,” Rita said Monday. “We’ve been working on it, and we’re sort of stuck at that.”

Casinos are taxed at varying rates depending on their revenues. Those with the highest revenues face a 50 percent tax rate.

As the bill was approved by the Senate, those rates would change significantly for higher-earning casinos, falling to 40 percent for those making between $200 million and $300 million. Casinos wouldn’t pay 50 percent until they make more than $800 million.

Rita said negotiations are centered around both the rates that are paid and when they will go into effect. He acknowledged that in some cases, the negotiations could lead to lower taxes for some casinos.

Rita also said discussions are taking place about earmarking some of the gambling revenue for specific purposes. The expansion bill, which was previously approved by the Senate, calls for some money to be allocated to economic development programs in black and Latino areas and for specific agriculture programs like extension services and to repair the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The amounts of those various earmarks are under discussion.

Just four days are left in the spring session, but Rita said he is confident a compromise can still be achieved.




Tax hangup stalls bill to expand gambling - Springfield, IL - The State Journal-Register

Amanda Bynes is suing the New York Police Department (NYPD).

The 26-year-old actress was charged with attempted evidence tampering, reckless endangerment and marijuana possession in court last week, after being arrested at her New York City apartment, but Amanda insists she did nothing wrong and was unfairly targeted by police.

In a lengthy rant on Twitter, she wrote: "For once and for all, this is the last thing I'll say about the mistaken arrest. I'm suing NYPD for illegally entering my apartment, lying about drugs on me and lying about me tampering with non existent drug paraphernalia, then I'm suing for being put into a mental hospital against my will, then locked up overnight for coming home after a facial and working out with my trainer like the good girl that I am. I'm allergic to alcohol and drugs and don't partake in any of the above.

"I'm so offended by all of this but so proud to not be a drug or alcohol user. I don't need to talk about this anymore. My lawyer and I are taking this offense so seriously!

"Everything they did was against the law and The judge saw that there was no drugs on me or proof of any type of bong or mental illness (I was so offended to even be taken to a mental hospital and they would not let me call my lawyer until the next day after being in jail all night, then I went to court and was immediately released because the judge saw that I was wrongly arrested. The cops found no proof of any type of drug use or evidence of drug paraphernalia such as a bong in or around my apartment)."

Amanda also insisted she is suing her apartment complex management and bizarrely revealed her plans to become a rapper.

She added: "I'm also suing my apartment complex for lying about me smoking in my building. I'm free forever! You can't lock up an innocent person!

"Thanks for caring! Look forward to seeing me in music videos! I'm getting in shape and getting a nose job! I'm looking forward to a long and wonderful career as a singer/rapper!."

In a separate twitter rant, she said photos of her allegedly smoking drugs were "mocked up". "There is never a drug or alcohol in my system! I'm sick of all the lies! What would you do if someone accused you of things you didn't do and yet you still had to be in jail at all over it!

"I'm so offended but I am so educated that I know cops cannot illegally enter my apartment, sexually harass me, arrest me, take me to a MENTAL HOSPITAL, then lock me up for a crime I didn't commit.

"I'm suing them all for this upsetting nightmare. My lawyer knows I'm a model citizen who doesn't partake in drugs. He's going to court this week to set the record straight again on my behalf.

"Thankfully I'm an educated multi-millionaire who knows better than to speak to perverted unjust cops without my lawyer."

The Scandinavian Country has seen a boom in the online casino and online sports betting market proving yet again that Denmark is in the house.

Denmark has had a strong player base of online casino players for some time. They have been on a constant rise and the first quarter of 2013 is no different. The predictions are in for the rest of 2013 and Denmark's entire online gambling market is to grow by at least 4 per cent, a whopping €1.05 billion. The country has had much growth in the regulated industry and the Danish Gambling Authority is pleased with this first quarter prediction.

There was an amazing 30% increase in gross gaming revenues during the first quarter of 2013 and this growth is basically like a hi-speed train racing down the track.

There are a number of online casinos and online sports betting brands both from and that cater to Danish players. Even sporting events in Denmark have gained in popularity with online punters thanks to amazing lines by the top online sportsbooks in the world.

There is nothing but good things that will come out of this growth as more and more online brands have turned their eyes towards the country. In the future expect to see more online brands from Denmark as a number of developers seek out new entrepreneurial ventures.




Denmark a Real Player in Online Gambling - The Headlines - Onlinecasinoreports-com

It’s a question that’s loomed over the gambling industry since Internet gaming became a reality: In a battle between brick-and-mortar casinos and online casinos, who wins?

At the 15th International Conference on Gambling and Risk Taking, hosted by UNLV at Caesars Palace this week, industry experts and players made their cases in a panel moderated by Joshua Smith of Colliers International Gaming Group.

Here’s a look at some highlights of their discussion.

General thoughts on Internet Gaming:

Mark Lipparelli, former chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board: “Nevada was the first jurisdiction in the U.S. to develop a comprehensive set of gaming regulations dealing with Internet gaming and recently Ultimate Gaming went live and took the first live U.S. wager over the Internet.

“There’s a lot of pride in the work that’s been done by my former agency. I don’t take a lot of credit for that. We had several people within the agency step up and do a study of a lot of what was going on around the world, and we took piece parts of what thought was good and bad and hopefully constructed a good initial set of regulations and operating procedures that people will have to follow.

“Most certainly those will be revised. Once live, we’ll discover where we pushed too hard and probably discover where we didn’t push enough in public policy relating to the area of Interactive gaming.”

Tom Breitling, CEO of Ultimate Gaming: “We’re proud of that fact, but it also comes with huge responsibility. The governor actually empowered the state of Nevada to take the lead, and it’s really no surprise that Nevada took the leadership role. And everyone was talking about it, but Nevada did it, and our company got engaged about three years ago.

“It’s been over a decade that we’ve been looking at this. This is a fascinating time for this industry. It’s really the emergence of a new industry or the extension of the gaming industry.

“For the first time, we’ve actually generated tax revenue as a result of regulated online gaming. Our company now has over 100 employees, and most of the hiring is happening right here in Nevada. So jobs and taxes are coming back to America. And hopefully the leadership of this industry will come back to America. I think that it’s very real. A lot of people talking about it.”

Jon Porter, CEO of Porter Gordon Silver Communications, Washington D.C.: “I am concerned today, unlike I’ve ever been before, for the future of Nevada and the future for Las Vegas. From a Nevada perspective, we are at a turning point. Where are we going to be in the Internet Gaming world?

“We certainly have the experts who certainly have the bricks-and-mortar companies that are trying very hard, but I think from a priorities perspective, even my friends in the Nevada Legislature spent about 30 minutes talking about Internet Gaming. It is one of the No. 1 issues facing our future as a community, as a business community and as a state. We are seeing gaming expanding, and if we’re not cautious, if we’re not careful, our friends in California and our friends in New Jersey are going to move past us.

On how I-gaming will impact land-based casinos:

Breitling: “What the reality is is that this is going down a state-by-state path. There’s two diverging paths here. New Jersey has passed full-blown online casino gaming, So, just imagine a casino on your smart phone, and their revenues have been down. Nevada has seen a little bit of a rebound. I think there’s a lot of sensitivity around what to approve. There’s a lot of reasons why poker-only legislation makes sense and one of them is to protect land-based interests.”

Lipparelli: “I think the question of cannibalization is a difficult one. No one I think has a precise answer. I look at that from the perspective of a channel of distribution and whether’s there’s overlap and what kind of opportunities exist to attract a whole new generation of customers to resorts.

“The kids that are growing up with Facebook and social gaming are not necessarily a traditional customer that a brand would go after, but that is a potential exposure of an idea or a concept or games that might ultimately turn those people into customers. There was talk in the early ‘90s about whether the Internet would ever really have a place in gaming. I think that question has been answered. There’s a robust world of social gaming that’s going on, and those world’s are finally colliding.

Porter: “There’s been a lot of precedence set. You fly on a plane, you walk down the street, the world is now lit up with an iPad or an iPhone or a personal electronic device. I think that our industry is rapidly trying to create that customer base. But we cannot be fooled that there aren’t bigger brands than Nevada. I think that’s what our industry is trying to capture.

Porter on why Federal Legislation is so important: “One of the best things that we can do to help responsible gaming is to have framework nationally, so there is a threshold for our industry. Now, we’re busy fighting each other, because the language wasn’t perfect. Next year, I hope we’re here talking about how we can craft and improve upon a piece of federal legislation. We need an ability to regulate the industry.



Can brick-and-mortar casinos stand up against Internet gaming? - VEGAS INC

India is in many ways still catching up with the rest of the world when it comes to its gambling laws and attitude. Recent match fixing scandals have the politicians clamouring to adjust the laws to bring them up to date and in line with current gambling standards.
While the population of India continues to gain traction economically the need for better laws to safe guard the consumer from fraud and corruption is becoming painfully apparent.
This is not a task for the faint of heart in India where corruption seems to rule at all levels disregarding the laws of the land all together.
The Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries revealed information gleaned from a study of online gambling by KPMG which estimated online betting market in India at about $60 billion US dollars.

Although online gambling in India is illegal the punters in the country still place bets at offshore online gambling establishments.
Prakash K.M., a lawyer says that the Information Technology Act does not have a specific provision to prohibit online betting services from the websites administered from offshore locations. The internet has presented numerous problems for legislators around the world and new laws dealing specifically with cyber business should be implemented rather than having old laws amended.

Critics of plans to change laws regarding illegal internet wagering maintain even if there are new regulations there is little funding or expertise for enforcing legislation banning internet gambling. Advocates of licensing online gambling operators remind politicians that regulation is better for a number of reasons including the generation of tax revenue for social purposes.

Many examples are being sighted as possible frameworks for a regulated system in India including those of the United Kingdom and Malta. Illegal internet betting in India is punishable under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and other penal laws like Public Gambling Act of 1967.




New Online Gambling Laws Required in India

When one examine the demographics of Denmark it’s no wonder the country has excelled in the regulated online gambling industry. First the median age of forty years old or so in Denmark means there is an adult market for betting services and an awareness of the technology available to simplify busy lives. The newly liberated Danish online betting market is proving that regulated internet wagering works fine. The Danish punter is a good example of responsible gambling on casino games and sports betting by creating a strong player base.

There is success under the belts of the regulators the Danish Gambling Authority who claim there has been significant growth in the first quarter of this year. The predicted increase is expected to continue beyond past levels. Denmark's entire online gambling market including sports and casinos is poised to expand by a possible 4 percent or more a substantial €1.05 billion.

Online punters in Denmark are enjoying the competition offered by top of the line operators from all over the world. They enjoy the comparison available for odds and the variety of games to bet on. Denmark is a small country compared to its closest neighbours. Sweden are ten times and Germany eight times larger than Denmark. As of 2011 ninety two percent of households had an internet connection and fifty two percent purchased products online.
There was an outstanding growth rate of 30% in gross gaming revenues during the first quarter of 2013 and this growth is considered extraordinary by most growth standards.

More operators of established brands have turned their attention to Denmark realizing the loyal and educated customer base is worth attracting. The developing Danish regulated online gambling industry has been healthy and profitable for the country as well as the customer.

As mobile becomes more and more available at faster rates and the aging population has more time to play the internet wagering market will only produce better results.




Online Gambling Strong in Denmark

From Saturday, the number of times each month that financially- vulnerable and frequent patrons of casinos here can visit them will be limited.

But gambling-addiction counsellors warned that the new measure could drive problem gamblers to other avenues, such as online gambling.

The number of visits a patron can make to the casinos in a month under the new caps will depend on each individual's unique circumstances.

The limits, announced by the Ministry of Social and Family Development yesterday, will be administered by the National Council on Problem Gambling.

While the council may impose a visit limit on an individual, individuals and family members may also apply to limit the number of casino visits that an individual can make.

The caps are expected to affect about 4,000 to 6,000 frequent gamblers, and complement the existing exclusion orders - imposed voluntarily or by the Government - which ban people from visiting the casinos.

Mr Vincent Ng, executive director of the Ang Mo Kio Family Service Centres, said the casino visit limits encourage gamblers to "take up personal responsibility for their own choices".

Mr Gerald Goh, deputy director of Thye Hua Kwan Problem Gambling Recovery Centre, said a family-imposed visit limit works better than "a straight-out ban", as it will not strain family relationships.

But Mr Ng said problem gamblers with "no interest in resolving their problem" will disregard a visit limit or exclusion order.

He said: "Problem gamblers can circumvent the visit limit by not going to casinos, but seeking out substitute avenues instead.

"The greatest threat to problem gamblers now is online gambling, which is easily available - especially with today's smart devices - and still unregulated."

The Ministry of Home Affairs said on May 10 that it will work with industry experts to look into measures to tackle online gambling.

Concerns have been raised previously on the limiting of visits. A May 4 report by The Straits Times said punters could be driven to wage higher stakes or stay for longer periods at the casinos, if there are visit limits.

Mr Dick Lum, executive director of One Hope Centre, which counsels gambling addicts, said an issue with imposing visit limits is that this "deals with the problem after it has got worse".

He said that a more upstream approach "with preventive measures could save a lot more time, money and effort".

Acting Minister for Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing acknowledged yesterday that the visit limits and exclusion orders "on their own are not sufficient to resolve gambling-related problems faced by individuals and their families".

Mr Chan said the new caps will "(broaden) the measures available to protect an individual and his family from the harm of problem gambling".

"More importantly, individuals must take personal responsibility to change their behaviour and seek help," he said.




Govt safeguard may drive gamblers to online sites

Singers Beyonce and Madonna, activist Gloria Steinem and Bishop Desmond Tutu will be among big names reaching out to a billion people from a pop concert in London on the weekend.

The Sound of Change Live gig headlined by Beyonce, Florence the Machine and Jennifer Lopez will be broadcast live from Twickenham sports stadium to 150 countries on Saturday (Sunday NZT), and on primetime TV in the United States the following day, organisers say.

The four-hour concert could fund at least 120 projects supporting women and girls in more than 70 nations, if all the tickets are sold, they said.

Organised by the Chime for Change campaign, started by Italian fashion house Gucci, every ticket buyer will be able to choose which project their ticket will fund in what the campaign said was a world first for such a venture.

Madonna will be a presenter at the gig alongside other musicians, public figures, activists, film directors and actors including Indian stars Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan.

"Over 60% of the children in the world not in school are girls," Madonna said.

"Two-thirds of the world's illiterate are women. I do not accept this. We need to change this and we will change this," she added.

In addition to performances and collaborations from artists, the concert will serve as a platform to broadcast inspirational and provocative films and stories highlighting women's issues around the world.

Online gambling was almost a bust in the U.S., but now, players are being dealt in once again, and Nevada is cashing in.

In Vegas, you can find a game of poker at any casino, any hour, any day. It's long been America's most popular card game. During the Civil War, soldiers played between battles. It's been dealt in saloons and around kitchen tables.

Now, Internet entrepreneur Tom Breitling wants to have poker at any computer any hour, any day. He explained, "It starts in Nevada, and then it goes to the rest of the country."

Breitling started an online travel site that became Expedia. He sold it for $100 million profit. He bought and sold Vegas' Golden Nugget, making another $100 million. Now he's hoping to do for poker what he did for travel: make it accessible online. His website might look like a standard video game -- old school even. But it's new and it's big. Breitling's website went online in Nevada last month and has already dealt two million hands to poker lovers.

Bree Goldman is one of the players on Breitling's site. Goldman said of playing, "If I'm focused on just making as much money as possible, I would say online poker is probably your best bet. You can play lots of different tables at once."

Unregulated poker flourished online for years until the federal government shut sites down in 2011 for violating interstate finance rules. The rules have since been reinterpreted, opening the door. Now, New Jersey and Delaware plan to roll out online gaming, and other states are considering it. But Nevada was first.

Breitling, chairman of Ultimate Gaming, said, "When a customer feels safe, then they are willing to spend their entertainment dollars with you."

For safety, Breitling created an ultra-safe website. The state set strict regulations: players must be 21; must be in Nevada, and must stake their funding up front.

Poker fanatic, James Placek, likes the casino, but likes online gaming better. "When I get home from work, I try to spend time with the kids and the family and the wife, and then to relax, I like to get online about 10 or 11 at night and wind down before bedtime," he said. "So I mean, that's a win, win."

Breitling's partner in this high stakes poker venture: Ultimate Fighting Championship. He's betting young fight fans will become poker fans. He said, "The core demographic for UFC is almost a perfect overlap with online poker -- loves new technology, loves to play games, highly disposable income."

With online poker expected to generate $400 million in Nevada in four years, Breitling's betting other states will be at the table soon.



Nevada looks to cash in on online gambling resurgence - CBS News

Mario Galea, one of the most well-known people in the world of online gambling was often called ‘Super Mario’ by his employees, since his actions and proposals were very well thought-out and at the same time very surprising to customers.
Now the IT consultant since 1996 who’s background includes being the first CEO of the Lotteries and Gaming Authority of Malta from 2004 to 2008 has been retained by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement.
His consulting firm Random Consulting Group offers services to online casinos that include website development, instituting systems for handling customer relations, back office transactions, and overall management of web based casinos.

Mr. Galea is an expert in online gambling having brought the Maltese regulatory framework into the spotlight developing a reputation for reliable and fair gambling online. This is a well rounded individual that has contributed significantly to the development of regulated online gambling in Europe and is now meeting the requirements of the newly minted New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement.

The Lotteries & Gaming Authority of Malta also has a new Chairman, a familiar face to those in the Authority. Former LGA CEO Mario Galea was appointed to the role by Parliamentary Secretary for Competitiveness and Economic Growth Edward Zammit Lewis, whose portfolio oversees the LGA.

This executive is on the cutting edge of the regulated online gambling industry and is sure to be able to determine if NJ’s draft of gaming regulations has loopholes or is in need of further amendments . LGA Chairman Galea will assess feedback and suggestions received from the gaming industry in America and from other jurisdictions are judge whether they are reasonable, feasible and require taking notice of.

The internet betting consultant’s job is to deal with the preliminary stage, as well as the testing and implementation processes before and after the gambling sites are launched. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement will also look for advice concerning policy, process, and technology, as part of the new regulatory body’s maintenance procedures.



Galea to Consult for New Jersey's Online Gambling Offering